Category: Advice
How the OAS Clawback Works in Canada
Most Canadians don’t see the OAS clawback coming because no single income source looks like the problem on its own. In this episode, Zena Amundsen CFP breaks down exactly how the OAS clawback works in Canada, which income sources count toward the threshold and the five timing strategies that…
Your Biggest Canadian Retirement Tax Questions Answered
A tax expert answers the most Googled retirement tax questions Canadians are asking right now. In this episode of Heart of Your Money, Zena Amundsen CFP and Nicole Putz CFP sit down with tax expert Rick Soparlo to break down real retirement tax strategies for Canadians, including how to…
What Finfluencers Get Wrong About Financial Advice on Social Media
Your social media feed is full of financial “experts” telling you to take CPP at 60, refinance your real estate for free money and get out of your RSPs. And it’s getting into people’s heads. In this episode of Heart of Your Retirement, Zena Amundsen CFP and Nicole Putz…
Should I Transfer My Pension to a Financial Advisor?
Should you transfer your pension at retirement? It depends on 5 key factors. In this episode, Canadian CFPs Zena Amundsen and Nicole Putz break down the exact framework they use with clients to make this pension transfer decision, including real scenarios where they told clients to LEAVE their pension…
Why Pay for Your Financial Plan Before Becoming a Client?
Why Pay for Your Financial Plan Before Becoming a Client? In this episode of ‘Heart of Your Retirement,’ Nicole and Zena discuss a frequently asked question in their office: Why should you pay for a financial plan before becoming a client? They explore the reasoning behind this practice, emphasizing…
Understanding the Federal Government Early Retirement Offer: Is It Right for You?
Federal Government Early Retirement Offer: Should You Take It? In this video, we delve into the timely topic of early retirement for federal government employees. With recent news about an offer allowing eligible workers to retire early without pension penalties, many are questioning if they should take this opportunity….
Meet the Duo Behind Astra Financial: The Unofficial Charter Behind The New Partnership
Welcome to Heart of Your Retirement! In this episode, hosts Zena and Nicole provide an inside look at Astra Financial, where they’re shaking up their usual retirement-themed content. Meet Nicole Putz, a certified financial planner (CFP) with a decade of expertise, and now a partner at Astra. They reveal their…
Beyond Finances: 5 Things People Miss When It Comes to Retirement Planner
Most retirement planning focuses on one thing: the numbers. And yes, financial security matters. You need that foundation in place. But here’s what most people don’t expect: You could have every financial box checked off and still feel lost, bored, or lonely in retirement. There’s a lot that goes into…
Your Guide to Hiring a Financial Planner
Hiring a financial planner shouldn’t feel like a leap of faith, but for many people, it does. Maybe you’ve never worked with one because trust feels impossible. Or maybe you’re stuck with an advisor who doesn’t seem to have your back – someone who pushes products instead of creating plans,…
How to Minimize Taxes with Estate Planning
What should have taken a few weeks to sort out took nearly a year. A family friend passed away with a beautiful legacy—savings, a cabin, investments. But probate delays, unclear paperwork, and taxes turned grief into a nightmare for her kids. That’s exactly what we’re avoiding today. You don’t need…
