Ottawa’s Trusted Investment Advisor & Financial Planner For Growing Families and Pre-Retirees

Evidence-Based Financial Planning That Focuses on What Actually Matters: Asset Allocation, Tax Efficiency, and Your Life Goals

Are you:

1. Overwhelmed by Complexity: Between RRSPs, TFSAs, RESPs, pensions, insurance, and retirement planning, it's hard to know what to prioritize. You need a clear roadmap that coordinates everything: not scattered advice that leaves you confused.

2. Distracted by the Wrong Things: Most financial advice focuses on picking the "hottest" stocks or timing the market: strategies proven not to work. What actually drives success? Asset allocation, tax efficiency, consistent saving, and staying disciplined. That's where I focus.

3. Life Stages Require Different Strategies: Young families juggling mortgages, childcare, and education savings need completely different planning than pre-retirees optimizing CPP timing and retirement income. Your advisor should understand your specific life stage deeply.

The Evidence-Based Approach Framework

What Drives Long-Term Financial Success:

1. Asset Allocation - The Most Important Decision Academic research shows that over 90% of portfolio returns come from asset allocation: how you divide investments between stocks, bonds, Canadian, international, and other asset classes. I spend time getting this right instead of chasing individual stock picks.

Why it matters: A proper asset allocation matched to your goals, timeline, and risk tolerance provides the foundation for everything else. This is where I focus my expertise: not on trying to predict which stocks will outperform.

2. Tax Efficiency: Keep More of What You Earn Taxes are one of your largest lifetime expenses. Strategic tax planning - RRSP vs. TFSA decisions, income splitting, tax-loss harvesting, and withdrawal sequencing- helps you keep your money in your pocket.

My approach: Every financial decision has tax implications. I integrate tax planning into everything we do - investment account selection, retirement income strategies, and estate planning.

3. Comprehensive Financial Planning - Everything Connected Your financial life isn't disconnected pieces. Your insurance needs affect your investment risk tolerance. Your retirement goals influence today's savings rate. Your children's education costs impact your retirement timeline. I coordinate all of it.

Holistic planning includes:

• Cash flow optimization and budgeting

• Debt management strategies

• Investment portfolio design and implementation

• Retirement income projections

• Education savings (RESP strategies)

• Insurance needs analysis and implementation

• Tax optimization across all accounts

• Estate planning coordination

4. Behavioral Discipline- Avoiding Costly Mistakes The biggest threat to investment success isn't market volatility - it's human behavior. Panic selling during downturns, chasing hot investments, abandoning your plan—these emotional decisions destroy wealth.

My role: I keep you disciplined when markets test your resolve, help you stay focused on long-term goals, and prevent the behavioral mistakes that derail most investors.

5. Evidence Over Speculation I don't pick stocks. I don't try to time the market. I don't chase performance. Why? Because decades of academic research shows these strategies don't work consistently.

What I do instead:

• Build globally diversified portfolios using low-cost index-like funds

• Maintain strategic asset allocation based on your goals

• Automatic contributions and rebalancing to buy low and sell high

• Focus on controlling costs, taxes, and behavior

• Base every recommendation on evidence, not hunches

Comprehensive Solutions for Your Complete Financial Life

1. Strategic Financial Planning The roadmap for your financial life. Comprehensive planning covering cash flow, debt strategy, retirement projections, education funding, tax optimization, and estate coordination.

2. Evidence-Based Investment Management Portfolio construction focused on asset allocation, diversification, and tax efficiency, not stock picking or market timing. Disciplined rebalancing and ongoing monitoring to keep you on track.

3. Integrated Risk Management Protecting your financial plan with appropriate insurance coverage. Analysis of life, disability, and critical illness insurance needs, with implementation support to secure proper protection for your family.

I Specialize in Two Life Stages

Young Families (Ages 30-40) Building wealth while managing mortgages, childcare costs, and education savings. You need a plan that balances today's obligations with tomorrow's goals.

What I help with:

• Mortgage paydown vs. investing decisions

• RESP strategies and government grant maximization

• Life and disability insurance to protect your growing family

• RRSP vs. TFSA contribution strategies

• Building wealth while juggling competing priorities

Pre-Retirees (Ages 50-65) Transitioning from wealth accumulation to retirement confidence. You need clarity on whether you're on track and optimization of your retirement income strategy.

What I help with:

• "Can I afford to retire when I want?"

• CPP and OAS timing optimization

• Pension decisions (commuted value vs. income)

• Tax-efficient retirement income planning

• Portfolio risk reduction without sacrificing growth

• Estate planning and legacy goals

Evidence-Based Planning for Ontario Families

Focus on What Matters No stock picking. No market timing. No hot tips. Just strategic asset allocation, tax planning, and comprehensive financial coordination, the things proven to drive long-term success.

Life Stage Expertise I specialize deeply in two life stages: young families building wealth and pre-retirees planning retirement. This focused expertise means I understand your specific challenges intimately.

Comprehensive Approach Your investments, insurance, taxes, and retirement plans all work together. I coordinate everything so nothing falls through the cracks.

CFP® Professional CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation -the gold standard in financial planning, demonstrating comprehensive expertise and ethical commitment.

How We're Different

Why Ontario Families Choose Sutherland Financial Planning

Comprehensive Approach Your financial life is interconnected. I address all aspects: planning, investments, and insurance—so nothing falls through the cracks.

Evidence-Based Investing No market timing, no stock picking, no hot tips. Just disciplined, research-backed strategies that have proven to work over decades.

Transparent Pricing You'll know exactly what you pay before we begin. No hidden fees, no surprises, no commission-driven product recommendations.

Local Expertise Deep understanding of Onataroi families' unique needs, combined with expertise in Canadian tax law, government benefits, and retirement planning strategies.

Book a FREE 30-minute introductory consultation