Melissa Smith

05/01/2026

Don’t let the myth of needing a lot of money stop you from investing. Even the smallest contributions can make a big impact over time. Just start now, watch it build, and thank yourself later!

https://bit.ly/PriDisclosures

04/09/2026

Thank you for the opportunity to connect over coffee and dive into some of these important questions Tara Sales Mortgage Broker.
Reach out to Tara for all your mortgage needs- trusted local guidance every step of the way!

I had the great joy of meeting Melissa Smith , an Independent Financial Representative, here on the north shore. I sat down with her, and I asked the questions all need to have the answers to! Well, actually, anyone looking to buy a home!

❓ 𝐐: “𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭?”
I understand the attraction of putting a bigger down payment to reduce your monthly, biweekly, or weekly mortgage payment. However, if you don’t require the additional savings to qualify for the mortgage, it can be a better strategy to put down what you need to qualify and keep your savings growing.

❓𝐐: “𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭-𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬?”
I would say that once the new homeowner purchases their home, the savings generally stop. Or they fund things for the home with their investments.

❓ 𝐐: “𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐩𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐛𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠?”
No, not necessarily. It would really depend on the debt’s interest rates & your debt-to-income ratio.

❓ 𝐐: “𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐈 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞?”
Absolutley! This is the best strategy 🙂

❓ 𝐐: “𝐈𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐮𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭?”
If you are in a position to purchase a home, then go for it. Waiting for the best possible price, and the perfect interest rate can leave you stuck or force you to buy later under more pressure and less favorable conditions.

❓ 𝐐: “𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐈 𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 ‘𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐫’?”
Build a realistic budget and actively track your spending. By knowing exactly where your money is going each month, you can stay in control of your cash flow.

❓ 𝐐: “𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩?”
Create a personalized financial game plan by partnering with professionals who specialize in specific areas, guiding you step by step toward your personal goals and dreams.

Do you want to see where you stand financially?

Book a meeting with Melissa 👉

https://livemore.net/melissajunesmith

04/08/2026

Money doesn't come with a manual- but learning how to manage it can change your life.

04/01/2026

April really does feel like a reset button. Longer days, a bit more warmth, and that sense that something new can begin. Here’s to leaning into it, whatever growth looks like for you right now—big changes or just small, steady steps forward. 🌱✨

02/09/2026

According to a recent survey many middle-income Canadians feel like schools didn’t prepare them for handling finances as adults. Click the link to read more survey results: https://bit.ly/44ynKRK

02/05/2026

When your mindset grows, your confidence will follow

01/21/2026

01/20/2026

✨️Amazing evening of business, great conversations & even better connections. I feel very grateful for this groups energy every month & I had the opportunity to speak this time✨️

01/08/2026

Here’s to 12 new chapters and 365 new chances. Happy New Year! 🎉

11/26/2025