Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Blake Abbott

06/06/2026

Most people think of budgeting as managing what's happening right now. But a balanced budget can help do something more important. It creates room for your future.

Finding that little "extra" each month can mean a lot as you move toward reaching your long-term financial goals, like retirement. When you free up even small amounts through smarter spending choices, that money can go toward education savings for your children, building an emergency fund, or contributing more to retirement accounts.

This is where budgeting stops being about restriction and becomes about possibility. It's not just tracking expenses. It's making sure your daily financial decisions support the life you want to build over the next 10, 20, or 30 years.

If you'd like to understand how your day-to-day budget connects to your bigger financial picture, let's have a conversation. I can help you see a path from where you are today to where you want to go.

These considerations can help you get a handle on how you spend money each month.

05/30/2026

Market corrections can feel unsettling, but they're a normal part of investing. What matters most is staying focused on what's important to you and your long-term goals.

Based on our market pulse, history shows us that corrections averaging 14.7% have recovered in about four months, with markets rising an average of 18.4% six months later. While some indicators are viewed by market participants as supportive, the underlying economic conditions remain supportive.

This is where our partnership matters most. I'm here to help you navigate volatility with a strategy built on quality investments, diversification, and long-term thinking. Together, we'll make adjustments as needed to keep you on track toward your goals.

If market volatility has you concerned or you'd like to discuss how your portfolio is positioned, I'm here to help you stay the course.

We're committed to keeping you in the know about the latest market movements.

05/28/2026

One of the most common questions about Old Age Security (OAS) is when to start taking it. The standard age is 65, but you can delay until age 70. Each choice affects how much you receive.

Starting at 65 means you begin receiving income earlier. But if you delay, your monthly payments increase by 0.6% for each month you wait, up to a maximum 36% increase at age 70.

So which option is right for you? It depends on several factors unique to your situation. Your current tax rate matters. If you're still working or have other significant income, delaying might make sense. Your total income matters too, because OAS is subject to a clawback if your income exceeds certain thresholds.

If you're approaching 65 and wondering when to start your OAS, reach out. I can help you evaluate your options based on your personal circumstances.

You asked – we answered! Here are the top 10 questions about Old Age Security (OAS)

05/23/2026

Old Age Security (OAS) doesn't exist in isolation. It interacts with all your other retirement income sources, and understanding these interactions helps you make smarter decisions about your overall retirement strategy.

Here's what to know: OAS benefits may be reduced if your income exceeds certain thresholds. This is called the OAS recovery tax or clawback. For every dollar you earn above the threshold, you lose 15 cents of your OAS benefit.

This means the way you manage your pension income, RRSP/RRIF withdrawals, investment income, and even part-time work can all affect how much OAS you actually keep. Some retirees are surprised to discover that a larger RRIF withdrawal or investment gain pushes them into clawback territory.

Planning your withdrawals, pensions, and savings together helps optimize your retirement income mix. When you coordinate all your income sources strategically, you can often keep more of what you've earned.

If you want to understand how your OAS will work alongside your other retirement income, let's have a conversation. I can help you see the full picture and make decisions that work together.

You asked – we answered! Here are the top 10 questions about Old Age Security (OAS)

05/21/2026

A balanced family budget isn't about deprivation or cutting everything you enjoy. It's about creating a realistic plan that supports your goals and fits your life.

Start with clear, achievable goals. Build in flexibility for unexpected expenses, because life rarely goes exactly as planned. Review your budget regularly and adjust as your circumstances change. The families who succeed with budgeting are the ones who stay consistent, not perfect.

And remember, you don't have to figure this out alone. Working with an advisor means having someone who can help you review your current situation, refine your goals, and create a strategy that can help keep you on track.

If you're ready to create a budget that works for your family's goals, reach out. I'm here to help.

05/17/2026

Ottawa's proposed national sovereign wealth fund, the Canada Strong Fund, is generating a lot of headlines. Before drawing any conclusions, it's worth pausing on what we actually know, and what we don't.

The details that matter most to investors are still undefined. Governance structures, safeguards against political influence, liquidity terms, lockup periods and realistic risk and return expectations have not been established. The fund's focus on areas where private capital hasn't stepped in suggests these investments may carry meaningful risk. And unlike Norway's sovereign wealth fund, which invests globally and excludes direct retail participation, the Canada Strong Fund would invest domestically and include a retail investor component. That's a significant distinction.

A strong financial plan doesn't react to headlines. It's built on quality investments, diversification and a long-term perspective grounded in your goals, your timeline and your comfort with risk. Those principles don't change because of a political announcement.

If you'd like to talk through what this means for your plan, reach out and let's talk.

Learn about what Canada's proposed Sovereign Wealth Fund means for your financial plan.

05/16/2026

I'm deeply grateful to share that Edward Jones has been recognized as the No.1 Wealth Management Firm for Advised Investor Satisfaction in the JD Power 2026 Canada Investor Satisfaction Study, our 10th award in 14 years! 🏆

What makes this recognition especially meaningful? It came directly from our clients. They rated us highest in:

• Trust
• People
• Products meeting their needs
• Ease of doing business

This demonstrates what I've always believed: When you truly understand what your clients are trying to achieve — their goals, their concerns, their dreams for their family — everything else falls into place.

To my clients: Thank you for your trust. This recognition belongs to you and reflects the relationship we've built together.

If you've been considering personalized financial guidance, let's talk about your future. I'd welcome the opportunity to show you the difference this approach can make.

For JD Power 2026 award information, visit jdpower.com/awards

05/14/2026

Many couples don’t talk about money until they have to. A cohabitation agreement can help you answer the uncomfortable questions early:

Who pays for what? Who owns what? What happens if things change?

It’s like a pre-nup, but for common-law couples. It can help you define expectations, avoid misunderstandings, and make decisions more easily.

If you’re navigating these conversations or want guidance on how financial planning fits into your relationship, reach out. I’m happy to talk through your options and help you feel more confident moving forward.

Edward Jones' financial advisors are not lawyers and cannot provide legal advice. A cohabitation agreement is a legally binding document that should be created with the assistance of a qualified lawyer or legal professional. We can help you understand how your financial decisions today connect to your long-term goals and work alongside your legal advisor to support your overall financial strategy.

05/07/2026

Before you commit to helping your child financially with a home purchase, it's worth understanding how this decision might ripple through the rest of your financial picture.

1. Your retirement and savings: Large gifts or loans can influence your long-term savings or retirement goals. If you need to liquidate investments to provide a gift, there could be tax consequences you'll want to plan for.

2. Your credit and borrowing capacity: Co-signing affects your own credit and borrowing ability. It shows up on your credit report and could limit what you can access for your own needs or to help other children down the road.

3. Fairness across your family: If you have multiple children or a blended family, you'll also want to think through fairness considerations. How will you ensure equal treatment over time? What happens if you pass away before you're able to help all your children equally?

4. Documentation and protection: Regardless of which approach you take, clear documentation helps avoid family misunderstandings later. This is especially important if you're loaning money or if there's any possibility of a relationship breakdown in your child's future.

If you're considering helping your child buy a home, reach out. I can help you understand the full financial impact and help make sure this decision supports rather than compromises your own future.

Here’s what to consider

05/01/2026

Market ups and downs can feel unsettling, but they're a natural part of investing. When markets dip, it doesn't mean your long-term strategy is broken. It means markets are doing what they've always done: moving in cycles.

Reacting to every market swing can pull you off course. The investors who reach their goals are often the ones who stay focused on what matters most to them, not what's happening this week or this month.

If market volatility is making you second-guess your plan, let's talk. We can review your strategy together and help make sure it still aligns with where you want to go.