Garrett Williamson, CFP

06/08/2026

Three tips for giving smart from the heart.

Do you have causes that you want to support with donations?

06/08/2026

Markets continued their upward climb in May, supported by strong technology performance, positive economic data, and ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. The Nasdaq gained 8.36%, the S&P 500 rose 5.15%, and Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite added 2.37%, while investors welcomed better-than-expected job growth and upbeat corporate earnings. With the Fed's next meeting scheduled for June, attention is turning to updated economic projections and what they may signal about the broader economy. From \$24 billion spent on Father's Day to the popularity of dining out and special outings, this month's by-the-numbers highlights how families celebrate the dads in their lives.

Monthly Market Insights | June 2026 U.S. and Canadian Markets Stocks pushed higher in May, fueled by big tech names, positive economic news, and ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. The Nasdaq Composite, which rose 15.29 percent in April, tacked on another 8.36 percent. The Standard & Poor...

06/07/2026

Divorce is a painful process. Avoid financial mistakes that may have life-long consequences.

By understanding a few key concepts during a divorce, you may be able to avoid common pitfalls.

06/06/2026

The top sources of stress for working Americans are all money related. Working with a financial professional can help you stay calm and financially confident.

Money-related issues are the top sources of stress for US adults. Working with a financial professional can help

06/05/2026

How much could you receive from Social Security? Here’s what to expect.

Calculating your potential Social Security benefit is a three-step process.

06/03/2026

He'd built his career at one company.
His retirement was riding on the stock.
And he wanted out early.

Every advisor he talked to gave him the same advice:
"Diversify. Sell slowly. Take the tax hit."
Here's why that was wrong for him.

First, he had conviction in the company. He wanted to keep holding it. Selling chunks every year meant a long-term capital gains bill every April, slowly eating into the diversification he was trying to build.

Second, his employer's business touched retail, logistics, cloud, advertising, and broad swaths of the economy. Selling shares and buying "the rest of the market" didn't actually escape the exposure. Half the index moves with the company.

Third, his timeline. The standard retirement income playbook requires waiting until 59½ to touch an IRA or 401(k) without penalty. He wasn't waiting.

So we built something different.

Three moves.
One: An option strategy on his concentrated position. He keeps the shares. Scheduled income comes in. That income funds his lifestyle without him having to sell a single share.

Two: Exchange fund replication. We synthetically replicate broad market exposure while he holds a meaningful portion of his stock. He gets the diversification effect without realizing the gain.

Three: Hold what's left long-term. When the position transfers to his heirs someday, the cost basis steps up to the value at that moment. Decades of accumulated gain wiped clean.

The result:
He retired early.
His income covers his lifestyle.
His retirement accounts stay untouched and keep compounding.
His concentrated position keeps working.
His estate is positioned to transfer efficiently.
He kept the stock he wanted.
He retired on his timeline.

The tax bill he was dreading never came.

06/02/2026

I suck at budgeting.
Strange thing for a financial advisor to admit.
The guy who manages money for a living can't manage his own?
Here's the thing.

Traditional budgeting turns you into an accountant. Track every dollar. Sort it into the right category. Make sure you never go over in any of them.
Nobody keeps that up. Not even accountants.

There's too much to track, so everyone quits inside a month.
And most people treat their budget like a report card anyway. They're being graded. And they're sure they've got an F.
"I spend too much on food."
As if the goal is to feel guilty about groceries.

Here's what actually works.
Stop tracking the minutia. Put a limit on the total.
Want to spend $2,000 a month on food? Go for it. As long as it doesn't get in the way of your bills or your savings, I genuinely don't care.

Your income only flows to four places:
Bills.
Spending.
Savings.

Everything else is a subcategory. And subcategories don't decide whether you build wealth.
I use the 50/30/20 rule as my guide:
50% or less to bills.
30% or less to spending.
20% or more to savings.
It's not a report card telling me what I did wrong. It's a goal I'm working toward.

Do I hit 20% every month? Absolutely not. Life happens whether you plan for it or not.
My wife and I sit down twice a month. First weekend, we look back at last month and talk about what's coming. Third weekend, we check how we're tracking.
That's it. No categories. No accounting. No fuss.
It's made our life dramatically less stressful.

So am I a good budgeter?
No.
But am I a good cashflow manager?
Yes.

06/01/2026

Let this be the year you put your refund to work in ways that pay off long term.

Make these savvy money moves with your refund today so you can treat yourself in the future.

05/30/2026

Giving thanks may also have a positive effect on finances. Find out how starting a gratitude practice can boost your happiness and your financial health

Gratitude may play a part in the relationship between mental and financial wellness

05/29/2026

Could financial stress be undermining your well-being? If you’re trying to practice healthy habits but still feel anxious and emotionally overwhelmed, financial stress may be to blame

If you’re feeling anxious and emotionally overwhelmed, financial stress could be impacting your wellness