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Send us a text Hello! In the time since the last Sara Makes Sense, a lot has happened.  In my business, in your financials, in the global space that we share. My new podcast, I've Heard Worse, focuses on how and why you would develop a financial plan.  I talk about the situations clients have faced, conversations I've had, why I plan the way I do and how to make confident decisions in your own best interest. Listen to the first episode here, then hop over to the I've Heard Worse feed to listen to the remaining episodes in the season. I would love to hear your comments and questions.  Join me on Substack at Financial Foundations.

Send us a text This is a wide-ranging conversation with Paul McIntyre Royston, CEO of the Grand River Hospital Foundation.  We talk about that specific foundation does, what governments in Canada pay for and what they don't when it comes to health care, what the term 'health care' encompasses. The conversation also moves into what could it mean if we were contributing to a stronger health care system for everyone?  That securing our own potential, future, maybe- health needs might be done by giving to build a stronger system today.  For everyone.  What if we, as donors, saw giving that way?  What if we had a better understanding of what motivated organizations?  Would we give more?  Give differently?  Get better outcomes?  Actually change the world? Links that are mentioned in the conversation: General GRHF page: https://grhf.ca/  Paul talks about the meaning of the lotus and it's petals, explanation and pic found here: https://grhf.ca/blogs/grand-ideas/hospital-pins Paul talks about the foundation values, found here: https://grhf.ca/pages/ourteam Grand River coffee tokens: https://grhf.ca/products/buy-a-coffee-for-a-healthcare-worker

Send us a text How do you untangle your money when you've tried and failed before?  When you can't figure out what's going where and so many things are out of your control? In this episode of Sara makes Sense, I talk about how to talk about your money, including specific steps to take to figure out what's going where, how to control what you can and how to work with the things you can't. I use the example of Season 2 of this podcast- it didn't go the way I wanted, it felt like a public failure, and I had to decide what to do.    Similar to how many of us feel about our money situations, ignoring it, sweeping it under the rug and moving on wouldn't have had any benefits to me, given the goals that I have.  I chose to re-group and continue with the podcast. Getting control of your money includes knowing how much is coming in and when, what's scheduled to go out (this is money you've already spent) and what's left over to handle the rest of your expenses for every pay period. Managing in an environment of high inflation, economic slowdowns and job uncertainty takes planning.  It's possible and it's important.  I recommend that you include your biggest asset when you think about how to manage the 'uncontrollables': your earning potential.  Including your earning potential in your financial discussions is important when you're looking at the big-picture of what's possible.  It can help you regain control. A few links for the benefits of telling your story, or witnessing: https://news.berkeley.edu/berkeley_blog/the-science-of-the-story/   A long read, but hang in there; the section titled "How stories bring people together" gets into why telling our money stories is beneficial to us and others. https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/the-web-violence/201309/resilience-and-4-benefits-sharing-your-story  The 3rd point here, Re-Affirming your Values is important.  In the day-to-day busy-ness, we can lose sight of what we value and where we're spending our money.  Re-focusing through telling our money story can motivate change. 2 books by Shannon Lee Simmons contain great stories about how Shannon works with her clients and how to manage your money with less stress Worry-Free Money  Living Debt Free You can find Shannon's books in a variety of places- choose your favourite purchasing method!

Send us a text In this episode, listen to how to save for your child's education using a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP).   I talk about how to set up an RESP,  what happens when you deposit money, what does the (federal) government grant look like, what are the tax implications of your deposits.  I also talk about investment considerations, when joint ownership of the account makes sense and when it doesn't and the planning considerations that I talk to clients about as they are making deposits to their RESP. Next episode- How to withdraw money from an RESP Useful links:  information on the government grant (Canada): https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/education/education-savings/savings-grant.html     information on U.S. citizens, tax treatment of RESP plans (parents and children): https://www.bdo.ca/BDO/media/Misc-Documents/Tax-Consequences-for-US-Citizens-and-Other-US-Persons-Living-in-Canada.pdf information about 529 accounts (U.S.): https://www.savingforcollege.com/intro-to-529s/what-is-a-529-plan#:~:text=A%20529%20plan%20is%20an,programs%20and%20student%20loan%20repayments. information about costs of post-secondary education in the European Union: https://education.ec.europa.eu/news/tuition-fees-at-european-universities 

Send us a text Worried about how to manage your day-to-day money with a baby on the way?  Trying to figure out how to figure it out now that baby is here? This episode of Sara makes Sense covers what facts to pay attention to, how to sort out how much money you've already spent and how much you have left to make choices on. Have a question that you'd like Sara to answer in a future episode?  Email [email protected] Additional resources: Maternity/Paternity leave benefits  in Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/starting-family/maternity-parental-leave-benefits.html  Maternity leave Europe: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/ATAG/2019/635586/EPRS_ATA(2019)635586_EN.pdf  Child care costs by province, Canada:https://arrivein.com/daily-life-in-canada/child-care-in-canada-types-cost-and-tips-for-newcomers/ Child care costs United States: https://www.verywellfamily.com/affording-child-care-4157342#:~:text=The%20average%20cost%20of%20center-based%20daycare%20in%20the,%241%2C740%20monthly%29%2C%20according%20to%20ChildCare%20Aware%20of%20America. Child care costs across Europe:  https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/spotlight/arid-40727262.html   What Sara loves about this article about child care costs- it works with the percentage of family income that is spent on child care, not just the dollars to the care provider.  As we have discussions about how to change child care, increase women's participation in the work force and balance family and work, we need to look at different angles.  Even though it was written in 2018, there's useful information for planning your life: https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/25/health/child-care-parenting-explainer-intl/index.html 

Send us a text Sara Makes Sense Show notes Episode #21  Finances are personal. When it’s your money, financial plans are very personal. What if you took some of the emotion out of your financial equation by looking at your portfolio through the lens of a project manager? In this episode of Sara Makes Sense, host Sara McCullough talks to expert project manager Gabriele Maussner. She talks about tackling big plans one step at a time.    Got a question for Sara? Send her an email at [email protected] and she might respond to it in an upcoming episode Sara's website is https://www.wddevelopment.ca/ Gabriele can be reached at: Gabriele Maussner-Schouten, MBA, PMP, BCAP Redefining how People and Projects Succeed 416-809-4723 [email protected]

Send us a text You’re nodding yes, when you’re thinking no.  It can be a lousy feeling. Especially when you’re in a discussion about money with your financial planner. For some, it’s an intimidating world.   In this episode of Sara Makes Sense, host Sara McCullough talks about a healthy financial planning relationship, and how to make sure you’re in one.  Got a question for Sara? Send her an email at [email protected] and she might respond to it in an upcoming episode Sara's website is https://www.wddevelopment.ca/ 

Send us a text You’ve doled out for years. That’s part of the job description of being a parent. But at some point, you have to wean your kids off the bank of Mom and Dad.  Before you do that, in fairness to them, you have to have the money talk.  How it works. How to manage. How to respect it. Teach your kids how to FISH! In this episode of Sara Makes Sense, host Sara McCullough talks to teens about dollars and cents.   Got a question for Sara? Send her an email at [email protected] and she might respond to it in an upcoming episode Sara's website is https://www.wddevelopment.ca/ 

Send us a text You were single and now you’re not.  You’re also not in your 20’s.  Or your 30’s.   There’s history. Now you’re in a new relationship and all of a sudden you’re in love again. Things are going so well, you’re making big plans together. Before weekend sleepovers become permanent, have you had the money talk yet? In this episode of Sara Makes Sense, host Sara McCullough talks listeners through a potentially prickly issue that can sometimes end up being a relationship deal breaker. Got a question for Sara? Send her an email at [email protected] and she might respond to it in an upcoming episode Sara's website is https://www.wddevelopment.ca/ 

Send us a text It’s not a bad problem to have.  A little extra in the bank... on hand for whatever life throws at you.  What about investing that money?  However, the markets are roaring, surely now would not be a smart time to buy.  Right? In this episode of Sara Makes Sense, host Sara McCullough breaks down the fear and impossibilities of timing the market.  And she outlines the most common mistake we make when it comes to our money. Got a question for Sara? Send her an email at [email protected] and she might respond to it in an upcoming episode   Sara's website is https://www.wddevelopment.ca/ 

Send us a text This podcast is designed to inform, educate and enlighten because Sara DOES make sense. In previous episodes, we’ve covered off everything from divorce to timing the market to what kind of insurance is needed and necessary. In this episode of Sara Makes Sense, Sara answers real questions about real issues from her real listeners.  Got a question for Sara? Send her an email at [email protected] and she might respond to it in an upcoming episode Sara's website is https://www.wddevelopment.ca/ 

Send us a text We plan for vacations. We plan a weekend. However, many of us don’t plan when it comes to big ticket items, like financial planning when you decide to live with someone. Why do you need one? After all, you’re both in love. In this episode of Sara Makes Sense, Sara uses real life examples to walk listeners through the expensive landmines that can await separating couples who have not planned ahead.    Got a question for Sara? Send her an email at [email protected] and she might respond to it in an upcoming episode Sara's website is https://www.wddevelopment.ca/ 

Send us a text It’s one of life’s emotional landmines.  When a marriage ends, people are often at their worst. Decision making is difficult.  The process is no longer a showdown featuring hired legal guns in front of a judge. In this episode of Sara Makes Sense, Sara talks with Family Law Mediator Jennifer Sanders.  Jennifer helps clients going through a separation. But she not only walks a couple through the difficult process, but also, when necessary, a post separation parenting plan.  Sadly, many marriages have dissolved over the course of the pandemic.  This timely episode is a starting point for those couples facing separation. Jennifer Sanders can be reached at Sanders Mediation. https://jennifersanders.ca/ Have a listen to Jennifer's podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/split-the-after-ever-after-podcast/id1539553779 Got a question for Sara? Send her an email at [email protected] and she might respond to it in an upcoming episode Sara's website is https://www.wddevelopment.ca/ 

Send us a text Getting separated is hard enough. It’s easily one of life’s most difficult chapters. Battling your lawyer as well as your ex-spouse is the last thing anyone needs. In this episode of SARA MAKES SENSE, Sara speaks with veteran Family lawyer David Morneau. Together they unpack the do’s and don’ts of how to deal with a lawyer, and how to get through the process with integrity intact.   David Morneau can be reached on LinkedIn Got a question for Sara? Send her an email at [email protected] and she might respond to it in an upcoming episode Sara's website is https://www.wddevelopment.ca/ 

Send us a text When we get married, the plan is to stay married. But life and statistics suggests that's not always the case. When a marriage ends before you do, what’s the plan? In this episode of SARA MAKES SENSE, Sara looks at the financial landmines that accompany an emotional separation. Mistakes can be made in a moment that end up lasting a lifetime. Got a question for Sara? Send her an email at [email protected] and she might respond to it in an upcoming episode Sara's website is https://www.wddevelopment.ca/