Work With Me

You need to make sure you’re getting this right

Life is busy.  Work, kids, figuring out what’s for dinner, paying bills etc.

So there’s little time to think about whether you’re getting the big things in life right.

Questions like:

• Am I spending too much?
• Should I be saving more?
• Can my investments do better?
• When can I afford to retire?

Ignoring these big questions creates anxiety.  And that’s the reason why people worry about money.

Many people stress over money.  In a recent study by the Financial Planning Standards Council, 7 out of 10 Canadians say they worry a lot about their financial situation.  Even worse, one third of Canadians say they don’t have a financial strategy.

Do you wonder where all your money goes each month?  Do you sometimes bicker with your spouse over even small financial decisions?  Do you lie awake at night and wonder, “Are we doing this all wrong?”

It doesn’t have to be this way…

Money doesn’t have to be complicated.

There is a solution.  I follow a simple but powerful formula to help clients build a strong financial future:

The value of a trusted advisor

Making financial decisions is hard. That’s why many people turn to a trusted advisor. And for those with help, life seems a whole lot better.

One study shows that Canadians who had financial advice accumulated as much as 2.73 times more wealth than their no-advice peers. They also reported greater confidence and less stress.

Meet Paul Carvalho

Paul is a finance professional with over 20 years experience. He has a Masters Degree in Business Economics, and has earned the Chartered Financial Analysis (CFA) designation.

When he’s not helping clients with their finances, he’s hanging out with his girls (daughter Lindsay and wife Lisa).

My values

I’ve found that individuals who follow a plan are more likely to achieve their goals. A plan creates a path forward. It also reduces the emotions that can trip you up.

You need a plan:  My process begins with creating a personalized plan based on your family’s situation, unique circumstances, risk profile and time horizon.

Fees matter:  When in comes to implement your strategy, I believe simple, low-cost solutions work the best. They also tend to be the most tax efficient.

A trusted guide:  The most important part is keeping you on track. Much of what I do is designed to help you overcome the emotional reflex to do the wrong thing at the wrong time.

Doesn’t my bank do this?

There’s no shortage of people at the bank wanting to manage your money. But I think that’s a poor option for many people. Here’s why.

​All bank employees are motivated to sell you something. Anything. That’s why you walk out with a new credit card or mutual fund every time you visit a bank.

Also, banks are only obligated to follow the “suitability standard.” That means they can sell you anything, as long as they find something “suitable” for you.

How we’re different

Independent: I’m not tied to any one company. I have access to all the top providers in Canada, so I can shop around to find you the best solution.

Unbiased. I follow the highest standard in the industry: the “fiduciary standard.”  That means I am professionally and ethically required to put your interests above our own.

Experienced. I have over 20 years experience providing tailored advice in the areas of investing, taxes, retirement planning, debt management, insurance and estate planning.

What do you need help with?

Here are some of the questions your plan can answer:

• How can I reduce my debt and save more?
• How much should I save for retirement and what accounts should I use?
• What’s the best way to save for my child’s education?
• Am I being tax smart or are there other things we should be doing?
• Are there ways to improve my investment portfolio?
• Can I afford to retire now?
• What’s the smartest way to draw money in retirement?
• How can I generate more investment income without taking a lot of risk?
• Can I afford to help my kids and grand kids without putting myself at risk?

How do we start?

I know that working with a financial advisor might feel a bit intimidating.  So to make sure we’re a good fit, I offer each new client a free Wealth Check report.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1:  Introduction Call (30 minutes)

We’ll start off with a casual chat, to make sure we’re on the same page.  Then I’ll answer any questions you might have.

If we decide to move to the next step, I’ll have you fill out a financial worksheet.  That will give me a sense of where you stand right now.

Step 2: Consultation (1 hour)

We’ll review your finances and dive deeper on where you’re at now and where you’d like to be.  By the end of this conversation, you’ll have a good sense of me, my approach, and whether or not we’re a good fit.

After the consultation, I’ll email your Wealth Check Report that summarizes the goals, priorities, questions, and concerns that we discussed. I’ll also explain how I can help you address these issues.

Step 3:  Follow-up call (30 minutes)

After you’ve had a chance to review your Wealth Check Report, we can discuss any further questions or concerns so we can make a decision about continuing our work together.