Real Families, Real Financial Progress
The Dinsmore family came to us in early 2023 with three kids, a mortgage, and no clear plan for what came next. They weren't looking for miracles. Just some guidance on how to actually build something that would last.
Two years later, they've started a college fund that's growing steadily, refinanced their home on better terms, and opened their first tax-advantaged investment accounts. Nothing flashy. Just consistent progress that came from sitting down and figuring out what mattered to them.
Starting From Scratch, Together
The hardest part wasn't the numbers. It was getting everyone on the same page. Kirsten wanted security. Jasper wanted to take a few risks. Their oldest was heading to university in four years, and nobody had even looked at what that would cost.
We started with a family meeting. Not the formal kind where everyone's stressed—just coffee, some honest conversation, and a whiteboard. By the end, they had three goals written down that everyone agreed on. That's where the real work started.
Within six months, they'd consolidated their debts, opened a registered education savings plan, and set up automatic contributions that fit their monthly budget. No magic formulas. Just small decisions that added up.
Amberlie Fenwick
Lead Advisor, Family Investment Planning
I've been doing this for twelve years now, and the stories that stick with me aren't the big wins. They're the families who show up month after month, making adjustments when life throws curveballs. The Dinsmores had a rough patch in late 2024 when Jasper's work hours got cut. Instead of panicking, we adjusted their contribution amounts and looked at where they could trim without sacrificing the core plan.
What I respect most is that they asked questions. They didn't just nod along. When something didn't make sense, they said so. That's how you build a plan that actually works for your life, not just on paper.
By spring 2025, Jasper's hours were back up, and they'd even managed to put aside a small emergency fund during the lean months. That kind of resilience doesn't come from spreadsheets. It comes from having a plan you trust and knowing when to adapt it.
What Actually Changed
Educational Savings
Set up a registered education savings plan with contributions matched to their budget. Their oldest can now consider schools they thought were out of reach.
Debt Consolidation
Combined three high-interest debts into one manageable payment. Freed up monthly cash flow that went straight into savings instead of interest charges.
Emergency Preparedness
Built a buffer that covered four months of expenses. When work got unpredictable, they had breathing room instead of stress.
Tax Efficiency
Opened tax-free savings accounts and restructured their investments to keep more of what they earned. Simple changes, noticeable difference.
Mortgage Refinancing
Secured a lower rate that saved them over three hundred a month. That went straight into their long-term investment strategy.
Regular Reviews
Quarterly check-ins kept everything on track. No surprises, no panic. Just steady progress and adjustments when life changed direction.
How We Work With Families
Honest Assessment
We sit down and look at where you actually are—income, expenses, debts, goals. No judgment, no pressure. Just a clear picture of your starting point.
Family Priorities
What matters to you might not matter to the next family. We help everyone in the household get on the same page about what you're working toward.
Realistic Planning
We build a plan that fits your actual life, not some idealized version. If it doesn't work with your schedule and budget, it won't last.
Ongoing Adjustments
Life changes. Jobs change. Priorities shift. We check in regularly to make sure your plan changes with you instead of becoming another source of stress.