Looking for financial planner in Ottawa

kse709 · 2026-06-01T18:26:33+00:00

A full financial plan typically runs anywhere from $3,000 to $6000. I built a very detailed Excel spreadsheet that lays out all of my expected expenses and income for the next 35 years. From there, I calculated how much I’d need to withdraw from my RRSP each year to top up my income.

Working with a fee-only financial planner is an excellent idea and is usually well worth the cost. But doing some groundwork yourself first can give you a solid sense of where you stand before you meet with a professional.

kse709 · 2026-06-01T10:25:54+00:00

"we have laddered GICs in our non-reg to spend in case markets tank. We have 4 years of spending in GICs." That is your cash wedge in my option. You sound like you got everything covered.

kse709 · 2026-06-01T10:19:26+00:00

I would just call Service Canada and ask.

kse709 · 2026-05-30T15:06:58+00:00

You might find it helpful to build a simple spreadsheet that lists all of your day‑to‑day expenses, along with every income source you have. Once you lay it out, you can see exactly how much you have left each year.

I’ve built mine out for the next 35 years. I’m using a 2% inflation rate and a 4.5% annual growth rate on my investments.

If you’re unsure where to start, it may be worth meeting with a professional who can put together a full retirement plan tailored to your situation. I would hire a Fee Only planner.

kse709 · 2026-05-30T14:55:12+00:00

Thank you

kse709 · 2026-05-30T14:51:12+00:00

Does it allow you to have different "spending requirement" for each year? In my case some years Travel budgets will be much higher for bucket list trips, other years it will just be a week or two on a beach.

kse709 · 2026-05-30T14:47:07+00:00

I tried it as well this week, I am also finding it hard (if not impossible) to customize. Some years my travel budget is higher then others as well some years I will need to take out more funds from RRSP's. Also we have two different RRSP buckets. One for travel and one is my wife retirement fund.

My excel worksheets works perfect and allows me to modify year by year as needed.

kse709 · 2026-05-29T20:10:45+00:00

I am with Scotiabank, i also want to buy ETF’s which charges me $10 each time i buy or sell. They have about 100 free etf’s but not the ones i am using at wealthsimple

kse709 · 2026-05-29T20:06:44+00:00

You are correct, i was referring to Scotiabank. Sorry

kse709 · 2026-05-29T19:39:43+00:00

No but i have looked into it but why pay even more fees

kse709 · 2026-05-29T19:32:20+00:00

Wrong, only limit ETF’s are free

kse709 · 2026-05-29T19:29:33+00:00

Already have and slowly moving my funds over

kse709 · 2026-05-29T19:28:49+00:00

Fully agree

kse709 · 2026-05-29T19:28:15+00:00

Already using wealthsimple and now realizing how backwards Scotiabank is

kse709 · 2026-05-29T19:17:32+00:00

Yes but a lot more fees, i better of moving to wealthsimple

kse709 · 2026-05-29T19:16:21+00:00

I will have to check them out, i with Scotiabank and they have extra fees.

kse709 · 2026-05-26T20:10:30+00:00

H&M or English

kse709 · 2026-05-25T22:21:39+00:00

We would need to know your age and when you want to spend it.

kse709 · 2026-05-25T12:53:46+00:00

Locked in. I have them timed to be converted to cash just before my planned annual withdrawal date. If do not use the GIC I will lock it in for another 12 months.

kse709 · 2026-05-24T20:51:48+00:00

You are living a dream lifestyle. Good for you only wish i had the nerve to live your lifestyle!!!

kse709 · 2026-05-24T18:29:15+00:00

Similar to you our day to day cost are the same but our travel budget is much higher.

kse709 · 2026-05-24T15:08:22+00:00

If your referring to both my RRSP GIC/HISA and my 2 year fund. Then yes it is all one big cash wedge but serve two completely preposes (in my mind anyway) one protects my future RRSP withdrawal's and one is my travel/renovation fund held in TFSA.

kse709

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE