Wendy Heffernan, Investment Advisor, RBC Wealth Management

Happy Thanksgiving from RBC Wealth Management. Wishing you and your loved ones a warm holiday filled with gratitude and good company.

After the Fed’s rate hike, we see little question policymakers take back the 2025 cuts, but the real question might be whether they will take back the 2024 cuts too—and what that means for Treasury yields nearing 20-year highs.

What goes down must come up?

Was the summit worth the effort? The true measure of its impact won’t be known for years, through deal flows and, ultimately, economic growth. But in the short term at least, it sent a new message to the world, that Canada has capital ambitions. Read 10 takeaways from John Stackhouse, SVP, Office of the CEO at RBC from the event.

Sealing the deals: 10 takeaways from the Canada Investment Summit The summit sent a new message to the world: Canada has capital ambitions.

"Do you have enough money to retire?" is so 2015.

Don't get me wrong—that's still important. But here's what's changed: we've realized that retirement isn't just a bank account problem. It's a life problem.

Traditional financial planning asked one question. Modern planning asks a dozen:
Will you have the energy to do the things you love?
How do you stay socially connected and mentally sharp?
What does "thriving" actually look like for you—not just existing?
It's the difference between "Can I afford to stop working?" and "Can I afford to actually live?"

That's where physical, social, and cognitive wellness come in. Real planning connects the dots between your money and your life across every dimension.

I just finished this episode of the Mel Robbins Podcast that nails this perfectly. It explores longevity, aging, and rethinking retirement entirely—and features Dr. Joe Coughlin from MIT AgeLab, who is genuinely one of the most thought-provoking voices on this stuff. Highly recommend the listen. 🎧

The takeaway? If your financial plan doesn't account for how you actually want to live, it's incomplete.

What dimension of wellness matters most to you in your retirement vision?

MIT Longevity Expert: Do 3 Things to Stay Young Mel sits down with Dr. Joseph Coughlin, founding director of the MIT AgeLab, for a research-backed wake-up call that will change your life.

Your brain didn't come with a "use it or lose it" warning label. But maybe it should.

As we age, our bodies go through changes—that's just biology doing its thing. But here's what often gets overlooked: our brains are changing too. And unlike a car that depreciates sitting in the garage, a sharp mind actually appreciates with the right attention.

The good news? Keeping your cognitive health firing on all cylinders isn't complicated. It just takes intention.

I came across this solid resource from Cleveland Clinic Canada on successful aging—covering everything from keeping your body strong to keeping your mind sharper. It's a great starting point if you're thinking about what "aging well" actually means for you.

Curious about our strategic relationship with Cleveland Clinic Canada? I'd love to chat about what that looks like and how it might be relevant to you or your organization.

Worth a read: https://cle.clinic/3S8fLZX

Summer vibes are still here, but let's talk about what comes next.

As students gear up for back-to-school and we gear up for Ontario's gorgeous fall, there's another season creeping onto everyone's radar: cottage winterization season.

But here's the real talk—before you're battening down the hatches, it's worth asking yourself: What happens to the cottage after me?

Whether it's been in your family for decades or you just closed on your dream retreat, cottage succession planning is one of those conversations nobody wants to have at the dinner table... but everyone should.

The good news? There are actually solid options to pass it down smoothly—without turning your legacy into a family conflict. You just need the right guidance to navigate it.

Your cottage should bring joy for generations. That starts with a plan that does too.

https://bit.ly/4znR3Wa

Compare fiduciary advisors and commission-based advisors, including compensation, legal obligations, conflicts of interest, and financial planning roles.

Fiduciary Advisors Vs. Commission-Based Advisors: Key Differences

Financial planning has always been about preparing for the future. But as people live longer, that future is becoming more complex. Today’s retirees may spend 25, 30, or even 40 years in retirement. Along the way, questions about health, caregiving, housing, purpose, cognitive well-being and family support can become just as important as financial considerations.

That’s why I incorporate longevity planning into my approach, with a focus on financial, physical, cognitive and social wellness.

The goal is to help you make more informed decisions, anticipate potential challenges, and create a plan that supports both wealth and well-being. Just as I collaborate with specialists across tax, estate, and trust planning, I also have access to longevity-planning expertise and resources to help you navigate the evolving realities of longer lives.

Successful planning isn’t just about how long your money lasts; it’s about helping ensure your life, health, relationships, and purpose are considered along the way.

If you’re thinking about what longevity could mean for you, your family, or your retirement plans, please reach out. I welcome the conversation.

Help avoid family disagreements over real estate and finances by appointing a person you trust as your attorney/mandatary for property.

What to know about appointing a power of attorney for property or mandatary for property