by: Jeffery A. Keill, CFP, CIM, FMA, FCSI, CEA Portfolio Manager and Senior Wealth Advisor Every spring, when the days start to warm but the nights stay cold, sap begins to flow in the maples at the Big Rack. A little-known secret- Big Rack is the name of my camp, and it is where I spend time in March creating the much-needed sweetness of life: peace. The best part of syrup season at Big Rack is the ability to slow down the speed of joy. You have no choice as you cannot rush

by: Jeffery A. Keill, CFP, CIM, FMA, FCSI, CEA Portfolio Manager and Senior Wealth Advisor Okay folks, I want to share an observation I have so often witnessed in the past several decades working with clients. Retirement is often seen as a single event, but it unfolds across a few distinct stages. Each phase brings its own joys and challenges. If we can learn to appreciate and engage this concept, I believe you can better your plan for the “golden years”. Let’s explore the jo

by Jeffery A. Keill, CFP, CIM, FMA, FCSI, CEA Keill & Associate- Senior Wealth Advisor/ Portfolio Manager For decades, the broad financial industry has sold Canadian’s linear story: follow the plan hit the milestones, stay “on track”, and everything will unfold exactly as projected. It’s tidy, predictable, and comforting-but from my view point and experience as a Wealth Advisor- it’s not how real life works. At Keill & Associates, we’ve learned something different by walking

by: Jeffery A. Keill, CFP, CIM, FMA, FCSI, CEA Portfolio Manager and Senior Wealth Advisor As a child growing up in Cornwall, I had the benefit of reading Aesop’s Fables. Granted, in my youth these stories were frequently boring; however, they grew in value as I grew in age and understanding. To this day I can strangely draw on some of these time-tested lessons of life. They apply to today as much as they did 2,500 years ago. In the timeless fables of Aseop, wisdom often arri

Jeffery A. Keill, CFP, CIM, FMA, FCSI, CEA, Portfolio Manager, Senior Wealth Advisor, Keill & Associates The irony of living is that life gets in the way. Where we stand today is anything but static. We are moving forward into the future- all the time. This forward movement leads to changes and change means we frequently transition to something new. This is the “Yet”. Events that have yet  to happen in our lives; often while we see it coming. This is the transformative Power

by Jeffery A. Keill, CFP, CIM, FMA, FCSI, CEA A few years ago, I was sitting with a client who was just shy of 60. He leaned back in his chair and sighed. “If only I’d started investing earlier,“ he said, swirling the last sip of coffee in his mug. I realized his words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of regret and hindsight. A powerful admission that has stuck with me over the years. It wasn’t the first time I’d heard that consideration, nor will it be the last. In fac

by Jeffery A. Keill, CFP, CIM, FMA, FCSI, CEA How Shifting Your Mindset Can Transform Your Reality.... and therefore your Life! Ever notice that our lives are bombarded with messages about what we lack? Money, happiness, resources.... It’s easy to find ourselves stuck in a cycle of scarcity fear. I would argue this mindset is deep-seated from our youth and nurtured over time to reassure us of one self-confirming ‘truth’: there’s never enough to go around. This view of the wor

by Jeffery A. Keill, CFP, CIM, FMA, FCSI, CEA If you want to avoid mismanagement of your money, have a purpose for every dollar and every dollar has a purpose. Money that lacks purpose is like a life that lacks direction. You wander aimlessly without thought, where time gets wasted and dreams- if there are any at all- get dashed. You and your money will arrive somewhere, surely, but most likely it will be where you wanted to go the least.  There is an old method of financial

by Jeffery A. Keill, CFP, CIM, FMA, FCSI, CEA October is known for pumpkins, Thanksgiving and of course; volatility. This volatility is better known as the October Effect. In Mark Twain’s book,  The Tragedy of Pudd’nhead Wilson , there is a line about investing that summarizes the October Effect concept: ” October. This is one of the peculiarly dangerous months to speculate in stocks. The others are July, January, September, April, November, May, March, June, December, August

by Jeffery A. Keill, CFP, CIM, FMA, FCSI, CEA With the Blue Jays now in the hunt for not only the American League Championship, they are also looking to become the World Series Champions. Once again this got me thinking about investors and investing. Can stepping onto the baseball diamond teach us anything about making decisions in the investment arena? Well having spent most of my childhood and adult life playing horribly and watching intently I believe there are some insigh

by Jeffery A. Keill, CFP, CIM, FMA, FCSI, CEA During the golden stretch periods of market growth, stock will rise and portfolios will swell. This is generally on the back of some economic headlines brimming with optimism- or at least reduced pessimism. These robust times of growth can be exhilarating and deceptive for both new and seasoned investors. Following these run-ups, Investors can feel a sense of validation and confidence in their choices. Rightly so, but it can lead

by Jeffery A. Keill, CFP, CIM, FMA, FCSI, CEA Sitting around the fire with family not so long ago, we discussed the importance of living in the “Awe” of life. Letting go, even for a second, all which is tangible or economically advancing. Becoming once again the child that we all undoubtedly are but hubris keeps from us. Although it seemed we all agreed of the value of living in the Awe, we seemed to battle the societal proposition of exacting from it possibly  more than requ

by Jeffery A. Keill, CFP, CIM, FMA, FCSI, CEA You might wonder why I have been comparing driving to investing for the past few months. I think it is a simple reflection that I have been on the road all summer, logging thousands of kilometers for a myriad of reasons. During these adventures in suburbia and beyond, the time lends to ponder (sometimes with frustration) the most insidious of our daily tribulations: traffic. Most recently I drove through Kemptville, Ontario, where

by Jeffery A. Keill, CFP, CIM, FMA, FCSI, CEA As Canadians we are known to say “Sorry”, but the truth is that not everyone in the world is so apologetic as us double-double Moose lovers are. Unfortunately, these scummy-scammers are increasingly effective and often target people during high activity periods like tax season or near instalment deadlines. Being aware of these scams is crucial for protecting your financial and personal information. CRA instalment scams typically o

by Jeffery A. Keill, CFP, CIM, FMA, FCSI, CEA Consumer debt can leave you feeling like you are drowning in a sea of bills. Swimming against the current and unable to touch the bottom. Being in over your head in debt leaves a feeling of despair and regrets. How did I get to this? How can I ever get out of it? Let’s look at a few simple strategies that can be used if you are serious about changing your financial life. With the right strategies, discipline, and a clear plan, you

by Jeffery A. Keill, CFP, CIM, FMA, FCSI, CEA What does one do on a Friday afternoon? Well, for this fella- write a Blog about Starbucks while sitting in a Starbucks. A few years ago, I read two great books: Onward (about Starbucks), and Disney U (of course about Disney). I would like to revisit and share some insights from these books. In the ever-evolving landscape of modern business, few companies have left as indelible a mark on the concept of client service as companies

by Jeffery A. Keill, CFP, CIM, FMA, FCSI, CEA On the highway, it’s tempting to switch lanes when you see another lane moving faster. Similarly, in the world of investing, it’s easy to be lured by the promise of higher returns in different investment vehicles. Whether it’s the latest tech stock, a hot new crypto currency, or a promising startup, the allure of quick gains can be hard to resist. The mirage of a “sure thing” is enticing. Frequent lane changes on the highway can l

by Jeffery A. Keill, CFP, CIM, FMA, FCSI, CEA We were recently traveling in our camper van for a weekend adventure and were passed on the highway by a truck that was sensationally well over the speed limit. I have no way of knowing why the driver of this truck was in such a hurry or where they were headed. I am sure they knew quite well what their destination was, and was obviously willing to break the law in getting there fast. Why take such a risk to get there so fast? Just

by Jeffery A. Keill, CFP,CIM,FMA,FCSI, CEA When Donald Trump rolls out sweeping tariffs during his presidency, it isn’t just an economic maneuver- it’s part of his  strategic game of incentives and penalties, perfectly aligned with the old age approach of “carrot and stick”. Set em’ up with the Carrot and beat them with the Stick. Not much different than the formula used in his commercial projects or reality show. You do it or “your fired!” The Carrot is the alure. The expec

by Jeffery A. Keill, CFP, CIM, FMA, FCSI, CEA We comfortably sit in the shade of an oak tree today because someone planted an acorn yesterday. Given the hot temperatures this week I am reminded of an old proverb that quietly carries deep unrelenting wisdom: “ The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” It’s one of those simple phrases that, once you hear it, you can’t forget it. It simply echoes through every corner of your life. In a world t