You're picking a retirement number from thin air. Here's why that's a problem.

Most Canadians decide they need "$1 million" or "$1.5 million" to retire without ever doing the math.

In this conversation, Greg Keith (Certified Financial Planner) breaks down the psychology behind anchoring to wrong numbers, and what actually matters when you're approaching retirement.

In this episode, you'll learn:

1. Why picking a random retirement number is costing you clarity (and maybe your peace of mind)

2. What "sequence of returns" means and why it matters more than most advisors admit

3. How to stress-test YOUR retirement plan for market downturns

4. The real conversation around CPP timing (it's not as simple as "take it at 60")

5. Pension decisions: commute it or keep it? (spoiler: there's no one-size-fits-all answer)

6. Why retirees are afraid to spend money (and what to do about it)

7. How to spot financial advice that doesn't apply to you (looking at you, US influencers)

ABOUT GREG KEITH

Greg Keith is a Certified Financial Planner who specializes in helping Canadians 10+ years away from retirement consolidate scattered accounts and build comprehensive financial plans. His focus: decision architecture, not just investment returns. You can find him at gregkeithcfp.ca or on LinkedIn.

ABOUT MARIANNE AGUDO

I'm a Financial Security Advisor and mom helping newcomer families and young Canadian parents build financial confidence and lasting security.

After my father passed without life insurance, my mother raised five children alone. That experience shaped everything: I believe financial protection is an act of love, not fear.

Through Unpacked & Empowered Finances, I'm building a community where families understand their wealth, organize their future, and break cycles of financial anxiety.

My mission: Help you move from financial overwhelm to empowered decision-making one conversation at a time.

This episode is educational only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Greg and I discuss general principles applicable to Canadian retirement planning.

Your individual situation may differ. Before making any financial decisions, consult with a qualified professional who understands your specific circumstances. Past performance does not guarantee future results. #canadianretirement #retirementplanning #cpp #pensions #financialplanning #behavioralfinance #familymoney #financialsecurity #canada2026 #moneymindset #wealthbuilding

Your Money Story is Holding You Back. Here's How to Change It.

Do you know where your beliefs about money come from? Research shows your core money beliefs are formed by age seven and most of us inherited them without choosing. In this episode, Marianne sits down with Greg Keith, CFP, to explore:

• How childhood money stories affect your wealth-building decisions TODAY
• Why "playing it safe" with cash is costing you thousands in silent growth
• The psychology of investing fear (and how to overcome it)
• How to raise financially confident kids without repeating family patterns
• The difference between financial advice that's popular vs. advice that's RIGHT FOR YOU

Guest: Greg Keith, Certified Financial Planner | Founder, Visual Wealth Project | 20+ years retirement planning & wealth preservation Topics Covered: Money scripts | Behavioral finance | Fear of investing | Generational money beliefs | Emergency funds vs. growth | Media influence on financial decisions | Building wealth with kids | Scams vs. legitimate institutions | Present bias | Loss aversion This is Part 1 of 2. Part 2 covers money decisions in retirement.

📥 REGISTER: FREE Webinar – Protecting What Matters: Estate Planning Thursday, August 20th | 12 Noon Atlantic Time Learn why every parent needs a will, what happens to your kids if something unexpected occurs, and how to plan for incapacity.

https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/7a3e8ac6-c16d-42de-8279-114cfdf781ea@be8cb6fe-42eb-4039-96b9-57eb6cf300aa

Summer moves fast - swim lessons, beach trips, gas, and spontaneous ice cream stops! In this episode, we walk through a simple, no-guilt mid-year financial check-in: reviewing cash flow, auditing subscriptions, picking one priority for the second half of the year, and putting your savings on autopilot.

We also tackle the "big decisions" that tend to get put off - insurance reviews, investment goals, and estate planning basics like wills and power of attorney.

🎉 JOIN US FOR A FREE LUNCH & LEARN WEBINAR!

"Protecting What Matters: Estate Planning Lunch & Learn"

Co-hosted by ClearEstate & Marianne Agudo (Wealth Plan Atlantic)

📅 Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026

🕛 Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Atlantic Time

👉 REGISTER HERE: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/7a3e8ac6-c16d-42de-8279-114cfdf781ea@be8cb6fe-42eb-4039-96b9-57eb6cf300aa

What we'll cover:

• Why you need a will (even if you think you don't)

• What actually happens to your kids if something happens to you

• How to plan ahead for medical or financial incapacity

--------------------------------------------------

Disclaimer:

This content is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial, insurance, legal, or estate planning advice. Please consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Marianne Agudo is a Financial Security Advisor with Wealth Plan Atlantic, Marianne is a licensed life insurance agent (includes Accident & Sickness) and investment representative in New Brunswick.

If you're planning a big financial goal but keep putting it off, this episode is for you.

In this episode, I break down the 4 most common reasons why people delay important money decisions and how to move past them.

Whether you're starting a side project, investing for the first time, or building financial security as a newcomer to Canada, this episode shows you that action beats perfection every time.

IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general educational information about financial planning in Canada and is not personal financial advice. Your financial decisions should be based on your personal situation, goals, and risk tolerance. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment or insurance decisions.

About Me: I'm Marianne Agudo, a Financial Security Advisor and Funds Investment Representative in New Brunswick.

I help Canadians - especially newcomers and families - build financial security through life insurance, investments, and tax-efficient planning.

This episode is a little different. For once, I'm not the one asking the questions — my colleague and mentor Greg Keith, CFP, Senior Advisor at Wealth Plan Atlantic, is turning the mic on me.

I talk about growing up in the Philippines, losing my father when I was five, and what that taught me about being prepared for life's "what ifs." I share what it was like immigrating to Canada with my husband, the misconceptions I think people have about immigrants, and how I went from being a self-described shopaholic to starting a blog about frugality that eventually became this podcast.

If you've ever wondered what's behind the mission of Unpacked & Empowered Finances, or why I care so much about financial protection and family security, this episode is the answer.

In this episode:

• Growing up in a tight-knit Filipino family and losing my father at age five
• What that loss taught me about financial preparedness and protection
• Immigrating to Canada and the realities newcomers face that often go unseen
• How a blog about getting out of debt turned into Unpacked & Empowered Finances
• What success actually means to me today
• Why education, not just products, is at the center of how I work with clients

Marianne Agudo is a licensed Financial Security Advisor with Wealth Plan Atlantic Inc., licensed in New Brunswick (FCNB).

This podcast is a gift to my community first. If something here resonates with you, I'd love to hear about it in the comments.

This episode is for general educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial, tax, or legal advice. Please consult a licensed professional regarding your individual circumstances.

Have you ever wondered how the Canadian tax system actually works? Why are two incomes sometimes complicated? What's the real difference between a TFSA and RRSP for YOUR situation?

This episode provides educational information on these topics.

Jeff Scammell, Co-Owner of Wealth Plan Atlantic and a financial advisor with 16 years of experience, joins to discuss how the Canadian financial system works and important planning considerations.

We discuss (Educational Overview):

• How the progressive tax system works and why it matters for planning
• Understanding TFSA and RRSP accounts and how they might fit different situations
• What happens when you have multiple income sources
• Why life insurance is part of comprehensive financial planning
• Insurance "living benefits" (disability and critical illness coverage)
• How to automate your savings approach
• What to consider before your first meeting with a financial advisor

Ideal for: People new to Canada, anyone earning multiple incomes, parents managing family finances, and people wanting to understand Canadian financial planning without jargon.

This is educational content designed to increase financial awareness. For personalized financial, tax, or investment advice tailored to your specific situation, consult with a qualified financial advisor, tax professional, or accountant.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast episode is for educational purposes and provides general information about Canadian financial topics. It does not constitute personalized financial, tax, investment, or insurance advice.

All financial, tax, investment, and insurance products are subject to individual circumstances, eligibility, underwriting, and regulatory requirements. What works for one person may not apply to another.

For advice tailored to YOUR specific situation, goals, and circumstances, please consult with a qualified professional: financial advisor, tax professional, accountant, or insurance specialist.

Marianne Agudo is a Licensed Life Insurance Agent and registered mutual funds representative through Quadrus Investment Services Ltd. in New Brunswick only, and a Financial Security Advisor with Wealth Plan Atlantic Inc.

FREE CHECKLIST: Don't have these 5 things in place? Grab our Family Protection Checklist—the essential roadmap for protecting your family before life surprises you. Reach out to Marianne and we'll send it to you.

Marianne shares 5 practical financial foundations rooted in biblical wisdom and real-life experience last Saturday in celebration of Mother's Day at Full Gospel Assembly,

Topics discussed include:

• Tracking cash flow
• Saving with purpose
• Managing and reducing debt
• Protecting your family through planning
• Creating intentional financial goals

This conversation is especially meaningful for women, mothers, newcomers, and families looking to build financial confidence while stewarding their finances wisely.

Connect with Marianne:

• Instagram: @marianneagudo.podcast
• YouTube: Unpacked & Empowered Finances

Disclaimer: This podcast/content is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Individual situations vary. Please consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

In this episode of Unpacked and Empowered Finances, we break down one of the most overlooked areas of financial planning: disability insurance. Most families in New Brunswick and across Canada assume they are already covered through Employment Insurance, Workers Compensation, or an employer benefit plan. The reality is that each of these programs has significant limitations. We walk through each one clearly so you can understand exactly what you have, what you do not, and what that gap could cost your family.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

- Why the ability to earn an income is your most important financial asset

- Why 68 percent of Canadians would face financial hardship within three months of a disability

- The specific limitations of EI sickness benefits, WorkSafeNB, and CPP Disability

- The two hidden risks in employer group disability plans (portability and taxes)

- How a personal disability insurance policy provides tax-free, portable income protection

- Key policy terms explained without jargon: waiting period, benefit period, and disability definitions

- Four riders that can customize a policy to your stage of life

This episode is educational in nature. No specific products are recommended. The goal is to give you the vocabulary and understanding to have an informed conversation with a licensed advisor.

ABOUT YOUR HOST: Marianne Agudo is a licensed life insurance agent (including accident and sickness insurance) in New Brunswick. Insurance products are distributed through Financial Horizons Group. Marianne is also a mutual funds investments representative registered through Quadrus Investment Services Ltd.

What if starting over in Canada became the beginning of your strongest season yet? In this episode of Unpacked & Empowered Finances, Marianne Agudo speaks with Samantha Paz y Mino, an Ecuadorian educator and newcomer to Canada, about courage, confidence, community, and rebuilding life in a new country.

Samantha shares her journey of leaving Ecuador, adjusting to life in Canada, preserving language and identity, and learning how proactive networking and personal growth helped her thrive. This conversation is especially meaningful for newcomers, immigrants, parents, and anyone navigating change.

🎥 Samantha's 2025 Disrupt HR video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/11765995?video=1095766076 🔗 Samantha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthapazymino/?locale=en

Hosted by Marianne Agudo, financial security advisor and creator of Unpacked & Empowered Finances. Follow her on Instagram @marianneagudo.podcast and visit https://marianneagudo.com

In this episode of Unpacked & Empowered Finances with Marianne Agudo, we break down critical illness insurance and how it can help protect your finances during a serious health diagnosis. Learn the basics of coverage, common conditions, how benefits may be used, and why planning ahead matters for you and your family.

Follow Marianne on Instagram: @marianneagudo.podcast

Disclaimer: This episode is for general information and educational purposes only and is not personalized financial, insurance, legal, tax, or investment advice. Coverage, benefits, exclusions, and policy terms vary by insurer and contract. Please consult a licensed insurance professional before making any decisions.