economy

Your Role as a River Keeper : Responsible Stewardship of Your Family’s Wealth

/ Jesse Ogloff
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How do you think of your wealth? Do you see it as a dollar value on a screen or something alive and evolving over time.

I encourage clients to think of their wealth as a river – flowing, dynamic, and shaped by generations. Your river may have begun long before you were born, fed by the work and values of those who came before you, or perhaps it began as a small spring during your own lifetime.

Either way, this river – your river – can continue far beyond where we stand today, if it is cared for and tended with intention.  

Headwaters : The Source of Your Wealth

Every river begins with a spring. For many families, that spring was created by the grit and discipline of earlier generations – parents, grandparents, or even great-grandparents who laid the foundation for everything that flows downstream.

Today’s river, carries not only your financial capital but also the beliefs, habits, and stewardship from your family story. Recognizing these headwaters helps guide your financial decisions with gratitude and perspective.

Tending the River in Your Stewardship Today

Being a river keeper is an immense responsibility. It means acting with purposeful intent to keep the waters clear, balanced, and flowing.

Here’s how :

Remove debris – Protecting your wealth from hidden risks : excessive fees, unmanaged taxes, and unnecessary expenses.

Strengthen the banks – Build safeguards like insurance, wills, and trusts to protect the structure of your financial ecosystem as it moves downstream.

Test the waters – Monitor your financial health, income streams, and spending patterns to ensure your river remains sustainable and high quality.

Being a river keeper isn’t about control – it’s about balance. Your job is to protect the river’s strength while allowing it to nourish the present.

Thinking Downstream : Planning Ahead

The best river keepers stay mindful of today’s conditions but always think downstream. They don’t just react to problems – they anticipate them.

Proactive tax planning, smart estate structures, and thoughtful investment strategies are the tools that will prevent blockages long before they appear.

In Indigenous Culture, the Seventh Generations Principle teaches that the choices we make today affect those seven generations after us. In the same way, you stand as the bridge between your ancestors’ resilience and your descendants’ future.

The Future of Your River

Eventually, your stretch of the river will end – and what happens next is up to you.

Some people choose for their river to flow outward into the ocean, supporting communities and causes through philanthropy. Other’s pass the current on to their children – perhaps as one simple, powerful stream, or one that splits into multiple branches to nourish several new paths.

Whatever form it takes, your river’s future depends on how you guide it today.

Becoming a Responsible River Keeper

Your role as a river keeper isn’t just to manage the flow – it’s to teach others how to do the same.

Just as a carpenter must apprentice before becoming a journeyman, the next generation must learn how to tend to the river : how to prevent blockages, strengthen the banks, and prepare for unseen bends ahead.

If you only focus on growing your wealth but neglect to pass on the wisdom of stewardship, the river’s current may one day run dry.

I make sure that I work with the younger generations of my clients, no matter what stage of life that they may be in, to ensure that they are learning and are equipped with all of the necessary tools for their situation today and for their future.

So remember the Seventh Generation Principle – your river began before you and, with care, will flow long after you. The question isn’t how much can you take from it – it’s how will you tend to it for those who will come next.

From Panic to Euphoria : Where Are You On the Investing Roller Coaster of Emotions?

/ Jesse Ogloff
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Markets are once again flirting with all-time highs. For some investors, it feels like the thrilling climb of a roller coaster. For others—especially those still recovering from recent dips—it feels like that slow, anxiety-inducing ascent before the next big drop. But here’s the truth: volatility is not the enemy. It’s part of the ride.

Whether the market is setting new records or pulling back, short-term moves are never the full story. What matters isn’t where we are in the cycle—but how you behave throughout it.

The Market Has Seen This Before

Despite numerous bear markets over the last century—including the crash of 2008, the COVID drop of 2020, and the tech wreck of the early 2000s—markets have always rebounded. Always.

– The 2008–09 crisis saw the S&P 500 fall 57%… and then double in the 48 months that followed.
– The 2020 COVID crash bottomed in March—and by the end of the year, the S&P was up 16%.
– Even in the brutal 2000–02 bear market, investors who stayed the course were rewarded once the dust settled.

Every single bear market has been followed by a bull market. The real challenge isn’t predicting the recovery—it’s staying invested long enough to experience it.

Where Are We Emotionally?

Take a look at the chart below from Russell Investments: The Market Cycle of Emotions.

Right now, many investors are likely hovering between relief and optimism. We’re past the fear and panic of 2022–23, and as portfolios start looking healthier, the temptation to second-guess your plan may creep in:

– “Should I sell while I’m up?”
– “Maybe I should wait for a pullback?”
– “Have we come too far, too fast?”

This kind of emotional second-guessing is exactly what derails long-term outcomes.

Remember: euphoria is the point of maximum financial risk, while despondency is the point of maximum financial opportunity. Most investors act in reverse—buying high and selling low—because they’re reacting to feelings instead of following a plan.

If you want to reach your destination, you need to stay in your seat through the highs and lows. Unbuckling mid-ride rarely ends well.

Volatility isn’t just about losses—it’s also the unpredictability of gains. The biggest up-days in market history often happen during periods of uncertainty, and they tend to cluster closely around market bottoms.

Missing just a few of those days can drastically lower long-term returns. That’s why trying to time the market is more dangerous than staying invested through the rough patches.

Time In The Market > Timing The Market

The most effective investors don’t try to sidestep volatility—they prepare for it. They diversify. They rebalance. They stay invested according to their goals, not their fears.

Whether you’re still accumulating wealth or already in retirement, the key is to have the right money in the right place:

– Long-term investments should stay invested.
– Short-term income needs should be allocated to safer, more stable assets.

This kind of “time segmentation” allows you to stay calm during downturns, knowing your immediate needs are covered while the rest of your money grows.

Final Thoughts : The Real Superpower

Market highs tend to bring out two common emotional mistakes:
1. Chasing (jumping in too late, driven by FOMO), or
2. Fleeing (selling out too early, afraid the top is in).

Avoid both.

The real superpower isn’t predicting tops or bottoms—it’s sticking to your plan through all the emotional highs and lows. Diversification, discipline, and time are your greatest allies. And they work best when you don’t get in their way.

For personalized guidance, contact me at info@financerx.ca.

Finding Calm in Market Storms : The Power of Shinrin-Yoku

/ Jesse Ogloff
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When market volatility leaves you feeling anxious, it might be time to step away from the screens and into the trees. The Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, or “forest bathing,” is a simple yet powerful way to destress and reset your mind.

Shinrin-Yoku is all about immersing yourself in nature, allowing the sights, sounds, and smells of the forest to wash over you. Studies have shown that spending time in nature can lower cortisol levels, reduce blood pressure, and improve overall mood. In essence, it’s a natural antidote to the stress that comes with market fluctuations.

By taking a break to reconnect with nature, you’ll return to your financial challenges with a clearer mind and a refreshed perspective. Plus, the health benefits of forest bathing extend beyond stress relief, boosting your immune system and enhancing your creativity—both of which are invaluable for making sound financial decisions.

So, the next time the markets get rough, consider swapping your investment statements for a walk among the trees. Your mind—and your portfolio—might thank you.

For personalized guidance, contact me at info@financerx.ca.

What Just Happened? Breaking Down The Last Week.

/ Jesse Ogloff
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Markets took a hit after President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff announcements on April 2. The S&P 500 dropped more than 10% over two days, wiping out over $5 trillion in market value. This follows a tough first quarter, where the index was already down 5.6% — its worst start to the year in three years.

As of April 4, the S&P 500 had fallen 17.5% from its February highs, making this one of the fastest corrections in over a century. Investors were caught off guard, not just by the size of the tariffs, but also by the way they were applied. Rather than following typical trade rules, the U.S. targeted countries with large trade surpluses, leading to higher-than-expected tariffs in some areas. The result? Greater uncertainty, rising inflation fears, and talk of potential stagflation.

Some countries, including China, have already started to respond with their own retaliatory measures. In the days ahead, markets will be watching closely to see which countries are willing to negotiate — and which ones push back.

Canada Avoids New Tariffs (For Now)

Canada and Mexico were notably left out of the new tariffs. Trade under the USMCA agreement remains tariff-free, covering roughly 80% of Canadian exports. However, existing tariffs on steel, aluminum, and autos are still in place.

Interestingly, Canada’s stock market has been a bright spot. The TSX gained 1.5% in the first quarter, outperforming the S&P 500 by nearly 6%. With a federal election approaching, there’s growing momentum behind pro-growth policies. Longer term, Canada continues to offer structural strengths: a skilled workforce, rich natural resources, and clean, affordable energy. The TSX is also trading at a significant discount to the U.S. market, despite having similar earnings potential and multiple growth drivers ahead.

What to Watch Next

There are a few reasons for cautious optimism:

• Some U.S. senators are pushing back against Trump’s tariff authority, which could limit future actions.

• There’s a chance some tariffs could be reduced before they take effect on April 9.

• Legal challenges may emerge, as parts of the policy may not hold up in court.

• Finally, March’s employment data remains strong, suggesting the job market is holding up — for now.

When Markets Pull Back, Long-Term Investors Can Step Forward

Volatility and pullbacks can feel unsettling — but they’re often where long-term investors find their best opportunities. When market sentiment turns negative, prices can become disconnected from fundamentals. That creates moments where strong companies or sectors become available at a discount.

If you have a long-term plan and a well-diversified portfolio, downturns like this can be a time to reassess and rebalance — not to panic. Market corrections are part of the investment journey, and historically, they’ve often paved the way for future gains. In times like these, staying focused on your long-term goals is more important than ever.

Strategies for Canadians Amid U.S. Tariff Changes

/ Jesse Ogloff
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Another week, another round of tariff talk between the U.S. and its trading partners. If you’re wondering what that actually means for your wallet, your car, or your job—let’s break it down.

The U.S. recently reintroduced tariffs (taxes on imports) on certain automotive parts. There was a one-month pause, but that didn’t lead to any real change. Now, Canadian vehicles that use U.S. parts—or even U.S. vehicles made with Canadian or Mexican components—are at a disadvantage compared to cars from Europe or Asia.

As Canadians, we should all care about this because Canada’s auto industry, especially in Ontario, supports over 100,000 jobs. If tariffs make Canadian-made cars more expensive, that could lead to job losses, higher prices, and economic slowdowns.

There are many options as to how we should respond and I’d like to share some of my thoughts:

• Don’t: Tariff U.S. auto parts we depend on.

That would only raise production costs for Canadian carmakers—and hurt us more than the U.S.

• Avoid: A blanket tariff on U.S. vehicles. It would push up car prices in Canada and invite more U.S. retaliation. Plus, some U.S.-made cars still use Canadian parts.

If we’re smart, there are some alternative moves that we can make:

• Incentives to stay.

Offering tax breaks or credits to carmakers to keep plants in Canada could help soften the blow—as long as it doesn’t look like a subsidy that invites more tariffs from the U.S.

• Careful negotiation.

A new U.S. “reciprocal tariff” plan may be more measured than the previously threatened 25% tax on everything. Canada needs to tread carefully and use diplomacy to avoid escalation.

Canadian nationalism is at a multi-year high right now and we can all help, believe it or not — your choices matter. We can buy Canadian-made products, consider non-U.S. travel destinations whenever we are travelling, and support Canadian retailers and auto dealers.

This “vote with your wallet” approach is already happening—and (most importantly) it doesn’t trigger political backlash. In fact, a grassroots consumer shift could do more to influence U.S. economic policy than tariffs alone.

All-in-all, Canada needs to balance firm negotiation with strategic patience. Tariffs are costly for both sides—but consumer behavior, smart policy, and focused diplomacy might be our best bet to get the U.S. to ease off.

The next time you’re deciding where to buy your car—or even where to vacation—remember: your dollar can speak louder than a tariff.