Reality-testing your financial plan

Someone considering a switch in financial planners comes away from one meeting impressed: in a few hours, a polished advisor laid out a full plan covering investments, life insurance, delaying CPP to seventy, and tax-smart withdrawals. Before committing, he wants a second opinion. Allan uses the moment to separate sound techniques from a plan that genuinely fits a person. Each of the strategies on offer can be perfectly legitimate, yet none of them answer the more basic question of how this person actually wants to live in retirement. The piece draws a line between people who want to spend and enjoy their money and those who want to preserve and pass it on, because that intent should shape every recommendation that follows. It is a worthwhile read for anyone weighing advice that looks sophisticated but has not yet asked what they want.