International Women's Day

4 CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY Do you have a dream for your future? What does it cost to have the life you really want? How can we help you connect with your desires and wants, then set out to achieve them? "The word 'retirement' needs to be retired, and the term 'jubilation' adopted," says Debbie Styles, CFP (certified financial planner) and founder of dts lifeStyles. She says financial planning is more than building security for a far off future that some people may not be able to enjoy. It's about bringing people into the present and funding a joyful life. "As a financial advisor, I have a responsibility to see those around me rise," she says. "I want to encourage clients to be present in this life — so, yes, have a long-term goal, but let's focus on the other goals, too — the one-year goal, the three- to five-year goal." Styles shares a story of a client who was widowed when her children were in junior high. She continued to work full time as her goals were to have her children attend private school, to pay for their university — and to take them on a safari in Africa. Seeing clients collect moments throughout their lifetime is so rewarding. "These goals are the goals that are exciting, that motivate people to work hard and realize their ability to earn and have economic success," she says. "I think we have to create joy as much as we can, and a good financial plan will help you to achieve that." Building a relationship with a financial planner is essential to moving towards those exciting goals. "I consider my first meeting to be a meet-and-greet — me introducing myself and how I approach advice," she says. "That's how the relationship starts: Do you really want advice? And do you want advice from someone like me?" She says women, and women business owners in particular, have a lot of things on their plate. Spending their most limited resource — time — more wisely is essential to well-being. "It's not a natural skill set for everyone to focus on growing wealth," she says. "I work at this with clients every day and, with my expertise, clients can get some of their much-needed time back and grow their passive income starting today and into the future." She says many women never meet with an advisor because they believe they need "thousands and thousands of dollars." "All you need to meet with an advisor is a vision of the future that you're willing to fight for, to believe in your earning potential, and to be open and transparent with what you have right now," she says. "My advice is this, as noted by Maia Thom, author of kitchen table talks: Wherever you are, whatever you have or don't have yet, just start. You are so much more capable than you think you are." ◗ For more information about dts lifeStyles, email debbie@dtslifestyles.ca. expert advice to fund a life Joyful By Wendy King Debbie Styles, CFP (certified financial planner) and founder of dts lifeStyles

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