Feeling Stuck with Your Finances? How a Simple Reset Can Help You Move Forward
Small, Strategic Steps to Tackle Estate Planning, Investments, and Other Overwhelming Financial Decisions
Hi everyone,
I’d like to share a reflection today, inspired by a book I recently finished reading. If you’ve ever felt stuck when it comes to your finances, whether it's estate planning, investments, or just figuring out where to start, I think this will feel familiar.
It’s not about doing everything perfectly. Sometimes a small reset is enough to create momentum.
How a Simple “Reset” Can Change the Way You Handle Your Money
I like to keep a mix of books on the go, usually alternating between fiction and non-fiction to stay curious and balanced.
One week it might be a crime thriller; the next, something on decision-making or behavioral psychology. I’m drawn to stories that help me understand why people do what they do, especially when it comes to change.
One recent read, Reset by Dan Heath, stood out. Not because it was about money (it wasn’t), but because the core message resonated so strongly with what I see in financial planning.
Often, when people feel stuck, the real issue isn’t a lack of knowledge or effort. It’s that they’re waiting for a shift. Some small but important reset that helps them move forward.
That’s how I look at financial planning. Most people already have the tools and knowledge they need to make progress. What they often need is a reset - a new way to look at what they already have and what they want to change.
Here are three ideas from Reset that I’ve seen help clients make real progress, even when they’re feeling overwhelmed by decisions that go far beyond day-to-day budgeting.
1. Look for Leverage, Not Home Runs
We’ve all heard stories of people who made dramatic changes. They’ve paid off six figures of debt in two years, retired at 40, or built massive wealth seemingly overnight. These stories are often inspiring, but they can also leave us feeling like anything less than a complete overhaul isn’t worth the effort.
But real progress usually doesn’t come from dramatic gestures. It comes from finding leverage - small changes that create big results over time.
I worked with a client a few years ago, Sarah, who felt completely stuck with her family’s finances. Rather than tearing up her budget and starting over, we looked for one small adjustment that could make a difference. She realized the $400 a month spent eating out at restaurants wasn’t adding much joy but was adding a lot of stress.
We didn’t eliminate that expense entirely. We just made it more intentional and redirected some of it toward credit card payments. That one change helped her family pay off their debt more than a year faster than their original plan.
Leverage points show up in other areas too. One couple had spent years avoiding estate planning, not because they didn’t think it was important, but because the process felt too big and too emotional. The reset came when they stopped trying to solve everything at once. Instead, they just booked one meeting with a lawyer to ask questions and outline their intentions for guardianship. That was enough to get the wheels in motion and within two months, they had full wills and POAs in place.
What’s your leverage point? Maybe it’s automating your savings. Maybe it’s transferring that TFSA to a self-directed, lower-cost option. Maybe it’s booking a one-hour consultation about your business exit plan. You don’t need to overhaul your life. You just need to find the one small move that can open a bigger door.
2. Redirect What You Already Have
A lot of financial advice focuses on how to earn more or spend less. But often the most powerful shift comes from being more intentional with what’s already flowing through your life.
Most people aren’t starting from zero. They’re already managing thousands of dollars each month. But without a clear system, that money tends to drift toward whatever’s loudest or most urgent: bills, habits, or conveniences that may not align with what really matters to you.
One helpful question is: What’s already working for you financially? Maybe you’ve managed to build up some savings. Maybe you're making regular RRSP contributions without even thinking about it. These “bright spots” are often clues that you already have financial strengths. You just haven’t thought of them that way.
This same mindset applies to investment planning. Many people feel stuck on where to invest because they think they need to learn everything before making a decision. One client was holding too much cash. Not out of fear, but because she was overwhelmed by the different accounts available. TFSA, RRSP, corporate, non-registered. She wasn’t sure where to start.
Instead of building a “perfect” investment strategy, we began by looking at what she already had and assigning simple roles to each account. That clarity gave her the confidence to start investing in a purposeful way.
The same is true for business owners trying to decide when and how to sell. You don’t need to have your full retirement mapped out before you start. You just need to look at what you’ve already built and consider how to align it with your future goals, whether that means transitioning to family, selling to a partner, or slowly stepping back.
Redirecting isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing more on purpose.
3. Make It Visible and Take One Small Step
It’s hard to make changes when everything feels “fuzzy”. And money often feels fuzzy, especially when you’re juggling work, family, and trying to make a dozen financial decisions at once.
It’s been my experience that once people get a clear view of their situation, the fog lifts. It could be something simple, like writing down your list of financial accounts, listing out your debts, or tracking your spending for one week. It doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be seen.
Visibility creates momentum. And momentum creates confidence.
One couple I worked with wanted to retire soon but had no idea when to start drawing from their RRSPs or start CPP and OAS. They assumed they’d figure it out later. The reset came when we mapped out two or three different withdrawal strategies side-by-side. Just seeing the numbers helped them make an informed decision and they felt more in control of their retirement timeline than they had in years.
Another client had rental properties that were becoming an emotional burden, but he didn’t know whether selling would make financial sense. Once we put together a basic estimate of ongoing costs, net proceeds, and future investment options, he realized he could simplify his life and improve his income by selling one unit and reinvesting the funds.
Small steps matter. It could be pulling together your account balances in one place. Booking that estate planning consultation. Asking your accountant one clarifying question. You don’t have to do it all today, but doing something today builds momentum.
You Probably Already Have What You Need
If you’re reading this and feeling stuck or behind with your finances, know this: most of the time, the solution isn’t some big breakthrough or a complicated financial product. It’s not winning the lottery or overhauling your life. It’s recognizing that you’re already doing more right than you give yourself credit for.
You likely already have the income, the skills, and the values you need to move forward. What’s missing might just be a little clarity, a little redirection, and one or two encouraging nudges to help you get started.
Whether you’re investing on your own, updating your will, planning for retirement, or trying to understand how your business fits into your long-term goals, you don’t need a perfect plan. You just need a reset.
If this struck a chord or helped spark some ideas, feel free to reply or share it with someone who's feeling financially stuck. I always enjoy hearing what this brings up for people.
Until next time,
David
P.S. I was a little disappointed with the outcome of the Stanley Cup Final. Like many Canadians, I was hoping the Cup would find its way back home. But Florida’s win showed the strength of depth and teamwork. Respect where it’s due.
However, if you live in the Halifax area, Mr. Marchand will likely be parading the cup for all to see.
Now that summer is officially here, I hope everyone can shift from spectating to participating. Whatever your favourite athletic endeavour might be, it’s a great time to get outside and enjoy it.