Clarity, Ownership, and Structure in 2017.

Marci • January 3, 2017

Over the last three years, Canadian financial blogger Sandi Martin from Spring Personal Finance has released a series of posts with her dreams for her clients in each 2015, 2016, and now 2017. It started with finding clarity, then taking ownership, and now the series is brought together by the idea of structure. Nothing to do with conventional definitions of success and everything to do with freedom (her words). Here is the third instalment titled “What I Want for You in 2017”  written by Sandi Martin, with links to the previous years posts. Let these words and ideas resonate with you and inspire you as 2017 is most certainly a year of possibility!

What I want for you in 2017

What I dearly want for you this year is structure.

(Just what you’d expect from an introverted money nerd who once answered “spreadsheets” when asked to name one thing that made her happy to her son’s kindergarten circle, am I right?)

Listen, when you hear “structure” I don’t want you to think about restrictions. The kind of structure I’m wishing for you has nothing to do with timetables, spreadsheets, or checklists (unless you’re into those sorts of things). I’m not trying to convince you to track your time, food, or money in a little book somewhere, or to twist yourself into knots in an endless pursuit to maximize, optimize, or anything-ize your life according to whatever “10 Ways Successful People Brush Their Teeth” article that’s making the rounds this week.

The kind of structure I want for you has nothing to do with conventional definitions of success ( higher net worth! efficient use of time! productivity! peak performance! ) and everything to do with freedom — within whatever circumstances life has placed you in — to be more you and to live more life .

What is structure, after all, but the invisible stuff that does the boring work of supporting the important stuff?

Let’s rewind a bit, because this is really part three of a story I’ve been telling for years.

How would your life be better if you were absolutely clear about what you want your life to look like, the resources you have or will have at your disposal, and the obstacles that you’ll have to get over, around, or through to make it happen?

Pursuing clarity means paying attention. Often in financial planning, as in most data-heavy professions, we encourage you to pay attention to easily measurable things like how you spend your money, how it’s invested, and what you’re going to spend it on over the next five, fifteen, or thirty years.

But how do you feel?

It’s equally important to pay attention to how satisfied/restless/anxious you are today and how excited/worried/unhappy you about tomorrow, and how those feelings change with new information, a change in direction, or sometimes something as simple (seeming) as the weather/news/that vexing update on Facebook.

Pursuing clarity means keeping your eyes open to the (changing) combination of circumstances that give you a sustained feeling of contentment with both the present and the future.

In 2016, I wanted you take ownership. To get comfortable with your own definition of success, to stop apologizing for the ways your direction veers away from the conventional path or looks like someone else’s definition of failure. To fearlessly be the most authentic version of you. To trade away the things that don’t fill you up for things that do.

To outsiders, your contented, authentic self might look too lazy, too ambitious, too social, not social enough, materialistic, ascetic, too involved with your kids, not involved enough at your church…there’s an infinite number of ways that a well-meaning community, predatory marketers, and privileged bloggers can make you feel bad about all the things you aren’t doing well enough or aren’t doing period. Don’t let them (not even me).

Well, that’s easy to say

Exactly. That’s why we need structure.

I’ll give you some examples of structure that flows from clarity and ownership in my own life. Be warned, though: they’re not particularly counter-cultural. Anyone who’s spent more than five minutes with me knows I’m a natural-born Hufflepuff: unambitious, stubborn, plodding…in short: boring and proud of it, so don’t expect anything earth-shattering.

First example: I finally realized that Facebook vexes me, and that although I love all (most of) the people I’m friends with and want to stay connected with what’s happening in their lives, I don’t want to mindlessly scroll through a newsfeed full of whatever Facebook has decided I should look at today. The happiest me is one who connects with people, not an algorithm, and I’m okay with missing a few things and being out of touch by not constantly checking in. It might not sound like structure to you, but the simple act of deleting the app from my phone stopped the mindless scrolling. It’s just not something I do on my laptop. 

Another example: For the longest time, I thought I had to have free bank accounts and the best rewards credit card, because only dummies pay service fees or miss out on points, right? This led to a soul-sucking tangle of accounts that took tremendous mental energy to sort through every two weeks. I’m my happiest self when I’m reconciling accounts, absolutely…but not when reconciling accounts and transferring money all over creation is stealing time and energy away from more important things. With inspiration from my good friend Chris , I drew a picture of the fewest number of accounts that will still keep my business and personal stuff separate, and it’s so streamlined that I reconciled my bank accounts on New Year’s Eve. For fun.

One last example, I promise: Last year I realized just how frazzled it made me to fit focused work in between meetings and phone calls every day of the week while still leaving enough space to be with my family, serve my community, visit friends, and read a book or two. I’m my happiest self when I have big stretches of time to spend on whatever I want without rushing to the next thing, so I stopped scheduling meetings outside of Mondays and Tuesdays. I was worried that clients would be upset, colleagues would give up on me, and potential clients would call somebody else, but clients weren’t, colleagues didn’t, and potential clients might have but I’ll never know the difference.

(I warned you I was boring)

Let me sum up: Structure is intentionally designing the default settings of your life to align with what you want it to be. It’s automatic permission to be a little more yourself. Structure is saying no to a lot of things that don’t mean much at all so you can say yes to the few things that mean a lot.

In 2017, what I want most for you is to get clear about what fills you up, get brave about pursuing it even in the face of opposition, and set yourself up to say no to everything else.

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Is Refinancing Your Mortgage a Good Way to Consolidate Debt?

By Marci Deane • December 3, 2025
If you're a homeowner juggling multiple debts, you're not alone. Credit cards, car loans, lines of credit—it can feel like you’re paying out in every direction with no end in sight. But what if there was a smarter way to handle it? Good news: there is. And it starts with your home. Use the Equity You’ve Built to Lighten the Load Every mortgage payment you make, every bit your home appreciates—you're building equity. And that equity can be a powerful financial tool. Instead of letting high-interest debts drain your income, you can leverage your home’s equity to combine and simplify what you owe into one manageable, lower-interest payment. What Does That Look Like? This strategy is called debt consolidation , and there are a few ways to do it: Refinance your existing mortgage Access a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) Take out a second mortgage Each option has its own pros and cons, and the right one depends on your situation. That’s where I come in—we’ll look at the numbers together and choose the best path forward. What Can You Consolidate? You can roll most types of consumer debt into your mortgage, including: Credit cards Personal loans Payday loans Car loans Unsecured lines of credit Student loans These types of debts often come with sky-high interest rates. When you consolidate them into a mortgage—secured by your home—you can typically access much lower rates, freeing up cash flow and reducing financial stress. Why This Works Debt consolidation through your mortgage offers: Lower interest rates (often significantly lower than credit cards or payday loans) One simple monthly payment Potential for faster repayment Improved cash flow And if your mortgage allows prepayment privileges—like lump-sum payments or increased monthly payments—those features can help you pay everything off even faster. Smart Strategy, Not Just a Quick Fix This isn’t just about lowering your monthly bills (although that’s a major perk). It’s about restructuring your finances in a way that’s sustainable, efficient, and empowering. Instead of feeling like you're constantly catching up, you can create a plan to move forward with confidence—and even start saving again. Here’s What the Process Looks Like: Review your current debts and cash flow Assess how much equity you’ve built in your home Explore consolidation options that fit your goals Create a personalized plan to streamline your payments and reduce overall costs Ready to Regain Control? If your debts are holding you back and you're ready to use the equity you've worked hard to build, let's talk. There’s no pressure—just a practical conversation about your options and how to move toward a more flexible, debt-free future. Reach out today. I’m here to help you make the most of what you already have.

Breaking Down the Real Costs of Homeownership

By Marci Deane • November 26, 2025
Don’t Forget About Closing Costs When planning to buy a home, most people focus on saving for the down payment. But the truth is, that’s only part of the equation. To actually finalize the purchase, you’ll also need to budget for closing costs —the out-of-pocket expenses that come up before you get the keys. Closing costs can add up quickly, which is why they should be part of your pre-approval conversation right from the start. Lenders will even require proof that you’ve got enough funds set aside. For example, if you’re getting an insured (high-ratio) mortgage, you’ll need at least 1.5% of the purchase price available in addition to your down payment. That means a 10% down payment actually requires 11.5% of the purchase price in cash to make everything work. Let’s break down some of the most common expenses you should prepare for: 1. Home Inspection & Appraisal Inspection : Paid by you, this gives peace of mind that the property is in good shape and doesn’t have hidden problems. Appraisal : Required by the lender to confirm value. Sometimes this is covered by mortgage insurance, sometimes by you. 2. Legal Fees A lawyer or notary is required to handle the title transfer and make sure the mortgage is properly registered. Legal fees are often one of the larger closing costs—unless you’re also responsible for property transfer tax. 3. Taxes Many provinces charge a property or land transfer tax based on the home’s purchase price. These fees can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, so you’ll want to factor them in early. 4. Insurance Property insurance is mandatory—lenders won’t release funds without proof that the home is insured on closing day. Optional coverage like mortgage life, disability, or critical illness insurance may also be worth considering depending on your financial plan. 5. Moving Costs Whether you’re renting a truck, hiring movers, or bribing friends with pizza and gas money, moving comes with expenses. Cross-country moves especially can be surprisingly pricey. 6. Utilities & Deposits Setting up new services (electricity, water, internet) can involve connection fees or deposits, particularly if you don’t already have a payment history with the utility provider. Plan Ahead, Stress Less This list covers the big-ticket items, but every purchase is unique. That’s why it pays to have an accurate estimate of your personal closing costs before you make an offer. If you’d like help planning ahead—or want a breakdown tailored to your situation—let’s connect. I’d be happy to walk you through the numbers and make sure you’re fully prepared.

Why a Mortgage Pre-Approval Protects Both Your Head and Your Heart

By Marci Deane • November 19, 2025
Why a Mortgage Pre-Approval Protects Both Your Head and Your Heart There’s no denying it—buying a home is an emotional journey. In a competitive market, it can feel like you need to stretch beyond your comfort zone or bid above asking just to have a chance. That pressure can make it hard to separate what you want from what you can realistically afford. One of the biggest pitfalls buyers face is falling in love with a home that’s outside their price range. Once that happens, every other property seems like a compromise—even the ones that might have been a perfect fit otherwise. The best way to avoid this heartache? Get pre-approved before you start shopping. What a Pre-Approval Does for You A mortgage pre-approval gives you more than just a number—it provides clarity, confidence, and protection: Know your buying power : Shop within your true price range and avoid disappointment. Spot potential roadblocks : Uncover issues like credit bureau errors before you make an offer. Get organized : Learn exactly what documentation you’ll need so there are no surprises. Lock in a rate : Many lenders hold your rate for 30–120 days, giving you peace of mind if rates rise. Save yourself heartache : Protect yourself from falling for a home you can’t afford. Head vs. Heart Buying a home is about balance. Your head tells you what’s financially sound, your heart tells you what feels right—and both matter. A pre-approval helps bring those two sides together, so you can make confident choices without emotional stress clouding your judgment. The Bottom Line Looking at properties for fun is one thing—but if you’re serious about buying, a pre-approval is the smartest first step you can take. It sets realistic expectations, saves time, and protects your emotions along the way. If you’d like to explore your options and get pre-approved, I’d be happy to walk through the process with you. Let’s make sure you’re ready to shop with confidence.