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Tanner Hassell, CFP, CIM - Springleaf Financial Group

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Tanner Hassell, CFP, CIM - Springleaf Financial Group

Financial Planning for Health-Focused Small Business Owners | Helping Health Professionals & Entrepreneurs Build Tax-Efficient Wealth

06/17/2026

Many investors underestimate the risk of having concentrated positions in their portfolios. While familiar investments might seem safe, they can actually magnify market swings into significant financial impacts. Unexpected events like regulatory changes or leadership shake-ups can lead to severe, irreversible losses, showing that familiarity isn't always a safety net.

Research highlights a sobering reality: only 4% of companies have driven all market gains since 1926, while nearly half of large-cap stocks experienced declines of over 70% from which they never recovered. This emphasizes the importance of diversification in reducing risk and achieving financial goals. Instead of relying on a few familiar stocks, spreading investments across various sectors and regions provides more stability.

Ask yourself, 'If I had cash today, would I still invest in this?' This question helps avoid the trap of familiarity bias. Ultimately, broad diversification, combined with patience and a clear strategy, is key to successful investing. Recognizing the hidden risks in concentrated positions can safeguard your financial future against unforeseen events. https://www.springleaf.ca/ -statements

06/15/2026

Consider this: would you prefer a job that pays $100,000 with no support if you become disabled, or one that offers $98,000 with a $60,000 tax-free benefit in case of disability? Most would choose the latter. This highlights the critical role of disability insurance in protecting your income.

Disability insurance provides a monthly tax-free benefit if illness or injury prevents you from working, ensuring you can still cover essential expenses like your mortgage and groceries. Nearly 30% of working-age Canadians experience some form of disability, with many related to mental health.

While employer plans may seem adequate, they often have limitations and can change definitions after two years. A private policy offers consistent coverage that stays with you, regardless of your job. Costs vary, but a healthy individual in their 30s might pay around 1%–3% of their income. Investing in a quality policy provides peace of mind and financial security, allowing you to focus on recovery without financial stress.

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06/14/2026

When you think of financial independence, early retirement might come to mind. But the reality is far more flexible and meaningful. It's not about never working again; it's about reclaiming control over your time and aligning your resources with what truly matters to you.

Achieving financial independence doesn’t require winning the lottery. It’s about disciplined saving and intentional planning. When your investment income covers your expenses, you're financially independent. This allows you to choose how you spend your time, whether it's scaling back work or pursuing passions.

The journey is unique for everyone. It depends on factors like spending habits, life expectancy, and lifestyle flexibility. For example, living on $40,000 instead of $50,000 annually reduces your savings target by $400,000. Adjusting your lifestyle to match your values can significantly speed up your journey.

Reducing fixed expenses, like housing, can be a powerful lever. One client cut seven years off their timeline by downsizing. Your spending habits are often more controllable than investment returns.

Financial independence isn't just a number; it's a means to a greater goal. Whether it’s more time with family, volunteering, or personal projects, it should support a life that’s fulfilling and aligned with your values.

Set clear, values-driven goals. Reflect on past decisions, consider future priorities, and create measurable targets. The journey itself enriches your life, offering the freedom to say 'yes' and 'no' more freely.

https://www.springleaf.ca/ -statements

06/13/2026

Choosing the right investment account in Canada is crucial for long-term financial success. With options like TFSAs, RRSPs, and RESPs, each account type offers different benefits and limitations. Registered accounts provide tax advantages but come with specific rules, while non-registered accounts offer flexibility without tax sheltering.

Consider the TFSA, often misunderstood as a mere savings account, which actually serves as a powerful tool for long-term investing. Its tax-free growth and withdrawal flexibility make it ideal for retirement planning, though losses aren't tax-deductible, so caution is advised with high-risk investments. On the other hand, RRSPs allow for tax-deductible contributions, growing tax-free until retirement, and offer unique benefits like exemption from U.S. withholding taxes on dividends.

For those looking to buy a home, the FHSA combines features of both TFSAs and RRSPs, providing tax-free withdrawals for home purchases. Each account type can support different financial goals at various stages of life. Regularly reviewing and adjusting your account strategy ensures it aligns with your evolving financial needs.

https://www.springleaf.ca/ -statements

06/12/2026

Every day, we face countless decisions, and not all of them hold the same weight. For professionals managing work, family, and future planning, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and lose sight of a crucial question: Am I building a life I truly enjoy?

The path to life satisfaction doesn’t require drastic changes. Often, it’s about small, repeatable principles guiding our daily choices. One key principle is choosing experiences over things. Research shows that experiences, like a walk in nature or a family dinner, offer lasting happiness and cherished memories.

Consider the exercise of 'counting the times left.' If you only have a few summers left before your kids leave home, it emphasizes the urgency of prioritizing meaningful time together. It’s not about overspending but about valuing experiences you can't recreate later.

When planning for the future, focus on daily details. Consider how a new property or career change will affect your everyday life. Prioritize time over money, especially when it enhances relationships and well-being.

Nature offers consistent well-being boosts, unlike traffic, which wears us down. If possible, choose where you live and work to maximize natural enjoyment and minimize commute stress. Bundle activities that combine physical activity, time in nature, and relationship-building.

Embrace regret as a tool for clarity. Use it to guide future choices, focusing on big, impactful decisions. Financial planning should help you design a life you love, one intentional choice at a time.

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06/11/2026

Designing a smarter investment portfolio is more than just seeking high returns. It's about creating a balance between risk, behavior, and your personal goals. Asset allocation is a key part of this process, helping determine how much of your portfolio should be in equities, bonds, or real estate based on your unique situation.

The idea of an 'optimal' portfolio can be misleading. While models like Modern Portfolio Theory offer insights, they rely on assumptions that change over time. Instead of aiming for perfection, focus on achieving returns that align with your life goals, such as family time or a dream vacation. A 'good' return that supports your lifestyle is often more practical and less risky than trying to outperform the market.

Investor behavior significantly impacts returns, with many earning less due to poor timing—buying high and selling low. A diversified, balanced portfolio that you can stick with during market fluctuations is essential. Ultimately, the best portfolio is one tailored to your needs, allowing you to maintain it through both highs and lows, ensuring your financial objectives are met.

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06/10/2026

Private real estate funds have become quite the trend, boasting 6 to 8 percent yields with quarterly distributions and seemingly stable valuations. But dig a little deeper, and you'll find that this stability is more illusion than reality. These funds often use appraisal smoothing, updating property values infrequently, which can mask true market volatility.

The calm appearance these funds offer is more of an accounting trick than actual risk reduction. Typically, they use 25-40% leverage to invest in properties like office towers and industrial parks, with values changing only when new appraisals occur, sometimes annually.

Research indicates that the returns from private real estate funds can be replicated using a blend of public equities and bonds at significantly lower fees. Once adjustments for lagged betas and leverage are made, the supposed 'illiquidity premium' disappears, revealing a possible illiquidity discount.

Floating-rate mortgages introduce another layer of complexity. As interest rates rise, debt costs can increase faster than income, leading to financial strain. During downturns, when redemptions are gated, true asset values can suddenly come to light, challenging the perception of stability.

For those seeking genuine diversification, publicly traded assets offer real-time pricing and a clearer view of risk, providing more reliable and liquid investment options. Understanding these hidden mechanics is essential for making informed decisions. Choose wisely and consider the benefits of transparency and liquidity in public markets.

https://www.springleaf.ca/ -statements

06/09/2026

Investing can be challenging when emotions come into play, especially during uncertain times. Many professionals find themselves holding onto cash, worried about market volatility. However, markets often price in news before it becomes widely known, so waiting for clarity might mean missing recovery opportunities. For example, during the 2008 financial crisis, markets began recovering while negative headlines still dominated.

Switching to lower-cost investments can seem daunting due to potential tax implications, but over time, the benefits often outweigh the initial costs. In a scenario where a high-fee portfolio was switched to a low-fee one, despite an initial tax hit, the long-term growth was significant, adding over $2 million in 30 years. This shows that fee savings can compound into substantial growth.

Chasing hot investment ideas can also be tempting, but history has shown that exciting sectors often underperform. Between 1989 and 2022, railway stocks outperformed tech stocks despite tech's rapid innovations. This suggests that broad diversification and low fees can lead to more stable returns. Staying focused on long-term goals and not letting fear or headlines dictate your strategy can make a big difference.

https://www.springleaf.ca/ -statements

06/08/2026

For many incorporated professionals in Canada, choosing to contribute to CPP and EI isn't just about taxes—it's about understanding the benefits. These programs offer protections and flexibility but come with trade-offs.

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) offers more than retirement benefits. It includes disability support, survivor pensions, and a child-rearing provision. Recognized globally, CPP provides a lifetime, inflation-indexed pension based on contributions.

Paying yourself a salary means contributing to CPP, which can be a strategic move. With long-term returns around 5% per year, it's a risk-free investment that provides stability, especially during market downturns.

Employment Insurance (EI) might seem less relevant, but its special benefits program is invaluable for parental leave or compassionate care. If you're planning for family, this could be a key consideration.

Opting for a dividend-only strategy might save on premiums, but it means missing out on CPP accumulation and RRSP room creation. Short-term tax savings can lead to long-term regrets.

A balanced approach, combining salary and dividends, offers the best of both worlds. It allows for RRSP room creation and TFSA maximization. Your strategy should align with personal goals and be revisited as needs evolve.

As your advisor, I can help tailor a strategy that leverages these programs for long-term value, ensuring every decision supports your financial future.

https://www.springleaf.ca/ -statements

06/07/2026

Many believe investing is like gambling, but there's a significant difference. While both involve risk and can be thrilling, investing is about making informed decisions for long-term gains, whereas gambling often relies on short-term luck. Imagine spending 20 years at a blackjack table; you’d likely end up losing money. In contrast, investing in the S&P 500 for 20 years has historically resulted in positive returns.

The key lies in understanding how each works. Gambling typically has a negative expected return, meaning the odds are against you. Investing, when done properly, has a positive expected return, rewarding those who take smart, long-term risks. This difference underscores the importance of a disciplined investment strategy.

True investing involves diversification and evidence-based decisions, avoiding the speculative nature of gambling. It may not be as exciting, but it maximizes your chances of success. By sticking to a plan, staying diversified, and keeping costs low, you can build wealth over time and secure your financial future. Patience and consistency are crucial in making investing work for you.

https://www.springleaf.ca/ -statements

Address

410/1620 Dickson Avenue
Kelowna, BC
V1Y9Y2

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 4pm
Tuesday	9am - 4pm
Wednesday	9am - 4pm
Thursday	9am - 4pm
Friday	9am - 4pm

Website

http://springleaf.ca/

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