http://www.bewealthycoaching.com/

Be Wealthy Financial Coaching, Toronto, ON (2026)

05/03/2026

Letting go and slowing spending has been on my mind lately.

We got back from a trip to Finland a few weeks ago, and like most travel, it shifted my perspective. There was an ease in living out of a suitcase for two weeks. Less stuff, less decision-making, less to manage. Visiting family, I also noticed how little they own, especially when it comes to CLOTHING.

Turning 50 added another layer. I see this often with clients in my financial planning work.

Milestone birthdays bring finances into focus.

Are we on track?
Could we be doing things differently?

For me, it’s not just finances right now. It’s the physical side too.

What is enough?

Why am I moving the same things around?

What do I want life to feel like as my kids get older?

I keep coming back to wanting more time, especially these last handful of summers before they’re grown.

So I’ve been focused on decluttering. I’ve been at it for a few years, but recently decided to move through it faster.

The hardest part hasn’t been letting go, it’s been the $$$$$$ attached to things. Looking at items I spent good money on and choosing to move on anyway.

But I’m starting to see it differently.

I’m not losing money. I’m buying space and giving future me more time. Less to manage. Less to think about.

I’m also taking a pause on bringing more in. It’s so easy to pick up your phone and buy something without thinking twice.

This is where it connects to my work.

Using your money well is a skill. Practicing delayed gratification, planning ahead, pausing before you spend. What do you want your money to do over time?

No one is perfect with money, we all make mistakes. It’s finding a better balance between enjoying today and taking care of your future.

Questions I keep coming back to:

Do I really need this… or just want it right now?

Will I still use and enjoy this a year from now?

Will this make life easier or give me something else to manage?

If I buy this, what else am I saying no to?

Would I rather have this… or another trip?

Just because you can afford something doesn’t mean it fits your life.

Money isn’t just math.
It’s time, energy, and how you want your days to feel.

01/28/2026

A lot of money stress doesn’t come from overspending. It comes from TIMING!

It’s the irregular, lumpy expenses that catch us by surprise….and can end up on a credit card or line of credit:
 Quarterly property taxes. Kids’ sports + camps. Car and home repairs. Vet bills.
Christmas and seasonal spending.

This is where designated spending accounts change everything.

Instead of reacting when an expense shows up, you get proactive.
 You look 6–12 months ahead and gently set money aside each month — into specific accounts for specific purposes.

For example:
 For our car, I estimate about $3,000 a year in maintenance and repairs, so I set aside $250 a month into a car fund.

Planning for what can reasonably happen removes the shock and stress.

If you know you’ll spend $6,000 on a vacation next year, set aside $500 a month into a travel account.
 When vacation time comes — the money is there and you won’t spend your vacation worrying about money!

It’s a simple system — but it creates space and calm.

And if you’re prone to money anxiety or have a super busy life?
 Sometimes just seeing these accounts is enough to remind you: you’re covered for what’s coming.

You’d still keep a separate emergency fund alongside this — that’s for the true, unexpected whammy.

Designated spending accounts are for what you can reasonably expect to happen.  
To get started:
 🦙Think about the expense that always sneaks up on you. 
🦙Open a separate savings account just for that.

Most banks don’t charge for savings accounts, but fees can apply if you use the account for purchases or transactions.

🦙Set up a monthly automated transfer — even a small amount helps.

Once the account is set up, your cash flow is smoother and the stress of surprise expenses is gone.

01/24/2026

Your annual investment statements are out 👋

Many Canadian financial institutions have uploaded annual investment and CRM2 statements.

If you don’t get paper copies in the mail, you’ll find them online through your bank or investment portal. If you haven’t logged in yet, now’s the time!

These statements show:

* The fees you’re actually paying for investment management
* Your returns (not the marketing version)

Take 30 minutes to dig in and compare what you see with what you expected.

Ask yourself:

* Were you surprised by the fees you’re paying?
* Do you really know what you own?
* Do you have cash sitting in retirement accounts that could be working harder?
* Do you understand how your investments actually performed?
* Are you confident your savings and investing are on track for the retirement you want?

👉 If anything feels confusing or uncomfortable, you’re not alone. I can help you break it down, make sense of the numbers, and help figure out your next financial actions steps.

Your money deserves clarity. 💜

06/11/2025

I recently called the Canada Education Savings Grant line to check where things stood—because over the years, we had contributions spread across different plans and I’d honestly lost track. (Bit of time spent on hold but the rep was SUPER helpful.)

After reviewing everything, I’ve decided to stop 🛑 making RESP contributions for my older son.

He’s 13 now, and the projections show there’s enough saved to cover full tuition, books, and a good chunk of housing expenses for 4 years. Plus I want my son to work and contribute towards his own education too!

Sidebar: I fully paid for my own education. It was a struggle, but also taught me so many valuable money lessons. My goal is to support my kids with their education, but also want them to have skin in the game too.

We’ve fully maxed out the available RESP grant money. While the account will still grow tax-free, I’ve decided to free up that cash flow for other priorities.

I’ll be redirecting the $5K per year to my TFSA instead, which still has some unused contribution room.

I feel confident about the level of support we’ve built and consider his education goal on track.

✨ Pro tip: If you’ve been contributing for a while, it’s worth checking your RESP value, grant history, and what your savings might actually cover. And don’t forget to balance RESP saving with building your own retirement accounts—there are no loans for retirement!

This is just one of the areas I help clients with during a financial planning engagement.
 📞 Curious what this could look like for you? Book a free consult call to find out more.

06/11/2025

How do you define your wealthy life?

It’s easy to think wealth is just about what’s in your bank or investment accounts.

But for me, real wealth shows up in how you’re able to navigate life — especially when things go off track.

It’s about the choices that help reduce stress and protect your peace.

2025 hasn’t been the easiest year.
 My youngest has been dealing with ongoing issues from the illness and treatment he had as a toddler.

One of the ripple effects?

Serious dental complications. Unexpected, long-term, and expensive.

Nothing hits harder than watching your child struggle.
 This is not how I’d choose to spend our money — but it’s necessary.

What’s making me feel wealthy right now is knowing we can cover these costs.
 It’s being able to show up for every appointment without panicking about taking time off.
 It’s being present, not spiralling.

What does your wealthy life look like these days??

11/08/2024

Building your emergency fund is the foundation for creating a financial system where you’re in control of your money. 💪 It’s the first step toward reducing money stress and breaking free from the hamster wheel of uncertainty.

You’re making a powerful shift from a day-to-day, paycheque-to-paycheque mindset, to a future-serving mindset. 🌟

How much you need is unique to your finances—there’s no one-size-fits-all.

One of the first topics I discuss with a client is their emergency fund and we determine the right sized amount for them.

It doesn’t matter if you have tons of money, an emergency fund still plays a fundamental role in cash flow management.

The real benefits go beyond just avoiding debt. It’s about peace of mind: less anxiety, less stress, and feeling safe knowing an emergency won’t set you back financially. 🙌

Take a moment today to check in on your emergency fund! Your future self will thank you!!!!!!

11/06/2024

THE FACT IS – the financial landscape is more complicated than ever! With information overload, endless noise, and so many decisions to make, it’s easy to feel stuck and overwhelmed.

Add to this changing regulations, and unpredictable markets…..it can sometimes feel like you’re not making progress or are missing something important.

But here’s the GOOD NEWS: You don’t have to control everything!

By focusing on what you can control, you can take confident steps toward financial success.

What’s in Your Control:

✅ Your Spending Habits: You decide where your money goes. Understanding your spending helps you make intentional choices about what truly matters to you and align your spending with those values.

✅ Saving & Investing: Pay yourself first. Prioritize saving and investing for the future before spending on anything else. By investing wisely, you’re using the power of compounding to build wealth over time.

✅ Financial Goals & Priorities: Setting a goal gives you a direction to head towards. You shift from reactive (feels bad) to proactive (feels good) money planning.

✅ Debt Management: You can develop strategies to reduce and pay debt faster.

✅ Financial Education: You can’t learn all things finance in a day or from a single book. It’s a journey. Stay curious and keep learning.

What’s Beyond Your Control:

❌ Stock Market: The market will rise and fall. A solid investment strategy helps you manage through volatility.

❌ Interest Rates: They’re set by central banks.

❌ Tax Changes: Tax laws can shift, but knowing how they impact you helps you plan better. My financial planning software is fantastic for showing how tax changes affect your decisions.

❌ Economic Cycles: The economy goes through its cycles, it’s normal. A well-funded safety net helps you navigate economic dips and uncertainties.

By focusing on what you can control, you’ll reduce stress and feel empowered to make smarter, more confident financial decisions.

If you’re curious about how I help as an advice-only financial planner & money coach, send me a DM!

08/22/2024

As a financial planner and money coach, these are just a few of the questions I help clients answer.

My role is to understand your goals 🎯, analyze your numbers 📊, and provide a FRESH perspective on your finances 🌟. I’ll make sure you’re not overlooking anything, help you get financially organized, and set you on the path to a secure and successful future.

I offer a free consultation to help you get started on your financial journey. Send me a DM, and I’ll share my calendar link to book your session.

ABOUT ME:
Hi 👋 I’m Meri-Li Forrest, and I’m an advice-only financial planner with 25 years of personal finance and wealth management experience in Canada 🇨🇦. I provide guidance to help you make better decisions with your money. From day-to-day cash flow analysis to long-term retirement planning, I’m here as a second pair of eyes for your finances 👀.

I don’t sell financial products or insurance—just dedicated support to help you understand your finances so you can achieve your important goals.

Oh, and I crunch all the numbers, so you don’t have to! 🎉🎉🎉

05/12/2024

Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible moms out there!!

Moms can be AMAZING with money and are key players in building family wealth 👷‍♀️We’re making most of the purchase decisions and contribute significantly to the financial well-being and success of the household.

Way to go mom’s!!!!

Fidelity did a research study where they asked teens who their financial role model is—and 69% of the teens said their mom 😍So the kids are watching!!

Reflecting on the strong “mom’s” who shaped my financial journey, I’m reminded of the invaluable lessons passed down through generations.

My grandmother, became a single parent as my grandfather passed away and she was left to raise the kids solo. She showed me resilience and how to navigate banking. She mixed thriftiness with occasional splurges for fun, travel, and adventure. She was a pro at growing her own veggies, foraging for berries (Finland’s got plenty!), and meal prep so very little food went to waste.

My mom showed me the importance of a regular money routine. To this day I see find her money notebook on her dresser, detailing her weekly money spent, upcoming expenses, and progress to her goals.

My stepmother, Jatta, works alongside my dad in the family trucking business, and I would see her handling financial and business tasks like a boss. They also have passion for local theatre production and have turned that into a side hustle business.

I’m so inspired by my mom role models, and it’s one of the reasons I’m dedicated to fostering a legacy of teaching others financial empowerment. I’ve added my own unique skills to the family tree by becoming an investor, an entrepreneur, and focusing on ways to build our family wealth.

And, I’ve been getting more mom’s reaching out to me who want to build on their financial literacy skills and learn how to invest for themselves 👏🥳🙌

Enjoy your special day, moms! Cheers to you for all the magic you make happen!

05/11/2024

Here I am, doing my fave home maintenance task, unclogging a drain 🤮

As I stand here in a vintage late 90s bathroom, aside from peeling wallpaper and ugly fixtures—i see dollar signs.

One of the mega whammies homeowners face, is the cost of maintenance and renos. Your house ages and things will break💔

As a financial planner, a common rule of thumb is to plan for this stuff to cost between 1 to 3% of the value of your home each year. This avoids debt, and panic attacks. If you have a house with fancy finishes, you’d be on the higher end of the scale.

Example for a home valued at $1,000,000

Set aside 1% per year

That’s $10,000 a year (or $833/month) for home maintenance & reno

You might say that’s way too much. But, if you haven’t replaced a roof or a deck in a while, you may be in for a shock.

Of course you may not spend this amount every year or you may spend way more (do your own math based on your home and the goals and plans you have for your home).

The reason you put the money away is to smooth out cash flow and avoid debt you can’t repay. If something major strikes, you’re ready.

With a brand new home, you might spend way more in the first few years. Think curtains, fencing, landscaping and decor. With an older home, there’s often a chain reaction effect. If you fix one thing, it leads to another and another.

This is where we’re at… it’s more cost effective to replace everything at once but that’s major renovation that costs major money. For the time being, all the fixes are Band-Aids🤕

This is the true cost of homeownership. It’s not just the mortgage, property, taxes, and utilities.

Hope you found this helpful?

If you’d like to work on some of your numbers together, book a free consult call with me 😍

Be Wealthy Financial Coaching

05/03/2026

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01/24/2026

06/11/2025

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11/08/2024

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