Don't Make the Same Mistakes Your Parents Made
Take Charge of Your Finances and Avoid a Lifetime of Worry
by Paul Smeeton

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Have you ever noticed your parents getting upset or stressed for no apparent reason? The fact is, there is always a reason, and it’s commonly the lack of control over their finances. They were never taught about budgeting and saving, managing risk, or diversified investing. The stress of this life—the constant worrying about money—strains their health and relationships. Unfortunately, many individuals follow in their parents’ financial footsteps. Financial literacy gives you the tools to break these generational money habits and create financial security, avoid financial pitfalls, and prepare for significant life events. It impacts whether you can quit your job to start your own business, whether you’re still paying off that seven-year car loan or have enough saved up for a down payment on a home, and whether you can retire comfortably at sixty or need to keep a part-time job through your seventies. The key is don’t make the same mistakes your parents made! Don’t Make the Same Mistakes Your Parents Made provides a step-by-step process for creating a solid financial plan tailored to your objectives—it’ll differ from that of your friends and siblings, as they’ll have different income levels, spending habits, risk tolerance, and financial goals. In this guide, you’ll learn how to take control of your finances, including: • Establishing your financial goals • Acknowledging the obstacles you may face, including biased financial advice, stock market downturns, and the temptation to prioritize depreciating assets and impulse purchases • Understanding income tax basics and how they affect financial decisions • Using credit wisely • Determining the ideal allocation of your investments between stocks and bonds • Creating an easy-to-monitor investment portfolio that aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance • Monitoring your net worth to determine whether you’re on track to achieve your goals • Understanding why every parent should have a will There has never been a better time to be a young investor. So, start now and take control of your finances to avoid the struggles your parents faced!

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Paul Smeeton, a CPA, began his career at the public accounting firm Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. (now KPMG), where he gained extensive experience completing numerous company audits and countless tax returns and financial plans before returning to school to earn an MBA at the University of Toronto. His professional journey continued on Bay Street, including ten years as head of BMO Nesbitt Burns’ Securitization Group—Canada’s largest securitization program—where he managed a $25 billion asset portfolio. Today, he and his partner live in Toronto, with a revolving door of five adult children coming and going. An enthusiastic hockey dad with three sons in hockey, he can be found at hockey rinks across Ontario. He’s an avid golfer, having played close to 200 courses (Scotland is on his bucket list) and an active pickleball and tennis player.

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Paul Smeeton