Why Daisy Xiao, became an Advice Only Financial Planner.

My journey into advice-only financial planning is deeply personal and rooted in my own experiences as a former business owner.

Is life insurance actually worth it? It's a question most Canadians have asked themselves at some point. Yet according to PolicyMe's 2025 Life Insurance Gap Report, 42% of Canadians either don't have life insurance or aren't sure whether they're covered at all. Among those without a policy, 65% say they're unlikely to get one within the next five years. So let's look at the facts, and you can decide whether life insurance is the right move for you. Financial Stability and Deb

Finding the right financial planner is a crucial decision to unlock financial clarity. However, it may feel overwhelming to understand where to start. The key questions to ask and research are: How are they compensated? Do they have their fees on the website? Do they sell investments or not? What credentials do they have? How are they compensated? Look closely at their website to see their fee structure and breakdown. It is important you find an Advice-Only, Fee-Only Financ

Should you rent or should you buy? This is always a big decision. The key thing to consider is the opportunity cost, the price of what you are missing out on as you choose one decision over the other. Remove Other Costs From The Equation Not accounting for other costs is like comparing apples to oranges. Other costs are the costs that you already spent which will never be recovered. Since it is gone either way, removing them will help you make better informed decisions about

Why would someone operate a business by not accepting product commissions or asset fees? Here's the thing, a business is run by someone’s philosophy. As an advice only, fee-only financial planner our only goal is to see you succeed and give you our unbiased, professional opinion. Not tied to product sales. That is the reality of working with us. The clients goals are the same as ours. We do not accept commissions, referral fees or assets under management fees. This helps to

If you want to pay less tax in retirement you need to effectively manage your tax brackets. It’s easy to get caught up in the details of your investments, however, the timing and order of withdrawal is what most people miss. Lower Income Years and Government Benefits An Asset Meltdown strategy is intentionally drawing down accounts in your lower-income years, between the day you stop working and the day you start to draw government pensions. This shrinks the future size of y

If your early retirement plan consists of accumulating a bunch of money, quitting your job in your 40s or 50s and hoping for the best, you're looking for trouble. Standard retirement math in Canada is built for 65-year-olds and if you plan to leave the workforce early, those traditional rules simply don't apply. Standard 4% Rule What is the standard 4% rule for retirement? It is a classic rule designed to make your portfolio survive for about 35 years post-retirement. During

The difference between a Financial Advisor, Fee-For-Service Planner and Advice-Only (Fee-Only) Financial Planner may seem small at first, but after taking a look you will see the differences between each of them. The short answer is down to how each of these models are compensated. There is no right or wrong model, just whichever model best suits your needs. Financial Advisor: AUM Model In Canada, “Financial Advisor” is a broad, loosely regulated title. Historically, anyone

Merrick Financial provides fee-only financial planning for families and young adults navigating today’s shifting economic timelines. In a recent BNN Bloomberg feature, our advice-only financial planner, Chris Merrick, explains why modern financial well-being is no longer about hitting rigid age milestones. Success means building an adaptable system focused on cash flow and tax optimization. Whether you need retirement planning or corporate financial advice, professional guida

When to open a bank account for your kids

Is five hundred thousand dollars enough to retire on in Canada? For one person, it is absolute survival mode. For another, it is a perfectly comfortable, secure retirement. The difference has less to do with market returns— it comes down to the structural rules you build around it. Here are five important factors to consider. Your Baseline Lifestyle Spending If you have a $500,000 portfolio but you're also carrying a large mortgage, you're fighting a losing battle from day on

Benefits of working with a fee only fianncial planner like Merrick Financial Inc. No financial product sales, only expert, unbiased advice

Is now the time to invest in real estate? While property can build wealth, high interest rates and negative cash flow make today’s market a challenge. Based on my recent contribution to The Globe and Mail, I break down why landlording is a long-term commitment, the tax implications to watch for, and how to protect your finances.

Retirement planning is an essential step toward achieving financial freedom, and a pre-retirement assessment is the perfect way to prepare.

Listen to Chris Merrick CFP talk about the benefits, for a business, of working with an advice only financial planner

Chris Merrick explains the benefits of hiring an advice only financial planner for your retirement plans.

Chris Merrick discusses how holistic financial planning goes beyond numbers to support clients' life goals, taxes, estate plans, and peace of mind.

In this short video, we explain the benefits, for you and your family, of working with an advice only financial planner in Canada.

Article based on my contributions to the article by The Canadian Pres: Cash ETFs offer yields and liquidity for funds on the sidelines, finance experts say You want to keep cash available to seize market opportunities, but you don't want it sitting idle and earning next to nothing. This is where cash exchange-traded funds (ETFs) can play a valuable role in your financial strategy, offering a blend of liquidity and return that is increasingly popular among Canadian investors.