Blog

As many of you know, International Women’s Day recently passed on March 8. This is an important day for me every year—not only because I’m a female business owner, but because I so luckily get to spend the day with some of the most inspiring women I know. For the

Spring Break is just what we need during this time of the year, situated between the final snow squalls of winter and our real spring. It’s a chance to pause amidst the busyness of Q1 and find a balance between what you and your fam need to push through the

It’s no new news, but my family and I love to travel and make memories together. My husband Kurtis and I really value travel gifts over material goods because as the kids get older, their days are spent more with teammates and friends than they are with us. It’s a

Every year, I like to look back on where I was in January and where I’d like to be a year from now. I often pause throughout the year to reflect, but the end of the year is a perfect reminder for us to do just that. I learned a

There’s something magical about Calgary’s holiday markets. As someone who looks forward to them every year, I can tell you they’re the perfect antidote to cold winter evenings—full of twinkling lights, handcrafted treasures, and that unmistakable festive energy. Here are five markets you absolutely can’t miss this season.   Spruce

I truly can’t believe fall is here—where did the time go?! As we usher in shorter days and the crisp autumn air, we find the perfect excuse to embrace our favourite seasonal activities, from checking out the newest pumpkin spice latte (PSL) to visiting the closest corn maze. To get

As a working professional who splits her time between client meetings and weekend getaways, I’ve perfected the art of packing efficiently without sacrificing comfort or style. Finding that ideal balance of practicality and luxury mirrors how I approach many aspects of life; investing in quality experiences while maintaining mindfulness of

I get it, insurance isn’t the most thrilling topic, but as I always say, insurance is the one thing you need but never want to have to use. Insurance is one those critical tools that can help provide a sense of security and peace of mind for you, and your

Each spring, I find myself clearing out closets and drawers, getting rid of clutter and rediscovering long-lost things. And every year, it reminds me how easy it is for things to become easily forgotten, and it’s important to not let this happen when it comes to our finances. This is

There’s something about summer in Calgary that just hits different. After what always feels like the longest winter (and 5 false spring starts later), the minute the lilacs bloom and the patios open, I’m outside. My calendar fills up with everything from baseball games to spontaneous walks for tacos, and

This week, the U.S. made a big move on trade, one that has already sent ripples through the market and will likely continue to do so in the weeks to come. Let’s break down what’s happening, how it affects Canada, and what I’ll be keeping an eye on for you.

If you’ve been following along with my channels for a while, then you know I’m a huge advocate for taking intentional time away from the daily grind. Whether it’s a business retreat, a wellness escape, or something that blends both, as a business owner, stepping out of your routine can

If you’ve ever seen the headlines after a Bank of Canada meeting and wondered, “what does this actually mean for me?”—you’re not alone. While we all hear about rate hikes and cuts, the bigger questions are: why do these changes happen and how do they affect your finances? Let’s break

Calgary’s food scene just keeps getting better, and I love rotating between new openings and tried-and-true favourites that never disappoint. Whether you’re looking for a cozy date night spot, a buzzy cocktail bar, or a fresh take on Italian comfort food, these are the places I’ve been loving lately. While

With summer around the corner, I’ve been dreaming about my next getaway. Whether you’re craving adventure, history, or a relaxing beach escape, there are many incredible destinations to explore. In this blog, I’m recapping some of the places I’ve loved and some that are on my must-visit list (or that

We’re fully immersed in the Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) season again, and I know there are questions about what RRSPs are, how they work, whether they’re the right choice for you, and how to maximize them to their full potential. I’ve covered it in the past, but there are

The new year always marks new starts and fresh opportunities, meaning now is the perfect time to get proactive about your finances. Taking small, intentional steps today can save you from stress down the road, allowing you to focus on your goals instead of scrambling to catch up (and let’s

Now that we’re in the new year, I’m feeling recharged and ready to take on new challenges. After a December spent soaking up precious family time, creating special memories, and (let’s be honest) indulging in all the festive treats, I’m excited to shift gears. This time of year feels like

Back in October, our team covered some of the best Pumpkin Spice Lattes in Calgary, and we’re back with another round for the festive season! Our little elves have been hard at work tasting all of the holiday drinks from cafés across Calgary, from Peppermint Mochas to Eggnog Lattes and

As we wrap up the year, it’s the perfect time to check in on your financial goals and update your savings plan for 2025 and beyond. Two important numbers to keep in mind are the Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) and Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) contribution amounts for the year.

The holidays are here, and it’s time to hit pause, cozy up, and savour some much-needed downtime. Whether you’re embracing the great outdoors, diving into a new read, or baking up a storm, this list has everything you need to make the most of your holiday break. Let’s make this

For many business owners, your company isn’t just your career—it’s your baby. But as you think about the future, it’s important to create a financial plan that lasts beyond your business. Building a “pension-like” investment through your corporation has the potential to set you up for retirement with a steady

As Black Friday approaches, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of discounts and limited time offers. But instead of impulsively grabbing deals, taking a more tactful approach can bring long-term value—especially when viewing purchases as investments, not just transactions. Repeat this back, “This is an investment, not

Back at the end of September, we hosted Wellington-Altus Private Wealth’s Chief Market Strategist, Dr. James Thorne, at our office to chat about the current state of the market and his predictions for 2025. If you weren’t in the room with us, I’ve summed up the discussion, so you don’t

I know we’re already very much into autumn, which means pumpkin spice everything season is in full force! My team has taken to the cafés to hunt down the perfect pumpkin spice latte (PSL), and we’ve compiled our ratings and thoughts below. From more metropolitan coffee shops like Deville, to

In the past, I’ve talked about and given tidbits on how to utilize and maximize the use of a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA), but something I haven’t touched on yet is what happens when we overcontribute to our accounts. It’s important that when you are putting money into your TFSA,

As many of you know, Montréal is my hometown, a place that I love to go back to a few times a year. For me, it’s a mixture of the nostalgia and architectural elegance that draws me in year after year. Of course, I love to visit family, but there’s

As you can probably tell by my social, blog and video content, I’m a big supporter of starting your financial knowledge young. Since Nate and Avrie were little, my husband Kurtis and I have educated them on smart saving and building healthy financial habits, and in today’s age, there’s an

With back-to-school season fast approaching (how is it already the end of Q3?!), we see an influx in requests to withdraw funds from our clients’ Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs), and the same questions come up a lot: what do I need to do to withdraw from my RESP and

When we refer to “financial strategy planning” in our business, we are simply referring to the way in which we work with clients throughout their wealth-building journey. In each interaction, we are strategic in our decision-making, assessing the current financial landscape, looking at our clients’ goals and weighing out the

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I love Calgary so much in the summer. The sun is out, the flowers are in full bloom and everyone’s in the mood for a patio day or park hang. We have an abundance of great patios here, so you have

In June, I sat down with the brilliant mind of Janine Moir, CA and CPA at Deloitte with over 15 years of experience. Currently, Janine acts as A&A Innovation Leader for Deloitte Canada. She is extremely passionate about technology and the impact that emerging technologies, like blockchain, are having on

  I’ve talked about it on my social media channels since the 2024/2025 Canadian Federal Budget came out, but one area that has experienced significant changes is the capital gains inclusion rate. As of June 25, the capital gains inclusion rate increases from 1/2 to 2/3 (50% to 66.67%) for

Looking to travel this summer, but not quite ready to jet off to Europe on a big adventure? I encourage you to stay close to Calgary, as you might be surprised at some of the cool places you can find along the way! Staycations are a great way to get

Like Money Myths, there are many “retirement rules” that float around as people prepare for their retirement. In many cases, we ask our friends, get insights from our professional connections, but we don’t always have the inside scoop from those who are working with them on a day-to-day basis. Here

Things are finally warming up here in YYC and our calendars are filling up with exciting plans for long weekends and long-awaited time out of the office. Stop that lingering FOMO from summers past in its tracks and fill the gaps in your summer itinerary with some of the fantastic

In May, I sat down with my good friend Margarita de Guzman, Managing Director and CEO of Circle CRM Group and The Fair Field Foundation. She is one of very few female archaeologist entrepreneurs in Canada, with over 20 years of extensive archaeological experience, and she never fails to blow

In April, I sat down with a very talented woman and entrepreneur, Eden Simari. As an award-winning mortgage professional with over 20 years in the mortgage lending industry, she is passionate about the industry and sharing her skillset with customers to assist them in making their financial and home ownership

As many of you know, my family and I LOVE to travel. Whether it’s a bigger trip abroad or an excursion into our own backyard (hello, BC), we can often be found out and about, and I want to share a few of my favourite locations with you. As we

Hi everyone! I know that many of you have likely already submitted your taxes, but I have some tips for those of you who haven’t (make sure you set these aside for next year, too). First off, here’s your friendly reminder that your taxes must be filed with the CRA

I first officially introduced my JSS brand in December 2020. Since then, I have grown a lot thanks to my team, Wellington-Altus Private Wealth, and most importantly—you, my clients. This year, I decided to launch my new brand look on my birthday, March 5, not just a marker of another year, but a new visual chapter. I’m so glad that it’s finally here!

Over the course of my career as a Wealth Advisor, I have seen money myths come and go, but many have endured through market fluctuations, investment trends and more. I’m here to tell you that despite all of this, they are, in fact, money myths.

I recently sat down with the one and only hospitality king, Jeff Jamieson. For many years, he has been at the heart of the hospitality scene in Calgary, with businesses like Donna Mac, Proof and Vine Arts.

There are a lot of acronyms in my industry, and I’m the first one to admit that they can be extremely confusing. Today, I want to break down a few of them that I have been recently talking about on my Wealth With Julie Instagram, because they’re crucial accounts that are great to know about in helping you build your wealth.

In February, I sat down with Dr. Jane Levesque to chat about how to best prepare for a fertility journey and the finances that come into play when couples embark on this journey together.

In January, I sat down with my very own kids, Avrie and Nate, to talk about budgeting and investing for kids—from when kids should start, to whether or not pets like hamsters are a good investment. I might be biased, but I think it was a pretty hilarious session.

Recently, I found myself at Charlie’s Watch Repair, a new speakeasy hidden behind one of Calgary’s newest restaurants, Salt & Brick. There’s something about specially curated cocktails, dim lights, cushy seating and a hidden entrance that has us all intrigued.

Starting off a new year most likely means having your sights set on new goals and dreams! Like anything, in order to get there, you need to set yourself up with a great plan of action. It’s the little habits that can make a big difference. You may see a few of the same tips that I’ve shared before, but that’s only because I think they’re SO important. Without further ado, here are my favourite simple tips I’d recommend for setting yourself up for success in 2024!

In January, we look back on the previous year. December is the season of giving, associated with compassion and empathy. But what about January, February, and so on? While I love the amount of giving that is done in December, I always consider where support and funds are going the other 11 months of the year too. Cue The 12 Months of Giving Project!

As another year ends and a new one begins, I always like to focus on balancing versus budgeting, especially throughout the month of December. During a month that can be expensive for many, balancing your finances now can help reduce a lot of stress later. By getting into a routine habit of balancing and not budgeting, you are setting future you up for success. In this mindset shift, I recommend balance across the board, from finances to life commitments. Read on for more!