Widows Archives - Your Financial Launchpad

Is a large insurance policy really enough?

One of the key messages in my book is that women need to familiarize themselves with their family’s finances. All of it – debts, investments,

May 31, 2017

How to Talk to People Who Are Grieving

A reader emailed me the following question, “I was thinking of you last week wondering if you have a blog post about how to talk to

January 18, 2017

Dear Former Prime Minister, Here's what I do for women and why I do it.

A long time ago, I bought a laminated place mat of the Prime Ministers of Canada, figuring that it might be more fun for my

September 27, 2016

Insurance You Should Ignore

Several years ago, when I ran a real estate investment company, clients would ask me, “Do I need insurance?” What they meant was, “Do I

September 25, 2013

Where there’s a will there’s a way

Quick test, True or False: 1. When you die, it will make no difference for your partner whether you were married or in a common-law

August 14, 2013

When credit matters

I recently wrote a blog post for my business entitled Women: What’s your score? It’s a discussion of the importance of Credit Scores (also known

May 30, 2013

The importance of girl time

So far I have interviewed a few dozen women for this blog and while they have all had different experiences of loss or divorce, there

April 22, 2013

Where does your money trail lead?

I recently shot a video for a company that asked for my Top 5 Tips for Women and I want to share some of that

March 19, 2013

What do you say and do when someone dies?

On Wednesday, February 27th my friend Shawn Holmesdale died at the age of 39. His death was sudden and completely unexpected. Everyone who knew him

March 1, 2013

What if it does happen to you?

When I began my blog on March 31st, 2012, one of my biggest goals was to help women better protect themselves against possible tragedy and

January 17, 2013

Alcohol’s wake – Jean’s story

I have yet to find a set of marriage vows that make reference to a Restraining Order. When we marry, we typically promise to love

November 14, 2012

A tale of opposites – The difference preparation makes

I have recently come across two stories that provide an excellent example of contrasting outcomes. In both cases there was a sudden death yet the

June 20, 2012

What you don’t know can hurt you – Cathy’s story

– I’ll see you for lunch. I love you. With those words, Cathy and Dan parted. That was the last time Cathy saw him. During

June 13, 2012

Learning to drive – Judy’s story

What would you do if you suddenly found yourself widowed with four children, the oldest of whom is seven? Turn back the clock roughly forty

June 1, 2012

My story – Part II

“For the first time in my life I understood the meaning of the word never. And it’s really awful. You say the word a hundred

May 14, 2012

My story – Part I

My friend Bona dropped by for a visit recently and in the midst of our usual go-everywhere conversation she shared a few thoughts. – I’ve

May 9, 2012

From the “KGB” to Canada: Rita’s story

Interviewing Rita is like getting a lesson in the history of Eastern Europe from the time of some of the best James Bond stories. She

May 3, 2012

And then he was gone – Barbara’s story

Some things in life are supposed to be guaranteed. If you take care of your body, you expect to be healthy. You do all the

April 11, 2012

The planner without a plan – Teresa’s story

Teresa* was first married at a young age and had four children in fairly quick succession. When her marriage fell apart, she was left with

April 2, 2012

My Book Project

For years now I have been thinking about writing a book. Not a book of fiction but rather one based on personal experiences that changed

March 29, 2012