Brad Gallant Edward Jones - Financial Advisor, Financial Planner

09/02/2026

I haven't posted about myself here in a while, specifically around what I do for my clients and the community. If you are interested, take a read.

As a financial advisor in Fredericton, New Brunswick, I help first-generation business owners, contractors, and families across the East Coast of Canada navigate life's biggest financial decisions. Whether you are selling a business, requiring complex retirement planning, or making a major move, my goal isn't just to manage your money. It's to act as your financial planner and create a structure to simplify your financial life so you can focus on what actually matters.

I've learned the financial decisions that keep you up at night aren't the ones about market performance; they're the ones about timing, legacy, and whether you're making the right call for your family. I've sat with clients navigating the sale of a business, the transition to retirement, and the weight of generational wealth. That experience has taught me to listen first, provide objective Independent financial advice second, and never underestimate what's at stake.

My approach to wealth management is simple:

1. We start with what matters to you, not what's trending in the market.

2. We then build a plan that's clear, actionable, and revisited regularly as your life changes. You'll always know where you stand, why we're doing what we're doing, and what comes next.

3. You are encouraged to challenge my thinking; the best financial strategies come from honest conversations, not blind trust.

Outside the office, my wife Lauren has recently joined me in running the practice, but at home, our focus is on our young daughter and our two dogs. I stay as active as possible in the gym, coach youth basketball, and enjoy a good chess match. Whether I'm building a transition plan for a client or coaching kids, the mindset is the same: show up, do the disciplined work, and build something that lasts.

With over a decade of experience in the financial services industry right here in Fredericton, I plan to be here for many more. If you're looking for a local partner who understands the pressure of running a business, values straight talk over jargon, and treats your financial future with the seriousness it deserves —> let's talk.

09/01/2026

Retirement Truth #10: You May Retire Later Than You Need To

One of the biggest fears people have is retiring too early.

Ironically, I find many people are at greater risk of retiring too late.

Why?
Because most retirement projections assume your spending will continue in a straight line forever.

Life doesn't work that way.
And retirement doesn't either.

Many retirees move through phases:
🚀 Go-Go Years
Retirement to approximately age 75.
This is often when:
• Travel happens
• Hobbies flourish
• New vehicles get purchased
• Time with family increases
• Bucket-list experiences get checked off
For many, these are the most active and expensive years of retirement.

🚶 Slow-Go Years
Around age 75 to 80.
Typically:
• Travel slows down
• Spending starts to moderate
• Daily routines become simpler

🏡 No-Go Years
80 and beyond.
For many retirees:
• Mobility changes
• Lifestyle changes
• Spending priorities shift dramatically

The reality is that most people don't spend the same amount throughout retirement.
So why do so many retirement plans assume they will?

Think about your own life.
You didn't spend the same amount at 30 that you did at 40.
You didn't spend the same amount at 40 that you did at 60.
Your lifestyle evolved.
Your spending evolved.
Retirement is no different.

One of the biggest surprises I see is when someone discovers they may have enough to retire comfortably because their actual spending needs are far more dynamic than they assumed.

A retirement plan shouldn't just answer:
"How much money do I need?"

It should answer:
"How will my spending change throughout my retirement?"

Because those are two very different questions.
And understanding the difference can completely change when retirement becomes possible.

👉 If you're within 10 years of retirement, have you ever mapped out how your spending might change through different phases of retirement?

08/31/2026

One of the most valuable planning conversations I've had started with a retirement account that had been sitting untouched for decades.

Let's call them John and Jane AGAIN.

They had done everything right.

Worked hard. Saved consistently. Built a comfortable retirement.
Over the years, they had accumulated a sizable Spousal RRSP that was originally set up to help reduce taxes while they were still working.

It was a smart strategy at the time.

The problem?
The strategy hadn't been reviewed in years.

As retirement approached, they started asking some important questions:
"How do we start drawing from these accounts?"
"Are there tax consequences?"
"Does this still make sense today?"

That's when we discovered something that could have created a significant headache.

A few contributions had been made more recently, creating potential concerns around attribution rules if withdrawals weren't handled properly.

Nothing was wrong.
But the structure that worked during the accumulation years wasn't necessarily the structure that made the most sense in retirement.

So we stepped back and looked at the full picture.
✅ Retirement income.
✅ Taxes.
✅ Government benefits.
✅ Account structure.
✅ Withdrawal strategy.

The result wasn't a new investment.
It wasn't a new product.
It was clarity.

A clear understanding of how to turn years of saving into tax-efficient retirement income.

One thing I've learned over the years:
👉 The biggest planning opportunities often aren't found in what people don't have.
They're found in what people already have but haven't looked at in a long time.

Sometimes the most valuable question isn't:
"How are my investments doing?"

It's:
"Does my plan still make sense for the stage of life I'm in?"

👉 If you're approaching retirement and haven't reviewed how your accounts, income sources, and withdrawal strategies fit together, it may be worth getting a second opinion.

08/29/2026

The burden of proof shifts back to AI skeptics. NVIDIA's earnings reinforced that AI demand and spending remain robust, with customer demand continuing to outpace supply and little evidence that the AI investment cycle is nearing an end.

How did the markets perform this week? Get the highlights and the latest economic news.

08/28/2026

A new school year is just around the corner, and for many families that means it's time to start drawing from an RESP.

Julie Petrera, our Director of Financial Planning at Edward Jones Canada, shared some helpful perspective in The Canadian Press on the mistakes to avoid — like taking from the wrong portion of the account first, or leaving too much invested in equities too close to withdrawal time.

We work with media to share insights like these because the families we serve are asking these same questions every day. By contributing to credible publications, we help bring timely, trustworthy guidance to clients and families across Canada — not just in our own communities, but wherever these conversations are happening.

If education planning is on your mind, reach out. We're here to help.

As the school year approaches, families across the country are getting ready to tap into their registered education savings plans.

08/28/2026

Our colleague Julie Petrera, Director of Financial Planning at Edward Jones Canada, recently spoke with The Canadian Press about the RESP withdrawal mistakes families make as the school year approaches.

Why does this matter to us? Because RESPs are one of the most important tools Canadian families use to invest in their children's education, and the decisions around withdrawals can have a real impact on taxes, growth, and whether the money is there when it's needed.

We share our insights with credible media because we want to meet families where they are — with topical, practical guidance they can trust. Articles like this one help us extend our reach beyond our offices and into the homes of families across Canada who are navigating these moments for the first time.

Have a look, and if you're working through an RESP withdrawal, let's talk.

As the school year approaches, families across the country are getting ready to tap into their registered education savings plans.

08/27/2026

Retirement Truth #9: The Best Retirement Plans Are Never About Numbers

When people think about retirement planning, they usually focus on one question:
"Do I have enough?"

But after years of meeting with retirees, I've found that the most successful retirements are rarely about the number.
They're about the life.

Here's a question I ask people:
It's a random Tuesday at 2:00 PM.
You're retired.
Where are you?
What are you doing?
And most importantly...
Are you excited about it?

Because retirement isn't just leaving work.
It's leaving behind a role you've often had for decades.

You may no longer be:
• The manager everyone relies on
• The expert people call for answers
• The person solving problems every day
• The coworker meeting friends for coffee at 11:00 AM

Many people spend years planning their finances and almost no time planning what will give them purpose.
Travel is great.
Golf is great.
Time with grandchildren is great.

But eventually, retirement becomes your everyday life.

And that's where the bigger question appears:
What will fill your days?

The retirees who seem happiest aren't necessarily the ones with the largest portfolios.
They're the ones with purpose.
They have hobbies.
Relationships.
Volunteer work.
Community involvement.
Family.

Something that gets them excited about a random Tuesday afternoon.
The best retirement plans don't start with a number.
They start with a vision.

👉 If you're approaching retirement, have you spent as much time planning your life as you've spent planning your finances?

08/27/2026

Keeping up with the markets takes time, research, and ongoing attention.

Most mutual funds give you access to professional investment expertise. Experienced portfolio managers actively manage the fund by researching opportunities, adjusting the portfolio as markets change, and making investment decisions on your behalf.

You also have the confidence of knowing exactly what you own, with fund holdings available through regular reporting and the fund's prospectus.

Ready to put professional management to work for your long-term goals? Call me to set up an appointment and let's get started.

08/26/2026

Meet the Team at Edward Jones – Fredericton ❗

Our team with over 25 years of Financial Service Experience is dedicated to delivering exceptional client service and building lasting relationships. Here’s a look at the people behind our office.

🌟 Janet Kelly – Branch Office Administrator

Janet is the cornerstone of our office operations, ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. With a strong focus on client service and office management, she helps make every client interaction seamless and welcoming.

🌟 Brad Gallant, CIWM®, PFP®, DFSA® – Financial Advisor/ Financial Planner.

With over a decade of experience in the financial services industry, Brad works with individuals, families and businesses to help them prepare for all of life's surprises.

🌟 Lauren Georgiou – Branch Office Administrator.

Lauren brings a wealth of experience from her background as a top-performing sales consultant and management experience from prior roles. Lauren operates as head of our business development.

💢 What Sets Us Apart?

Our practice is built on three key pillars: 🏛️

👉 Personalized Strategies: No cookie-cutter solutions—we take the time to understand your goals, values, and vision for the future.

👉 Exceptional Service: From the first conversation to ongoing reviews, we pride ourselves on being responsive, approachable, and dedicated to your success.

👉 Trusted Guidance: With advanced designations and deep industry knowledge, we help clients cut through the noise and make confident, informed decisions.

Whether you’re planning for retirement, growing your business, or looking to protect your family’s future, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

We look forward to continuing to serve all our client family and beyond with the care, clarity, and commitment our clients deserve.