Karen E. Shea, Senior Wealth Advisor at CIBC Wood Gundy

02/05/2025

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/karen-e-shea_wealthbuilding-financialfreedom-moneymindset-activity-7292976259960119296-no0Y?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

🎬 Here's the scene: 65-year-old future you sitting across from 20-year-old you. 🧓 FUTURE YOU: “So… did you start saving early like I told you?” 🧑 YOUNGER…

02/04/2025

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/karen-e-shea_albert-einstein-is-believed-to-have-famously-activity-7292300444318474241-8bMU?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Albert Einstein is believed to have famously said: “Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it … he who doesn’t ……

01/16/2025

Want to build wealth without thinking about It?

Start with this simple shift.

One of the most effective ways to grow your savings isn’t about cutting back—it’s about automating how you save.

Pay yourself first.

Instead of saving what’s left over after spending, set up an automatic transfer that
moves a portion of your paycheck into savings or investments the moment you get paid.

Why does this work?

● You remove the temptation to spend what you intended to save.

● It turns saving into a habit, not a decision.

● Small amounts grow faster than you think thanks to consistency and compound
interest.

Let’s break it down:

💰If you automatically save $100 every paycheck (bi-weekly), that’s $2,600 a year.
💡Now, let’s say you invest that money with an average return of 6% annually:
> After 5 years: ~$15,000
> After 10 years: ~$34,000
> After 20 years: ~$88,000

That’s the power of small, consistent actions.

The best part? You barely feel it because it’s happening in the background.

If you haven’t automated your savings yet, make today the day you start. Your future self will thank you.

Are you doing this yet?

I’d love to know in the comments why or why not.

01/15/2025

Calling all women who want to take control of their finances and feel empowered!

Knowledge is power - please share the invite with your friends and family.

Money doesn’t have to be overwhelming when you have the right strategies and tools in place. Join us for a transformational workshop designed specifically for women ready to take charge of their finances in 2025 and feel confident about their financial journey. During this one-hour session, we’l...

01/15/2025

Many people think that having a will is all they have to do to prepare.

A will is just one piece of your estate plan.

A complete estate plan is something you build while you’re alive not just to protect not just your assets, but also your loved ones and your legacy.

It covers far more than distributing your belongings—it ensures your wishes are honored in every area of your life.

Here’s what a full estate plan should include:

● Power of Attorney: Who will make financial decisions for you if you’re unable to?

● Healthcare outcomes: Who will make medical decisions on your behalf if you
can’t?

● Trusts: How will your assets be managed to avoid probate and protect your heirs?

● Beneficiary: Are your retirement accounts and insurance policies aligned with
your overall plan?

● Tax strategies: How can you minimize taxes and preserve more wealth for your
family?

A will answers one important question.

But a full estate plan answers them all.

If you’ve been meaning to get your estate in order, now is the time to start.

It’s not just about what happens after you’re gone—it’s about protecting yourself and
your family while you’re here.

Curious about where to begin?

Let’s talk about how to create a plan that gives you peace of mind.

01/14/2025

One of the most common things I hear from women is, “I’ll focus on my finances when I make more money” or “I just need to get through this busy season first.”

Waiting to invest costs you WAY more than starting small.

Every day you delay building a financial strategy is a missed opportunity to grow your
wealth, protect your future, and feel more confident about your money decisions.

You don’t need to have it all figured out.

You just need to start.

That could mean:
> Setting up automatic transfers to your savings
> Learning the basics of investing (without getting overwhelmed).
> Understanding how interest rates impact your everyday finances.

Small steps lead to big changes over time.

If you’re ready to take that first step, I’m hosting a free workshop soon to help women
build simple, smart financial strategies.

Feel free to join us or share it with someone who might benefit.

01/03/2025

When most people think about building wealth, their minds go straight to saving or investing.
But here’s a powerful truth: Your biggest wealth-building tool is YOU. And that means investing in yourself too.
Here are 4 ways you can do that:
1️⃣ Upskill Yourself
Invest in learning something new—whether it’s mastering negotiation, improving a technical
skill, or starting a side hustle. The ROI on personal development is unmatched.
2️⃣ Build multiple income streams
Relying on one paycheck limits your potential. Even if you’re in a 9-5, you can find creative ways
to boost your income. Whether it’s freelancing, consulting, or passive income opportunities,
having a second stream creates flexibility and security.
3️⃣Network strategically
Your network often determines your net worth. Building relationships with people who inspire and challenge you can open doors to opportunities you never imagined.
4️⃣ Adopt a growth mindset
Wealth isn’t just about money; it’s about perspective. When you see challenges as
opportunities, you position yourself for growth in every area of your life.
The best part? These wealth-building habits aren’t tied to the market or an external factor—you can start right now.

What’s one step you’ll take this weekend to invest in yourself?

01/01/2025

Happy New Year!!

Here’s a resolution I highly recommend you try to stick to for 2025:
Take control of your finances and make a plan to help you achieve financial freedom sooner.
For women, in particular, financial planning can feel like juggling a million priorities—career,
family, caregiving, and everything in between. It’s no surprise that saving and investing often
take a back seat.
But here’s the reality: Women face unique financial challenges that demand a proactive
approach.
● Women still earn 18% less than men on average, which impacts lifetime earnings and
savings potential.
● Time out of the workforce for caregiving reduces contributions to retirement accounts.
● Women tend to live longer, meaning they need more money to fund a longer retirement.
The solution? Pay yourself first.
Here’s what that looks like:
Set up automatic transfers into a savings or investment account right after each paycheck.
Start small if you need to—saving even 5% of your income can add up over time.
Build an emergency fund to protect against life’s uncertainties and create peace of mind.
Putting yourself first doesn’t mean neglecting other priorities—it means recognizing that your
financial health is foundational to supporting those you care about.
If you take the time to create a habit that builds financial security over time, your future self will
thank you!
So as you raise a glass tonight, let 2025 be the year you take control of your financial future.
What’s one step you can take today to put yourself first?

12/31/2024

In 2024, how many times did you say, “I just don’t have the time”?
I’ll bet you lost count.

In our overscheduled, overstimulated, overcomplicated lives, we often convince ourselves that we’re too “busy.”

But busy doesn’t equal productive. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
You probably have more time than you think—it’s just hiding in plain sight.
Most of us lose precious hours to endless scrolling, back-to-back meetings, or even the mental load of juggling responsibilities.

Time isn’t found. It’s created.

So as this year comes to a close, Instead of chasing time, prioritize it.
Imagine this:

● Waking up an hour earlier once a week to finally start that project you’ve been dreaming about.
● Saying no to the things that don’t align with your goals.
● Carving out 30 minutes by putting your phone on airplane mode—no notifications, no distractions. So, the next time you catch yourself saying, “I don’t have time,” ask instead:
● What matters most to me right now?
● What am I willing to let go of to make space for it?

Your time is yours to take back. Let 2025 be the year you reclaim it.
What’s one small way you can start finding hidden time today? Share below!