About the author

Noel D’Souza
Money Coach and Financial Planner

This blog is owned and run by Noel D’Souza, Money Coach and Fee-for-service Financial Planner with Money Coaches Canada.

For far too long, Canadians have had trouble accessing the financial advice they need,  as opposed to the product sales focused “advice” the industry usually sells. This is one of the unfortunate side-effects of a commission-based advisory model that ties advice to product sales.

But the times, they are a changin’!

I have a passion for personal finance and helping Canadians get unbiased financial advice that is in their best interest. My clients – and ONLY my clients – pay me.

Not insurance or investment product sales commissions.

Not referral fees.

Not advertising.

My. Clients. Only.

About this blog

In short, this blog is a collection of my thoughts and opinions about various aspects of personal finance and the personal finance industry from my perspective as a money coach and financial planner.

Personal finance is always a balancing act for us mere mortals with limited financial resources. While commercials tell us we can “have it all” with a variety of creative “buy now, pay (much more) later” schemes, the reality is that we have to live our lives within our incomes – well within our incomes – or live with the stress and uncertainty that comes with having creditors nipping at your heels.

Buy or rent/lease? Pay down debt or invest? RRSP or TFSA or RESP? Insure or self-insure? Active vs passive  management? Fee-for-service or commission-based? Retire now or later?

The name “Do These Look Even?” reflects an attempt to balance “the numbers” side of finance with the equally important (or possibly more important) behavioural aspects of how people view and manage their money. It also reflects my desire to be somewhat cheeky and provocative with my writing. I want to engage those who may not otherwise be interested in personal finance.

This blog is NOT intended to provide specific financial advice. As a professional money coach and financial planner, I know that financial advice must be appropriate to an individual’s particular circumstances and needs, and in most cases that can’t happen via a public blog read by more than 1 person. (I dream to one day have an audience of 2 or more.)

Needless to say (but I’ll say it anyway), please consult with a competent and experienced financial professional who works in your best interest before following anything you construe as financial advice on these pages. You can find a directory of fee-for-service money coaches and financial planners on MoneySense magazine’s website. If you would like to work with me, I would be happy to chat with you to see if we’re a good fit. Contact me at noel@moneycoachescanada.ca.

I look forward to your thoughts, feedback, ideas and suggestions. Passionate, even fiery opinions are welcome… as long as they are exchanged thoughtfully and respectfully. After all, it’s all about balance.