As we settle into 2021, with the holidays in the rear view mirror, the airways have shifted to focus on messages about saving for retirement, a rainy day, or a getaway you’ll take when the world gets back to having an increased sense of freedom and flow.

When it comes to finances, that feeling of freedom and flexibility is one we all strive for – it speaks to our capacity to spend, save, borrow and plan for the future. Actively managing these four areas enables us to navigate life’s surprises and opportunities, which is exactly what we mean when we talk about financial health. Measuring health in any context can be challenging if you’re only looking at numbers, which is why feelings and habits are just as important to consider.

At CUA, members of our team have daily conversations about how an individual or business can get from here to there. Interestingly, the distance between the two can be a reflection of how long a person has waited to reach out and have that discussion. The longer the wait, the wider the perceived gap is between what they hear they “should” do and what they believe they “can” do. The wider the gap, the worse it can feel, which is why many people try to figure out the answers before asking for help.

We want to inspire better answers through better conversations, by first leaving “should” at the door. Everyone hears about how much we should save for an emergency, how much we should spend on housing as a percentage of income, and how much we should invest for retirement. But those ideals have been determined without knowing you as a person. As someone who is doing business with us today, I invite you to share your CUA experience with your friends, family members and colleagues. Tell them we don’t expect people to have all the answers, that we’ll focus on moving forward, and that we will work with them to build a plan they can do. That’s the CUA version of a “can-do” attitude.

We know everyone has a version of “there” and we want to help you step closer to that destination. That’s why, in addition to having productive conversations about what’s possible, we are also taking steps that will have an immediate and longer-term impact on your financial health. In addition to now providing unlimited e-Transfers on most personal chequing accounts, effective next week we will provide first-time savers a little something extra for taking an important step to improve their financial well-being.

As always, I invite you to connect with a member of our team online, by phone at 902.492.6500 or by emailing info@cua.com. On behalf of everyone at CUA, I want to thank you for your continued business and wish you the very best for the rest of February.