Workshop 5 - Fulfilling Long-Term Goals

A LACK OF EDUCATION

North Americans are facing serious financial challenges. In Canada, 35% of Canadians do not have any savings or investments. In the U.S., 33% of Americans don’t pay their bills on time.

It’s ironic that we live in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, but we always have money problems. We can work hard all our lives but retire poor. We don’t have much, and we don’t know much. Nobody teaches us how to manage our money in school. Financial issues are not often discussed and financial products not always explained.

ACCORDING TO RECENT SURVEYS

In the U.S.:

More than 77 million Americans don’t pay their bills on time.

39% carry credit card debt from month to month.

Only 59% of adults say they have savings.

In Canada:

35% of Canadians do not have any savings or investments.

Only 27% of private sector workers have an employer-funded pension plan

The average savings in Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP) is only $55,000.

We need to change. We need understanding first.

A new era of pro-activism and financial freedom must begin.