Reader,

This past week was supposed to be a quiet return to routine, but our Airbnb had other plans. We had three back-to-back reservations book in over the last seven days: a local woman, a gentleman down from North Carolina (on a quest to try Canadian food as he has a unique and rare autoimmune condition), and a wonderful couple from Japan named Yuki and Miha.

Yuki and Miha actually hosted Katie and me for a traditional Japanese tea ceremony right in our own home, which was an incredible, grounding experience. We are already making plans to reconnect with them when we travel to Japan next year (we are planning on traveling fully on points in business class- stay tuned for more details)

Outside of hosting, my clinical week was absolutely packed playing catch up from being away, but I still managed to squeeze in three rounds of golf (#54 rounds- aiming to get 60 before the end of the season). Today is extra special for our family as we are celebrating my Dad's 77th birthday!

Watching my parents navigate their later years always brings my focus back to long-term financial planning, which ties perfectly into two massive reports that dropped this week regarding how we build and protect our wealth.

The Retirement Vortex

​Barron’s recently highlighted the new 2026 Goldman Sachs Retirement Survey, and the data is a massive wake up call. Across all generations, retirement savings rates are dropping.

Why?

Because of what Goldman Sachs calls the "Financial Vortex." Everyday costs, housing, daily living expenses, and healthcare are aggressively competing with our ability to save.

In fact, the report noted that over 60% of workers are now taking on additional work outside their primary jobs just to stay afloat.

As healthcare professionals, we aren't immune to this vortex. A high clinical income means nothing if lifestyle creep and inflation consume every dollar before it can be invested. You cannot simply out earn poor money management by taking on more clinical hours. You need a structured, personalized financial plan that intentionally directs your cash flow into assets before the vortex swallows it.

ETFs Enter Their "Wild Era"

So, where should that money go?

​Brew Markets published a great piece noting that ETFs have officially entered their "wild era."

Over 1,000 new ETFs have launched in the first eight months of 2026 alone. Asset managers are pumping out hyper-niche, highly leveraged, and exotic thematic funds to grab your attention (and your management fees). It is easier than ever to gamble your clinical earnings on high-risk, "shiny object" funds.

But here is the real takeaway: Despite the explosion of wild new products, the classic, low-cost Vanguard S&P 500 ETF remains the undisputed king, pulling in more money than any other single ETF this year and crossing $1 trillion in assets.

Real wealth building is deliciously boring.

You don't need a complex portfolio of leveraged tech funds. You need low cost, broad-market index ETFs, consistent automated contributions, and the patience to let compound interest do the heavy lifting while you focus on your patients, your family, and your golf game.

As we celebrate my Dad's 77th today, I'm reminded that the money we save and invest today isn't just numbers on a screen it buys the freedom to enjoy those later years without financial stress.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.

​@financiallyfulfilledpro and Certified Financial Counsellor CFC™

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