RETIREMENT COURSE FOR CANADIANS
From Overwhelmed to Confident in Your Retirement Plan … Even If Numbers Aren’t Your Thing
A comprehensive retirement planning course designed specifically for Canadians in their 40s and 50s preparing for one of life’s most significant financial transitions.
Are you tired of sifting through conflicting retirement advice from TikTok influencers, Instagram “experts” and free seminars…
Never really sure what’s actually true, what applies to Canadians, or who’s just trying to sell you something?
Or maybe you’re struggling with market anxiety and wondering whether your investments will hold up or if you can even afford to retire?
I talk to many Canadians in their 40s and 50s who tell me they’re worried about being uninformed during the most important financial transition of their lives and making decisions worth hundreds of thousands of dollars without truly understanding the tax implications, withdrawal strategies or how to optimize their government benefits.
YOU DESERVE BETTER THAN GUESSWORK…
Retirement Planning That Actually Makes Sense for Canadians
Confidence In Your Retirement Income
You’ll master tax-smart withdrawal strategies, understand exactly which income sources to tap and when and learn the three money buckets system for covering needs, wants and dreams so you can spend your money without fear and know you’re protected against market downturns
Clarity on When and How to Retire
You’ll discover the optimal timing for CPP, learn how to avoid OAS clawbacks, understand which accounts to draw from first to minimize lifetime taxes and create a personalized retirement vision so every financial decision supports the life you actually want, not some generic retirement template.
A Fulfilling Retirement (Not Just a Funded One)
You’ll uncover the 5 non-financial elements most retirement plans miss, learn how to build connections and purpose before you retire and plan for the Go-Go, Slow-Go and No-Go years so you avoid the boredom that nearly 50% of retirees experience and create a legacy that extends beyond money.
INTRODUCING
The Heart of Your Retirement
A comprehensive 9-module, self-paced course that gives you everything you need to feel organized, informed and confident about your retirement. Designed specifically for Canadians in their 40s and 50s who are ready to take control of one of life’s most significant financial transitions.
Module 1: Your New Retirement Reality – Understand the trends reshaping Canadian retirement so you can plan for today’s reality instead of outdated advice. You’ll shift from nest egg anxiety to income stream confidence and get crystal clear on your personal retirement vision.
Module 2: Building a Retirement Income Strategy – Get clear on your retirement income sources so you avoid costly mistakes like taking CPP too early or triggering OAS clawbacks. You’ll learn tax-smart withdrawal strategies and map out your cash flow using the three money buckets.
Module 3: Investment Allocation for a Joyful Retirement – Discover your true risk tolerance so you can build an investment strategy that lets you sleep at night. You’ll learn the three risk buckets approach to defend against market downturns and align your investments with your personal values.
Module 4: The Tax-Savvy Retiree – Understand Canada’s progressive tax system and OAS clawback so you can stay in lower tax brackets and keep more government benefits. You’ll master strategic withdrawal strategies including income splitting to minimize your lifetime tax bill.
Module 5: Decumulation and Withdrawal Planning – Understand sequence of returns risk and why the 4% rule fails most retirees so you protect yourself from running out of money. You’ll learn the ladder strategy for strategic withdrawals and how to plan for the Go-Go, Slow-Go and No-Go years.
Module 6: Protecting Your Retirement Income – Learn to use your TFSA as a longevity safety net so you have tax-free money in your 90s. You’ll plan for inflation’s impact on purchasing power and navigate healthcare costs so unexpected expenses don’t derail your retirement.
Module 7: Creating a Legacy with Heart – Understand the three buckets of legacy giving so you create meaningful impact while alive, through your will and beyond. You’ll learn five strategies to minimize taxes and probate fees and master estate planning essentials
Module 8: Hiring a Financial Planner – Learn to distinguish between CFPs, financial advisors and bank planners so you find someone doing comprehensive planning, not just selling products. You’ll understand compensation models, spot red flags and master the interview process.
Module 9: Beyond Finances – What Your Retirement Plan Is Missing – Discover the 5 essential non-financial elements so you avoid the boredom nearly 50% of retirees experience. You’ll build meaningful connections and new passions before you retire and create your emotional legacy
Stop Worrying About Making Costly Retirement Mistakes
Get instant access to Heart of Your Retirement for just $97 (regularly $297). The moment you enroll, you’ll get immediate access to all 9 modules so you can start building your retirement confidence today.
YOUR ACTION PLAN
The Canadian Retirement Confidence Blueprint
Step 1 - Get Clear on Your Retirement Reality
Understand how Canadian retirement has changed and define your personal vision so you’re planning for the life you actually want, not some outdated template.
Step 2 - Build Your Income Strategy
Map out your retirement income sources, learn optimal CPP timing and master the three money buckets system so you know exactly where every dollar comes from.
Step 3 - Protect Your Investments
Align your investments with your risk tolerance, implement tax-smart withdrawal strategies and plan for inflation so your money lasts and you keep more of what you’ve saved.
Step 4 - Prepare for What's Next
Plan for healthcare costs, understand estate planning essentials and learn how to work effectively with financial advisors so you’re protected at every stage.
Step 5 - Design Your Fulfilling Future
Discover the non-financial elements that make retirement joyful, build meaningful connections and create a legacy that extends beyond money so you retire to something, not from something.
IS IT FOR YOU?
Who Will Get the Best Results from Heart of Your Retirement
Who It’s Perfect For
Canadians in their 40s and 50s who have started saving for retirement and want to organize their retirement plan with confidence
Professionals with existing financial advisors who want to become informed collaborative clients and know the right questions to ask during planning sessions
People nervous about working with financial planners who want to protect themselves by understanding the language, spotting red flags and being crystal clear on what they need
Anyone confused about CPP, OAS and withdrawal strategies who wants independent evidence-based answers about which buckets to draw from, when and how to minimize taxes
Who It’s Not Right For
People seeking personalized financial advice as this is education and preparation, not a replacement for individualized financial planning tailored to your specific situation
Those looking for investment product recommendations as this course provides no product sales, pitches or specific investment selections
Individuals just starting their careers who haven’t yet accumulated retirement savings or are decades away from retirement
Those wanting a quick fix or shortcuts as this course requires engagement with the material, completing worksheets and doing the organizational work to prepare properly for retirement
Retire with Confidence in Your Plan
Get instant access to Heart of Your Retirement for just $97 (regularly $297). Enroll now and you’ll immediately unlock all 9 self-paced modules so you can start making informed decisions about your retirement future today.
MAYBE YOU’RE WORRIED THOUGH
That You’re Not Good With Numbers or Finance Stuff…
This course is designed for real people, not finance professionals. Everything is explained in plain language with real examples you can relate to. You don’t need a finance degree to understand your retirement options.
Or maybe you’re worried that you already have a financial advisor so you don’t need this. Here’s the thing: your advisor manages your investments, but do they teach you the why behind every decision? This course empowers you to have informed conversations with your advisor and understand the strategies they’re recommending.
Or perhaps you’re thinking you’re still years away from retirement so it’s too early. Actually, you’re in the perfect position. Starting now gives you time to optimize your CPP timing, plan tax-smart withdrawals and avoid costly mistakes that are much harder to fix later.
MEET YOUR MENTOR
Hi 👋 I’m Zena!
When I taught my Joyful Retirement course at the University of Regina, something surprising happened. Students didn’t just learn; they transformed their entire approach to retirement. Many became my clients afterward and still talk about how that course changed everything for them.
That’s when I knew this information needed to reach more Canadians.
Today’s retirees face a unique challenge. There’s endless information from social media influencers and self-proclaimed “experts.” It’s nearly impossible to know what’s actually true, accurate and relevant to your situation.
I founded Astra Financial Services in 2015 and hold multiple designations including Certified Financial Planner™, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and Certified Cashflow Specialist. But what I’m most proud of is creating educational content with no sales pitch. There are no products to buy and no hidden agenda. Just pure information you can trust, updated annually to keep pace with changing regulations and best practices.
I believe retirement planning should empower you, not overwhelm you.
My goal is to give as many Canadians as possible the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about your retirement. So you can spend less time worrying about money and more time living the life you’ve worked so hard to build.
Frequently Asked Questions
Maybe You’re Wondering About…
I already have a financial advisor. Why do I need this?
Your advisor manages your investments, but do they teach you the why behind every decision? This course empowers you to have informed conversations with your advisor and understand the strategies they’re recommending. Many of our students work with advisors and find the course makes those relationships even more valuable.
I'm not good with numbers or finance stuff. Will this be too complicated?
This course is designed for real people, not finance professionals. Zena taught a version of this course at the University of Regina to everyday Canadians who had zero financial background. Everything is explained in plain language with real examples you can relate to.
I'm still years away from retirement. Is it too early?
Actually, you’re in the perfect position. The decisions you make in your 40s and 50s have the biggest impact on your retirement success. Starting now gives you time to optimize your CPP timing, plan tax-smart withdrawals and avoid costly mistakes.
Can't I just find this information for free online?
You could spend months piecing together information from Google, YouTube and Reddit. But how do you know what’s accurate, what’s relevant to Canadians specifically and what applies to your situation? This course gives you everything in one place, from a certified expert, with no sales pitch or hidden agenda.
What if my situation is unique or complicated?
This course helps you become an informed client who knows what questions to ask your financial planner and why those questions matter. You’re not replacing professional advice; you’re preparing yourself to have better conversations and make more confident decisions with your advisor’s guidance.
I don't have time to take a whole course right now.
The modules are bite-sized and designed to fit into your life. Watch one module during your lunch break or on a weekend morning. You can go at your own pace and revisit sections whenever you need a refresher. Plus, you get lifetime access.
Is this just going to try to sell me something?
Absolutely not. Zena created this course to be completely independent. There are no product recommendations, no insurance pitches, no investment sales. Just pure education on what every Canadian needs to know about retirement planning.
What if the information becomes outdated?
The course is updated annually to reflect current tax rates, CPP/OAS amounts, contribution limits and regulatory changes. You’ll always have access to the most current version, so the information stays relevant year after year.
I'm worried I've already made mistakes and it's too late.
Many students come to the course worried they’ve missed opportunities or made wrong choices. The truth is, there’s always time to optimize. You’ll learn what you can still do, how to course-correct and how to make the most of where you are right now.
My spouse and I aren't on the same page about retirement. Will this help?
Yes! Many couples take this course together and find it gives them a common language and framework for discussing retirement. It helps you align on priorities, understand each other’s concerns and make decisions together with confidence.
Ready to Finally Feel Confident About Your Retirement Future?
You’ve spent decades building your career and saving for retirement. Now it’s time to make sure those years of hard work pay off the way they should.
Heart of Your Retirement gives you the knowledge to make informed decisions, the confidence to have better conversations with advisors and the clarity to retire on your terms.
Here’s what happens next:
Step 1: Click the button below and complete your enrollment for just $97
Step 2: Get instant access to all 9 self-paced modules plus lifetime updates
Step 3: Start building your retirement confidence today and make decisions you can feel good about