The fundamental premise of long-term investing is straightforward: over time, the value of well-constructed investments tends to grow. Investors recognize that markets inherently involve risk, and the goal is to mitigate that risk and earn meaningful, risk-adjusted returns.

While most investors understand that markets will experience downturns, the challenge lies in the uncertainty surrounding them. We rarely know when a decline will occur or what specific catalyst will drive it. Many have attempted to predict these turning points, but consistent success has proven elusive.

Rather than relying on prediction, it is more practical to accept a core truth: markets do not move in a straight line. The fluctuations we observe—both upward and downward—are what we refer to as volatility. This volatility is an inherent feature of markets, driven by countless individual decisions as investors continuously adjust their expectations.

Although volatility occurs in both directions, investors are understandably more sensitive to periods of decline. The uncertainty surrounding how deep a downturn may be, how long it might last, and whether losses could become permanent can weigh heavily on decision-making.

During volatile periods, a common narrative emerges: 'this time is different.' Investors often seek out information that validates this belief, falling into the trap of confirmation bias. This can lead to decisions driven more by emotion than by a disciplined investment process.

A well-constructed portfolio should already account for periods of volatility. One practical step is ensuring sufficient liquidity to meet near-term cash flow needs. This helps avoid selling long-term investments at inopportune times and provides peace of mind.

As tempting as it may be to jump off the investment rollercoaster during periods of stress, doing so often does more harm than good. Investors who remain disciplined are better positioned to benefit from eventual market recoveries.

One of the most enduring lessons about decision-making comes from W. Edwards Deming’s funnel experiment. Adjusting the process after every deviation led to worse outcomes, demonstrating that not every variance requires action.

Investing presents a similar challenge. Reacting to short-term market movements can increase the risk of poor timing decisions. A disciplined, long-term approach is often more effective.

Holding investments you understand is a cornerstone of disciplined investing. When you clearly grasp how an investment works and its risks, you are less likely to react emotionally. Simpler, transparent investments help build confidence and support better decision-making during volatile periods.

We may not be able to predict the future, but we can expect turbulence. The key is building a portfolio designed to withstand volatility while aligning with your comfort level and long-term goals.

Most people think estate planning = "get a will." A will is one piece. The harder part hits later —usually at the worst possible moment — for the people left trying to make sense of everything.

Where are the accounts? Who do they even call? What has to happen first, and in what order? What about the digital stuff that lives behind logins?

Over the past several months, our team built a small, practical library of resources designed to answer exactly those questions before they become urgent. Here's what's available to you as a TIER Wealth client.

Estate Readiness Checklist — "Are You Prepared?"

This is the best place to start.

It's a scored self-assessment you can complete with your advisor covering legal documents, insurance, beneficiary designations, financial organization — including your digital assets worksheet — final wishes, and key contacts.

Every item is weighted by how critical it is. Your score is tracked over time so you can see progress instead of guessing.

Fill it out and bring it to your advisor — we'll fold the details into your annual planning review.

Hitting 80% of your applicable points is a strong initial target and quickly shows which gaps are worth closing first.

Executor Guides (Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan & Ontario)

‍Acting as executor — or personal representative or estate trustee, depending on the province — is one of the most demanding roles anyone can be handed. Even a straightforward estate often requires hundreds of hours of work stretched over a year or more.

We created four separate, province-specific guides that walk through the entire process from the first days after death through final distribution and account closure.

They're useful in three situations: you've been named and want to understand what you're taking on, you're actually stepping into the role and need a real roadmap, or you're deciding who to name in your own will and want to appreciate what you'd be asking of them.

Because the court processes, forms, probate fees, land-title rules, and dependent-relief timelines genuinely differ, each guide is built for its province instead of offering generic advice. Alberta caps probate fees at $525; a $1M Ontario estate with assets subject to probate can run over $14,000.

Digital Assets Inventory & Estate Planning Worksheet

‍Almost everything now lives behind a login —email, banking, photos, social media, even cryptocurrency that can be permanently lost without the seed phrase.

Many estate plans still say very little about it.

This fillable worksheet helps you build a secure inventory so your executor or family can actually find and manage the accounts. Security-first by design: you never record passwords here. It points you to the major platforms' built-in legacy tools and includes space for two-factor authentication methods, on-death wishes, and notes your executor will actually need. 

At TIER Wealth, we believe good estate planning is ultimately an act of care for the people you love. These resources are built to take the guesswork — and a lot of the stress — off their shoulders later.

If you'd like copies of any of them, or want to sit down and run the readiness checklist together for a clear read on where you stand, just reply to this or reach out to your advisor. We'll get the right ones to you and walk through them.

News & Updates from TIER

New Staff Feature

‍We're excited to welcome Dominic to the TIER Wealth team as a Senior Client Associate!

Dominic brings three years of experience in financial services, most recently as an Associate Investment Advisor in Nanaimo, BC, where he worked within a boutique family office environment focused on delivering holistic, personalized care to clients.

With the CSC® and WME® already in hand and the CFP® and CIM® designations actively underway, Dominic's commitment to professional development reflects a deep dedication to the clients he serves. At TIER, his primary focus will be financial plan preparation, working closely with clients to build clear, comprehensive roadmaps toward their goals. 

Outside the office, you'll find Dominic staying active through sport, by being an active member in Calgary's volleyball community,  and chasing new experiences through travel and adventure, where he recently returned from traveling around Japan and Europe. Please join us in welcoming Dominic to TIER!

Skill Upgrade Alert

‍We're proud to announce Jordan Dawit’s passing of his latest exam for Wealth Management Essentials on May 26th. This marks Jordan’s next step in obtaining the Chartered Investment Manager designation and is a step further in serving clients better!