I’ve been sharing my stories, ideas and financial industry insights through many social media platforms for a while now. While my business is, and most of my clients are, based in Ottawa, the reality of our small, web-connected world is that I get approached by people from everywhere!

Early this past September I was contacted by a financial industry peer, member of the New York State Bar, blogger and author Frazer Rice through LinkedIn. When he introduced himself to me he explained, “I like your approach. I wrote a similar book after 16 years at Wilmington Trust: Wealth, Actually (Intelligent decision-making for the 1%).” 

Ah. Interesting.

We began a conversation online which lead to me receiving a complimentary copy of his book and Frazer becoming a captivating guest on my podcast I’m a Millionaire! So Now What? (listen & subscribe here).

If the book title sounds familiar, that’s because Love, Actually is a Christmas movie classic that follows the unconventional love stories of eight very different, inter-related couples over the holiday season.

Wealth, Actually introduces the reader to a number of characters too (“not their real names”), faced with important financial decisions. Frazer combines storytelling and educational prose to explore a range of topics including:

• How Much Do You Cost?
• Preparing for the Hurricane of Wealth
• What Makes a Good Investment
• Threats to Wealth
• Getting your Plan off the Runway, and more.

Frazer dedicated the book to his niece with an introduction that advises ‘Time is your greatest asset. You need to develop and use your decision-making tools as early as possible.’ The lessons in the book are universally sound, and especially crucial for long-term, intergenerational wealth transfer.

I’ve explored the Shirtsleeves-to-Shirtsleeves phenomena of intergenerational wealth transfer before on my podcast.

I introduced the topic back in September. Listen to the I'm A Millionaire! So Now What? Episode about Lasting Legacy: Avoiding the Three Generation "Shirtsleeves to Shirtsleeves" Curse.

I also talked to Vincent Valeri in this episode: Son of a Millionaire! Path, Purpose, & Responsibility, about his father’s decision to sell the family business instead of passing it along.

And I talked with Susan Fulford about legacy-building in Succession - Perspective & Purpose.

You’ll find that wealth transfer is a recurring theme. It’s critical to keep having family conversations about values and purpose. Sure, there are the technical, financial aspects of wealth transfer… but the interpersonal aspects are just as important -- if not more important.

That’s why I’m determined to keep finding and telling stories of success and tales of warning to you through my blogs and podcasts.

If you have any questions about wealth transfer, succession planning or legacy building, I’d love to hear from you! Do you have a story to tell? Send me your comments through our contact page.