20 years ago, we decided that we were in need of an experienced professional to assist our family through a major transition. At our first meeting, we were impressed with Karl Ruban's personal interest in our family situation and his skill in enabling us to meet our financial objectives. He helped us strategize and implement an overall multi-generational plan for us at that key point in our lives. With regular reviews our goals continue to be met and we are enjoying our blessings in retired life. Over the years, we have recommended Karl to our family and friends, and he has exceeded our expectations as a faithful counsellor in our estate and personal affairs.

Barry & Pat OBrien
Proud Grandparents
Guelph , Ontario

Karl Ruban has been instrumental in our transition from the telecom industry to working for a non-profit, faith-based organization to mentor and coach university students in matters of life and faith. Karl has helped us plan for our four childrens' education, their future weddings and save for our retirement with our lower income.
Karl recommended and guided us through the Smith Manoeuvre, which has been an integral part of paying off our mortgage more than 12 years ahead of schedule. The combined effect of mortgage and tax savings while simultaneously building an open pension has been most impressive.
We are very grateful to Karl for helping us to pay off our mortgage quickly and save for the future.

Christopher & Heather Barrett
The Navigators, Carleton University
Ottawa , Ontario

In December 2003 my wife and I were in a financial crisis. We had a mortgage of $110,000.00 and an additional burden of $30,000.00 in high interest "bad debt" which, with our limited income, we could not see a way out of. As an artist, I was accustomed to living on credit during those times between contracts when we only had access to one income. However, with the financial strain of caring for two young children added to our monthly expenses, our cost of living quickly grew beyond our resources and our debt was growing at an alarming rate. Paycheques would come and go without bringing any relief from the stress of our financial burdens.
With our lives swirling hopelessly out of control, a friend gave us Karl Ruban's name and phone number, and urged us to call him to set up a session to get some financial counseling. When we met Karl I was impressed with how he didn't immediately jump into a financial analysis. Karl took the time to get to know us; to see us as individuals with unique lives filled with personal cares, concerns and passions. We soon had a strategy in place for dealing with our situation and we had some homework to do. We had to buy a ledger and begin to keep a detailed accounting of all moneys coming in and going out of our account. We also had to draw up our will; something that Karl strongly believes to be a primary milestone on the road to accountability and control over ones life and assets.
Six months later we had a will, a monthly budget and a sense of hope. We transferred all bad debt to a new mortgage and used a portion of the equity in our home to gain access to a line of credit for investing. Thus began "The Smith Manoeuvre ". It was a methodical process and we learned patience as the benefits accrued and the mortgage shrunk. The great news is that on my wife's 40th birthday, July 31, 2006, we paid off our mortgage! Now, two years and seven months after our initial meeting with Karl we are living "bad debt" free, we own our home, we have an investment loan with tax deductible interest and we have an investment strategy that will allow us to take care of our children's education while also saving for a long and active retirement.
The long and short of it is that Karl Ruban changed our lives. In just under three years he took us from $140,000.00 in debt to an investment portfolio with a net worth of $350,000.00. Karl Ruban is a man of integrity who has the knowledge, the tools and the heart to help clients make wise financial choices.

Curtis R. Sullivan
Actor
Toronto , Ontario

Karl Ruban was recommended to us by two families who have never met each other, so we figured we were on to something. And right we were - at a time when we were stuggling to control our finances you came alongside our family with well-researched, timely, and compassionate advice. Between your suggested tweaks to our spending plan and using the Smith Manoeuvre, we have been able to afford to have me stay at home with our two young daughters. What difference this has made to our lifestyle - we are more relaxed and have more time to spend together as a family. Thank you for everything that you and your team have done for us!

Wendy Waldbauer-LeBlanc
Stay at home Mother
Toronto, Ontario