Category: Financial Literacy

November marks Financial Literacy Month in Canada, and this year’s theme, “Money on Your Mind. Talk About It!”, focuses on encouraging open conversations about personal finances. This month, we want to highlight how employers can support their employees’ financial well-being, beyond standard employee benefits, through the unique access that members of the Immix Group Client Community have to our sister company, Ciccone McKay Financial Group.

What is Financial Literacy and Why is it Important?

Financial literacy refers to the ability to understand and manage personal finances effectively. It goes beyond just earning a paycheck—it’s about empowering individuals with the knowledge, resources, and confidence to manage their financial health today and for the future. Financial literacy encompasses:

• Knowing how to budget and save
• Managing debt effectively
• Planning for retirement and other long-term goals
• Making informed financial decisions

For employees, mastering these skills can significantly reduce financial stress, improve focus at work, and contribute to overall well-being. With financial concerns consistently ranking as the #1 stressor for Canadians, it’s clear that promoting financial literacy can have a substantial impact on an individual’s mental and financial health.

Supporting Employee Financial Well-Being

At the Immix Group, we recognize that financial wellness plays a critical role in an employee’s overall well-being, and supporting this goes beyond just offering competitive pay and comprehensive employee benefits. While there are many ways you can increase financial wellness through employee benefits such as group savings programs and health/wellness-related resources, we believe that knowledge is the ultimate power when it comes to financial wellness. This is where financial literacy steps in.

In all of our education sessions and update meetings, we consistently emphasize the resources available to your team through our sister company, Ciccone McKay Financial Group. The goal of this article is to provide an in-depth look into the financial services our sister company, Ciccone McKay Financial Group, offers to members of the Immix Group Client Community, the type of support your employees can expect to receive, and how to get started.

Immix Group’s Background in the Financial Services Industry

Established in 2003 (but with roots dating back much further!), Ciccone McKay Financial Group has been providing tailored wealth management services, with a strong focus on helping individuals and organizations protect, preserve, and grow their wealth. The Immix Group- which focuses on employer-sponsored benefits programs– was established as a separate company in 2010 but existed previously as a division of Ciccone McKay Financial Group. Thus, our ties are strong!

Today, we still share an office meaning the Immix Group team and the Ciccone McKay team are able to collaborate and leverage the varied experience and specializations of the entire team. Across both the Immix Group team and the Ciccone McKay team we hold a wide range of highly regarded credentials in the financial services industry such as the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation and Trust & Estate Practitioner (TEP). This deep financial expertise is a valuable resource to your business and employees.

Resources Available to members of the Immix Group Client Community via Ciccone McKay Financial Group

As a member of the Immix Group Client Community, your team has access to the seasoned professionals at Ciccone McKay Financial Group. This includes personalized financial services (see in next section) and educational workshops such as:

• Financial Planning 101: Building a Balanced Financial Portfolio
• Setting Financial Goals: Short, Mid, and Long-term Strategies
• The Power of RRSPs: How to Maximize Savings
• Your Health is Your Wealth: Exploring Critical Illness, Disability, and Long-Term Care Options
• Individual Pension Plans (IPPs): Supercharged RRSPs for Business Owners & Executives

These customized workshops aim to provide knowledge, actionable advice, and help your employees gain the confidence they need to take control of their financial future. Interested in arranging an educational workshop for your organization? Click here to contact us and organize a session for your team!

The Support Your Employees Will Receive from Ciccone McKay Financial Group

While the employee benefits program provides a strong foundation for financial health, every employee is different, and customization is required in the form of additional insurance and investment strategies and products. 

Through Ciccone McKay, your employees can access a range of financial services, including:

• Insurance Products (e.g., Life, Disability, Critical Illness)
• Registered Investment Accounts (Setting Up RRSP, TFSA, and RESP Accounts)
• Non-registered Investments (Virtual Bank Accounts)
• Manulife One (Mortgage Banking Account)

Here’s how your employees can get started with a Ciccone McKay advisor:

1. Let’s get in touch: Reach out to your Immix Group service contact person with the employee’s contact information and a brief description of the assistance they’re seeking.
2. Advisor match: We’ll pair them with an advisor from the Ciccone McKay team who best fits their needs.
3. Introduction call: The advisor will reach out to schedule a brief introductory call or virtual meeting to assess the employee’s financial situation and needs.
4. Strategy Discussion: Depending on their needs, the advisor may have an in-depth conversation to discuss products and solutions.
5. Ongoing engagement and follow-up: The advisory team will provide clear guidance and regular updates, ensuring a seamless process every step of the way.

We encourage plan administrators and HR teams to share this resource with your employees. It’s an excellent way to add value to your employee benefits package and show your team that their financial well-being is a priority.

For easy sharing, we’ve attached a one-pager that outlines this service.

Sharing link: One Page Summary for Sharing

Feel free to distribute it to your employees directly. If you have any questions or need more information, don’t hesitate to reach out. As always love to hear from you!