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H Avoid commerce turning into your identity's currency Dollars & Sense Peter Watson Guest Contributor 21 | Thursday, November 7, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com as money started to de ne who you are? Have you commercialized your core values in pursuit of the almighty dollar? The currency of commerce does not have to be the currency of who you are. What de nes you comes from within. Commerce has evolved over the past decades as wealth has expanded and more families are able to live the "good life" that prosperity brings. In some cases, however, commerce may have infringed upon or even ambushed your identity. Lives are often de ned by where you live, the car you drive and where your children go to school. Oakville is home to the very afuent but there is also a tremendous disparity between those with lavish lifestyles and many living below the poverty line. Within the small boundaries of our town there are varied examples of how people live and the value they place on monetary status. Those of us in the nancial services business spend a career talking to people about how to manage money. A client's core values de ne the importance of that money and what it allows them to purchase. Sometimes the pursuit of material pleasures becomes the central theme around which individuals conduct their lives. There can be a competitive drive to surround yourself with the trademarks of a prosperous existence. Sometimes this is referred to as the Oakville bubble. Other communities share a simi- lar label. It is not necessarily the person who dies with the most toys who wins. In nancial terms, it is often appropriate to conduct an audit to ensure good governance of nancial matters. Maybe this is the time to do your own personal audit on your life's priorities and how you choose to live that life. While the currency of commerce is cash, your life has several currencies. They include relationships with family and friends as well as time and energy. Is your big job with the fancy car high-jacking your life? Would you prefer working less and spend more time and energy with those who are most important to you? More material acquisitions is not always the answer. As the saying goes, sometimes "less is more." A self-evaluation can be as simple as writing down your personal priorities. A decade or two from now what would you hope to accomplish? Measure this in terms of the relationship you want with family and friends. How hard do you want to work? What type of career do you want and how willing are you to spend a signi cant part of your day just commuting to your job? Perhaps an exercise as simple as writing your own obituary is all that is needed. Determine how you want to be remembered. Then go and live that life. Live and experience the things that are the most important to you. Time is short and energy is limited. Live the life of who you are and avoid being trapped by excessive consumerism and over indulgence in our materialistic world. -- Submitted by Peter Watson, MBA, CFP , R.F .P ., CIM, FCSI., Certied Financial Planner G s ad d 's n e Follow Oakville Beaver staff on Twitter @OakvilleBeaver @NewsHooked @DavidLea6 @BeaverSports and @Halton_Photog Show and Sale November 9 & 10 Saturday 10am - 5pm / Sunday 11am - 4pm Antique OAKVILLE 3 Course Dinner $35 $5 from every MoMenu order goes to Movember charities in supporting research, awareness and survivorship of men's cancer and mental health across Canada and the globe. Movember Special Menu Mississauga's Favourite Italian Cuisine 1715 Lakeshore Rd. W., Clarkson 905.822.5751 Book Your Holiday Season Event Now! Monday: 5~9 Tuesday - Friday: Lunch & Dinner Saturday - Sunday: Dinner The stars of the antique business set up at Oakville to stage a unique and memorable event Top dealers in antiques, vintage and Mid Century modern bring great finds direct from the source to you. Furniture, modern art glass, vintage furs, silver, folk art and fine art, pewter and copper, country, linens, antiquarian books. Find great gift ideas for everyone on your list. Visit us online at www.michaelsbackdoor.com www.botg.ca St. Volodymyr Cultural Centre 1280 Dundas St. W., Oakville, L6M 4H9 Directed & Adapted by Chantal Forde On Dundas St (Hwy 5) just east of Third Line, and first stoplight west of the BIG bridge. Admission $7 / Free parking Delicious Ukrainian fare in the Fireside Café Tickets: Adults $20 / Children $15 December 28-30, 2013 Proud Member of 905.815.2121 or oakvillecentre.ca www.antiqueshowscanada.com More info, discounts and directions at