^InsightsThe Wealth of Gratitude: What Thanksgiving Teaches Us About Money

As Thanksgiving arrives, many of us pause to reflect on what we’re truly thankful for. Around the table, it’s rarely investment returns or market headlines that come up first. Instead, it’s the laughter of children, the comfort of long-standing friendships, the health that allows us to enjoy each day, and the memories we create with family.

These moments remind us that wealth, in its deepest sense, is about more than numbers on a statement. It’s about having the freedom and security to spend our time in meaningful ways, to be present with the people we love, and to build a legacy that goes beyond financial assets.

Gratitude as a Form of Wealth

Gratitude and wealth share a common thread: both are about perspective. Just as gratitude helps us recognize the value in what we already have, wealth is ultimately about giving us choices. It’s not the size of an account that determines fulfillment, but whether those resources support the life we envision.

For some, that means creating flexibility to work less and spend more time with family. For others, it’s ensuring children or grandchildren have the educational opportunities they deserve. And for many, it’s about knowing that when unexpected challenges arise—be it health issues, market shocks, or life transitions—there’s a plan in place that provides security.

Financial Planning as Protection for What Matters

At Verus, we often say that money is a tool, not a destination. Proper planning allows families to protect and nurture what they hold most dear. For example:

• Preserving family security through strategies that safeguard income and assets, ensuring loved ones are provided for.
• Creating more time for shared experiences by aligning investments and planning with lifestyle goals.
• Supporting causes that inspire gratitude by building philanthropy into a financial plan.

When approached this way, financial planning becomes less about chasing returns and more about creating peace of mind. It empowers families to focus on the intangibles—the traditions, values, and connections—that bring real meaning to wealth.

Our Gratitude

This Thanksgiving, we at Verus are especially grateful for the trust our clients place in us. For more than 40 years, families across Canada have invited us to walk alongside them—not just in building portfolios, but in safeguarding futures and shaping legacies. That trust is the greatest gift we could receive.

As you gather around your own table this season, we hope you’ll find joy not only in the abundance before you, but also in the security of knowing that what matters most can be protected and nurtured with thoughtful planning.

From all of us at Verus, thank you for letting us be part of your story. We wish you and your loved ones a warm, peaceful, and gratitude-filled Thanksgiving.