Practical Tools & Trusted Resources for Your Financial Journey

You don’t need to figure this all out alone.

Here you’ll find the tools, templates, and curated resources I share most often with coaching clients and newsletter readers — to help you gain clarity, stay aligned with your values, and build a financial life that works for you and your family.

Free Tools to Get You Started

These self-serve resources are perfect if you’re craving clarity and want to take your next step with confidence

Financial Compass Tool

A self-assessment to help you reflect on your current financial habits, identify growth areas, and get aligned with your ideal direction.

Remote Work Proposal Template (Canada + USA)

Whether you’re exploring downshifting or flexibility, this template will help you build a clear, compelling request.

Yearly Expense Tracker Template

Start the habit of tracking your full-year spending and visualize trends with ease.

Books That Made an Impact

Money & Financial Independence

Your Money or Your Life – Foundational mindset and system.
Work Optional – Designing your life with financial independence.
The Millionaire Next Door – Psychology and patterns of wealth builders.

Mindset & Philosophy

Atomic Habits – Life-changing for behavior and systems.
The Obstacle is the Way – Stoic tools for challenges.
The Happiness Advantage – Positive psychology applied.
Designing Your Life – A design-thinking approach to crafting a purpose-filled life.
The Daily Stoic – Daily inspiration for resilience.

Parenting

Simplicity Parenting – Aligning home life with values.
How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen – Emotional coaching for parenting.
Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline – Mindful conflict resolution.

FI Voices I Admire

English Blogs/Creators:

The Fioneers – Champions of Slow FI and meaningful lifestyle design.
A Purple Life – Transparent, joyful early retirement story.
Mad Fientist – Practical tools + deep mindset work on post-FI life.
Tread Lightly, Retire Early – FI through community and sustainability.
Eat Sleep Breathe FI – Clear, practical Canadian-focused writing.

French Blogs/Créateurs:

Retraite 101 – Accessible breakdowns of FIRE and early retirement strategies in a Quebec context.
Jeune Retraité – A well-documented early retirement journey in Quebec.
Le Millionnaire Invisible – Anonymous reflections on family life and financial independence.
Sorcière Frugale – Empowering women through finance, frugality, and a touch of magic.
Simple Millionnaire – A clear, beginner-friendly approach to financial independence.

Podcasts I Recommend

These are some of my go-to listens for inspiration, strategy, and real-talk on the journey to financial independence:

Take What You Need, Return Anytime

This space was created to empower values-driven people to feel confident with their money — and to live well on the journey to financial independence.

Whether you’re just starting out or exploring your next bold step, I hope these tools and recommendations help you build clarity, momentum, and joy along the way.

— Mel 
Financial Coach | Semi-Retired Slow FI Human