Client Testimonials

“You are truly the 5.0 financial therapist that the world needs. You do so much more than financial planning for people… you bring so much life force to it, and softness and character and love... you bring a very different element and quality to the world of finance.”

— Alyssa, New Brunswick

“We have been working with Carol Ann for several years now and can’t say enough good things about our experience. She is knowledgeable, thoughtful, and transparent and if she doesn’t know an answer she will look it up and always gets back to us in a timely manner. She is never pushy and always provides various options with the pros and cons and lets the decision rest with us. We truly believe that Carol Ann is working for the client and that her goal is to help us achieve the best return on our money, based on the current financial environment and our current personal situation. She has a calm and patient demeanour and is very genuine - she is respectful and not intrusive at all. We would highly recommend Carol Ann to anyone looking for a hands on knowledgeable investment advisor.”

— Lee & Rob, Kingston ON

"Carol Ann Budd brings to her financial advice a strong ethical framework and a commitment to social justice. Her exclusive connection to Veritable Investment Management allows her to draw on their considerable investment expertise which takes advantage of strong markets and minimizes risks. Carol Ann is positive and supportive. She goes the extra mile for her clients. I feel lucky to be one of them."

— Elizabeth Greene, Kingston ON

Retired Professor of English, Queen’s University

Poet, Editor, Novelist

“Carol Ann has been the financial advisor for my wife and I for over 15 years. What we appreciate the most is Carol Ann’s sincere interest in providing the best possible tailored options and advice for our family. All investments have been based upon our provided acceptance of risk and desire to maintain a balanced portfolio that is reasonably resistant to market downturns. I would say that this last aspect has been a particular strength and something that our family was looking for. In addition to investment information, Carol Ann has assisted with advice in tax planning and management, a range of insurance options, and retirement planning. Her advice has always been well-considered and has frequently included her accessing specialists in particular areas before offering the advice. Overall, an excellent choice for investors looking for tailored financial advice and balanced investments.”

— Rusty & Ellen, Kingston ON

I am delighted to offer a testimonial for Carol Ann Budd, my financial advisor. What strikes me most is that Carol Ann is concerned about me first as a person, and second as a person in need of advice and guidance. She takes time at the start of every meeting to hear about my life, family, and aspirations, and is genuinely interested in who I am. In this way, she tailors her advice to suit my needs, rather than keeping an eye solely on the bottom line.

As a person who finds investing intimidating, I know that I can rely on Carol Ann’s vast knowledge of the industry, and that she will apply best practices to benefit my situation. Her patience with my inexperience is admirable and seemingly infinite. In every instance, she wants me to understand her advice, so I can make the best decisions. This approach is her brand – she is neither heavy-handed nor judgmental, guiding my decision-making in the best way possible for me. The result is that I am more knowledgeable about my finances.

I once heard Carol Ann speak about her perspective on financial advising – she described it as “providing a service to my community by helping them with financial advice”. Her own words best describe her style; her financial advising is about her clients, a service first and foremost. Each time I meet with her, over the years I have been under her tutelage and care, I am aware that she works hard for me.

And (importantly!) I am in a much better position financially due to Carol Ann’s expertise and talents.

— Elizabeth Morgan, Kingston ON

“Working with Carol Ann has revolutionized our financial life. Her “whole-picture” approach has helped us organize across areas such as education planning for our two young children, preparing for a house purchase, and developing an investment and savings plan for eventual retirement. We always leave Carol Ann’s office with a better understanding of our financial landscape, with clear and simple tasks to take us to the next level. Her relational and skilled approach to this work brings us more peace in our busy lives.”

— Lindsay & Sean, Kingston ON

“Before I met Carol Ann, I knew I wanted to take control of my money, but I didn’t know how to start and I was nervous. A friend of mine recommended Carol Ann because she thought we’d be a good fit. It didn’t take long before I realized how freeing it was to talk about my financial situation and not feel judged.

I can’t say enough about Carol Ann’s patience and knowledgeable financial guidance. I’m working with someone I trust who has helped me develop a plan and attainable goals. Thanks for your continuing support, Carol Ann!”

— Pat Ambrose, Kingston ON

“I always look forward to our meetings and catching up on various things. You are very good at what you do and I feel fortunate to have crossed paths with you 'so many' years ago at a conference - I don't even really remember what it was about, but glad I remembered you!”

— Daphne Christie, Kingston ON

“I have had the pleasure of having Carol Ann as my financial advisor for several years and couldn’t be happier. She is always ready to listen to my questions and makes suggestions not demands. She reviews my finances in their entirety, not simply focusing on a single element, which has been extremely beneficial for my overall sense of financial security. Carol Ann has provided me with significant insights. Her sage advice and her friendship are invaluable.”

— Martha Turner, Kingston ON

“I’ve had the pleasure of meeting with Carol Ann over the past 10 years and have been very pleased with her knowledge, ability to explain the pros and cons of various approaches, and her patience with my desire to “keep my options open.” I recommend Carol Ann to anyone in the market for assistance in understanding and taking better care of their finances, ideally for those at the early stages of their careers but equally important for anyone who has yet to seek financial planning advice in these turbulent economic times.”

— Anne Ellis,

MD, MSc, FRCPC

I recently became a client of Carol Ann’s and I’m glad I did. Carol Ann has a calming presence about her. Every meeting I have with her I always feel comfortable because she listens to my concerns and my opinions. I am confident with the decisions we make together. When I first saw Carol Ann’s website, my reaction was “Who wouldn’t want to work with this lady”!