Resources

Global Affairs Canada rates every country on four levels, from “take normal security precautions” to “avoid all travel”, and many countries also carry separate warnings for particular regions. Check it before you book and again before you leave. It matters for more than safety: the government’s own travel insurance page says a level 3 or 4 advisory (avoid non-essential travel, or avoid all travel) can affect what your insurer will pay for. You can also register your trip, so the government can reach you in an emergency. Found and checked October 28, 2026. I receive nothing for recommending it. Check your destination External site

This one is for anyone thinking about retiring overseas, or living abroad for long stretches, to cut their costs and enjoy a fuller life on the same money. Tim Leffel is an American travel writer who has lived in Mexico for years, and the book draws on more than 60 stories from people living in over 20 countries: what housing, health care, visas and everyday costs look like where your money goes furthest, trade-offs included. I’ve read most of it, and I’d vouch for it as an honest place to start. The revised second edition came out in 2020, so treat its prices and visa rules as a starting point and check them before you act. It’s a paid book, and his site also sells bigger packages with extra reports. I receive nothing for recommending it. See the book Book

Betty is a US flight attendant who has been telling stories from the plane and from her travels on this podcast for about 20 years, with more than 240 episodes. It’s light, funny and good company on a long flight or a slow afternoon. I listen to it and send people to it all the time. She has also written several books and audiobooks. I receive nothing for recommending it. Visit Betty in the Sky Podcast

Will Harlow is a UK physiotherapist who works only with people over 50. His free YouTube channel is full of short follow-along routines for strength, balance, stiff backs and sore knees, most of them about ten minutes and with no equipment. He has also written two books that I’ve read most of and recommend. Thriving Beyond Fifty, his first, is about staying fit and active past 50. Independence for Life (2026) takes it to the next level: a step-by-step plan for strength, mobility, balance and bone health that makes it easy to put into practice. The books and his membership are paid; the channel is free. This is general information, not medical advice, so check with your doctor or physiotherapist before you start something new. I receive nothing for recommending it. Visit the HT Physio channel Video and Book

If you don’t have dental coverage through a workplace, pension or private plan, this federal plan may help pay for checkups, cleanings, fillings and dentures. Whether you qualify, and how much you pay, depends on your family income, so read the eligibility page before you assume you’re out. Found and checked October 27, 2026. I receive nothing for recommending it. Read about the plan External site

In 2023 Lori arranged my airport pickup, doctor meetings, hospital admission and medications, and coordinated calls with the surgeon after I got home. She’s a friend, and I receive nothing for recommending her. Her service is paid; ask her for current fees. My full story is in Why I Went to Mexico for Back Surgery. Visit My Medical Concierge External site

The federal guidance on having a procedure done outside Canada. It says to talk to a Canadian health care provider first, get in writing what the fees cover, and bring your medical records home. It also says most travel insurance won’t cover a planned procedure abroad. Checked October 26, 2026. Read the guidance External site

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 to reach a trained responder, 24 hours a day, every day. It’s free. If someone’s safety is at risk right now, call 9-1-1. Found and checked October 27, 2026. I receive nothing for recommending it. Visit 988.ca External site

Call 1-800-936-6033, toll-free, Monday to Friday: 9 am to 8 pm in English, and 9 am to 4 pm in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Cantonese and Mandarin. It’s for people with memory worries, people living with dementia, and family caregivers, and you don’t need a doctor’s referral. The helpline is also how you join the Society’s support groups, for caregivers and for people in the early stage of dementia, in person or online. Run by the Alzheimer Society of B.C., a charity. Found and checked October 27, 2026. I receive nothing for recommending it. Visit the First Link Dementia Helpline External site

The Alzheimer Society of Canada’s list of ten signs that are worth raising with a doctor, with a short explanation of each. It isn’t a diagnosis; if something on the list sounds familiar, the next step is your doctor. Found and checked October 27, 2026. I receive nothing for recommending it. Read the ten signs Guide

If you’re looking after someone, this charity offers a free support line (1-877-520-3267, weekdays 8:30 am to 4:00 pm), support groups, coaching, webinars, and help finding your way around the health system. Found and checked October 27, 2026. I receive nothing for recommending it. Visit Family Caregivers of BC External site

A BC program, funded by the province and managed by United Way BC, delivered by local non-profits, including one in Chilliwack. Depending on the community, it helps with light housekeeping, groceries, yard work, minor repairs, friendly visits and rides to appointments. Fees are on a sliding scale by income, and some services are free. Found and checked October 27, 2026. I receive nothing for recommending it. Find your local program External site

How to plan your retirement so the income lasts, and how to structure your finances to get the most out of what you’ve saved: when to start CPP and OAS, how to turn savings into a steady income, whether annuities still make sense, and what inflation does to all of it. Frederick Vettese was chief actuary at Morneau Shepell (now TELUS Health) for 27 years, and he writes for Canadians. I’ve read it cover to cover, and it’s excellent. The current edition is the third, from January 2024. It’s a paid book. He also built a retirement calculator called PERC, with a free version and a paid one. This is education, not financial advice: for your own decisions, talk to a qualified, licensed financial planner. I receive nothing for recommending it. See the book at ECW Press Book

The Insurance Bureau of Canada is the industry association for Canada’s private home, car and business insurers. Its Consumer Information Centre answers general questions by phone at 1-844-227-5422 or by email, weekdays during business hours, and if it can’t answer, it will point you to someone who can. Questions about your own policy go to your insurer or broker. Life, health and travel insurance questions go to a different service, the OmbudService for Life and Health Insurance. In B.C., basic car insurance is through ICBC, so take those questions there. The bureau speaks for the insurance industry but doesn’t sell policies. Found and checked October 28, 2026. I receive nothing for recommending it. Contact the Consumer Information Centre External site

Rhys Martell, a financial planner based in Abbotsford, explains CPP, OAS, RRIFs, TFSAs, tax and estate planning for Canadians in plain language. I watch this one and like it. His firm sells retirement plans and ongoing advice; the videos are free. This is education, not financial advice: for your own decisions, talk to a qualified, licensed financial planner. I receive nothing for recommending it. Visit the Well Built Wealth channel Video

Adam Bornn and the planners at Parallel Wealth cover CPP and OAS timing, drawing down RRSPs and RRIFs, taxes and estate questions, often answering questions sent in by viewers. Their weekly podcast, Retirement Unpacked, covers the same ground. I watch this one and like it. The firm sells financial planning, investment management and a paid membership; the videos and podcast are free. This is education, not financial advice: for your own decisions, talk to a qualified, licensed financial planner. I receive nothing for recommending it. Visit the Parallel Wealth channel Video

Service Canada’s calculator walks you through your CPP, Old Age Security, any workplace pension and your savings, and estimates what you’ll have each year in retirement. You can change the ages you start each benefit and see the difference. It’s a planning tool, not financial advice; for decisions, talk to a qualified, licensed financial planner. Found and checked October 27, 2026. I receive nothing for recommending it. Open the calculator Tool

Run by the Communications Security Establishment, Canada’s cyber security agency. It explains passphrases, password managers, two-factor sign-in and how to spot a scam, in plain language. Found and checked October 27, 2026. I receive nothing for recommending it. Visit Get Cyber Safe External site

Run by the RCMP with the OPP and the Competition Bureau. Its scams index lists the ones going around now, from grandparent scams to fake bank investigators, and it’s where to report fraud in Canada. Found and checked October 27, 2026. I receive nothing for recommending it. Visit the Anti-Fraud Centre External site

I listen to this one regularly. Mel Robbins talks with doctors, researchers and other experts about health, relationships, confidence and getting unstuck, and turns what they say into small things you can try that week. New episodes come out twice a week, so there’s always something new. The podcast is free. When an episode is worth passing on, I’ll write about it on the site. Visit The Mel Robbins Podcast Podcast