My name is Mark Goodfield. Welcome to The Blunt Bean Counter ™, a blog that shares my thoughts on income taxes, finance and the psychology of money. I am a Chartered Professional Accountant. This blog is meant for everyone, but in particular for high net worth individuals and owners of private corporations. My posts are blunt, opinionated and even have a twist of humour/sarcasm. You've been warned. Please note the blog posts are time sensitive and subject to changes in legislation or law.

Monday, June 28, 2021

Gone golfing for the summer—Plus sign up for newsletter

This summer, as usual, I will take a break from the blog and spend some time golfing and enjoying the good weather—I hope with family and friends. I will likely post a couple Best of The Blunt Bean Counter posts during this time.

I will also use my time this summer for some life contemplation, including where and how the blog fits into the picture as I wind down to my retirement.

I wish my readers a great summer and ensure you take some time off; you deserve it after the last 16 months or so.

With my summer break approaching, it’s a great time to sign up for BDO’s newsletter. It goes out every two weeks and gives great business insights on a variety of timely and critical business topics. I often link to them in my posts.







The content on this blog has been carefully prepared, but it has been written in general terms and should be seen as broad guidance only. The blog cannot be relied upon to cover specific situations and you should not act, or refrain from acting, upon the information contained therein without obtaining specific professional advice. Please contact BDO Canada LLP to discuss these matters in the context of your particular circumstances. BDO Canada LLP, its partners, employees and agents do not accept or assume any liability or duty of care for any loss arising from any action taken or not taken by anyone in reliance on the information on this blog or for any decision based on it.

Please note the blog posts are time sensitive and subject to changes in legislation.

BDO Canada LLP, a Canadian limited liability partnership, is a member of BDO International Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, and forms part of the international BDO network of independent member firms. BDO is the brand name for the BDO network and for each of the BDO Member Firms.

Monday, June 14, 2021

Let me tell you! William Bengen knows how to define success

Today I bring back my old “Let me tell you!” series, where I delve into topics that are more philosophical than financial. In this blog post, I discuss the three life questions financial guru William Bengen asks himself each night before he goes to sleep.

Mr. Bengen is a bit of legend in financial circles. He created the ubiquitous 4% retirement rule: that people can withdraw 4% of their savings every year in retirement and still support themselves financially. I have written about this rule several times in my “How much do you need to retire” posts. The last time was in February.

But Mr. Bengen also has some interesting thoughts beyond finances. In February he joined the Rational Reminder Podcast to discuss retirement planning, and also shared his thoughts on success in general. (By the way, I was also interviewed for this podcast last year.)

Bengen defines success  


Podcast hosts Benjamin Felix and Cameron Passmore typically ask all guests the same last question: “How do you define success in your life?” I found Mr. Bengen’s answer fascinating.

“That's a wonderful question for everyone, I guess," he said. "Before I go to bed each night, I've done this for a number of years, I ask myself three questions.

"And the first question is, today, did I learn anything new, or did I create something? The second question is, did I do anything to help anybody, particularly people I love, but even if for a stranger, maybe helping an old lady across the street, or helping a child understand a math problem? And the last point is, have I given proper attention to this, the mystery and wonder of the world in the universe, and being alive and being able to experience all this? If I can answer yes to all those three questions during the day, I felt I've had a successful day.”

While the above quote has nothing to do with Mr. Bengen’s brilliant financial planning, it shows a truly insightful mind that looks at success as more than just fame and financial success. As I wrote two fairly popular blog posts on money and success in 2012 (see here and here), his comments intrigued me. Today I break down his thoughts.

"Did I learn anything new ... or did I create something?"


Wow, did this answer strike a chord. In 2018 I wrote a post making the case that if you are not learning, you are forgetting. My father-in-law has espoused this mantra all his life, and his children and grandchildren live by it. A hunger for learning has so many positive aspects. It keeps your mind active, allows you to pass knowledge down to your family and friends, helps you in your day-to-day business interactions and opens your mind to concepts and thoughts you may have previously dismissed. I do not want to dismiss the second part of Mr. Bengen’s question - “did I create something” - but that would be a more limited question in most cases.

"Did I do anything to help anybody today?"


While Mr. Bengen initially spoke about helping family, he expanded that to helping anyone. As I think most of us tend to help our family as a given, I will veer off into the topic of helping anyone.

While helping an old person across the street or holding a door open is quick and simple (is it me, or is holding the door open a lost courtesy? I do this all the time but constantly have doors slammed in my face when walking behind other people), I personally appreciate those who give time to causes.

Time is precious and to give to others is incredibly special. I have a good volunteering track record compared to the average person: being a Big Brother, granting wishes under the Make-A-Wish Foundation framework, and sitting on a couple charity boards. But when I see how much more others do, I am often humbled. Coming out of COVID, I suggest you consider giving of yourself whenever and wherever.

One can also help financially. One can argue this is an easy way out, but I disagree. Organizations need volunteers, but they also need money. I recently wrote a post explaining why donating marketable securities provides an altruistic benefit and a tax benefit.

"Have I given proper attention to this, the mystery and wonder of the world in the universe?"


I really like this last question. We are often startled by nature and the general wonders of the world; however, I would suggest this happens far too little. My only comment here is that COVID took many of us to negative places, mentally and physically (offset by some heroic front line and other efforts by special people). It would probably do us some good as we start moving back to a “new normal” to appreciate some of the mystery and wonders of the world, to recharge our positive selves.

My concern with any of my “Let me tell you!” posts is they become preachy. But I hope today’s post on Mr. Bengen’s nighttime routine provides you some helpful thoughts for reflection.

Note on new email system


For those of you who are subscribers and received this post via email, you may have noticed a small difference in the email notification. I have changed to follow.it as my email provider, part of my ongoing efforts to use the most up-to-date technology. If you would like to subscribe to the blog, enter your email in the box at the top right corner of this page.

The content on this blog has been carefully prepared, but it has been written in general terms and should be seen as broad guidance only. The blog cannot be relied upon to cover specific situations and you should not act, or refrain from acting, upon the information contained therein without obtaining specific professional advice. Please contact BDO Canada LLP to discuss these matters in the context of your particular circumstances. BDO Canada LLP, its partners, employees and agents do not accept or assume any liability or duty of care for any loss arising from any action taken or not taken by anyone in reliance on the information on this blog or for any decision based on it.

Please note the blog posts are time sensitive and subject to changes in legislation.

BDO Canada LLP, a Canadian limited liability partnership, is a member of BDO International Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, and forms part of the international BDO network of independent member firms. BDO is the brand name for the BDO network and for each of the BDO Member Firms.