Testimonials
Dear Stephanie:
It has been over three years since we started talking over what I should do when I retire. I had the option of taking the Invista Pension Plan that would give me a monthly pension and health insurance, or a lump sum payment and no health insurance. Since you did such a good job with my Dad and Mom’s investments, I decided to call you. You showed me both scenarios and I decided to take the lump sum, so that I could leave the investments directly to my daughter some day.
At first, my problem was getting an insurance company that would insure me because of my heart surgery, but Sun Life insured because I was a long time customer with Dupont and Invista. Later, once my income was lower, you helped me through the process of applying to the Trillium Drug Program with the province, which was a better solution for me.
If you recall at the time, I was able to unlock 25% of my pension and put it in with my RRSPs, and I did. We then sat down and discussed how much money I needed every month. At the time, I was allowed 6.9% but did I need that much? So we came up with a smaller amount and you said if I needed more I was to call you and we would change it.
I was concerned when the banks sent North America into turmoil and my accounts were down substantially, however because my monthly income was coming out of the Money Market Fund, my equity investments had a chance to recover and I am now nearly back to the net amount that I invested.
I like the versatility that my friends that took the pension don’t have. That is, if I want to go on a holiday, I call you and say how much I need, and you take it out of my RRSP account. Or if I want a car, the monthly payments come out of that account as well. If I don’t need the money, it can just stay invested.
Also, I like the idea that we get together every six months to go over everything and talk about any needed changes and how things are going in general. I like how you keep me updated on my account and my mom’s account by email between the six-month meetings. I also like how, when I ask you about my account and you can’t answer it, you call the investment manager and put it on speakerphone so I can hear what they say, and how they answer as if they know me.
I remember when I first started with you, Stephanie, how nervous I was about the whole idea of giving up my pension and trusting someone I hardly knew, but now after all these years it’s almost like dealing with family, and I have you and your assistant to thank for that. Thank You.
Retirement is great!
Rick Thompson
Stephanie Milligan has been my and my late husband's financial advisor since 1998. During that time I have come to know and trust Stephanie absolutely and to regard her as a friend and as a wise counsellor in more than just business matters. In a volatile and sometimes depressing market, Stephanie has steered a steady course and her advice has always been in my best interests, rather than in her own. I trust her sufficiently to have sent both my daughters to her as they embark on their professional lives, and she has taken good care of their very different needs and situations.
When my husband died recently after a long illness, I was especially glad to be able to talk to Stephanie, rather than yet another employee of a large and faceless company. Dealing with the same person, someone one knows and trusts, over a number of years cannot be compared with the insecurity of not knowing to whom one's portfolio will be assigned within a large and anonymous institution.
I would heartily recommend Stephanie to my nearest and dearest and to anyone needing good financial advice.
Sincerely,
Mary Stewart, B.A.
Over the past 20 years, it has been a pleasure knowing, and working when possible, with Stephanie Milligan. I have come to depend on her not only as a professional who watches over my financial interest, but also as a trusted friend. As an American living in Canada, Stephanie helped me navigate through the complexities of the Canadian financial system. After many years, I returned to the United States, where I had to resume my investing due to residency restrictions.
Perhaps the most defining example of Stephanie’s loyalty to me, both as a friend and client, is how she is assisting me through the most difficult and painful period of my life. After the death of my husband, in August 2009, it was Stephanie who stepped up to the plate to guide me through legal and financial obstacles by referring me to the appropriate professionals in Canada, and by working with them throughout the process. Fortunately, once again, she was able to help me to invest my husband’s retirement funds.
Among Stephanie’s admirable qualities is her “stick to it” determination to find the answers to make the best decisions for her clients. Over the years, she has advised me to make decisions that were right for me, but not necessarily decisions that would increase her bottom line.
Stephanie not only guided me through as my financial advisor, but also as a trusted, loyal, and long time friend. She has never failed me; a true testament to her integrity as a human being!
Sincerely,
Denise Sabatini
As a financial advisor to Venetia's parents for many years, Stephanie was a natural choice for us when it came to choosing someone we could trust as newlyweds about to start a family. She listened to our ideas and asked thoughtful questions to help us clarify our needs. Her extensive knowledge of the many products and options available to us was always apparent. However, she maintained a professional distance from company favouritism, and clearly helped us choose what was best for us. We really appreciated this independence on her part.
Throughout our relationship, she has been a clear communicator, frequently 'translating' complex material and ensuring that everything was completely understood. No question was too trivial or could be asked too many times.
Her extensive involvement in the community is something we value and we look forward to having her as a confidant and ally for many years to come.
Warm Regards,
John Gauthier, Teacher with Limestone Disctrict School Board
Venetia Stewart, Private Violin Teacher and Kingston Symphony player
I just want you to know how much I enjoy having somebody like you in my life. You have often sat down with me to explain policies and help me sort out my investment paperwork – even that not related to my business with you at Limestone Financial. This is above and beyond my expectations of a financial advisor and greatly appreciated.
I was so pleased when you told me that I was able to invest in Canadian mutual funds in U.S. currency. My children may be attending college in the United States, so being able to save in an appropriate market for their future was a load off my mind!
When I ran into a couple of tough situations, you gave me very helpful professional referrals and I certainly do appreciate your advice on all matters of my life. You genuinely care about how I am doing. It’s a nice breath of fresh air.
Sincerely,
Shelley Hone
There are two things that I particularly appreciate about the service I have received from Stephanie with respect to my insurance needs: the first is Stephanie’s willingness to not only work within my budget, but to assist me in assessing and establishing realistic priorities since graduating from Law School and setting up a practice in Kingston, ON. I have never felt as if I were being treated any differently than I would be if my income were much greater than it is, a phenomenon that I have occasionally encountered when dealing with larger financial institutions.
The second is the care Stephanie took in ensuring that I was able to obtain life insurance coverage, given the potential pitfalls resulting from my medical history. She took time to strategize with me about what the best solution would be for me, so that the outcome was one that was positive for me and for my future insurance needs. It was a huge weight off my mind to know that, one way or the other, I would be covered, and would not leave my family with debts to be paid should I die prematurely.
I have no doubt whatsoever that Stephanie has her clients’ best interests at heart, and I very much look forward to using her services more in the future.
Yours truly,
Georgiana Stewart, Barrister & Solicitor