Life Coach
Nicholas Smith
Human-first financial coaching for newcomers, self-employed pros, and multi-currency households.
Ontario, Canada
Next opening: Wed, Sep 30, 9:00 AM EDT (shown in your time on the booking page)
3+
Years coaching
Under 48h
Typical reply
Free intro
Bookable online
Work with Nicholas
Start with a free 20-minute intro call
No pitch, no pressure: Nicholas will ask what you're dealing with and tell you honestly whether coaching is the right next step.
- Book
Financial Check-In
60 min · $125/session
- Book
Budget Blueprint
60 min · $100/session
- Book
Financial Consultation
60 min · $150/session
Next opening Wednesday, Sep 30 at 9:00 AM EDT.
This is for you if
- ✓Your financial life doesn't fit a standard template: You have multi-currency accounts, cross-border assets (Canada/UK/US), foreign income, or shifting tax residency.
- ✓You’re a newcomer or expat in Canada: You need clear guidance on building credit from scratch, opening TFSAs and RRSPs, and setting down financial roots without feeling overwhelmed.
- ✓You run a small business or earn variable income: You want to separate personal and business cash flow, smooth out unpredictable earnings, and plan for taxes without surprise bills.
- ✓You want a practical partner, not just a static plan: You want someone to help you set up systems, check in on progress, hold you accountable, and make real-time adjustments when life changes.
- ✓You want to live well today while building for tomorrow: You prefer a human, non-judgmental approach focused on practical cash flow and security rather than extreme frugal living or complex jargon.
Probably not for you if
- –You are looking for regulated investment management: You want someone to pick individual stocks, actively manage your portfolio, or sell you financial products (I focus exclusively on cash flow, budgeting, organization, and behavioral strategy).
- –You need quick tax return filing or formal legal advice: You are looking for a CPA to prepare/file complex corporate returns or an estate lawyer to draft legal documents.
- –You want a quick fix or a "get rich quick" formula: You expect automated magic without being willing to engage in honest conversations about your actual spending habits and goals.
- –Your financial situation is entirely single-currency and basic: You already have a smooth, simple budget and only need standard corporate employee benefits advice.
Gallery
Photos
Background
About
I bring eight years of professional financial services experience across Canada and the United Kingdom, working in wealth management, pensions, and taxation. I also bring something most financial professionals don't — the lived experience of navigating two completely different financial systems as an immigrant, building genuine financial security on a modest income without a high salary or a straightforward career path.
I founded Financial First Steps to offer the kind of practical, human financial guidance I wish had existed when I was figuring it out. I hold certifications in financial coaching and education, and I work with clients virtually across all of Canada.
Outside of financial coaching I am also an ice hockey coaching helping kids as young as 5 and adults as old as 70 learn to skate and play hockey.
I really enjoy helping people and am passion about personal finances and making a positive impact by helping clients master their personal finances and life their best life.
- Experience
- 3+ years
- Languages
- English
What sets me apart
Why Choose Nicholas
I bring eight years of financial operations, tax, and wealth management experience across both Canada and the UK, combined with the lived experience of navigating a new financial system as an immigrant. Instead of selling products or handing you a generic template, I focus entirely on unbiased cash-flow coaching and hands-on execution to help you build real control over your money. Whether you are managing multi-currency accounts, self-employed income, or settling into a new country, I deliver practical, human guidance tailored to how your life actually works.
Methodology
My Coaching Approach
Money is a tool — not a trophy, not a source of shame, and not something to be optimised at the expense of actually living your life. My approach starts from the belief that the best financial plan is one that helps you live well today while building security for tomorrow.
Every coaching relationship begins with understanding your whole picture — your income, your goals, your obligations, and the life you actually want. From there we build a practical, personalised plan together. I don't hand you a template and wish you luck. I stay in it with you — checking in on progress, adjusting when life changes, and holding you accountable when accountability is what you need.
Sessions are open, honest, and completely non-judgmental. There is no financial situation too complicated, too messy, or too far gone to work with. Whatever brought you here, we start from where you actually are — not where you think you should be.
Best Fit
Who I Help
I work with people whose financial lives don't fit neatly into a standard template — and who are tired of advice that assumes they do.
Newcomers to Canada navigating an unfamiliar financial system from the ground up — building credit, understanding TFSAs and RRSPs, managing currency across borders, and establishing financial roots in a new country.
Digital nomads and location-independent professionals managing income, expenses, and tax obligations across multiple countries and currencies — where the complexity of multi-currency accounts, foreign income, and shifting tax residency requires a coach who understands the full picture.
Small business owners and self-employed Canadians separating personal and business finances, managing irregular income, planning for taxes without an employer doing it for them, and building personal wealth alongside a growing business.
Young professionals who are earning real income but feel behind — carrying debt, unsure where to start with investing, and wanting a clear plan that fits their actual life rather than a generic rulebook.
Those with complex financial situations — multi-currency accounts, cross-border assets, blended family finances, or multiple income streams — who need a coach comfortable with nuance, not just straightforward scenarios.
What everyone I work with has in common: they want to feel genuinely in control of their money, not just informed about it. That's what we build together.
Expertise
Specialties & Certifications
Specialties
- Financial Wellness
- Expat & Nomad
- Business
Certifications
- Bachelors Degree
- MSC- Business Studies
Credentials and certifications are self-reported by each coach. Verify important details directly with the coach before committing.
What I offer
Services in detail
Financial Check-In
Already have a plan? A structured check-in to review progress, adjust course, and keep your momentum going.
Budget Blueprint
A focused session to build a realistic, personalised budget you can actually stick to — one that fits your real life, not a spreadsheet fantasy.
Financial Consultation
A comprehensive look at where you stand today and the practical first steps to move forward with clarity and confidence.
Schedule
Weekly Availability
Sunday
Unavailable
Monday
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Book this day →
Tuesday
9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Book this day →
Wednesday
9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Book this day →
Thursday
9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Book this day →
Friday
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Book this day →
Saturday
Unavailable
Click any available day to pick a time and book. Times shown in Nicholas's time zone (Eastern Time (New York, Toronto, Miami), EDT); the booking page converts them to yours.
View Full CalendarClient reviews
Reviews
No client reviews yet. Clients who book and complete a session here are invited to leave a verified review.
Verified reviews come from sessions booked and completed on Life Coach Locator. Worked with Nicholas elsewhere? Leave a review.
What clients say
Testimonials
“I had an excellent experience working with Nick as a financial coach. Nick skillfully guided me through an assessment of my finances, offering valuable hints and tips. Together, we established and built achievable goals — I've always prioritised physical and mental health goals but never thought about financial goals, but I'm excited to start on these goals and achieve them to ensure my financial security in the future. Nick is very friendly, knowledgeable and understands the balance between saving money but also spending money where it matters to you — like hobbies and your well-being — so that your goals and future are bright and achievable. I highly recommend financial coaching with Nick as a step towards achieving the best financials for your lifestyle”
Jess Marshall
Questions
Frequently Asked
No FAQs yet. Have a question? Reach out to Nicholas directly!
Writing
From the Blog
Listed starting price
Sessions from $80 – $120
This is a coach-entered starting figure, not a guaranteed fee or a marketplace rate. Confirm the complete price before booking.
Book a SessionReady to work with Nicholas?
Take the first step toward the change you've been thinking about. Reach out today.
You can also contact Life Coach Locator and we'll help connect you.
Is Nicholas Smith the right coach for you?
- ☐Their specialties (Financial Wellness, Expat & Nomad, Business) match your goals
- ☐Session format (virtual only) works for you
- ☐Listed starting price (from $80/hr) fits your budget after you confirm the full fee
- ☐You feel good about their approach after reading their bio
- ☐They have relevant testimonials from clients with similar goals
Ask this coach whether they offer an introductory conversation, what it costs, and what you will cover before you book.
Other coaches you might like
Mr. Moji Moji
Personal Awareness & Inner Clarity Coaching for Anxiety, Overthinking, Relationships & Emotional Well-being
Lahore, Punjab
Free 15-min intro callNext opening Mon, Oct 5
JASMINE PRADEEP GAJARE
Supporting high-achievers in creating sustainable success through mind-body alignment.
Clementi, Singapore
Free 15-min intro callNext opening Thu, Oct 1
Samona Garcia
Book with me on Intro — found below!
Des Moines, Iowa
Free 15-min intro callNext opening Wed, Sep 30
Share this profile
Know someone who could benefit from working with Nicholas? Share this page with them.