Small-step automation reduces the psychological barrier to Canadian retirement savings
RH
Riley Harmon
Suze Orman · Apr 16, 2026
Source: DojiDoji Data Terminal
Consistent, small-scale deposits make financial progress visible and measurable. This approach replaces the fixation on an overwhelming $1.42 million average retirement savings target with a strategy of weekly or per-paycheque contributions.
Financial expert Suze Orman recommends breaking long-term goals into small steps rather than large jumps. This shift in focus allows individuals to save more by removing the psychological weight of a large total number.
Automation removes the decision-making process from the equation. In Canada, pre-authorized contributions allow for automatic withdrawals from a chequing account into a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA), or a non-registered investment account. Many Canadian robo-advisors and banks allow these automated deposits to be as low as $25.
Regular contributions to these accounts build a savings buffer. This transition from manual saving to automated, small-step consistency reduces the anxiety associated with a $1.42 million retirement target.
Suze Orman
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