Who is Nicholas Hui?
Nicholas Hui is a Certified Financial Planner who transitioned to financial planning after a 20-year career as an automotive engineer. He applies the same structured, analytical methods from engineering to financial advice, focusing on practical, personalized planning for young professionals and growing families. As an advice-only planner, Nicholas provides fee-based guidance without selling products or accepting commissions. He offers retirement planning and support for clients pursuing financial independence, helping them organize their finances and work toward long-term goals.
| Services | • Comprehensive financial plans • Money coaching • Focused or modular reviews of specific financial topics (e.g., cash flow, debt management, retirement savings) |
| Specializations | • Money coaching for young professionals and families • Financial independence planning • Retirement planning and transition strategies |
| Payment Model | • Fees paid directly by clients for advice (not based on assets; no commissions) |
| Languages written and spoken | • English |
Meet Nicholas Hui
About Nicholas
Nicholas is an advice-only Certified Financial Planner at VAVE Financial. Drawing on his engineering background, he uses value analysis and value engineering principles to identify inefficiencies and prioritize improvements in a client’s financial life. His practice emphasizes clearly defined recommendations, scenario planning, and cost-effective strategies that align with each client’s values and long-term objectives. Because he does not sell financial products or accept commissions, his advice is focused solely on the client’s best interests.
Why he became a financial planner
Nicholas entered financial planning to provide unbiased, transparent advice. In his experience, many people had been recommended products that didn’t match their goals or financial situation, or they were paying high hidden fees without receiving meaningful planning in return. Determined to offer an alternative, he built a practice that avoids product sales and commission-based incentives, instead charging clients directly for advice and planning services.
His investment philosophy
His approach to investing and financial planning is holistic and evidence-based. Without conflicts of interest from product sales or assets under management, Nicholas focuses on long-term strategies that reduce unnecessary costs, manage behavioral risks, and create resilient plans. He emphasizes low-cost, diversified solutions, clear communication about fees, and strategies that align with each client’s goals and risk tolerance.
His proudest achievement as a financial planner
Nicholas is proud to have established an advice-only planning practice in a market where many expect advisors to sell products or charge a percentage of assets. Building a sustainable business model centered on client-paid advice and independent recommendations was a core goal—and a milestone he values highly.
A client success story
One couple sought guidance on buying a larger home and starting a family. Nicholas built multiple scenarios to show how different home prices, mortgage terms, parental leave, and childcare costs would affect their cash flow and long-term goals. By clearly illustrating trade-offs and comfort levels for monthly expenses and savings, he helped them confidently decide what they could afford and prepare for the financial impact of children, giving them peace of mind about this major life step.
What if money were no object?
Even if financial constraints were removed, Nicholas would continue money coaching because he enjoys helping people make sense of their finances and plan purposeful lives. He also volunteers on non-profit boards and would likely devote more time to leadership roles in organizations that matter to him and his family.
The best money advice he ever received
The most valuable guidance Nicholas has encountered is to respect the emotional side of money. Financial psychology—how people feel about money, risk, and security—often matters as much, or more, than the numerical details. Addressing emotions and behavior is a vital part of building plans that clients can follow over the long term.
The worst money advice he ever received
He considers the idea that investment fees don’t matter to be poor advice. Small differences in costs compound over time and can meaningfully reduce long-term returns, so being mindful about fees is an important part of sound financial planning.
Contact Nicholas Hui
📍 Markham, Ont.
🔗 VAVE Financial Planning
☎️ 647-220-3122
🤳 linkedin.com/nicholashui
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