Podcast
Plain English Finance
Hosted by Tré Bynoe CFP®, CIM® · EN
The Plain English Finance podcast is hosted by Tré Bynoe CFP® CIM®, a financial planner with TCU Wealth Management and Aviso Wealth.
While Tré specializes in working with families with more complicated finances, typically involving corporations and trusts, this podcast is for anyone wanting to learn how to make high-quality decisions based on evidence, to give themselves the highest likelihood of financial success.
You should always consult with your financial, legal, and tax advisors before making changes.
This podcast is provided as a general source of information and should not be considered personal investment advice or solicitation to buy or sell any securities.
The views expressed are those of the individual and are not necessarily those of Aviso Financial Inc.
Mutual funds and other securities are offered through Aviso Wealth, a division of Aviso Financial Inc.
31episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
BONUS: The Market Won’t Wait Until You Feel Better | Q2 2026 Review
6d ago00:06:54Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailMarkets do not wait until investors feel comfortable again.In this Q2 2026 market review, Tré Bynoe, CFP®, CIM®, looks at what happened across Canadian stocks, U.S. stocks, international stocks and bonds from mid-2025 to mid-2026, then focuses on the more important lesson: long-term returns are never experienced in a smooth straight line.The past year showed why reacting emotionally to market declines can be costly. Canadian stocks returned approximately 32%, U.S. stocks approximately 27%, international stocks approximately 25%, Canadian bonds approximately 3.5%, and global bonds approximately 1.5% over the period discussed in the episode. But the real lesson is not which market performed best. Recent returns tell us what happened, not what will happen next, and using short-term performance as a forecast can lead investors into poor decisions. In this episode, we discuss: Why markets can recover before the headlines improve Why waiting for certainty is so difficult to execute What Q2 2026 showed investors about volatility Why long-term returns feel much worse while you are living through them Why getting out of the market creates a second hard decision: when to get back in Why diversification means something in your portfolio will usually disappoint you Why a portfolio should not depend on guessing the next winning asset class Why bonds and cash still matter when equities are performing well Why short-term spending needs should not be invested in equities Why volatility is a feature of markets, not a flaw Why the right plan needs to exist before the next market declineWebsite | Youtube | Linkedin
Transcribe →Your Password Isn’t Enough Anymore | Ep. 60
2w ago00:15:52Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailDoes it feel like staying safe online is getting harder?In this episode of the Plain English Finance Podcast, Tré and Sierra talk about one simple digital safety step that more people need to understand: using an authenticator app for two-factor authentication. This is especially important for bank accounts, email accounts, MyCRA, investment accounts, shopping accounts, and anything else that could cause serious problems if someone gained access. Scammers are getting better, passwords are getting leaked, and older family members are often being asked to make a technology leap that feels overwhelming. A username and password may have been enough years ago, but today they are often not enough to keep important accounts safe. In this episode, we discuss: What an authenticator app is How two-factor authentication works Why passwords alone are outdated Why leaked usernames and passwords are such a problem Why authenticator apps are stronger than relying only on passwords Why older adults are especially vulnerable to online scams How scammers use fear, urgency, and emotion Why you should protect email, banking, CRA, and investment accounts first Why the human being is usually the weak point, not the technology How authentication apps use changing codes Why setting this up may feel annoying but is worth it How trusted contacts can help prevent scams A real family story involving a fake emergency phone scam Why AI and voice scams may make this problem worse The main point is simple:If an account matters to you, protect it with two-factor authentication.Website | Youtube | Linkedin
Transcribe →3 Warning Signs Your Corporate Wealth Plan Isn’t Working | Ep. 59
3w ago00:20:38Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailHow do you know if the way you are managing wealth inside your corporation is actually working?In this episode of the Plain English Finance Podcast, Tré and Sierra discuss three warning signs that a corporation owner may not have a real financial plan: too much idle corporate cash, an advisor who is not discussing taxes, and no clear exit strategy for the business. The episode also includes a bonus red flag: using the exact same investments across your TFSA, RRSP, and corporate account without considering tax efficiency or asset location. For Canadian corporation owners, incorporated professionals and business owners, these issues can become expensive because mistakes compound quietly. A strategy that feels “fine” today can create tax, investment and planning problems years later when the money matters most. In this episode, we discuss: Why corporate cash sitting in a chequing account may be a red flag How much operating cash a business may actually need Why excess corporate cash should have a defined purpose Why setting up the right accounts early can prevent years of delay Why not every advisor is a financial planner Why not every financial planner specializes in corporations Why tax planning matters when investing outside RRSPs and TFSAs Why business owners should understand their eventual exit strategy How selling shares, winding down a business, or retiring can create different tax issues Why the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption and corporate structure can matter Why identical portfolios across TFSA, RRSP and corporate accounts may signal weak asset-location planning Why good intentions from an advisor do not guarantee good advice The main idea is simple: if your corporation is accumulating wealth, you need more than an investment account. You need a structure for deciding how much cash to keep in the business, what to invest, where to locate assets, and how today’s decisions affect your future exit, retirement, and taxes.A corporation can be a powerful financial planning tool, but only if the plan is deliberate.Website | Youtube | Linkedin
Transcribe →Should You Use Your TFSA to Buy a House? | Ep. 58
4w ago00:16:36Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailShould you use your TFSA to buy a home, or leave it invested and use a different strategy?In this episode of the Plain English Finance Podcast, Tré and Sierra work through a real planning puzzle: someone wants to buy a home, has money in both a non-registered investment account and a TFSA, and needs to decide whether using the TFSA creates a better long-term outcome. The answer depends on tax deductibility, investment returns, taxable income, how quickly the TFSA can be replenished, and whether the borrowed money is actually used to invest. The key issue is that mortgage interest on a personal home is normally paid with after-tax dollars, whereas interest on money borrowed for investment may be deductible if certain conditions are met. In this case, using the TFSA helped pay off the home purchase fully, then allowed a larger investment loan to be created in a non-registered account. That created a larger potential interest deduction, but it also meant temporarily giving up tax-free TFSA growth. In this episode, we discuss: Whether it makes sense to use a TFSA for a home purchase Why mortgage interest for a personal home is different from investment-loan interest Why the paper trail matters when borrowing to invest Why borrowed money cannot be used inside a TFSA or RRSP for this strategy The trade-off between tax-free TFSA growth and deductible investment-loan interest Why taxable income and tax bracket matter Why investment allocation and risk tolerance matter Why tax drag matters in non-registered accounts Why active management can change the tax result How quickly replenishing the TFSA can change the answer Why the result may flip depending on market returns Why this kind of decision needs actual planning, not rules of thumbWebsite | Youtube | Linkedin
Transcribe →Why Investing Gets Complicated for Corporation Owners | Ep.57
Jun 2600:24:16Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailInvesting gets more complicated once you move beyond RRSPs, TFSAs and simple registered accounts. For Canadian corporation owners, incorporated professionals, and investors with taxable accounts, the type of income your investments generate can matter almost as much as the return itself.In this episode of the Plain English Finance Podcast, Tré and Sierra discuss three core investment concepts that help explain how financial planning, tax planning and portfolio construction fit together for corporation owners. The episode focuses on investment income types, how to think about risk, and why a consistent investment philosophy matters when taxes and corporate accounts are involved.In this episode, we discuss: Why investing becomes more complicated in non-registered and corporate accounts The three main types of investment income: interest, capital gains and dividends Why GICs, bonds and fixed income create interest income Why capital gains are treated differently from interest income Why Canadian dividends can have a different tax profile Why RRSPs change the tax treatment of investment income Why asset location matters across RRSPs, personal taxable accounts and corporations Why “risk” should not only mean volatility Why fixed income may become riskier over long timeframes Why market ups and downs are a feature, not a flaw Why low-cost, globally diversified investments can simplify planning Why turnover matters in taxable accounts How active management can create unexpected taxable capital gains Why corporate investment decisions should be made with tax drag in mindLearn more about working with Tré Bynoe, CFP®, CIM®: https://trebynoe.caThis podcast is provided as a general source of information and should not be considered personal investment, tax or legal advice. Consult your financial, legal and tax professionals before making changes to your financial plan.Website | Youtube | Linkedin
Transcribe →Send This to Someone Who Needs to Start Investing | Ep. 56
Jun 1900:26:33Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailDo you know someone who keeps saying they’ll start investing “later”?This episode is for the person who knows investing is important but feels overwhelmed by where to begin. Tré and Sierra talk through the simplest possible starting point for a young Canadian or beginner investor: understand compound interest, stop waiting to learn everything, open a TFSA, start investing, and learn more as you go.The point is not to build the perfect investment strategy on day one. The point is to stop losing time.In this episode, we discuss: Why compound interest matters so much Why the first $100,000 invested is such an important milestone How starting earlier can matter more than saving more later Why “I’ll catch up later” usually does not work Why young investors should focus on getting started instead of optimizing Why a TFSA is often the simplest place to begin Why a low-cost global equity portfolio can be a reasonable default Why early market drops can actually help you build investing experience The difference between risk tolerance and risk capacity Why keeping everything in cash or GICs can create its own long-term risk How parents, friends and family can encourage someone to start investing If you are young, new to investing, or trying to help someone you care about get started, the message is simple:Start now. Keep it simple. Learn as you go.Waiting until you understand every detail may feel safer, but time is one of the most valuable ingredients in building wealth. Once it is gone, you cannot get it back.Chapters00:00 Helping someone start investing 00:44 Why “just start” matters most 01:24 Compound interest explained simply 02:13 Why starting young changes everything 02:45 The first $100,000 invested 03:30 Why compound interest feels unimpressive at first 05:04 When investment growth starts to feel real 06:32 Why lost time cannot be recovered 07:45 What an 18-year-old should do first 08:24 Step 1: understand compound interest 09:25 Step 2: do not wait to learn everything 10:18 Step 3: start with a TFSA 11:04 When young people can start investing 12:00 Investing for kids before they can open their own account 12:46 Step 4: choose a 100% equity portfolio 13:12 Investing is like learning to drive 14:18 Why owning assets builds wealth 14:42 Global equity index funds 15:20 Why early market drops can be useful lessons 16:00 Risk capacity versus risk tolerance 17:30 Use the default, then learn why 18:14 Why early losses feel bigger than they are 19:10 Where to open an investment account 20:05 Why starting early made such a difference 21:00 First-generation financial literacy 22:28 Recap: compound interest matters 22:58 Recap: there is no catching up later 23:10 Recap: start with a TFSA 23:28 Recap: choose a low-cost global equity fund 24:00 Why a market crash should not stop you 24:40 Building a lifetime investing habit 25:08 Send this episode to someone who needs to start 25:52 Final thoughts and disclaimerLearn more about working with Tré Bynoe, CFP®, CIM®: https://trebynoe.caWebsite | Youtube | Linkedin
Transcribe →RRSPs Aren’t a Scam, But This Mistake Is Costly | Ep. 55
Jun 1200:32:08Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailRRSPs are not a scam, but using one without a withdrawal plan can create an avoidable tax problem.In this episode, we explain when RRSP contributions help, when they don't, and why retirement withdrawals need to be planned years in advance.What I cover:• Why an RRSP is best understood as a tool for moving income between years• The mistake people make when they spend their RRSP tax refund• How one client’s decision may have cost approximately $12,000• Why taking no RRSP income in early retirement can backfire• How RRIF withdrawals, pensions, CPP, and OAS can stack together• Why automatically maximizing your RRSP is not always the best strategyChapters:00:00 Are RRSPs a scam?01:12 What an RRSP actually does02:18 The problem with spending the tax refund04:40 The RRSP decision that may have cost $12,00006:35 Why the withdrawal strategy matters08:28 How a large RRSP can become a retirement tax trap13:12 Using lower-income years for withdrawals25:02 When maximizing your RRSP may be the wrong moveRRSP planning is not a way to get a tax refund. Deciding when you want to recognize the income and pay the tax is what they're designed for.Subscribe for more practical conversations about Canadian retirement, tax, and financial planning.Website | Youtube | Linkedin
Transcribe →FHSA Explained: The Best Account for First-Time Home Buyers in Canada? | Ep. 54
Jun 500:19:17Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailThe First Home Savings Account is more than a home-buying account. Used well, it can be one of the most powerful planning tools available to younger Canadians. Used poorly, it can create tax mistakes, missed deductions, or money trapped in the wrong place.In this episode, Tre Bynoe, CFP®, CIM®, is joined by Amy to break down how the FHSA works, who qualifies, and why it often beats the RRSP as the default savings account for first-time home buyers. They cover contribution limits, tax deductions, investment choices, spouse-related eligibility rules, and what happens if you never buy a home.This episode is especially useful for young professionals, parents helping adult children, and Canadians deciding between a TFSA, RRSP, and FHSA.What listeners will learn How the FHSA combines the best parts of a TFSA and RRSP Why young Canadians may want to open an FHSA early How to delay FHSA deductions for higher-income years When a TFSA may still come before an FHSA What happens if you do not use the FHSA to buy a home Why FHSA contributions must still be reported on your tax returnWebsite | Youtube | Linkedin
Transcribe →Are You Paying Too Much to Invest? | Ep. 53
May 2901:03:59Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailPaying more for investing does not automatically mean you are getting better advice, better products, or better returns. In this episode, Tre breaks down what Canadians should understand about investment fees, advice fees, product costs, commissions, and the difference between active and passive investing. He explains why new fee disclosures matter, how fees can quietly drag down returns, and why investors need to know exactly what they are paying for. This episode is especially useful for professionals, business owners, and DIY investors who want to make informed decisions instead of assuming higher cost means higher quality. The goal is simple: know your fees, understand the value, and stop overpaying for complexity that may not help you. You’ll learn: Why higher investment fees do not always mean better performance How active and passive investing costs compare What management expense ratios mean in plain English Why commission-based products can create conflicts How advice fees, product fees, and robo-advisor fees differ Why good financial planning should be clear about cost and value Follow, review, and share the Plain English Finance Podcast with someone who needs to check what they are really paying for financial advice.Website | Youtube | Linkedin
Transcribe →Conversations on Money, Values, and Parenthood | Ep. 52
May 2200:24:52Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWhat changes when a financial planner becomes a parent? More than you think—and less than you might expect. In this episode, Tre shares the practical money moves he made after having a child, from updating the family will to reviewing life insurance, adjusting cash flow, and setting money aside early for future needs. He also talks about the bigger parenting challenge: teaching kids how money works without spoiling them, scaring them, or making money the centre of everything. This episode is for Canadian parents, soon-to-be parents, and professionals who want to raise financially capable kids while protecting their family first. You’ll learn: Why parents need a will, guardianship plan, and proper life insurance How to budget for a child before and after they arrive Why cash flow is the foundation of family finances How to teach kids delayed gratification and responsible spending Why children should learn to earn, save, invest, and give How to raise kids with healthy money values in a privileged environment Follow, review, and share the Plain English Finance Podcast with someone who wants to make better financial decisions for their family.Website | Youtube | Linkedin
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