Barenaked Money: Answering Common Questions

In this episode of Barenaked Money, hosts Josh Sheluk and Colin White, portfolio managers at Verecan Capital Management, tackle a series of frequently asked questions about finance. They discuss the value and costs of mutual funds versus ETFs, demystify zero fee trading platforms, and highlight the importance of having a will. The hosts emphasize the consequences of not saving for retirement even if you have a pension and explain the right times to adjust your portfolio's asset mix. They offer advice on balancing debt repayment with saving, clarify misconceptions about growth versus dividend-paying stocks, and underscore the role of financial advisors in comprehensive financial planning. The discussion aims to provide clear, unbiased insights into various aspects of personal finance.

00:00 Introduction to Barenaked Money Podcast
00:12 Frequently Asked Questions Overview
01:19 Mutual Funds: Pros and Cons
03:41 ETFs vs. Mutual Funds
07:54 Zero Fee Companies Explained
11:43 Questions to Ask Your Financial Advisor
16:44 Tax Myths and Realities
18:41 The Importance of Savings Beyond Pensions
20:14 The Importance of Financial Planning for Retirement
20:52 Understanding Pension Inflexibility
22:07 How Much Do You Need to Retire?
23:23 Adjusting Your Portfolio Asset Mix
27:57 Saving vs. Paying Off Debt
30:31 Dividend Stocks vs. Growth Stocks
34:05 The Importance of Having a Will
37:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The accounting industry has long been defined by billable hours, burnout, and outdated business models. But what if there was a better way? In this episode of Barenaked Money, Colin White sits down with Chris Brien, partner at Pinnacle Accountants & Advisors, to talk about how his firm is breaking the mold.

From ditching timesheets to embracing a client-first, subscription-based model, Chris shares insights on why the traditional accounting structure no longer serves professionals or business owners—and how firms like his are paving a new path. They discuss the talent crisis in the industry, the outdated incentives driving bad client outcomes, and why Canadian firms should look south of the border for inspiration.

Plus, Colin and Chris tackle:
✅ Why billable hours create misaligned incentives for accountants and clients
✅ How young accountants can escape the grind and find purpose in their work
✅ The importance of removing sales-driven motivations from professional services
✅ What business owners should expect from a truly valuable accounting relationship

If you’re an accountant rethinking your career, a business owner frustrated with transactional service, or just someone who loves hearing about industry shake-ups, this episode is for you.

Listen now and start questioning the status quo!

00:00 Introduction to Financial Advisor Frustrations
32:41 Concerns About Moving Accounts
32:48 Introducing Wealth Planning Solutions
32:52 Call to Action
32:53 Our Promise to Simplify

Contrarian Insights and Market Predictions with Nathaniel E. Baker

In this episode of Barenaked Money, hosts Josh Sheluk and Colin White welcome Nathaniel E. Baker, host of the Contrarian Podcast. They discuss the goals and achievements of the Contrarian Podcast, emphasizing the value of challenging prevailing market sentiments. The conversation covers past financial predictions, including the Magnificent Seven stocks, Bitcoin, and natural gas. The guests also delve into political, inflation, and geopolitical uncertainties forecasted for 2025. Additionally, Taylor Swift's economic impact and the potential uses of AI are explored, providing a broad look at current and future market trends.

00:00 Introduction to Barenaked Money
00:12 Meet Nathaniel E. Baker
00:42 The Contrarian Investor Podcast
02:49 Challenges of Contrarian Opinions
03:22 Market Predictions and Mistakes
07:54 Contrarian Opinions on Natural Gas
14:40 Policy and Geopolitical Uncertainty
27:20 The Future of AI and Blockchain
31:39 Taylor Swift and Industry Changes
33:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Barenaked Money: Predicting Financial Trends for 2025

In this episode of Barenaked Money, hosts Josh Sheluk and Colin White, portfolio managers at Verecan Capital Management, Inc., dive into their financial predictions for 2025. They discuss potential market corrections, the efficacy of political promises like Trump's proposed savings, the impact of tariffs, and the performance of bonds and ETFs. It's a riveting conversation blending expert knowledge with humor and practical advice for the everyday investor.

00:00 Introduction to Barenaked Money
00:14 Predicting 2025: Accountability and Expectations
01:18 The Nature of Predictions: Risks and Rewards
02:48 Josh's Predictions: Politics First
03:22 Trump's Efficiency Promise: A Deep Dive
06:59 Tariffs and Public Perception
10:32 Market Predictions: Bonds and Economic Trends
18:24 Market Correction: Not Trump's Fault
20:59 Stock Market Predictions for 2025
21:42 The Myth of Average Returns
22:24 Managing Client Expectations
23:29 The Reality of Market Predictions
24:56 Understanding Randomness in Markets
27:09 Leveraged ETFs: A Risky Bet
33:26 The Return of Day Traders
40:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Recap and Predictions: A Financial Review and Forecast for 2024 and 2025

In this episode of Barenaked Money, hosts Josh Sheluk and Colin White from Verecan Capital Management take a look back at their financial predictions for 2024, examining which of their forecasts came to fruition and which missed the mark. They discuss topics including Canadian inflation rates, the real estate market, the performance of Bitcoin, and the influence of AI in various sectors. The episode also highlights the importance of context and external factors in financial forecasting, and sets the stage for their upcoming predictions for 2025. Listeners can expect an entertaining and insightful discussion on the complexities and unforeseen outcomes in the world of finance.

00:00 Introduction to Barenaked Money
01:03 Evaluating Last Year's Predictions
01:13 Canadian Inflation Predictions
03:49 Real Estate Market Insights
06:57 Bitcoin and Risk Assets
09:31 Bond Market Performance
12:52 Magnificent Seven and Market Concentration
20:28 Healthcare and Pharma Predictions
24:29 Novel Investment Products
28:30 Geopolitical Surprises of 2024
32:08 Economic Indicators and Recession Predictions
35:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Estate Planning Pitfalls and Precious Insights with Jonathan Hooper

In this episode of Barenaked Money, Colin White and Matthew Kempton of Verecan Capital Management are joined by special guest Jonathan Hooper, an estate lawyer with Tupman and Bloom, to explore common mistakes in estate planning. The conversation primarily focuses on the complications that arise from outdated estate plans, the dangers of joint ownership, and the legal intricacies involved in ensuring that your assets are passed on according to your wishes. Hooper shares his expertise on issues such as unaddressed changes in life circumstances, the complexities of the probate process, and the importance of having a proper executor. The hosts and guest emphasize the significance of keeping estate plans updated and transparent to avoid legal disputes and family conflicts. They also touch on the role of trusts, tax implications, and best practices for ensuring a smooth transfer of wealth. The episode concludes with a preview of an upcoming discussion on the challenges of joint ownership in estate planning.

00:00 Introduction to Barenaked Money
00:26 Meet the Guest: Jonathan Hooper
01:17 Common Estate Planning Mistakes
02:52 The Importance of Keeping Your Estate Plan Updated
03:10 Joint Ownership Issues in Estate Planning
04:56 Understanding Joint Ownership Issues
05:22 Legal Obligations and Misconceptions
06:56 Simplifying Your Estate Plan
07:46 The Role of Executors in Estate Planning
13:56 Tax Considerations in Estate Planning
19:39 Executor Responsibilities and Challenges
19:50 Involving Multiple Generations in Estate Planning
21:36 Dealing with Family Dynamics in Estate Planning
26:45 Legal Challenges and Trusts in Estate Planning
29:28 Avoiding Probate and Tax Issues
39:37 Conclusion and Teaser for Next Episode
39:37 Conclusion and Teaser for Next Episode
41:21 Final Disclaimer and Contact Information

Team Introductions and Tackling Conflicts of Interest in Financial Services

In this episode, Josh begins by introducing various team members from Verecan Capital Management, sharing unique tidbits about each person. Following the introductions, portfolio managers Devin Cattelan and Colin White present on conflicts of interest within the financial services industry. The session covers topics like market updates, misleading financial advice, and the importance of integrity and fiduciary responsibility. The presenters share examples of good news stories, the impact of politics on markets, and the risks of do-it-yourself investing. 

They also discuss the challenges related to financial products designed to sell rather than perform, and the cultural and operational philosophy at Verecan that aims to eliminate conflicts of interest. The session ends with a Q&A, focusing on company policies, future plans, and how Verecan maintains its client-first approach.

00:00 Team Introductions with Fun Facts
04:15 Market Update and Good News
13:52 Conflicts of Interest in Financial Services
19:54 Real-World Examples of Conflicts
33:03 Product Design and Sales Culture
43:25 DIY Investing Pitfalls
45:38 Robinhood and GameStop: A Conflict of Interest
46:27 The Problem with Financial Titles
47:57 Investment Advisor vs. Portfolio Manager
53:57 TD Bank's Historic Fine and Corporate Governance
59:40 Verecan's Unique Business Model
01:02:43 Q&A Session: Industry Insights and Practices
01:13:52 Concluding Remarks and Final Questions

Unveiling AI's Impact on Financial Planning with Diandra Camilleri

In this episode of Barenaked Money, host Colin White of Verecan Capital Management is joined by Diandra Camilleri, an associate portfolio manager and in-house AI expert. The conversation delves into the role of artificial intelligence in financial planning. They discuss Diandra's observations from a recent survey on Canadians using AI to manage finances and her experiments with AI tools like ChatGPT. The discussion touches on the promise and pitfalls of using AI for investment advice, highlighting both its potential and significant limitations. They also explore broader implications for financial advisors and the industry as AI technology evolves.

00:00 Introduction to Barenaked Money
00:19 Meet Deandra: AI Expert
01:16 AI in Financial Planning: Survey Insights
02:24 Exploring AI's Investment Recommendations
05:00 AI's Limitations and Surprising Reactions
08:43 The Future of AI in Financial Planning
15:37 Human Touch in Financial Advice
18:31 AI's Popularity vs. Value Fallacy
21:24 The Viral Bank Fraud Phenomenon
22:02 AI's Role in Financial Advice
23:12 The Ethics of Financial Advice
26:06 AI's Impact on the Financial Industry
27:55 The Future of AI in Finance
32:21 Balancing Efficiency and Ethics
36:12 Concluding Thoughts and Future Predictions
38:43 Final Remarks and Contact Information

Decoding Post-Election Investment Strategies

In this episode of Barenaked Money, hosts Josh Sheluk and Colin White from Verecan Capital Management, Inc. discuss the implications of the recent election on financial markets. They delve into the complexities of making investment decisions based on election outcomes, the unpredictability of policy changes, and the pitfalls of 'Trump trade' strategies. By examining past and present scenarios, they stress the importance of long-term financial planning and avoiding speculative investments. Throughout, they offer insights into how political events impact the economy and investor behavior, ultimately advocating for a measured and well-informed investment approach.

00:00 Introduction to Barenaked Money
00:21 Post-Election Reflections
01:18 Investment Ideas Post-Election
02:25 The Reality of Predicting Markets
05:58 Historical Context and Market Cycles
14:54 Political Events and Market Reactions
21:17 Concluding Thoughts and Advice
23:04 Outro and Disclaimer

Navigating Global Financial Turbulence with Josh and Colin

In this episode of Barenaked Money, hosts Josh Sheluk and Colin White, portfolio managers at Verecan Capital Management Inc., discuss the latest global finance news. Topics include the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its muted market impact, recent job reports from Canada and the U.S., and fluctuating interest rates. The duo also delves into regulatory challenges faced by TD Bank, highlighting a series of significant fines and governance issues. The episode underscores the unpredictable nature of markets and the importance of prudent financial planning.

00:00 Introduction to Barenaked Money
00:44 Current Events: Middle East Conflict
01:50 Market Reactions and Predictions
05:25 Economic Indicators: Jobs and Interest Rates
12:39 TD Bank Scandal and Its Implications
20:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts