Great Canadian Piggybank

Christi Rae sits down with Kornel Szrejber — host of the Build Wealth Canada podcast and a leader in Canada’s FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement. Kornel shares what Gen Z and Gen Alpha can realistically do to achieve financial freedom in a world of high housing costs and inflation.

You’ll learn:

• ​The real meaning of financial independence (FI) versus “retiring early”
• ​Whether FIRE is still achievable for young Canadians today
• ​How to start investing with index ETFs
• ​How to spot solid financial advice vs. risky “get rich quick” content online
• ​Kornel’s 3 actionable steps to start your own FI journey

Tune in to get inspired and learn to see money as a path to freedom, not stress.

Show Links:

https://www.buildwealthcanada.ca/

https://www.youtube.com/@BuildWealthCanadaShow

Chapters:

00:00 Understanding the FIRE (Financially Independent, Retire Early)Movement

02:21 Financial Independence for the Younger Generation

02:43 What is the 4% Rule

03:29 Ways to Achieve Financial Independence (FI)

05:52 Balancing FI with Value Driven Lifestyle

08:18 Partial Financial Independence

09:28 Finfluencers and Get Rich Quick

11:41 Understanding Index Investing

12:57 The Impact of Finfluencers on Gen Z

15:09 Advice for Young Investors

15:11 3 Steps to Starting the FI Journey

Curious how AI can actually help you teach your kids about money — without replacing your role as a parent? In this episode of The Great Canadian Piggybank, I chat with Nejeed Kassam, founder of Copi.Money, about using AI as an ally in financial education.

We explore:

• How AI can level the playing field for kids who don’t get money lessons at home

• Red flags to watch for in financial apps and AI tools

• Why “financial instincts” still matter more than data

• How parents can stay in the loop as coaches and co-learners

• The line between using AI as a helper, not a crutch for money conversations at home

  
  

It’s a grounded, hopeful conversation about raising resilient, money-smart kids in a tech-driven world.

Episode Link:

https://www.copi.money/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to AI in Financial Education

02:59 Red Flags in Evaluating AI Tools

05:35 Trust and Safety in AI Financial Tools

07:58 The Parent's Role in Financial Education

09:45 AI as a Supplement to Traditional Financial Teaching

12:06 The Hype vs. Reality of AI in Youth Finance

14:16 Introducing Copi.Money: A New Financial Tool

17:30 Comparing AI Tools to Traditional Methods

19:07 Using AI as an Ally in Teaching Money

19:35 Summary

Join Christi Rae and financial expert Lesley-Anne Scorgie, (author of numerous financial books and founder of MeVest) as they share practical tips for helping 18–25 year olds launch into adulthood with financial confidence.

Learn how to:

• Budget as a tool for freedom and self-care

• Start saving and investing early (robo-advisors, ETFs, crypto basics)

• Navigate debt and the gig economy

• Make values-based money decisions

• Balance financial responsibility with enjoying life today
  

Perfect for parents guiding young adults or 20-somethings navigating their first independent finances.

Episode Links:

MeVest: https://www.mevest.ca

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Financial Confidence for Young Adults

00:53 The Importance of Early Financial Habits

03:17 Investing: Starting Early and Choosing Wisely

05:20 Navigating Financial Influencers and Social Media

06:31 Understanding High-Risk Investments and Crypto

07:57 Reframing Budgeting as Empowerment

10:01 The Impact of Gig Work on Wealth Building

12:43 Financial Well-Being and Young Adults

13:39 Balancing Life Goals and Financial Realities

17:02 10% Save Rule Reimagined

18:19 3 Step Starter Plan

With tuition and living costs climbing fast, parents are asking: is university still worth it? Christi Rae sits down with Dan Bortolotti, cohost of the Rational Reminder podcast, financial planner at PWL, and former managing editor of Today’s Parent, to explore how Canadian families can plan smarter for post-secondary costs.

From RESPs and government grants to managing shortfalls, student debt, and tough trade-offs, Dan shares practical strategies for every stage of saving — whether you started early or are just getting started.

Topics covered:

- RESP essentials and how to maximize the 20% government grant

- How to invest inside your child’s RESP (and when to reduce risk)

- What to do if you haven’t saved enough or at all

- Using TFSAs or home equity responsibly

- Teaching kids financial responsibility in their education journey

A calm, clear guide for parents who want to help their kids build a strong future—without derailing their own.

Share this with another parent, and listen with your teen.

Episode Links:

https://rationalreminder.ca

https://pwlcapital.com/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Post-Secondary Education Costs

00:28 Evaluating the Worth of Higher Education

03:42 Scenario 1: Full Post Secondary Savings with RESPs

06:23 Investment Strategies for RESPs

08:48 Scenario 2: Partial Post Secondary Savings

11:20 Tapping into Home Equity for Education?

13:45 RESP Flexibility

15:39 Scenario 3: No Post Secondary Savings

16:49 Final Thoughts on Education Funding Strategies

18:21 Consequences For Failing a Class

Your teen’s first paycheque is more than just money in the bank — it’s a chance to build lifelong money skills. Don’t waste it.

In this episode, I’m joined by Shannon Lee Simmons, Certified Financial Planner, founder of New School of Finance and author of Making Bank: Money Skills for Real Life. Together, we unpack how to turn that first job into a powerful learning moment for both teens and parents.

We cover:

- What every teen should understand about pay stubs, deductions, CPP, and EI

- How parents can guide without lecturing (and avoid the #1 mistake)

- Why teens often blow their first paycheque — and how to change that

- Practical ways to encourage saving and goal-setting early- The money talk every teen needs before starting work

If your teen is 16–18 and earning their own money for the first time, this episode will show you how to help them keep, save, and enjoy their pay — without wasting the opportunity.

Share this episode with another parent — or listen with your teen — to spark the conversations that build real money confidence.

Episode links:

https://www.newschooloffinance.com/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Shannon Lee Simmons

03:05 Teen's First Job

06:54 Allowances Before 1st Jobs

08:34 Types of 1st Jobs

10:40 File Taxes When You are 18

12:26 How To File Taxes

14:27 Understanding a Paycheck

16:10 CPP - Canadian Pension Plan

18:21 Good Social Media

23:22 Practical Tips for Parents

How do you raise money-smart kids in today’s world of apps, online shopping, and endless “I wants”? In this episode of The Great Canadian Piggy Bank, Christi Rae sits down with financial literacy pioneer Joline Godfrey, author of Raising Financially Fit Kids and founder of Bounce10, to explore the concept of financial parenting, why raising kids who are financially confident is about values as much as dollars.

Together, they unpack:

- What financial parenting is and how it goes beyond allowances, chores, and savings jars.

- The three types of parents Joline sees today: intentional, frazzled, and outsourcing and how each can support their kids.

- Why repeating money values (like “just because we can doesn’t mean we should”) is more powerful than one-time lessons.

- How parents who feel financially insecure can still teach their kids—by co-learning together.

- Why relying only on apps isn’t enough, and how to connect money lessons to family values.

- Joline’s FISH framework (Financial, Intellectual, Social, and Human capital) and why teaching kids that wealth is more than money builds resilience for the future.

Whether you’re overwhelmed, intentional, or somewhere in between, this episode will give you practical tools, fresh ideas, and reassurance that you don’t need to be a financial expert to raise financially fit kids.

Show Links:

Bounce 10: https://www.bounce-10.com/

Raising Financially Fit book: https://a.co/d/enlQU1N

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Financial Parenting

00:54 What is Financial Parenting?

02:18 Starting with Values

04:41 Different Types of Financial Parents

08:45 What if you aren't confident with finances?

12:13 FISH: Financial, Intellectual, Social, Human Wealth

13:53 Bounce10's Mission

17:30 One Step Parents Can Start Today

How do you raise kids who can thrive financially in a world of AI, climate change, and rising costs?

In this episode of The Great Canadian Piggy Bank, Christi Rae sits down with Bruce Sellery, host of the Moolala podcast, bestselling author, and financial columnist for CBC , to talk about building financial resilience in kids (and parents too).

Bruce shares why optimism matters, why living within your means is still the #1 money skill, and how to teach kids about money through everyday conversations instead of lectures. From emergency funds to side hustles, customer service skills to delaying gratification, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways you can start using at home.

Tune in and get inspired to raise kids who can thrive financially, no matter what the future holds.

Please share this episode with a parent, who you think will really enjoy listening.

Show Links:

Moolala Podcast

Chapters

00:00 Uncertain Financial Times

01:22 Optimism in Uncertain Times

02:59 Navigating Unpredictability

03:13 The Circle of Control

06:09 Emergency Funds and Financial Education

09:45 Benefit of Gig Economy

11:20 The Importance of Customer Service Skills

12:41 Sustainable Spending Models

15:31 Living Below Your Means

16:03 Common Mistakes

17:25 Final Tip

18:07 Using Money as a Tool

19:16 Practicing Delayed Gratification

In this episode of The Great Canadian Piggy Bank, Christi Rae chats with Douglas Price, author of Seventeen to Millionaire, a practical and approachable book that teaches teens how to start investing and build long-term wealth.

Douglas shares his journey from music educator to personal finance author, explains why investing can feel intimidating for beginners, and breaks down the first concrete steps teens (and parents) can take to start investing confidently. From understanding TFSAs and RRSPs to setting up automatic investments and building money habits, this conversation is packed with actionable advice for families.

Tune in to learn how to help your teen gain financial confidence and take the first steps toward a lifetime of smart money decisions.

Please share this episode with a parent who is starting to think about investing with their kid.

Show Links:

Seventeen to Millionaire

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Investing

00:31 The Journey from Music to Finance Education

04:31 Why Does Investing Feel so Intimidating?

05:17 First Steps to Investing at 18

07:49 Exploring the Benefits of TFSA

10:49 Comparing TFSAs and RRSPs

13:06 What Should You Invest In?

14:35 How to Talk to Teens about Investing

15:38 Action Steps for Teens and Parents: Starting to Invest

Are you accidentally passing your money anxieties on to your kids?

In this episode, Christi Rae talks with financial counselor and bestselling author Jessica Moorhouse about how our upbringing and culture shape the way we think about money. They explore why money is more than just math, how to recognize your own financial anxieties, and practical ways to create open, judgment-free conversations with your kids.

If you want your children to grow up with confidence instead of money stress, this conversation is for you.

Please share this episode with a parent, who you think really needs to hear this right now.

Show Links:

https://jessicamoorhouse.com/

More Money Podcast

Chapters

00:00 Jessica Moorhouse Introduction

00:32 Money is More than Math

02:25 Healthy Financial Role Models

04:11 Avoid Passing on Your Anxiety

06:52 Unintentional Negative Money Messages

10:11 Breaking the Cycle

11:31 Final Takeaways

If we don’t teach our kids about money, TikTok and AI will. In this trailer episode, host Christi Rae shares why she started this podcast.

Each week, Christi will sit down with money experts, educators, and authors to explore practical ways to teach Canadian kids and teens about financial literacy, budgeting, saving, and smart money habits.

Whether you’re looking for tips on how to start money conversations at home, wondering how to balance allowances with digital payments, or just want to avoid passing your own money stress onto your children, this podcast is for you.

Subscribe today, share with others and join the journey to raising Canadian kids who feel confident, capable, and ready to make smart financial choices.