In this episode of Plain English Finance, Tré Bynoe, CFP®, CIM® breaks down the foundations of smart investing. Joined by Sierra, he walks through the same conversation he has with every new client — what “risk” really means, why most people misunderstand it, and how to build a portfolio that matches both your goals and your comfort level.

Tré explains how to think about equity versus fixed income, why the U.S. still dominates global markets, and how to stay calm through inevitable market drops. If you’ve ever wondered how to invest confidently without losing sleep, this episode gives you the clarity and structure you need.

Key Topics:

• How to define and measure investment risk
• Why education increases your tolerance for volatility
• The importance of matching investments to time horizons
• Global diversification and Canada’s small slice of the world market
• Why big market drops are normal — and what to do when they happen

Some financial planners still use the same flat “4% return” rate for every client’s retirement plan. Tré and Sierra explain why that’s not just inaccurate—it’s unprofessional. In this candid episode, Tré shares what happened at a due diligence event that left him frustrated with the industry’s bad habits. You’ll learn why using made-up assumptions leads to misleading plans, what FP Canada actually requires, and how real professionals base projections on evidence, not convenience. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to know whether their financial planner is doing the job right or just guessing.

You’ll learn

• Why a flat 4% rate of return isn’t “conservative”
• What FP Canada’s standards really say
• How lazy assumptions mislead clients
• What proper financial planning should include
• Questions to ask your own planner

Should you incorporate your business, or stick with a sole proprietorship? In this episode, Tré and Sierra unpack what a corporation really is, how it works, and why it’s one of the most powerful wealth-building tools available to Canadians. Tré explains the real advantages—legal protection, tax efficiency, and control over income timing—while also calling out the pitfalls that sink small business owners who treat their corporations like personal piggy banks. Whether you’re a freelancer, professional, or business owner, this episode helps you understand how corporations create opportunity and what mistakes to avoid before you make the move.

You’ll learn

• What a corporation actually is (and how it differs from a sole proprietorship)
• The truth about corporate tax advantages (no, it’s not a magic loophole)
• How to use pre-tax dollars to build wealth faster
• The difference between personal and professional liability
• The biggest mistakes small business owners make with corporations

Most people think insurance is for “what if I die?” scenarios—but that’s not the real risk. In this episode, Tré and Sierra break down how smart families and business owners actually manage risk. From life insurance to disability and liability coverage, Tré explains how to identify what’s truly at stake—your ability to earn, live, and protect your family’s future—and how to match your coverage to your real financial needs. You’ll learn the difference between guessing and planning, and why overinsuring small things while ignoring the big ones is one of the most expensive mistakes Canadians make.

You’ll learn

• The four ways to handle risk: avoid, reduce, transfer, or ignore
• How to size insurance to your actual needs (not sales pitches)
• Why income protection often matters more than life insurance
• The key mistake most families make with coverage
• How to make sure one event doesn’t ruin your financial plan

“Buy now, pay later” sounds harmless. Four easy payments, no interest, and you’re done. But in this episode, Tré and Sierra Bynoe break down why services like Klarna are anything but free. They uncover how BNPL programs encourage overspending, trap users in hidden fees, and target the most financially vulnerable. From financing groceries to making payments on a coffee, this trend is reshaping how young Canadians use debt—and not for the better. Tré explains why “borrowing from your future self” always comes at a cost, and what to do instead if you want lasting financial stability.

You’ll learn

• How “buy now, pay later” programs really make money
• The behaviours that lead to debt traps
• Who’s being targeted—and why it’s not an accident
• The long-term cost of borrowing for lifestyle spending
• A simple mindset shift to protect your future finances

“Tax-Free Savings Account” is a bad name. It’s an investment account, not a savings jar. 

In this episode, Tré explains what the TFSA really is, how to use it properly, and how it fits with your RRSP. You’ll learn the real contribution rules (including why withdrawals don’t reset until January 1), why TFSA room is more valuable than a one-time tax break, and the estate move that can add six figures of lifelong tax-free space for your spouse.

You’ll learn

• TFSA vs RRSP—what actually differs at withdrawal time
• The calendar-year rule for recontributing after withdrawals
• Why TFSA room is valuable—and how market losses can shrink it
• Costly traps: over-contribution penalties and “in-kind” transfers at a loss
• Smart estate play: name a successor holder and consider maxing a spouse’s TFSA, even using a line of credit

If this helped, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a friend who’s serious about building wealth.

Want a $40,000 car but only pay $10K out of pocket? That’s the power of understanding time, interest, and inflation. In this episode, Tré and Sierra are joined by his in-laws to break down the basics of financial math using an online calculator and show how these “boring” numbers can radically change your financial future.

This real conversation about how money grows, why debt costs more than you think, and how to use tools that anyone can access will give you an inside look into conversations Tré often has with friends and family.

You’ll learn:

• How to use a free online financial calculator (and why it matters)
• What your Disney cruise or gym equipment really costs over time
• Why early investing crushes late investing — even if you save less
• How inflation silently destroys your savings (and how to fight back)
• What stock splits, PE ratios, and market caps actually mean

Subscribe, rate, or share this with someone who thinks “math isn’t their thing”—they might change their mind.

Most wills don’t plan for reality. They ignore messy family dynamics, future kids, or the financial chaos that hits when parents die unexpectedly. In this episode, Tré Bynoe, CFP, CIM, shares how he and his wife structured their own estate plan — trusts, wills, tax strategy, and all — with ruthless clarity and long-term thinking.

This is what real estate planning looks like when you understand the stakes and want your family protected without enabling financial disaster.

You’ll learn:

• Why most online wills fall short and when to use a lawyer instead
• How to leave money to kids without ruining them
• A smart way to inflation-proof estate gifts
• How trusts, letters of direction, and trustees actually work
• What to consider when naming beneficiaries on registered accounts
• Why long-term tax planning beats last-minute scrambling

Follow, rate, or share if you want clear, real-world financial advice.

Most Canadians treat RRSPs like a retirement silver bullet, and most are using them wrong.

In this episode, Tré explains why Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) are powerful tools only when used strategically. He breaks down what RRSPs actually are, how they affect your taxes, and why the way most people use them could hurt their retirement.

This episode is essential if you’ve ever contributed just to get a tax refund — or if no one’s explained what happens when you take the money out.

You’ll learn:

• What RRSPs really are (and why “investing in an RRSP” is a myth)
• How RRSPs reduce your taxable income — and why that’s not always a good thing
• Why RRSPs work better for high earners and strong savers
• The common mistake that leaves retirees with less money than they expect
• How to align your RRSP strategy with your long-term goals

If you’re not good with money, RRSPs could make things worse. This episode explains why.

 Follow, rate, and review to get smarter with every episode.

Want to support a cause and cut your tax bill? This episode is for you.

Tré explains how to give to charity in a smarter, more tax-efficient way — without spending more out of pocket. Whether you're tithing, giving to local rescues, or donating to major organizations, there’s a better way than cash or cheques.

The key? Donating appreciated investments.

You’ll learn:

• Why giving securities instead of cash saves you tax
• How to turn capital gains into tax-free donations
• The role of CanadaHelps and how to use it
• What advisors often miss when clients make large donations
• How business owners can give through their corporations

If you’re giving thousands a year and no one’s talked to you about this, that’s a red flag.

Follow, rate, and share to help more Canadians give generously—and wisely.