Plain English Finance

Send us Fan Mail Choosing a financial planner shouldn’t feel like throwing darts at a board and hoping for a bullseye. In this episode, Tré breaks down how to find an advisor who actually fits your needs, not just someone with a title and a sales target. He explains why CFP certification is the minimum standard, why insurance-only licensing is a red flag, and why your stage of life or business mat...

Send us Fan Mail Can you stomach market drops? Most investors say they can handle them, but that confidence usually disappears when the portfolio actually falls. In this episode, Tré Bynoe explains the idea of a retirement “war chest” — also called a cash wedge — and why it can help people stay invested when markets get ugly. He breaks down the tradeoff clearly: holding cash may lower long-term re...

Send us Fan Mail AI is driving markets, headlines, and a lot of investor anxiety. In this episode, Tré and Sierra talk through why the U.S. stock market looks so expensive right now, what investors may be missing about AI valuations, and why this trend could be far bigger than most people think. Tré explains why he believes the real race is not just to build better chat tools, but to build systems...

Send us Fan Mail Most investors focus on what they invest in and ignore where they hold it. That mistake can quietly cost hundreds of thousands of dollars over time. In this episode, Tré Bynoe, CFP, CIM, explains investment location—how placing the right assets in the right accounts can matter more than fund selection or provider choice once your finances get complex. This is especially relevant f...

Send us Fan Mail If cash flow still feels confusing, this episode fills in the gaps. Tré Bynoe, CFP, CIM, walks through his real-life cash flow system from January to December—account by account, decision by decision. This is a practical breakdown of how to separate spending from income, handle irregular pay, and avoid constant budgeting without losing control. It’s designed for people who want st...

Send us Fan Mail Not all investing is created equal. In this episode, Tré Bynoe, CFP, CIM, unpacks the three core investment approaches—indexing, factor investing, and alpha strategies—and how to know which one fits you. Whether you're DIY or working with an advisor, understanding the difference can mean the difference between steady growth and unnecessary risk. You’ll learn: What an index fu...

Send us Fan Mail Should you pay yourself a salary or dividends from your corporation? If you’re a Canadian business owner, this decision shapes your long-term wealth. In this episode, Tré Bynoe, CFP, CIM, breaks down why it’s not a binary choice and what most professionals and incorporated entrepreneurs get wrong. You’ll learn the real tax impact of each strategy, why RRSP room and CPP contributio...

Send us Fan Mail In this special off-script episode, Sierra flips the mic and asks Tré Bynoe, CFP, CIM, some personal and thought-provoking questions—from career paths not taken to his philosophy on helping people who actually want to be helped. This is the human side of financial planning, where mindset, motivation, and money collide. You’ll learn: The financial myth Tré really can’t stand What h...

Send us Fan Mail Notional accounts may sound like accountant-speak, but they’re critical if you're investing through a corporation. In this episode, Tré Bynoe CFP CIM breaks down what these invisible accounts are, how they work, and why ignoring them could quietly cost you thousands in tax. If you don’t know the difference between a CDA and an RDTOH—or worse, you’re holding GICs inside your c...

Send us Fan Mail What do you actually earn from the stock market? If you think it's all "interest," think again. In this episode, Tré Bynoe, CFP, CIM, breaks down the three types of investment income in Canada—dividends, capital gains, and other income—and explains how each one is taxed. This isn’t just technical terminology, but essential knowledge for anyone investing outside regi...

Send us Fan Mail This episode is different. It's a reading of a children’s story called The Four Money Bears, recorded for our daughter, Ariyah. It’s about spending, saving, investing, and giving — but more than that, it’s about balance, care, and intention, and a reminder that how we use money should help us take care of ourselves and each other. However someone finds this episode, I hope it...

Send us Fan Mail Many Canadians are stuck under a mountain of debt. Some with no idea how much they owe, or how to get out. In this episode, Tré breaks down what to do right now if you’re facing serious consumer debt. From making your first net worth statement to choosing between the avalanche and snowball methods, this is your guide to regaining control. Whether you’re a professional, business ow...

Send us Fan Mail Think taking out a car loan in your 20s is no big deal? Think again. In this episode, Tré breaks down the long-term consequences of everyday debt decisions using real-life modelling to show how a single $40,000 car loan can quietly derail your financial trajectory for decades. It isn’t only about interest—it's about financial stress, lost time, and missed opportunities. If yo...

Send us Fan Mail Most Canadian parents know about RESPs, but few use them to their full potential. In this episode, Tré exposes the common RESP mistakes that cost families thousands and shows you how to actually make the most of this powerful tool. You’ll learn how to maximize government grants, why timing matters more than you think, and how RESP investing can be a stealthy tax strategy. Plus, Tr...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Tré breaks down how credit scores work in Canada using best practices given directly from Equifax and TransUnion. Using information straight from Equifax and TransUnion, he explains exactly what goes into your score and how to build it the right way. Whether you’re starting out or trying to repair your credit, this episode will help you make smarter decisions that...

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode, Tré lays out the clear financial steps to follow if you’re thinking about starting a business in Canada.  If you’re a Canadian professional or aspiring business owner, this episode is your practical roadmap. You’ll learn why understanding cash flow, separating your identity from the business, and using debt efficiently aren’t optional—they’re foundational. What y...

Send us Fan Mail Teaching comes with one of the best pensions in Canada. But that doesn’t mean your retirement is “set and forget.” In this episode, Tré walks through the financial decisions every teacher needs to get right—before and after retiring. Defined benefit pensions reduce your investment risk but create planning traps if you don’t understand tax brackets, withdrawal timing, and how your...

Send us Fan Mail Most employees guess their way through financial decisions. That leads to debt, missed opportunities, and slow progress. In this episode, Tré lays out a clear, step-by-step plan for employees who want better results and are willing to do the work. You'll learn which financial decisions matter most and in what order — so you can stop guessing and start building real financial...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Plain English Finance , host Tré Bynoe, CFP®, CIM® , breaks down the step-by-step plan for professionals thinking about buying into their firm — lawyers, engineers, accountants, and doctors alike. Tré explains how to build your finances in the right order so you’re ready when the chance to buy in comes. From mastering personal spending to building a non-register...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Plain English Finance , Tré Bynoe, CFP®, CIM® walks through a real-life case study (with names changed) to explore what happens when you’ve already “made it” — when your retirement savings are on track, your debt is under control, and your financial plan is stable. Tré and Sierra unpack the next stage of wealth building: turning a strong foundation into long-ter...

Send us Fan Mail 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 v...

Send us Fan Mail 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 F...

Send us Fan Mail 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 si...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail “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...