AskTMFG The Podcast

In this episode of the AskTMFG Podcast, Financial Advisors Carlo Cansino and John Iaconetti walk through a common retirement question many Canadians are asking: “If I’m 60 with $1.5 million saved… am I actually ready to retire?” They explain why reaching a savings milestone doesn’t automatically translate into retirement readiness, and how the real challenge is turning that number into sustainable...

In this episode of the AskTMFG Podcast, Financial Advisors Carlo Cansino and John Iaconetti break down one of the most stressful CRA letters a Canadian can receive: a notice of audit. They explain why audit notices can create serious financial and emotional stress in retirement, what typically triggers them, and how simple filing mistakes or inconsistent deductions can raise red flags. The convers...

In this episode of the AskTMFG Podcast, Financial Advisors Carlo Cansino and John Iaconetti walk through a simple 5-minute test Canadians can use to pressure test their retirement plan. They explain why common retirement rules, like the 4% rule, a target savings number, or replacing 70% of your income, can be helpful starting points, but often leave out the details that actually shape retirement o...

In this episode of the AskTMFG Podcast, Financial Advisors Carlo Cansino and John Iaconetti break down one of the biggest retirement myths Canadians hear all the time: that you need $3 million to retire comfortably. They explain why that number is often too simplistic, and how retirement income in Canada depends more on strategy than just a savings target. The conversation covers how to maximize C...

In this episode of the AskTMFG Podcast, Financial Advisors Carlo Cansino and John Iaconetti break down one of the most common financial mistake Canadians make after filing their taxes. While most people treat tax season like the finish line, they explain that your tax return, Notice of Assessment, and refund can actually become powerful tools for planning the year ahead. They walk through five pra...

In this episode of the AskTMFG Podcast, Financial Advisors Carlo Cansino and John Iaconetti break down a side of retirement planning most Canadians completely overlook: the expenses that actually make retirement better. While many people focus on hitting a number, like $10,000 per month in retirement income, Carlo and John explain that covering the basics isn’t what determines a successful retirem...

In this episode of the AskTMFG Podcast, Financial Advisors Carlo Cansino and John Iaconetti break down the popular retirement concept "Retirement Levels". While these frameworks can be a helpful starting point, Carlo and John explain that they often oversimplify one of the most complex financial decisions Canadians will face. Two people can have similar savings, appear to be in the same “level,” a...

In this episode of the AskTMFG Podcast, Financial Advisors Carlo Cansino and John Iaconetti discuss one of the biggest milestones in Canadian retirement planning: saving $1 million across your RRSP and TFSA. While reaching $1M in registered accounts puts you in the top 1% of Canadians, the advisors explain that the real key is how you build and manage those savings over time. Contribution timing,...

In this episode of the AskTMFG Podcast, Financial Advisors Carlo Cansino and John Iaconetti break down one of the biggest financial decisions Canadians face in retirement: choosing between a lump sum pension payout (commuted value) or a guaranteed monthly pension. While many people think this decision is simply about taking money now versus receiving income later, it actually determines who carrie...

In this episode of the AskTMFG Podcast, Financial Advisors Carlo Cansino and John Iaconetti explore a question many Canadians approaching retirement ask themselves: if you’re 62 with $1 million saved, is it actually enough to retire in Canada? Using a realistic client-style scenario, they walk through the key factors that can determine whether retiring at 62 is sustainable or potentially risky. Wh...

In this episode of the AskTMFG Podcast, Financial Advisor Carlo Cansino explores an important question many Canadians face as the RRSP deadline approaches: should you still be contributing to your RRSP after age 55? While RRSPs are often seen as a go-to tax strategy, Carlo explains that the decision becomes more nuanced as retirement gets closer. In your late 50s, RRSP contributions shift from bei...

In this episode of the AskTMFG Podcast, Financial Advisors Carlo Cansino and John Iaconetti unpack one of the biggest misconceptions in retirement planning: that Canadians need $1.7 million (or more) to retire comfortably. Drawing on real client examples and Canadian-specific planning principles, they explain why there is no universal “magic number” for retirement. Instead of chasing fear-based he...

In this episode of the AskTMFG Podcast, Financial Advisor John Iaconetti breaks down three common investing mistakes that can quietly increase the taxes you pay and reduce your retirement income over time. They start with market timing: pulling money out during downturns or waiting for the “right” moment to invest. While it may feel safer in the short term, missing just a handful of the market’s b...

In this episode of the AskTMFG Podcast, Financial Advisors Carlo Cansino and John Iaconetti highlight seven indicators that suggest many Canadians are better positioned for retirement than they think. Drawing on real data and years of advising experience, they explain why retirement confidence often lags behind reality, and how recognizing your advantages can lead to smarter financial decisions. T...

In this episode of the Ask TMFG Podcast, Financial Advisors Carlo Cansino and John Iaconetti break down what Canadians need to know about retiring abroad and how it can change the way the CRA taxes your income, investments, and retirement withdrawals. They explain the difference between being a factual resident and a non-resident, how departure tax can apply, and what happens to RRSPs, RRIFs, CPP,...

In this episode of the Ask TMFG Podcast, Carlo Cansino and John Iaconetti unpack a common assumption many Canadians make: that contributing to an RRSP is always the right move. They explain why that strategy can backfire for people with a defined benefit pension, where guaranteed retirement income can stack with RRSP withdrawals and quietly push retirees into higher tax brackets. Using a Canadian-...

In this episode of the Ask TMFG Podcast, Carlo Cansino and John Iaconetti uncover a common mistake Canadians make with joint GICs that can quietly lead to unnecessary taxes and estate planning issues. They explain how GIC interest is fully taxable in Canada and why holding a GIC “joint with rights of survivorship” doesn’t automatically mean the tax is shared between both owners. In many cases, the...

In this episode of the Ask TMFG Podcast, Carlo Cansino and John Iaconetti break down one of the most misunderstood retirement decisions Canadians face: when to take CPP. They explain why many Canadians default to taking CPP at 60 without fully understanding the permanent impact on their lifetime income, and how that choice quietly reshapes the rest of their retirement plan. Using a real-life style...

In this episode of the Ask TMFG Podcast, Carlo Cansino and John Iaconetti expose the often-overlooked reality of RRSP withdrawals in retirement and why they can create major tax surprises for Canadians. They explain that many retirees who diligently saved for decades are shocked to learn that every RRSP and RRIF withdrawal is fully taxable as income, often leaving them in higher tax brackets than...

In this episode of the Ask TMFG Podcast, Carlo Cansino and John Iaconetti provide straightforward, practical guidance for Canadians who have saved past $1.5 million but still feel uncertain about retirement. They explain why having a large portfolio doesn’t automatically translate into security, and how, in many cases, higher savings actually introduce new and often overlooked risks. Using a Canad...

In this episode of the Ask TMFG Podcast, Carlo Cansino and John Iaconetti unpack a striking statistic: 61% of Canadians worry about running out of money in retirement! They explain why this anxiety isn’t always driven by a lack of savings, but by a lack of understanding, planning, and financial literacy, and why viewers of this episode may already be in a very different position. Using a Canadian-...

In this episode of the Ask TMFG Podcast, Carlo Cansino and John Iaconetti tackle a question many Canadians ask as they approach early retirement: Is $1.7 million at age 57 enough to retire while spending $9,000 per month? Using a Canadian-specific lens, they move beyond simple rules of thumb, such as the 4% rule, and stress-test this scenario against real-world variables, including taxes, inflatio...

In this episode, Carlo Cansino and John Iaconetti break down the 5 levels of Canadian retirement savings in 2025, helping you understand how their savings compare, and what each level means for retirement lifestyle, flexibility, and day-to-day living. They explain each stage, from those relying mostly on CPP and OAS, to Canadians with full financial independence, highlighting income realities, tra...

In this episode of Ask TMFG, Carlo Cansino and John Iaconetti break down one of the most misunderstood, and costly, decisions in Canadian retirement planning: When to start CPP? They explain why the CRA’s calculators and standard guidance don’t tell the full story, and how CPP timing can quietly affect your taxes, Old Age Security, and overall retirement income for decades. You’ll learn the real t...

In this episode, Carlo and John talk about why RRSPs, despite being a core part of retirement planning, often end up causing more stress than peace of mind for many Canadians. They explain how taxes, forced RRIF withdrawals, Old Age Security clawbacks, and estate taxes can catch people off guard and make retirees afraid to spend their own savings. They share five practical ways to take control of...