Retirement Straight Talk With Paul & William

Take control of your retirement & get started with a complimentary retirement assessment: https://calendly.com/westendwealth/introcall?back=1&month=2026-01 In Part 2 of our “Investing Myths” series, William and Paul Barreca return to tackle seven more common (and costly) investing myths — this time focused on portfolio construction, diversification, and so-called “safe” investments. These...

Take control of your retirement & get started with a complimentary retirement assessment: https://calendly.com/westendwealth/introcall In this first episode of a special 2-part series, Paul and William Barreca debunk the most persistent investing myths. From market timing and volatility fears to the belief that cash is "safer," they break down 6 out of 13 myths using real numbers, client stori...

Ready to retire with confidence? Book your free retirement assessment: https://calendly.com/westendwealth/introcall In this special guest episode of Retirement Straight Talk, William and Paul Barreca welcome entrepreneur, wealth advisor, and IPC co-founder Chris Reynolds to share insights from his new book, The Six Circle Strategy. After 30+ years helping business owners build, grow, and exit succ...

What does 35 years in financial planning really teach you? In Part 2 of this special Retirement Straight Talk series, Paul and William Barreca share the final five lessons from Paul’s 35-year career helping Canadians plan smarter, invest better, and avoid the mistakes that derail financial freedom. 🎯 In this episode, you'll learn: Why the basics of wealth-building still work (but most people igno...

What do 35 years in the wealth planning business teach you? After over three decades in the wealth planning business, Paul has seen just about everything. In Part 1 of this special 2-part series, Paul Barreca shares the first five timeless truths he’s learned from decades of helping clients plan, invest, and navigate financial decisions. This is a candid conversation about the real lessons that ma...

You saved, invested, and planned, but now comes the real question: How do you actually use your money in retirement? In this episode of Retirement Straight Talk, William and Paul break down the often-overlooked - but critical - concept of income sequencing: the order you draw from accounts like RRSPs, CPP, TFSAs, pensions, and corporate assets in retirement. You’ll learn: • A 5-step framework to b...

Thinking of adding your child to the ownership of your home, bank accounts, or investments to “make things easier”? This common estate planning shortcut could cost your family far more than you realize. In this episode of Retirement Straight Talk, William and Paul dive into: • What joint ownership really means (and why it's often misunderstood) • When it works and when it can cause major tax and l...

Not all advisors are created equal and picking the wrong one can cost you far more than a few bad investments. In this episode of Retirement Straight Talk, Paul and William break down what real financial advice should look like, how compensation models shape recommendations, and the red flags that should have you walking away. 🧠 What you’ll learn: • When you actually need an advisor (and when you...

Retirement isn’t just about saving enough. It’s about avoiding the hidden risks that can quietly undo everything you’ve built. In this episode of Retirement Straight Talk, Paul and William unpack 6 retirement risks most Canadians miss and how to plan smarter so you can protect your freedom and peace of mind. What you’ll learn: • Why taxes may rise, not fall, in retirement - and what you can do abo...

Businesses rarely fail for lack of ambition. More often, it’s the hidden gaps in strategy that quietly lead to their downfall. In this episode, William and Paul share six strategic reasons even successful businesses fail. Plus, the two often-overlooked personal traits that can make or break you over the long run. You’ll learn: ✅ The 6 most common strategic gaps that quietly put businesses at risk...

You’ve seen it on your paycheque your whole life - Canada Pension Plan (CPP). But when it comes to actually drawing on it, the decision is far from simple. In this episode of Retirement Straight Talk, William and Paul break down everything you need to know about CPP: • What it is, how it works, and when you can start collecting • How timing affects your monthly income • Why most Canadians take it...

Are you your own worst investing enemy? In this episode, Paul and William explore the surprising ways investor behaviour - more than market performance or stock selection - can hurt long-term returns. From caveman instincts to market headlines that trigger emotional decisions, this episode will help you understand: • Why you're wired to react emotionally—and how that costs you. • How major events...

In this episode of Retirement Straight Talk , Paul and William unpack the one question every retiree and near-retiree should be asking: Is your retirement income plan built to withstand market volatility, inflation, and unexpected life events? They break down why most plans fall short: linear assumptions, outdated numbers, and lack of stress testing. Plus, dive in to how tools like Monte Carlo ana...

Most people avoid the topic of estate planning until it is too late, especially when it comes to their parents' affairs. But failing to have this conversation can lead to family conflict, avoidable taxes, and costly legal messes. In this episode, we tackle one of the most overlooked responsibilities of Gen X: helping your parents get their estate plan in order. We break down the most common mistak...

Funding a child’s education is one of the biggest financial goals for Canadian families. And the Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) is best tool to get there. In this episode, Paul and William break down everything you need to know about RESPs. This episode will help you avoid costly RESP mistakes and take full advantage of this powerful, tax-efficient account. What You’ll Learn: ✔️ The amaz...

Thinking about selling your business? Passing it on to the kids? Or just want to make sure you’re not leaving money (or a giant tax bill) on the table? This week, Paul and William walk through the smart steps every business owner should take before exiting their business. They cover: - Why most family business transitions fail (and how to avoid it) - How to use the lifetime capital gains exemption...

Could your estate plan cost your family money and stress? This week, Paul and William talk with Jandy John, Estate and Trust Director at Concentra Trust, about common estate planning errors. You’ll learn: - How to properly choose your executor - The hidden traps of joint accounts and beneficiary designations - Why clear communication can save your family from conflict - Essential estate planning s...

Running a business takes everything you’ve got—but if you’re not also planning for the future, you could be leaving serious money on the table. This week, Paul and William break down seven essential (and often missed) tax and retirement strategies tailored specifically for incorporated Canadian business owners. You’ll learn: ✅ How to structure your compensation to keep more money in your pocket...

This week, Paul & William break down ten essential truths about investing, simplifying complex financial concepts into clear, actionable insights. This episode cuts through common myths and misunderstandings to deliver strategies that help investors make smarter, rational decisions about their money. In this Episode You'll Discover: How the concept of average returns often misleads investors....

Running a business is tough—but why do so many fail within 5-10 years? In this episode of Retirement Straight Talk, Paul and William break down the key reasons most business owners struggle, burnout, or go under—and, more importantly, how to avoid becoming a statistic. Whether you're a sole practitioner or managing a team of 50, this episode will help you shift from working in your business to wor...

You might think you have a full financial plan—but do you really? In this episode, we break down why most people don’t have the comprehensive financial plan they believe they’ve paid for. We’ll cover: 1️⃣ Why you likely don’t have the full financial plan you think you do. 2️⃣ What a truly comprehensive financial plan includes. 3️⃣ The cost of missing key elements in your plan—what it could mean fo...

Are Trump’s proposed tariffs about to shake up the stock market? In this episode, Paul & William break down the latest tariff proposals, their potential impact on the economy, and what investors should do to prepare. They break down: ✅ What tariffs are and how they actually work ✅ The potential economic impact on Canada and investor portfolios ✅ Lessons from past tariff wars and what histor...

Does investing in an RRSP make sense as a business owner? Or are you better off keeping your money in your corporate holding company or reinvesting in your business? In this episode, we discuss the pros and cons of each approach, tax implications, and the diversification benefits of different strategies. Connect with Paul & William: Book a call with Paul: https://calendly.com/westendwealthplan...

Confused about whether to invest in an RRSP or TFSA? In this episode, we break down the key differences between these two accounts and help you determine which one aligns best with your financial goals. Connect with Paul & William: Book a call with Paul: https://calendly.com/westendwealthplanning/introcall?preview_source=et_card&month=2025-01 Book a call with William: https://calendly.com/...

Book a call with Paul: https://calendly.com/westendwealthplanning/introcall?preview_source=et_card&month=2025-01 Book a call with William: https://calendly.com/westendwealth/introcall In this episode, we dive into the key financial lessons from 2024 that will help investors in 2025 & beyond.  Topics discussed include:  Why listening to the financial media will make you a worse in...