The Up Side with Eli the Money Guy

In this listener Q&A episode, Eli Kirchmaier and Brandon Murphy answer real financial planning questions from Canadians.   They cover topics including LIRAs, pension transfers, gifting wealth to children, retirement income, taxes, CRA audits, and other common planning questions that can have a significant impact on your financial future.   If you'd like your question featured on a future episode,...

What separates great financial advisors from average ones? In this episode of The Up Side, Eli sits down with Dylan to discuss the growing importance of technical expertise in financial planning, why education is often overlooked in the industry, and what advisors can do to better serve clients in an increasingly complex financial world. They explore the challenges facing today's advisors, common...

What happens when you realize you've saved more money than you actually need for retirement? In this episode of The Upside with Eli , Eli sits down with CPA Brandon Murphy to unpack one of the most overlooked financial planning conversations for affluent Canadians: how to strategically manage "excess wealth." From helping adult children with down payments and business capital to estate planning, t...

Most retirement plans fail for one reason: they were never actually planned. In this episode of The Up Side with Eli, Eli sits down with portfolio manager and retirement specialist Dylan Rieberer to break down the most common (and costly) retirement mistakes Canadians make. From CPP and OAS timing mistakes to poor RRSP/RRIF drawdown strategies, sequence of returns risk, tax traps, LIRA/LIF plannin...

In this episode, Eli sits down with Brandon Murphy to unpack a career path that more people in finance are starting to consider, but few talk about openly. If you've ever felt stuck in a technical role or wondered what it actually takes to move beyond "just doing the numbers," this conversation is for you. Eli and Brandon break down the transition from accounting into wealth management, including...

Markets down? That doesn't mean your portfolio has to lose. In this episode of The Upside with Eli , Eli and portfolio manager Dylan break down how to actually use investment losses strategically — not just take them. They cover: What tax loss selling actually is How to use losses to offset capital gains What "tax loss crystallization" means (and when to use it) The superficial loss rules (and how...

Tens of thousands of federal employees are facing job uncertainty — and many have a defined benefit (DB) pension with an option most people don't realize exists: taking the commuted value (a lump sum) instead of lifetime monthly payments. In this episode of The Upside , Eli sits down with Dylan Reber (Portfolio Manager + CFP®) to break down what a commuted value actually is, how it's calculated, a...

Tax season is coming fast — and we're answering your most common Canadian tax questions with CPA Brandon Murphy. In this Q&A, we break down the 2026 tax season deadlines , the RRSP contribution deadline , when to expect T-slips , what deductions people miss (like childcare , home office , and vehicle expenses ), why self-employed filers still need to pay by April 30 , and how OAS clawback really w...

In this episode of The Up Side, Eli sits down with Brandon Murphy, CPA , to break down the real-world tax and accounting questions business owners struggle with most — and the mistakes that quietly cost them thousands. Brandon shares his path to becoming a CPA, why so many entrepreneurs rush into incorporation too early, and how to think strategically about your business structure from day one. To...

You've worked hard—now it's time to make every dollar count. Eli the Money Guy and CPA Amal Assad reveal the power moves that can turn your 50s into your most financially rewarding decade yet. From tax-saving hacks to investment tweaks and retirement timing, discover how to retire richer, sooner, and with zero guesswork.

Income splitting is one of the most powerful and legal tax strategies families and business owners can use to save thousands, but it's often misunderstood or underutilized. In this episode, we dive deep into how income splitting works, who qualifies, and the smartest ways to pay family members, use spousal loans, and leverage financial planners to make it all work. We also cover the difference bet...

In this episode of The Up Side , we're unpacking some of the lesser-known but highly powerful tools in the Canadian tax strategy playbook. From maximizing your Principal Residence Exemption to understanding the commuted value of your pension , and getting familiar with flow-through shares, we cover the tax advantages that could be worth thousands (or more). Whether you're planning for retirement,...

In this episode, we're cutting through the noise to talk about the difference between helpful financial guidance and advice that just doesn't serve you. From commission-driven insurance sellers to viral TikTok "money hacks," not all advice is created equal. We break down the red flags, help you spot biased or oversimplified tips, and share how to vet financial recommendations—whether they come fro...

In this kickoff episode, we break down the basics of smart budgeting without the fluff. From the 50/30/20 rule to the hard truth about making "dumb" money moves, we're talking real strategies to help you stop guessing and start planning.  You'll learn: Why the 50/30/20 rule actually works How to take emotion out of financial decisions The mindset shift high earners make with money What most people...