Think Smart with TMFG

Most founders can tell you their business's revenue down to the penny, but ask about their own net worth, and they draw a blank.  In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we unpack founder compensation and personal wealth-building: why so many successful business owners are asset-rich on paper but personally behind, and why that gap only gets harder to close the longer you wait. We dig into how y...

This summer, a wave of Canadians will open their mail to find a GIC renewal notice, and the new rate won't look anything like the 5% they locked in back in 2023. In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we go back to square one on Guaranteed Investment Certificates: what they actually are, why so many people own them without realizing it, and why the timing of this year's renewal wave matters so...

In our last episode, we covered the foundation of retirement planning for business owners. Now we continue the conversation by looking at what it actually takes to get a business ready for a successful sale. What an owner thinks their company is worth doesn't always match what a buyer is willing to pay. We explore what buyers are really looking at when they assess value, and why most of them want...

As a business owner, retirement can feel like a distant thought when you're focused on building something; stepping away is the last thing on your mind. We explore why retirement planning looks different for business owners, why strong cash flow within a business can be misleading for long-term financial readiness, and why building assets outside the business is one of the most important steps an...

As inflation rises, many retirees begin asking the same question: Will my retirement income still be enough 10, 20, or 30 years from now? In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we explore why rising costs create unique challenges for retirees, how inflation impacts retirement income, and why maintaining purchasing power becomes one of the most important long-term planning considerations. We als...

Many families spend decades building wealth, but far fewer prepare for how that wealth will eventually transfer to the next generation. In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we explore four common wealth transfer problems families often overlook, including avoiding difficult inheritance conversations, navigating family cottages, managing rising estate tax exposure, and preparing the next gener...

Building a successful business and exiting one successfully are often two very different skill sets. In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we explore the emotional and financial side of stepping away from a business, from succession planning and business valuation to tax structures, identity, and preparing a company to operate without the owner at the center of everything. We also discuss why...

Some financial decisions sound smart at first… until years later, when the long-term consequences finally start to show up. In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we talk about the financial decisions and investing behaviours we’ve become more cautious about after years of working with investors, retirees, and business owners across different market cycles. From overly complex investment produc...

In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG: Client Stories, we sit down with Jonathan van Bilsen, a longtime TMFG client, author, radio announcer, photographer, and world traveller who has explored more than 107 countries. Together, we talk about what travel has taught him about retirement, purpose, and health, and why so many people wait too long to do the things they truly want.  From stories in E...

A smooth retirement doesn’t always start the way people expect… in fact, the first year is often where the real adjustment begins. In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we walk through what actually happens financially in your first year of retirement, and why it can feel so different from what you planned. From shifting away from a steady paycheck to building your own income stream, we break...

A tax bill doesn’t always mean something went wrong… it often means something worked. In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we explain why taxes, especially on investments, are often misunderstood, and how they’re usually the result of growth, income, or smart financial decisions. From interest and dividends to capital gains, we break down how each is taxed and why capital gains, despite being...

Global events don’t stay global; they show up in your day-to-day costs. In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we break down how disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are driving inflation, increasing oil prices, and impacting everyday Canadians. We explain why this is a supply shock, not a demand issue, and why interest rates don’t always fix it. From gas and groceries to travel and manufacturin...

In the continuation of our Understanding the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) series, we shift the focus to what happens after approval, and why this step can be more impactful than many Canadians expect. In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we break down how the DTC works from a financial perspective, including how the non-refundable tax credit can reduce taxes payable and be transferred within a...

In this special episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we’re launching a new series, Client Stories, conversations with clients about the experiences, decisions, and challenges that have shaped their lives and financial journeys. To begin the series, we sit down with Rob McClelland, founder of The McClelland Financial Group of CI Assante Wealth Management Ltd, to reflect on what it really took to build...

The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is one of the most overlooked tax benefits available to Canadians, and many individuals and families may not realize it could apply to them. In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we break down who may qualify, how the DTC works, and why it can be much more important than people think. While many assume it’s the same as disability income or government support, th...

Revenue is often the first number people look at when measuring business success, but it rarely tells the full story. A business can generate strong sales and still struggle financially behind the scenes. In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we break down what actually defines a sustainable business. From profit margins and cash flow to debt management and clients, the real indicators of succ...

The path that once defined financial success in Canada is starting to feel less certain. Rising costs, shifting careers, and housing challenges are prompting many to question the country's economic direction.  In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we break down why Canadians are feeling this shift. From affordability and job market changes to the growing gap between wages and living costs, the...

For most of our working lives, financial advice is simple: save more, invest consistently, and build your portfolio. But eventually, the conversation changes. Instead of asking how to grow your money, the question becomes how that money will support your lifestyle. On this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we explore the psychological and financial shift that happens as people move from accumulati...

Estate planning isn’t just about who gets what; it’s about what happens to your money, your taxes, and your family when you’re no longer here. On this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we explain why a will is only one part of the process and how taxes can become the biggest surprise for families. From executors and guardianship to beneficiary designations and probate, real planning is about coord...

Owning a business gives you flexibility in how you pay yourself, but that flexibility can also create confusion around what’s actually best for your taxes, retirement, and long-term financial plan. On this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we break down the key differences between taking a salary, dividends, or a mix of both, and how each choice impacts your taxes today and your financial future....

Tax season has a way of making even the most organized Canadians feel like things are a bit out of control.   On this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we walk through what actually matters for the 2026 tax season, from key filing deadlines and the slips to expect, to the deductions, credits, and common mistakes that can quietly cost people money each year. We talk about why many Canadians end up...

Can keeping up with everyone else really hurt your finances? The short answer: yes, more than most Canadians realize. On this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we analyze how rising costs and debt are pushing people to compare themselves to friends, coworkers, and what they see online. Those comparison-driven choices? They can lead to stress, overspending, and putting off important long-term plann...

AI isn’t coming; it’s already here. And the real question most Canadians are asking is: Is my job safe? On this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we talk about how AI is already showing up in Canadian workplaces and why the reality is much more nuanced than the headlines suggest. We look at how technology has reshaped work throughout history, from farming and manufacturing to today’s knowledge eco...

As global economic dynamics continue to shift, understanding Canada’s role on the world stage is more important than ever. In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, Mike Connon and Carlo Cansino, Senior Financial Advisors at The McClelland Financial Group of CI Assante Wealth Management, discuss Mark Carney’s impactful speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos and why it captured global attentio...

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, it’s a good reminder that retirement planning isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re part of a couple, planning on your own, or navigating a life change, your strategy matters. In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, Mike Connon and Carlo Cansino, Senior Financial Advisors at CI Assante Wealth Management, discuss how retirement planning changes depending...