Two Girls Investing Podcast

In this TGIF (Two Girls Investing Friday) episode, Jess & Colleen catch up on Jess’s music studio recording process. They then explain private equity by contrasting private vs. public companies, using examples like Dragon’s Den and startup investors, and describe how everyday investors can access private equity indirectly by buying publicly traded private equity firms or ETFs that hold them, n...

Jess & Colleen discuss unexpected “hidden costs” in investing, homeownership, and business operations. Jess shares surprises from a newly purchased up/down duplex rental property, including an unfinished backyard, choosing gravel over grass to reduce tenant maintenance, and contractor quotes for wood privacy fence and gravel. Colleen shares hidden business costs, moving from manual Excel payro...

Jess and Colleen discuss balancing summer adventures with finances, praising Jess’s discipline after a big Africa trip and her plan to do mostly local activities in Yukon, with only a short, costly trip to Haines, Alaska, while saving vacation money for winter travel. They compare this delayed-gratification approach with the other host’s summer expenses for children, including costly camps ($400–$...

Jess and Colleen, hosts of TGIF, Two Girls Investing Friday share a personal update about Jess recording original music in a studio for the first time, then continue their investing discussion from the prior episode by outlining what you can hold inside registered accounts like a TFSA, RRSP, and FHSA (and also non-registered accounts): stocks, bonds, ETFs (including all-in-one stock/bond ETFs), hi...

In this episode of TGIF: Two Girls Investing Friday , Jess and Colleen catch up and share some massive weekly wins! One paid off a huge chunk of personal debt in about three months by focusing on lowering credit utilization and tackling higher-interest balances, while the other successfully claimed airfare compensation after an overnight delay (pro-tip: delays over three hours may qualify!). They...

Jess hosts TGIF solo while Colleen is away and answers a listener question from Pam about using Wealthsimple and whether to invest through a TFSA or RRSP. She explains Wealthsimple as a Canadian fintech offering chequing and investing accounts, and reviews three investing approaches: traditional financial advisors, robo-advisors, and self-directed investing, emphasizing how higher fees can signifi...

Jess and Colleen catch up on busy family schedules and rising costs, then discuss tax surprises when owning businesses, prompting plans to calculate and set aside amounts monthly and contribute more to RRSPs while balancing liquidity. They continue their “money myths” series, emphasizing that budgeting and saving are essential foundations but not enough for wealth and time freedom; investing to ou...

In this TGIF (Two Girls Investing Friday) episode, Jess and Colleen introduce a discussion on common money myths and share a preview of two major ones. First, they debunk the idea that you need to be rich to start investing, noting that fractional shares and dollar-cost averaging make it possible to begin with very small amounts, especially when investing is automated from each paycheck; they also...

Jess and Colleen share that their podcast is about sharing their different financial journeys to normalize Canadian women talking about money, reduce isolation through community, and highlight how finances affect stress, mental health, and relationships, noting finances as a leading cause of divorce in Canada and that AI can’t replace real community support. They invite listeners to comment, share...

Jess returns from a short hiatus with updates on her upcoming house purchase, complex tax preparations, and plans to record her music. The conversation shifts to credit card points strategies. Jess explains why she prefers a card with no foreign transaction fees and maximizes value by redeeming points for travel instead of statement credits. Jess and Colleen note the importance of paying off the b...

In this TGIF Two Girls Investing Friday episode, Colleen continues a conversation with guest Jaya while Jess is away, focusing on credit card points strategies. Jaya explains she never carries a credit card balance and emphasizes that welcome offers work best when you pay in full, since interest can erase rewards value. They discuss minimum-spend requirements, typical bonus ranges, and using plann...

Colleen hosts TGIF Fridays without Jess and interviews Jaya, a Yukon-based traveler and mom of four, about using points and miles to reduce travel costs. Jaya emphasizes first understanding the value and redemption options of existing points (e.g., statement credits vs bank travel portals), then choosing cards with category multipliers, and eventually using transferable points via programs like RB...

In this TGIF Two Girls Investing Friday episode, Jess & Colleen chat about lingering winter weather and concerns about snowmelt flooding. They share embarrassing money stories, including late-night postpartum purchases, which leads into a discussion on how small app charges and forgotten subscriptions can add up. They recommend regularly reviewing phone subscriptions and note that companies ma...

In this TGIF Two Girls Investing Friday episode, the hosts discuss cold March weather before diving into mortgages and HELOCs as many Canadian mortgages come up for renewal. They review responsible HELOC uses like debt consolidation, and explain the Smith Maneuver concept of borrowing against growing home equity to invest, noting the risks of borrowing to invest if markets decline and the need to...

In this TGIF Two Girls Investing Friday episode, Jess and Colleen discuss building wealth without jargon by focusing on diversification and how home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) fit into mortgage and debt strategy. They explain why a diversified portfolio helps manage risk, using a “stiletto vs. snowshoe” analogy, and Jess shares her own mix: mostly stock ETFs across the US, Canada, and global...

In this TGIF Two Girls Investing Friday episode, Colleen & Jess continue their real estate series by focusing on how to access a down payment for rental properties that typically require 20% down. They share personal money wins and lessons about resisting unnecessary purchases, including returning clothes and missing an electronics return window. Jess explains how profits from selling a renova...

The hosts, Jess and Colleen, of TGIF Two Girls Investing Friday discuss actionable ways to start investing in real estate, focusing first on house hacking—buying a primary residence (including duplexes, triplexes, or suites) and renting part of it to help cover the mortgage—highlighting access to lower down payments (5% up to $500,000 and 10% up to $1,000,000), lower interest rates, and the rule t...

In this TGIF episode of Two Girls Investing , Jess & Colleen draw parallels between Olympic progression and the investing mindset. Using their backgrounds as figure skaters, they highlight athletes like 42-year-old Deanna Stellato-Dudek to prove that it’s never too late to start, whether in sports or finance. Key Highlights: Celebrating Wins: The hosts share a listener's success in paying off...

In this episode of 'TGIF Two Girls Investing Friday,' Jess and Colleen dive into personal finance strategies with a focus on the everyday choices that can impact financial health. They begin with a light-hearted chat about balancing life's small luxuries, like coffee outings, with broader financial goals. The conversation then transitions into detailed discussions on saving on taxes, the benefits...

In this episode of TGIF Two Girls Investing Friday, the hosts return from a brief hiatus during which one of them visited Kenya. They share details about the mesmerizing safari and coastal experiences in Kenya, discussing the cost implications of currency. They then pivot to discuss business ventures, with Colleen detailing her journey of turning her love for shopping into a successful subscriptio...

In this episode of TGIF: Two Girls Investing Friday, Jess and Colleen break down the fundamentals of budgeting and saving for a major trip, as Jess prepares for her upcoming visit to Kenya. They discuss the costs involved, including flights, safari expenses, and accommodations, and share strategies for saving and budgeting over a lengthy period. Additionally, Jess and Colleen touch on topics like...

In this episode of TGIF - Two Girls Investing Friday, Jess & Colleen discuss their personal experiences with extreme winter conditions in the Yukon and the financial implications it carries. They talk about the increased costs related to vehicle maintenance, fuel, and children's winter gear, providing a real-world perspective on unexpected expenses. The conversation also delves into the concep...

In this episode of TGIF Two Girls Investing Friday, hosts Jess and Colleen catch up after a holiday break and delve into their personal experiences of surviving an intense cold spell in the Yukon with temperatures plunging between -45 to -50°C. They discuss the practical and financial challenges encountered, including soaring heating bills, increased gas usage, and the difficulties in maintaining...

In this episode of TGIF: Two Girls Investing Friday, the hosts discuss practical and relatable strategies for saving money during the Christmas season, from splitting gift costs with family members to utilizing local recycling programs for gift certificates. They also detail how to build a diversified portfolio, emphasizing the importance of considering timeline, goals, and risk tolerance. Listene...

In this episode of Two Girls Investing Fridays, hosts Jess & Colleen delve into the concepts of bull and bear markets, explaining what they are and how they impact investing strategies. The hosts discuss their personal experiences with the fluctuating market, offering practical advice on how to maintain investments during downturns and the importance of dollar-cost averaging. Alongside market...