Unpacked & Empowered Podcast by Marianne Agudo

This episode is a little different. For once, I'm not the one asking the questions — my colleague and mentor Greg Keith, CFP, Senior Advisor at Wealth Plan Atlantic, is turning the mic on me. I talk about growing up in the Philippines, losing my father when I was five, and what that taught me about being prepared for life's "what ifs." I share what it was like immigrating to Canada with my husband...

Have you ever wondered how the Canadian tax system actually works? Why are two incomes sometimes complicated? What's the real difference between a TFSA and RRSP for YOUR situation? This episode provides educational information on these topics. Jeff Scammell, Co-Owner of Wealth Plan Atlantic and a financial advisor with 16 years of experience, joins to discuss how the Canadian financial system work...

Marianne shares 5 practical financial foundations rooted in biblical wisdom and real-life experience last Saturday in celebration of Mother's Day at Full Gospel Assembly , Topics discussed include: Tracking cash flow Saving with purpose Managing and reducing debt Protecting your family through planning Creating intentional financial goals This conversation is especially meaningful for women, mothe...

In this episode of Unpacked and Empowered Finances, we break down one of the most overlooked areas of financial planning: disability insurance. Most families in New Brunswick and across Canada assume they are already covered through Employment Insurance, Workers Compensation, or an employer benefit plan. The reality is that each of these programs has significant limitations. We walk through each o...

What if starting over in Canada became the beginning of your strongest season yet? In this episode of Unpacked & Empowered Finances, Marianne Agudo speaks with Samantha Paz y Mino, an Ecuadorian educator and newcomer to Canada, about courage, confidence, community, and rebuilding life in a new country. Samantha shares her journey of leaving Ecuador, adjusting to life in Canada, preserving language...

In this episode of  Unpacked & Empowered Finances with Marianne Agudo , we break down  critical illness insurance  and how it can help protect your finances during a serious health diagnosis. Learn the basics of coverage, common conditions, how benefits may be used, and why planning ahead matters for you and your family. Follow Marianne on Instagram:  @marianneagudo.podcast Disclaimer: This episod...

Moving to Canada and building a life from scratch is an incredible journey, but it comes with unique financial responsibilities. If the unexpected happened tomorrow, would your family's dreams—like that first home or your children's education—stay protected? In this episode of Unpacked & Empowered Finances, Marianne Agudo breaks down the complexities of the Canadian life insurance landscape. We mo...

Marianne Agudo hosts 'The Unpacked and Empowered Finances' podcast, in which she simplifies financial management and personal development. In this episode, Marianne discusses why attempting to tackle all financial goals at once can lead to stagnation and overwhelm. She introduces the 'priority pyramid' to help listeners focus on one financial goal at a time, starting with cash flow, moving to prot...

Discover the Essentials of Financial Planning with Murray Tucker of Wealth Plan Atlantic In this episode of Unpacked and Empowered Finances, host Marianne welcomes Murray Tucker, co-owner of Wealth Plan Atlantic and a seasoned wealth management advisor with over 13 years of experience. They discuss the fundamentals of financial planning, particularly for beginners or those restarting their financi...

Welcome to another empowering episode of  Unpacked & Empowered Finances with your host Marianne Agudo! Today, we go beyond the numbers with Greg Keith, Certified Financial Planner at Keith Wealth Management and Wealth Plan Atlantic. Greg brings over 20 years of experience simplifying complex finance topics to help people—from newcomers and fresh graduates to those nearing retirement—build confiden...

Buying your first home in Canada? Don't start the process without hearing this vital advice. We sit down with Helena McDermott, a seasoned realtor with the Evolve Real Estate Team (Keller Williams), who has nine years of experience and a strong focus on working with newcomers, including those through the Multicultural Association. Helena tackles the most common and costly mistakes, breaks down the...

What does it take to navigate a new country's financial system while raising a family and building a business from your passion? In this episode, host Marianne Agudo talks with Ajoke Adejumo-Isiuwe, founder of ChopsHaven Ltd., a new African cuisine restaurant in Saint John, NB. Ajoke shares her powerful journey of moving from Nigeria to Canada, facing unexpected financial hurdles, and the strategi...

New to Adulting? New to Canada? Essential Shopping Tips That Actually Help You Spend Less (From Someone Who's Been in Canada 26 Years) Join host Marianne Agudo as she chats with Song Kim, a 26-year Canadian resident who shares practical shopping strategies that actually work! Perfect for newcomers to Canada and anyone learning to adult on a budget. What You'll Learn: ✅ Essential shopping apps - F...

Tired of budgeting stress? Host Marianne Agudo dives deep into the most popular viral money-saving challenges flooding social media and reveals which ones can actually help Canadian families save money without the burnout. In This Episode: The Reality Check (03:00) Why the average Canadian household spends more than they earn Breaking down the $6,395 monthly spending vs $6,183 income gap How infla...

Are your work benefits really enough to protect your family? 🤔 In this episode of Unpacked & Empowered + Finances Podcast, we unpack what employer insurance usually covers—and why relying only on it could leave your loved ones unprotected. You'll discover: What's typically included in employer insurance packages The hidden gaps families don't always see Why personal insurance can give you lasting...

Life loves throwing curveballs – car breakdowns, job losses, family emergencies that need immediate financial help. If you've ever laid awake worrying about "what if," this episode is for you. In this practical, no-judgment episode, we dive deep into building an emergency fund that actually works for YOUR life – especially if you're a newcomer to Canada, supporting family in multiple places, or ju...

Meet Susan Sholly, who transformed her newcomer experience into entrepreneurial success. From arriving in Canada as a student to launching DeepSync Labs, an AI startup in Saint John, New Brunswick, Susan shares the real story behind her journey. In this episode, Susan discusses: Her financial reality as a newcomer to Canada Building credit and navigating banking as an immigrant The transition from...

If you've ever felt completely overwhelmed trying to figure out money in a new country, this episode is for you. Seven years ago, I arrived in Canada with barely $1000 to my name. The grocery store tax situation alone nearly sent me into a panic, but here's what I learned: starting over financially isn't really about the money in your bank account—it's about the mental barriers that keep us stuck....

Are you new to life insurance in Canada? Wondering what term life insurance means — and whether it's right for your family? In this episode, licensed Life, Accident & Sickness Insurance Advisor Marianne Agudo breaks down term life insurance in simple, everyday language. Learn how term insurance works, what "renewable" and "convertible" options really mean, and why this type of coverage might make...

In this episode of Unpacked & Empowered , host Marianne Agudo (licensed life, accident, and sickness insurance advisor in New Brunswick and Ontario) shares a clear, practical breakdown of the Financial Pyramid—a helpful way to understand what to prioritize when rebuilding or starting over financially in Canada. Topics covered include: Non-controllable vs. controllable financial risks Building an e...

Before you build your budget, savings plan, or buy insurance—ask yourself: What is your life really built on? In this short episode, I explore the Biblical foundation for financial stewardship and how you can realign your goals with God's purpose for your life, especially during a mid-year reset. What You'll Learn: The true meaning of  stewardship based on Matthew 6:19–21 and 6:33 (NLT) Why trusti...

What should newcomers to Canada really know about financial planning? In this episode of Unpacked & Empowered Finances, I interview Jim Chamberlain, a licensed Personal Financial Planner (PFP®), to unpack practical insights that can help newcomers and young families build a stable financial future. Whether you're just starting your career, navigating life as a newcomer, or simply want to be more i...

Feeling stuck in your job search or wondering how to start over in a new country? In this solo episode of Unpacked & Empowered + Finances, I share my biggest takeaways from the recent Women's Career Expo—geared especially toward newcomers and women trying to establish or rebuild their careers in Canada. As a life insurance advisor and immigrant myself, I've seen how having the right career path ca...

Welcome to the  Unpacked & Empowered + Finances Podcast —a space created for newcomers to Canada who are starting over and want to build a life of clarity, stability, and purpose. In this short solo episode, I'm sharing why I decided to rebrand from Finding Joy with Less and what this shift means for the podcast moving forward. As a licensed life insurance advisor and a newcomer myself, I understa...

Unpacked & Empowered + Finances Podcast Episode: Thriving as a Newcomer & Digital Entrepreneur with Maria of Crystal Reece Media Ltd. In this inspiring episode, host Marianne Agudo sits down with Maria Tofowomo, a seasoned digital marketing expert and founder of Crystal Reece Media Ltd., to talk about balancing a full-time job, launching a business, and empowering minority-owned small businesses i...