Your Retirement Planning Simplified

Even in retirement, small expenses can quietly drain your income — until you take a closer look. In this episode, Joe Curry shares how a simple personal cashflow audit saved him over $2,000 a year and outlines practical steps retirees can use to find — and fix — their own hidden money leaks. Perfect for Canadians focused on tax-efficient retirement income planning and smarter spending.   Key Takea...

Even high-net-worth retirees can fall into the trap of financial complexity, with multiple accounts, different advisors, and no clear strategy. In this episode, Joe Curry explains why simplifying your financial life can create more control, smarter tax planning, and greater peace of mind. Learn how coordination, clarity, and a single cohesive plan can strengthen your retirement income strategy.  ...

In this episode of Your Retirement Planning Simplified , Joe Curry unpacks essential cybersecurity lessons for retirees, based on insights from expert Darren Mar, Director of Client Solutions at NPC Dataguard, who recently led an informative cybersecurity webinar for clients of Joe's firm, Matthews + Associates.   Learn how to protect your retirement savings, personal data, and peace of mind from...

When it comes to CPP timing, the math often says "wait until 70" - but life isn't lived in a spreadsheet. In this episode, Joe Curry explores why taking your Canada Pension Plan early—sometimes even at 60—can be a smart, meaningful choice for your lifestyle, legacy, and peace of mind. Key Takeaways from this Podcast CPP timing isn't just about math — it's about meaning. The "optimal" financial cho...

Wondering if your retirement portfolio is really performing well? In this episode of Your Retirement Planning Simplified , Joe Curry explains why comparing your portfolio to indexes like the TSX or S&P 500 can be misleading. Learn how to evaluate investment performance based on your personal goals, asset mix, and income needs — not on market headlines.   Key Takeaways from this Episode   Stop Comp...

In this episode of Your Retirement Planning Simplified , Joe breaks down the five and a half guaranteed retirement income sources every Canadian should understand—from CPP and OAS to pensions and annuities. Learn how to build a dependable retirement income floor so you can retire with confidence and weather any market conditions.     Key Takeaways from this Episode Defined Benefit Pensions – A dis...

  Most retirees view mandatory RIF withdrawals as a tax trap—but what if they're actually a strategic advantage?  In this episode, Joe Curry explains how smart RIF planning can reduce lifetime taxes, protect OAS and government benefits, and even help grow wealth. Learn how to use income smoothing, tax brackets, and the three-bucket strategy to master retirement income planning. Key Takeaways ·    ...

What if the hardest part of retirement isn't money, markets, or even health but your identity?  In this episode of Retirement Planning Simplified, Joe Curry talks with Elizabeth Zelinka Parsons, retirement transition expert and author of Encore: A High Achiever's Guide to Thriving in Retirement. Elizabeth shares her own story of leaving a demanding law career, struggling with a loss of purpose, an...

What happens when someone finally retires only to pass away months later? In this episode of Retirement Planning Simplified, Joe talks about the surprising connection between retirement, health, and longevity. This isn't doom and gloom, it's a wake-up call to design a retirement that's not just long-lasting, but meaningful. Check out the show notes for EP160  HERE .

  In this episode of Retirement Planning Simplified, Joe Curry talks with Dr. Meghaan Lurtz, a financial psychology professor at Kansas State University. They explore why money decisions in retirement are often driven by emotions, not just numbers. You'll learn how to handle common retirement worries, manage money disagreements with your spouse, and build healthier money habits through intentional...

Most people think money problems are about numbers but what if the real obstacle is us? In this episode, Joe sits down with Carl Richards, author, speaker, and creator of The Sketch Guy column in The New York Times, to explore why simplicity is so powerful in financial planning. Carl explains how his famous sketches reveal money for what it really is, a tool to live the life you want, and why the...

Most Canadians take CPP early, but delaying until 70 can boost your pension by up to 78% - a guaranteed, inflation-protected income for life.  In this episode of Retirement Planning Simplified, Joe Curry explains how to cover your income needs while waiting for CPP so you don't sacrifice your lifestyle. You'll learn about the Bond Bridge (flexible, liquid income) and the Annuity Bridge (simple, gu...

What if you could add a million dollars to your business without selling a single extra unit or finding new clients?  In this episode of Business and Exit Planning Simplified, Joe talks about the profit gap, the silent drain that lowers your business value. He  explains what the profit gap is, how to measure it, and simple steps you can take to close it. You'll learn why buyers care about profit m...

How do you build a retirement portfolio that works in the real world and not just on paper? In this episode of Retirement Planning Simplified, Joe Curry speaks with Wes Crill from Dimensional Fund Advisors about evidence-based investing and how it can help retirees reach their goals. Wes explains why beating the market is harder than most think, why diversification is one of the most powerful tool...

How to Achieve Financial Independence and Retire Early? In this episode of Retirement Planning Simplified, Joe Curry talks with Chris Mamula, who retired at 41, about the Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE) movement. Chris shares how living simply, saving aggressively, and making intentional choices helped him reach financial freedom. They cover how to balance saving for the future with enj...

Are you sure your business is set up to fund the retirement you want and leave the legacy you've worked so hard to build? In this episode of  Retirement Planning Simplified, Joe Curry and Lindsay talk with Bob Gauvreau, a successful entrepreneur who built an eight-figure professional services firm.  You'll hear practical advice on tax strategies, maximizing your business value, and how to prepare...

Is Your Retirement Portfolio Ready for the Red Zone? In this episode of  Retirement Planning Simplified, Joe explains how to protect your investments when it matters most right before and just after you retire. This period, often called the "retirement red zone," comes with big risks if markets take a dip. Joe walks through a powerful strategy called the "bond tent" and explains why loading up on...

In this episode, Joe Curry starts with a tough question: Could your business be worth far less than you expect? Most business owners believe boosting sales and profits is the only way to grow business value. But that's only one piece of the puzzle. What You'll Learn: What the value gap really is and why it matters Why increasing revenue and profit isn't enough How factors like owner dependence, re...

In this episode of Retirement Planning Simplified, Joe Curry speaks with Rachael Burns, Certified Financial Planner and founder of True Worth Financial Planning. Rachael specializes in helping women navigate their finances after divorce or the loss of a spouse. She shares practical steps to regain control, avoid emotional financial decisions, and feel empowered in retirement.  You'll hear about th...

How Should You Pay Yourself as a Business Owner? Salary, Dividends, or an IPP? In this episode, Joe chats with Braden Warwick from PWL Capital about how business owners can pay themselves in the smartest way. They break down the pros and cons of taking a salary, dividends, or using an Individual Pension Plan (IPP), a lesser-known but powerful option. Braden shares what he's learned from co-authori...

In this episode of Retirement Planning Simplified,Joe Curry talks with best-selling author and Sketchbook School co-founder Danny Gregory about the life-changing benefits of rediscovering creativity in retirement.  After turning to drawing during a personal crisis, Danny discovered the healing power of art and now helps others do the same. You'll learn why creativity matters after leaving full-tim...

How to Calculate Your Wealth Gap and Retire on Your Terms If you sold your business tomorrow, would it fund your retirement? In this episode of Retirement Planning Simplified, Joe Curry breaks down how to calculate your "wealth gap", the difference between what you need for financial independence and what you already have saved outside your business and home. You'll learn why this number is the fo...

Why Your Retirement Plan Should Evolve With You In this episode of Retirement Planning Simplified, Joe Curry, a certified financial planner reveals why your retirement plan shouldn't be a one-and-done document. He dives into the importance of ongoing retirement planning, regular financial checkups, and adjusting your investment, tax, and risk strategies as your needs change. He breaks down how maj...

How Should Business Owners Pay Themselves? Salary vs. Dividends In this episode of Retirement Planning Simplified, Joe Curry sits down with financial expert Aravind Sithamparapillai to talk about how business owners should structure their compensation. They break down the pros and cons of salary versus dividends, how CPP (Canada Pension Plan) fits into retirement planning, and what business owners...

In this episode of Retirement Planning Simplified, Joe Curry talks with Karen Gershowitz, travel writer and author, about how travel can help you rediscover purpose, fun, and connection after you retire. Karen shares her journey from running a marketing firm to becoming a full-time travel writer after retirement. She talks about overcoming mobility issues, how slow travel leads to deeper cultural...