Plain English Finance

Send us Fan Mail “Tax-Free Savings Account” is a bad name. It’s an investment account, not a savings jar.  In this episode, Tré explains what the TFSA really is, how to use it properly, and how it fits with your RRSP. You’ll learn the real contribution rules (including why withdrawals don’t reset until January 1), why TFSA room is more valuable than a one-time tax break, and the estate move that c...

Send us Fan Mail Want a $40,000 car but only pay $10K out of pocket? That’s the power of understanding time, interest, and inflation. In this episode, Tré and Sierra are joined by his in-laws to break down the basics of financial math using an online calculator and show how these “boring” numbers can radically change your financial future. This real conversation about how money grows, why debt cos...

Send us Fan Mail Most wills don’t plan for reality. They ignore messy family dynamics, future kids, or the financial chaos that hits when parents die unexpectedly. In this episode, Tré Bynoe, CFP, CIM, shares how he and his wife structured their own estate plan — trusts, wills, tax strategy, and all — with ruthless clarity and long-term thinking. This is what real estate planning looks like when y...

Send us Fan Mail Most Canadians treat RRSPs like a retirement silver bullet, and most are using them wrong. In this episode, Tré explains why Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) are powerful tools only when used strategically . He breaks down what RRSPs actually are, how they affect your taxes, and why the way most people use them could hurt their retirement. This episode is essential if y...

Send us Fan Mail Want to support a cause and cut your tax bill? This episode is for you. Tré explains how to give to charity in a smarter, more tax-efficient way — without spending more out of pocket. Whether you're tithing, giving to local rescues, or donating to major organizations, there’s a better way than cash or cheques. The key? Donating appreciated investments. You’ll learn: Why givin...

Send us Fan Mail https://www.rdsp.com/calculator/ - Link Most Canadians eligible for the RDSP have never opened one . That’s a costly mistake. In this episode, Tré breaks down why the Registered Disability Savings Plan is one of the most powerful but underused tools available to Canadians with disabilities. If you or someone you care about qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit, this account coul...

Send us Fan Mail Most Canadians think investing is about picking the right stock, timing the markets, or chasing returns. It’s not. In this episode, Tré breaks down exactly how he manages his own investment portfolio, and why simplicity, tax-efficiency, and a clear philosophy matter far more than hot tips or flashy products. If you're a DIY investor, a skeptical professional, or someone overw...

Send us Fan Mail Earning over $400,000 a year puts you in a privileged position, but it also comes with bigger decisions, bigger risks, and bigger tax bills. In this episode, Tré breaks down how high earners can avoid the most common financial pitfalls and finally shift from focusing on income to building lasting wealth. This episode is for professionals, business owners, and executives who are in...

Send us Fan Mail Most people “budget” by looking backward at what they’ve spent. That's reactive. In this episode, Tré walks through the exact system he and his family use to manage their money proactively — with multiple accounts, a clear spending structure, and zero guilt. Whether you’re a couple or managing solo, this framework gives you total control without obsessing over receipts. You’l...

Send us Fan Mail Investing Simulator : https://buildyourstax.com/ Most people think bonds are “safe” and stocks are “risky.” But what if that’s exactly backward, especially over the long term? In this episode, Tré breaks down the real meaning of asset allocation and why traditional advice like “add more bonds as you age” may be setting you up for failure. Backed by research, Tré explains why a 100...

Send us Fan Mail If you’re torn between paying off your mortgage or investing, you’re not alone, and there’s a lot of bad advice out there. This episode breaks it down with facts, not feelings. Tré uses real planning software to run side-by-side comparisons and shows why—mathematically—investing often comes out ahead. But psychology, discipline, and risk tolerance matter just as much. Whether you&...

Send us Fan Mail Earning six figures used to mean financial security. Now? That mindset could be a trap. In this episode, Tré tackles the hidden risks for Canadian households earning between $100,000 and $200,000. This range feels comfortable, but it’s where lifestyle inflation, car loans, and poor planning quietly eat away at your financial future. Tré offers a practical, no-fluff guide to budget...

Send us Fan Mail Most Canadians treat debt as a burden and taxes as a given. But what if you could flip that thinking and turn your debt into a tax advantage? In this episode, Tré breaks down how to structure debt so the interest becomes tax-deductible. He outlines strategies that can save you tens of thousands over time, especially if you’re a business owner, landlord, or hold non-registered inve...

Send us Fan Mail Are you earning over $200,000 but still feeling like your money disappears too fast? In this episode, we dig into budgeting for high-income earners and why earning more doesn’t always mean building wealth. We explore key behavioural differences between natural savers and spenders — and the blind spots both groups have when it comes to money management. You’ll learn how to stop rel...

Send us Fan Mail What Really Drove Market Gains in Q2? (Hint: It's Not What You Think) Markets bounced back in Q2—but it’s not all good news. In this bonus quarterly review episode, Tre breaks down what’s behind the recent returns and why short-term market moves can be misleading. You’ll learn what drove gains (like multiple expansion and currency), why the April drop didn’t show up on your s...

Send us Fan Mail Most people think of money as cash in the bank. But in this episode, Tre unpacks a bolder truth: money is just a middleman for value. Joined by his wife Sierra, Tre explains why viewing money as value—rather than currency—can change how you spend, save, and invest. This isn’t your usual budgeting talk. It’s a direct conversation about how our financial system works, why inflation...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered why tracking your net worth is essential for your financial health? In this episode, we break down exactly what net worth means, clearly defining your assets and liabilities. We'll explore practical reasons why regularly monitoring your net worth can significantly enhance your financial decision-making, confidence, and goal-setting. Plus, we provide a simple, st...

Send us Fan Mail Most people misunderstand risk — and it's costing them. In this episode, Tre breaks down how the financial industry defines risk (hint: it’s mostly about volatility) and why that approach often leads investors astray. He explains the many types of risk that matter more than short-term market swings, and how to manage them with evidence, not emotion. If you've ever said &...

Send us Fan Mail Are you paying thousands in hidden investment fees—and not even realizing it? In this episode, Tre gets a little... passionate discussing segregated funds (seg funds), an insurance-wrapped investment product that many Canadians are sold under the guise of “safety.” Tre breaks down why these products often come with inflated costs, opaque fee structures, and misleading sales tactic...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 3: How We Built Wealth by Ignoring Bad Advice Most financial advice is either too generic or completely off base. In this episode, Tre Bynoe CFP CIM and his wife Sierra explain why smart money decisions aren’t about rules—they’re about principles. From dissecting Tre’s evidence-based decision-making model to discussing how emotion and outdated advice derail financial progr...

Send us Fan Mail IIn this episode of the Plain English Finance Podcast, Tre Bynoe, CFP, CIM, explains why good financial planning isn’t about crunching numbers — it’s about making better decisions. He tackles how decision paralysis derails progress and lays out the six steps he uses to guide clients through the planning process. From managing taxes and cash flow to choosing investments and control...

Send us Fan Mail Most people get their financial advice from the wrong sources—and it shows. In this first episode of Plain English Finance , Tre Bynoe CFP, CIM shares the story behind the podcast and why your financial future depends on who you listen to. From growing up in the UK foster care system to becoming a Certified Financial Planner in Canada, Tre explains how life experience, logic, and...