In the interview, we cover what lessons for Canadians that Kornel has learned after doing close to two hundred interviews with financial experts, over the past 10 years.

Kornel and his spouse have also been either fully or semi-retired for the past 8 years, and so we discuss any advice for those who are also planning to retire in their 30s, or just retire early in general. We also examine what kind of financial changes or challenges that surprised them  and that listeners should know about to help them with their own journey towards financial independence and early retirement.

If you’d like to hear more interviews done by Kornel, you can check them out on the Build Wealth Canada Podcast which you can find in your favourite podcast player.

We hope you enjoy!

Ellen Roseman speaks with Keith Richards, Founder and Portfolio Manager for ValueTrend Wealth Management. They discuss the difference between Technical Analysis and Fundamental Analysis and how they fit into a portfolio. They also discuss concepts like support and resistance. 

Ellen Roseman speaks with Michael Bartz, host of the In Over My Head podcast, about his tiny house and lowering his environmental footprint as well as living simply and frugally.

Ellen roseman speaks to Barbara Stewart, Chartered Financial Analyst and Research, about post-pandemic non-retirement as well as her Rich Thinking Research on women and money and how women are re-inventing themselves as relating to employment, post-pandemic. She also discusses her five post pandemic financial planning retirement tips.

Ellen Roseman speaks with Tim Hewson from LegalWills.ca about why everyone needs a will and the problems that are created when there isn't one upon death!  They also talk about reasons that people give why they haven't yet gotten one and tips and tricks when you do decide to get a will. 

Ellen Roseman speaks with Hamish Khamiza, President and CEO of SparxTrading, an online media company which publishes digital investment content for DIY investors.  They chat about online investing, online brokerages, dividend re-investing and upcoming trends.

Ellen Roseman chats with Shaun Maslyk, CFP and host of the podcast "The Most Hated F-Word" about our money-stories and how they affect our relationship with money. He mentions Dr. Brad Klontz and the four money-scripts or subconscious beliefs that we develop as young children about money. 

Ellen Roseman speaks to financial educator Kelley Keehn about her new book "Rich Girl, Broke Girl".  They discuss past mistakes, women and wealth and the issues that surround women and money.

In this episode, Ellen Roseman speaks with Larry Bates, author of the book Beat The Bank: The Canadian Guide to Simply Successful Investing. They talk about banks, advisors, low-cost investing, fees and retirement.

Ellen Roseman speaks to Fred Vettese, author of "Retirement Income For Life; Getting More Without Saving More", 3rd Edition.  They talk about Old Age Security, the Canada Pension Plan, attitudes around retirement and the fear of outlasting your nest egg. 

Ellen Roseman chats with Dan Bortolotti, Certified Financial Planner, Portfolio Manager and author of Reboot Your Portfolio, Nine Steps to Successful Investing with ETFs about investing, mutual funds, ETFs, stock markets and his best tips.

In 2018, Lana and Ellen met at a personal finance conference and suggested, spontaneously, collaborating on a podcast. Since then, we’ve introduced you to thought-provoking and thoughtful money experts, bringing you their best advice and tips. It’s been a great ride.

Ellen Roseman speaks to John De Goey, Investment Advisor and author of his new book "Bullshift" about optimism bias that investors and advisors have and whether or not it introduces risk to our portfolios. 

In this episode, Ellen Roseman talks to Dan Hallett, CFA, CFP, Vice President, Research and Principal at Highview Financial Group about fiduciary duty, how to find an advisor, mutual funds, exchange traded funds and do-it-yourself investing.

Questions Asked:

1:41  How do you think the advent of Covid 19 has affected the average investor in Canada?

3:22  Do you think that DIY investing has become more of a trend because of Covid?

6:01  There seems to be a trend in mutual funds in an RRSP.  Over the past number of years the performance of mutual funds haven’t been that great.  Do you think that mutual funds are somewhat on their way out? 

8:41  What’s an Exchange Traded Fund and how does it differ from a mutual fund?

14:11  Investors have many questions when they are considering hiring an advisor and some investors do not understand that the advisor may not be working in their best interest.  

17:58  How does fiduciary duty work in Canada? 

26:41  Robo-Advisors work with the idea of a balanced portfolio.  In general, they will give you a well-diversified portfolio and will continue to monitor it and rebalance.  Which is maybe more than you would get from a typical person who sells mutual funds.

30:41  Have you seen changes in investor behaviour over the last 30 years?  Or is it difficult for investor behaviour to change?

 37:11  What are your best bedrock principles around financial management?

 41:07  What are the minimum amounts that you would have to bring to a portfolio manager to   become a client?

In this episode of the MoneySaver Podcast, Ellen Roseman, Rita Sylvan, Barbara Stewart, Paulette Filion and Judy Paradis discuss the need for women to finance their longer lifespans, the problems women have finding a financial advisor they can trust and the types of products and services that suit women investors, are women risk adverse or risk aware, confidence - perception that they don't have enough money even if they do, the financial realities of being a woman among other topics. 

Questions Asked:

3:51  What are the barriers that might be holding some women back from investing?

9:10  Do you feel that people in the industry make it harder than it needs to be?  What do women want from an advisor?

11:01  Are women really risk adverse?  Or Risk-Aware?

15:43  It sounds like women might be a better client since they won’t panic and want to get out when the market has a downturn.  Is that the case?

16:31  Why do you think women are less panicky when it comes to market slowdowns?

18:39  Where is the sweet spot for a women who wants a financial planner but doesn’t want high-cost mutual funds?

In the 23rd edition of the MoneySaver Podcast, Ellen Roseman chats with Dale Roberts, blogger behind the Cut The Crap Investing!  In this episode we chat about robo-advisors, all-in-one ETF portfolios and Dale gives us his three best money tips that he has found useful in his life.

0:50  What led you to taking on the role of chief disruptor behind the Cut the Crap Investing blog?

5:10  What is the purpose of Cut the Crap Investing and what are you trying to do for the average person who would like to invest?

6:13 What does the “Crap” in your name stand for?

7:00  How do you analyze each robo-advisor and write it up in a way that you’re adding some value for Canadians who are trying to choose?

9:20  Can you give us a good description of what a robo-advisor is?

10:55  How quickly are robo-advisors growing in Canada and are they growing quick enough?

14:19  Do you think that the all-in-one ETF portfolios will replace robo-advisors?

15:45  It’s also much easier when a robo-advisor will rebalance for you.

19:19  What kind of stocks do you like to buy for yourself?

22:17  Because some companies like banks, telco’s, and railroads are protected, they do so well and customers cannot use their market power to force companies to lower their prices or make them more consumer friendly.  That makes them a better investment.

25:26  How do you move Canadians from the banks and their mutual fund offerings into something that will save them money like even funds who have much lower management expense ratios?

27:10  Give use your three best money tips that you have found useful in your own life?

Ellen Roseman speaks to Janine Rogan, CPA and author of The Pink Tax about how women have systematically been held back financially. They talk about financial feminism, the gender pay gap as well as policies that assist women to reach financial equity like paid maternity leave and affordable child care among others.

In episode #22 of the MoneySaver Podcast, we chat with Dan Bortolotti, blogger, financial planner and podcast host of the Canadian Couch Potato about exchange traded funds (ETFs), index investing, passive vs active investing and all-in-one ETFs.

Questions Asked:

0:56 Tell us a little bit about what got you interested in the couch potato approach to investing.

3:02 You won a Globe and Mail award for The Couch Potato blog.

3:50 Can you explain index investing?  Why is it lower cost? What is the difference between passive and active?

7:58 What has held index funds back?

11:59 What made you decide to take the leap from being a full time journalist to a financial advisor?

17:18 What do you think about the growth in actively managed ETFs?

20:54 What do you think of the advent of robo-advisors as a way to fill the market gap for individuals who do not want to do the work on their own?

27:02 The newest product is the all in one ETF portfolio priced really low which seems to give you a lot of advantages of a robo-advisor.  What do you think of those?

36:00 What are three tips that are essential for Canadians to consider when they’re thinking about investing.

In the 21st episode of the MoneySaver Podcast, we chat with Robb Engen, blogger, journalist and consumer advocate.  We talk about how he (along with his mother) co-founded the long-standing blog Boomer and Echo, how he came to be a consumer advocate, how he hopes to reach financial independence by age 45 and he gives his best three financial tips.

Questions Asked:

1:04  You’ve been blogging since 2010.  Can you tell us a little bit of the evolution of your blog Boomer and Echo?  Boomer being your mom and you, Echo.

3:26  How widely read is your blog Boomer and Echo?

4:04  Are you still on track for Freedom 45? Or retirement at age 45?

4:53  Is your wife still home with the kids or do you have another income as well?

5:20  I’ve always admired your ability to manage a full time job and your online presence. 

6:18  How many blog posts to write on a weekly basis?

6:48  I found this fascinating article about how you turned the blog into a profitable business.  Tell us a little more about this.

8:43  What are the main qualities needed to begin blogging as a side-hustle?

10:30  You and I have collaborated on consumer issues before.  What makes you a consumer advocate?

13:43 You decided to start a financial planning practice but without conflicts.

14:50  Can you tell us more about the article that you wrote for The Toronto Star entitled How to make your own financial plan in Eight Easy Steps. 

16:38  Tell me a little more about the eight steps that you identify in the article with the first step step being identify your goals.

 19:32  You’ve identified your goal.  What are the next steps when you’re creating your financial plan?

22:00  At what point does investing come into play?  Do you begin allocating money towards investments or do you pay off debt first?  Or do you do both simultaneously?

24:19  When does creating an investment policy come into play?

28:31  One of the articles that you’re quite well known for was when you changed your investing style.  Are you still following this investing style?

31:15   Now you wouldn’t recommend this to everyone right?  Is there a reason why you don’t have any bonds or fixed income?

33:14  We ask all of our guest for their best three tips for retirement or how to start getting that financial plan in place.

In episode 20 of the MoneySaver Podcast, Ellen Roseman chats with Preet Banerjee, media personality, speaker, author and podcaster about his five personal finance tips that he lays out in his book "Stop Over Thinking Your Money" as well as renting vs. buying, his former career as an advisor and "MoneyGaps."

Questions Asked:

1:07  Tell us a little about your former career as a financial advisor and how you ended up where you are today.

5:14   I remember you did a book about RRSPs.

9:10  Tell us a little bit about MoneyGaps.

19:43  How would I find an advisor who is using MoneyGaps? 

22:14  You wrote a book in 2014 called “Stop Over Thinking Your Money.” Could you describe your 5 simple personal finance rules in “Stop Over Thinking Your Money"?  Disaster proof your life, spend less than you earn, aggressively pay down high interest debt, read the fine print and delayed consumption.

33:26  One of your top videos is about buying a house vs renting where you come down on the renting side.  Do you still feel that way?

36:33 You’ve given our listeners many great tips.  Do you have any others? 

In the 18th edition of The MoneySaver Podcast, we talk to elder law specialist Laura Tamblyn Watts on how to protect seniors from financial abuse, including scams and advice on aging gracefully.

Questions Asked:

1:20  Tell us about a report that you did about vulnerable investors.  Who are they? How should they be protected?

 3:45  One of your key recommendations was for a financial advisor to have the name of a trusted contact to work with them in the event of the client being under undue influence or are  not capable of making responsible decisions. Tell us about that.

5:30  In your work, do you see a lot of people who are subject to abuse by family members or strangers or are being taken advantage of?

11:25  How do you get the banking industry to at least flash some concerns to help protect vulnerable citizens?

17:20  How do you reach older adults who aren’t great candidates for online education since many government services aren’t publishing in paper any longer?

25:50  Do you think that it’s difficult to get this kind of protective campaign accepted by a government if it’s run by much more laissez faire-type individuals?

30:19  Give us some of the stats on seniors in Canada and the growing influence of older people on the population.

32:42  What are your three best tips around senior protection?

In this episode of The MoneySaver Podcast, Ellen Roseman chats with Tim Nash from www.sustainableeconomist.com about sustainable investing for those investors who want to align their investing style with their values. 

And NEW!!!  Ellen and I chat about our first exposure to investing!  We want you to join in the discussion.  Drop us a note with your story of your first exposure to investing and what works for you!  We may read them on a future podcast episode! 

Please send your story to Ellen at www.ellenroseman.com  or on twitter @ellenroseman or Lana on twitter @lana_sanichar or email moneyinfo@canadianmoneysaver.ca

Tim Nash Questions

1:39  Tell us about your background as an economist and how you became much more involved with investing vehicles.

3:19  Tell us a little bit about how you teach people about sustainable investing.

9:09 As an investor, how can you learn about companies that align with your values? 

12:50  One of the companies that used to be admired wildly was Johnson & Johnson.  Is J&J being dropped from some of these sustainable portfolios since the talcum powder scandal? 

14:55  Do you use webinars or face-to-face meetings to meet with your clients? And what are the costs associated with your service?

18:49  Do you have an opinion on any of the ETFs that are designed for people looking for certain criteria, like the women in leadership ETFs who look for companies with women on the board of directors of companies.

20:43  What about the whole value of the capitalist system?  Can you invest in something that isn’t oriented to growth?

24:41  Can you explain what social impact bonds are? 

27:53  How do you find out about these social impact bonds?

32:18  What are your three best tips on investing and even life?

Ellen's Tips and Tricks:  Ellen and Lana talk about their first exposure to investing and how they increased their knowledge as Do It Yourself Investors.

Ellen chats with Bruce Sellery, speaker, television personality, personal finance expert and author of "The Moolala Guide to Rockin' Your RRSP".  We chat about RRSPs, TFSAs, ignoring the noise and saving for retirement.

Questions Asked:

1:06  Let’s start by talking about your lifelong business career and the switch to business media personality and personal finance.

5:48  How did you come up with the “Moolala” name? 

6:42  Do people still use the word “moola” for money?

6:53  So what you’re really saying is that the business media is about short-term events when really, in personal finance and investing, you should ignore the noise and think long-term?

9:23  In the first Moolala book "Why Smart People Do Dumb Things with Their Money - And What You Can Do About It" you talk a lot about psychological issues surrounding money.  Can you boil it down into a few sentences?

11:51 The internet can help for remaining anonymous when you have questions about money, credit card debt or how much you need for retirement.

12:45  How do you like the transition from employment to working for yourself?

15:00  Do you have a specific niche subject that you talk about or do you cover many topics surrounding personal finance and investing?

18:36  And isn't it difficult to get people to open up to their advisors?

20:11  What are your best tips for rocking your RRSP?

22:26  What do you think about the TFSA and the debate about whether young people should start with a TFSA or RRSP when they're saving for retirement?

25:35  Have you made any money mistakes yourself?

27:43  What are your three best money tips that you use in your life or that you follow?

Ellen's Tips and Tricks:  A confession.  She has withdrawn money from her RRSP.

We chat with Melissa Leong, author of "Happy Go Money", social media and television personality, in the 16th episode of the MoneySaver Podcast.  She talks about how more money won't make you happier and that you should be happy with the money that you have. She also explains what the hedonic treadmill is and how spending money on "experiences" instead of "stuff"  will allow you to be happier.

Questions Asked:

1:03  Tell us about your book “Happy Go Money” and how you embarked on the road to being a published author in the personal finance space.

3:02  Tell us about what happened to your husband.

5:18  Could you explain what the Hedonic Treadmill is?

6:59  Social media is a big influence also.  It makes us think that everyone else has it so why don’t we.

8:59   Is it a problem that we are always looking at other people and comparing ourselves?

11:45  How do you make sure that you are happy with what you have and do not feel like you’re missing out?

15:22  Another thing that you talk about in the book is “experiences” and not “stuff”.

19:22 A lot of what drives our money behaviour is psychology.

21:10  Did you struggle over the writing of your book “Happy Go Money” or was it generally pretty straightforward?

25:12  Tell us a little about your side hustle.

28:52  What steps did you take to get all those sales all around the world.

31:59  What are your three best tips for money and life?

Ellen’s Tips and Tricks

The Gender Wealth Gap.  Let’s be part of the change.

The the 15th episode of the MoneySaver Podcast, we talk to Bob Lai, the blogger behind tawcan.com on the Financial Independence Retire Early or F.I.R.E. He dispels myths to describe how to quit the daily grind and live life (and retirement) the way you want to.

Questions Asked:

0:51  Tell me a little bit about yourself.

 2:13  Can you explain what the Financial Independence Retire Early (F.I.R.E.) movement is?

 9:20  Who is F.I.R.E. for?

 11:32  If you’re interested in following the F.I.R.E. movement, what are the first steps that you should take?

 12:25  Is it akin to penny pinching?

 16:45  I understand that tracking is extremely important in the F.I.R.E. movement.  How much are you saving in terms of percentage as a F.I.R.E. follower?

 17:54  Is investing the primary source of passive income for followers of the F.I.R.E. movement?

 23:39  How do you prepare for large purchases like cars or even funding your children’s education?

 27:01  Is it easier to follow F.I.R.E. here in Canada than in the U.S?

 29:22  Let’s talk about your blog. There are a lot of great topics that apply to everyone regardless of whether they are following the Financial Independence Retire Early movement.

 35:03  What are your three best tips that you can impart to our readers, not only achieve Financial Independence Retire early but also to achieve the retirement they deserve?

In episode #14 of the MoneySaver Podcast, Ellen Roseman chats with Shannon Lee Simmons, CFP and author of Living Debt Free about how she racked up over $9000 worth of debt in a fourteen month period and how guilt, shame and regret took over because of the debt.

Questions Asked:

1:29  Tell us about the experience of being in debt and what you learned from it.

5:17  And you were worried about your now husbands reaction.  But it turned out to be ok?

7:16  How long did it take for you to raid your RSP to clear up the debt?

12:05  What made you decide to write your book and how is it different from other financial books on the market?

17:52  How long have you been a financial planner?

18:15 You’ve actually included some case studies in your book. 

19:33  I understand that your main focus is the average, everyday Canadian.  How do you make financial planning accessible to those who may not necessarily be able to afford financial planning?

21:47  What does affordable mean in terms of your services?

26:34  Do you find that online courses work well?

32:02  What are your three best tips on money, life, and managing your money and your life.

Ellen’s Tips and Tricks : What you can do when you run into problems with your new or newly purchased used car!

Lana Sanichar talks with Jessica Moorhouse, host of the Mo'Money Podcast, blogger and millennial expert about the most pressing issues on millennial minds right now.  We touch on topics about home ownership, investing, retirement and side hustles.

Questions Asked:

2:40 Tell us a little bit more about yourself. Tell us about your personal finance journey.

7:24 Who were your mentors?  What were you reading to help you make that leap from your old career to becoming a speaker, educator, blogger and an accredited financial councillor?

10:25 Describe who your listeners are. 

11:15 What are the most pressing financial issues that millennials are facing today?

16:53  How is the stress test affecting millennials?

17:39  Are millennials active investors? 

21:32  Are millennials thinking about retirement? 

23:55 Are millennial women actively engaged in their personal finances?

29:14 Have you faced any barriers as a woman in the personal finance industry?

30:40 What are your best three tips that you tell people or that you have used personally to reach your money goals.

31:35 What do you use to track your spending?

Ellen Roseman speaks with Clay Jarvis of Nerdwallet.ca.  They discuss the mortgages, becoming a landlord, what to expect when becoming a landlord as well the gratification that one can receive from becoming a real estate investor among a host of other topics.

This Episode is brought to you buy BMOETFs.com.

In the 12th edition of the MoneySaver Podcast, Ellen Roseman chats with Colin Ritchie from colinsritchie.com and Canadian MoneySaver contributor about grandparents funding RESPs, TFSA or RRSP, The Smith Manoeuvre, taxation, Wills and Powers of Attorney as well as his tips for a successful financial career.

Questions Asked:

1:15  How do I make the best of my TFSA or RRSP for retirement?  Let’s say the person is 10 or 15 years out of university, making an income and has a little bit of student debt but not a crushing amount.

4:03  Who should be focusing more on maximizing their TFSA contributions?

7:18  What are some ways to get the max benefit from an RESP?  And how to you invest at the beginning versus near the end when you’re about to pull the money out for post-secondary education?

10:04  Can you explain what the Smith Manoeuvre is?

15:02  We should have a will and a power of attorney.  What is your advice for people to get up to date with these important documents? 

18:05  Does the power of attorney go along with the will?

19:37  What are your three best tips for handling your finances?

20:15  What’s the best way to educate yourself about your taxes?

25:08  Since you’re a CFP, have you made any mistakes in your day?  Or do you find yourself procrastinating when it comes to financial planning?

27:40  What is the earliest age that you can start contributing to a TFSA?

In the 11th edition of the MoneySaver Podcast, we speak with Rona Birenbaum, Certified Financial Planner, from Caring For Clients.  In honour of Financial Planning Week, we discuss financial planning, the process of creating a financial plan, debt, spending and her new tech start-up Viviplan, a new, low-cost financial planning service for Canadians. 

:48  Tell us a little bit about what attracted you to financial planning.

3:51  You’re one of the few fee-only certified financial planners.  Is it much more difficult to make money with this type of service model?

5:41  For the benefit for our listeners can you explain how the process of creating a financial plan works and what fee an individual who seeks out your service can expect to pay?

9:50  How many hours do you think it takes to create a financial plan for someone who has even just a simple situation?

10:50 Tell us about Viviplan and the $800 fee expressed on your website.

14:03  Describe how you tailor this new service to the client?

17:45  Could you explain the two financial goals at most that is mentioned on your website?

18:38  As we all know, start-ups take money. How are you doing on the financing front?

20:30  Robo-Advisors have, for the most part, gotten rid of much of the personal interaction with customers. How essential is it for a customer to keep that personal relationship with a Certified Financial Planner in the process?

22:60  I understand that you’re looking at a subscription model. 

24:47  What kind of a monthly fee are you expecting?

26:29 What are you top three tips for our listeners when it comes to managing their finances?

Ellen’s Tips and Tricks – Skin Care Subscription Fraud

In the tenth episode of the MoneySaver podcast we chat with Ryan Modesto, CFA and CEO of 5i Research Inc.  We discuss what an investor should take into account when creating a portfolio including assessing risk tolerance, ability to accept risk, debt, ETFs, stocks, mutual funds, TFSAs, RRSPs and fees.

2:42  How do you know when it’s time to start considering investing?

4:45 What about people who are young?  Have a small savings and really don’t know what to do with it? 

6:20  Do you think it’s harder for a young person to learn how to do ETFs?

7:28  Do you pay down debt before you begin investing?

9:43  What are some of the factors to take into account when setting up your portfolio?

15:10  It sounds like you need a lot of cash to investing properly in equities?

17:30  What should be your anchor investment?

19:24  What are some signals to watch out for to sell a stock?

23:35  Can you explain what the 60/40 split is?

24:32  Can you discuss the impact of fees on a portfolio?

30:55   Taking into account the RRSP, TFSA and Cash accounts, how you decide which investment goes into which of those accounts? 

34:28  How does cannabis fit into a portfolio?

39:16  Have you ever invested in a similar stock as a flyer with a small amount of money because of the potential?

40:36  What are your three best tips for a successful investing career?

42:00  How do the first time investors asses their risk tolerance?

In the ninth episode of the MoneySaver podcast, we chat with Doris Belland, entrepreneur, motivational speaker and author of Protect Your Purse: Shared Lessons for Women about steps that a woman can take to secure herself in the even of divorce or even the death of a spouse.  We also chat about her women's money group and how she overcame $400 000 of debt after the death of her first husband.

Getting to Know Doris,

0:35   What drove you to write your book Protect Your Purse: Shared Lessons for Women?

13:10   Tell me a little bit more about the book.

18:06  What steps did you take to clear up the $400 000 debt?

25:06  You write a lot about mindset and money habits.  Can you elaborate on how mindset can affect our money habits?

27:09  Do you have another book in the works?

27:49  How can women get involved in your women’s money group?

 29:51  What are the three best tips that you recommend that someone can take to ensure their security?