Canadians want to know that the money they have on deposit with their bank is safe, especially during difficult economic times. Thankfully, the money in your chequing or savings account is protected with something called CDIC insurance, providing that you bank with a CDIC member institution. Given the economic uncertainty we’re facing right now, I thought it would the perfect time to have this week’s guest join the show. Peter Routledge is the CEO of Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, or CDIC...
May 06, 2020•26 min•Ep. 97
Are you struggling to make sense of the current state of the economy, not to mention the stock market? If so, you’re not alone. These are uncertain times, and no one seems to have any real answers. My guest this week is Dan Kent, investor and co-founder of stock research and news site, StockTrades.ca. Dan joins me to discuss the recent market volatility related to the COVID-19 crisis, and shares his thoughts on where he thinks we may be headed. You can find the show notes for this episode at htt...
Apr 29, 2020•28 min•Ep. 96
Many Canadians don’t realize that the government has an investment plan designed specifically for Canadians with disabilities. The Registered Disability Savings Plan exists to help disabled Canadians with their long term savings, but it can be difficult to understand. Alan Whitton is the founder of Canajun Finances, where he writes extensively about the Registered Disability Savings Plan, and RESPs as well. He joins me this week to explain the ins and outs of the RDSP, as well as the Disability ...
Apr 22, 2020•31 min•Ep. 95
Could you and your family live on $25,000 per year? Before I met with this week’s guest, the idea seemed fairly unrealistic to me, but the number may in fact be more achievable than I realized. Whether your goal is retiring early, like my guest, or something entirely different, there are huge advantages to living on less. This week, I’m joined by Court, who blogs over at Modern FImily. In 2018, Court and her partner Nik, achieved financial independence, meaning that they had saved enough money t...
Apr 15, 2020•32 min•Ep. 94
Have you ever avoided dealing with important money issues? If so, you’re not alone. Many Canadians put off saving for retirement, or other financial goals, because the strategies seem too complicated, and they feel like they lack the knowledge. My guest this week is Steven Arnott, author of The Snowman’s Guide to Personal Finance. Steven drops by to show us that just about anyone can embark on a journey towards financial independence by following a few simple steps. You can find the show notes f...
Apr 08, 2020•35 min•Ep. 93
Imagine a side hustle that lets you do something you love, and that actually makes money. Does it sound too good to be true? Well, as it turns out, there is such a thing. This week, I welcome back my first ever repeat guest on The MapleMoney Show. Last time he was here, Martin Dasko and I discussed ways to plan your next travel adventure. This time around, Martin is here to tell us about a new adventure, as a host with Airbnb Experiences. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://m...
Apr 01, 2020•35 min•Ep. 92
If you’ve ever been impacted by a flight cancellation, chances are you’ve experienced the frustration that comes with trying to get a full refund from the airline. My guest this week has been fighting for the rights of Canadian airline passengers for years, winning countless challenges in court. This week, Gabor Lukacs joins me on The MapleMoney Show to remind us of our rights as passengers, and how to go about handling a dispute the next time an airline tells you that you have none. You can fin...
Mar 25, 2020•33 min•Ep. 91
In recent weeks, the arrival of Coronavirus in North America has wreaked havoc on the stock market, bringing with it fears of a sustained economic downturn, including talk of a possible recession. And while no one really knows how it will all play out, there are steps investors can take when faced with a volatile stock market. With everything that’s going on, it felt like the perfect time to have this week’s guest join us. A dividend value investor for more than 20 years, Kanwal Sarai is the fou...
Mar 18, 2020•43 min•Ep. 90
Here on The MapleMoney Show, we’ve talked a lot about side hustles, and ways to make more money. But one idea we haven’t covered is how to start your own public speaking business. If getting paid to speak sounds intriguing, then this week’s episode is for you. Grant Baldwin is the founder of The Speaker Lab, and author of the new book, The Successful Speaker. In his book, Grant takes readers through what he says are the 5 key steps to becoming a successful speaker. He breaks it all down in our d...
Mar 11, 2020•29 min•Ep. 89
What’s standing between you and your goals? Is there something big you want to accomplish, but you’re not sure how to make it happen? Perhaps you’re like me, and get yourself into trouble by committing to one too many projects? My guest this week is Michelle Black, a freelance writer and founder of the Credit Writer blog. Recently, Michelle accomplished a big goal, when she made the switch from part-time to full-time freelance writing. In this episode, we chat about the role that goal setting ha...
Mar 04, 2020•23 min•Ep. 88
Are you looking for a way to make more money? It seems as though everybody’s got a side hustle these days. Perhaps you’ve thought about starting a side hustle of your own, if only you had a few good ideas. Joining me on the show this week is Nick Loper, founder of Side Hustle Nation, and host of the popular Side Hustle Show podcast. Nick knows a thing or two about using side hustles to pay the bills, both large and small. So whether you’re looking to make an extra $50 per month, or wish to build...
Feb 26, 2020•26 min•Ep. 87
If you contribute to a pension, do you know what type of plan you have? Do you even have a pension plan? Fewer and fewer private sector companies are providing pensions for their employees, making it harder than ever to plan for retirement. My guest this week is Jason Heath, a fee-only financial planner and columnist for The Financial Post, MoneySenseand Retire Happy. Jason joins me to discuss the current state of pension plans in Canada, and how the deterioration of employer pensions is impacti...
Feb 19, 2020•24 min•Ep. 86
Have you ever thought about altering the entire course of your life? Of packing up, and leaving behind everything you know? How about filming a documentary about the entire experience? That’s exactly what Scott Rieckens did. Scott, along with his wife Taylor, are the subjects of a recently released documentary, titled Playing with FIRE. The film takes viewers along the journey that led Scott and his wife to give up their comfortable San Diego lifestyle in pursuit of financial independence. Scott...
Feb 12, 2020•32 min•Ep. 85
Do you ever feel as though there are roadblocks standing between you and financial success? Perhaps you’re struggling to see past your previous money mistakes. If that’s you, my guest this week is here to help. Sandy Yong is a financial speaker and author of a newly published book, The Money Master. Sandy joins me to discuss how our myths about money can derail us on our journey to financial freedom, and what we can do about it. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney....
Feb 05, 2020•24 min•Ep. 84
Is the burden of debt so great that it’s causing you to feel anxious and depressed? Do you feel like life would be better if you could only catch up on your bills? My guest this week understands the connection between debt and depression, because she’s lived it. Melanie Lockert is founder of the blog and author of the book, Dear Debt. She is passionate about helping others get out of debt, and focuses on the intersection of debt and mental health which is why she has recently launched a new blog...
Jan 29, 2020•26 min•Ep. 83
Do you feel like your debt is getting the better of you? Are you struggling to manage your payments, and wondering where to find relief? My guest this week is Doug Hoyes, host of the Debt Free in 30 Podcast, and a licensed insolvency trustee. For over 20 years, Doug has been helping Canadians eliminate their debt. Today, Doug joins us to discuss a variety of debt relief options, and how they can help you regain control of your finances. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://map...
Jan 22, 2020•40 min•Ep. 82
Do you often compare yourself to other people? Have previous life experiences shaped your money mindset, and not in a good way? You may not realize it, but how you think about money could be a major factor in the financial decisions that you make. My guest this week knows a thing or two about maintaining a positive money mindset. Lacey Langford is an Accredited Financial Counsellor and financial coach who has helped many people overcome their fear of money. She joins us to discuss how having a n...
Jan 15, 2020•24 min•Ep. 81
How were your finances in 2019? Did you find yourself moving forward, or did you feel a bit stuck? There’s a lot that goes into managing money, and making the right decisions is not always easy. Thankfully, my guest this week is here to help. Rob Carrick is a long-time personal finance columnist with The Globe and Mail. He came prepared with a number of great tips that will help you get out of debt and increase your savings in 2020. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemo...
Jan 08, 2020•24 min•Ep. 80
It’s January, which means that people everywhere are striving to stay on top of their New Year’s resolutions. I hate to spoil the fun, but did you know that most people will give up on their New Year’s goals by February? My guest this week knows a thing or two about how to become more productive, and according to him, there are better ways to achieve your goals than trying to stick to your New Year’s resolutions. Mike Vardy is a productivity expert, founder of the Productivityist website and pod...
Jan 01, 2020•31 min•Ep. 79
Did you know that the average grocery bill for a Canadian family is roughly $1000 a month? Not only are groceries expensive, but planning and preparing meals takes time. Thankfully, a little meal planning goes a long way. My guest this week is Erin Chase, founder of $5 Dollar Dinners, and meal planning expert. Erin joins me to discuss how meal planning can transform your lifestyle, as well as your budget. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/erinchase It’s Decem...
Dec 18, 2019•28 min•Ep. 78
Did you know that your financial situation can be affected by the city or province you live in? Or by your parental status, your gender, or the colour of your skin? My guest this week is Brynne Conroy, author of The Feminist Financial Handbook, and founding member of the website, Personal Finance by Women. Brynne sheds light on the numerous financial challenges faced by working moms, visible minorities, and members of the LGBTQ community. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://m...
Dec 11, 2019•32 min•Ep. 77
Are you managing your own investments through an online broker? If so, how’s it going? While I am a believer in do it yourself investing, it is certainly not for everyone. If you’re second-guessing your abilities to manage your own portfolio, this episode is for you. My guest this week is Salman Ahmed, a portfolio manager with the Canadian investment firm, Steadyhand. Salman joins me to discuss why professional investment advice remains so important in today’s world of low fee, do-it-yourself in...
Dec 04, 2019•31 min•Ep. 76
Have you ever felt the pressure to constantly be moving up at your job, just to get ahead? Perhaps there is a better way to gain financial independence and build your ideal lifestyle. My guests this week are a married couple who have built a life together as partners, parents and entrepreneurs. Tom and Ariana Sylvester are authors of the book, Lifestyle Builders, which details how they built their dream life by becoming entrepreneurs. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maple...
Nov 27, 2019•25 min•Ep. 75
Have you ever wondered if a side hustle could become your full-time job? Or whether or not you see yourself doing what you’re doing now, for the rest of your career. If so, you’re not alone. My guest this week asked himself the same questions, and he joins us this week to share his story. Clint Proctor is a full-time personal finance writer from Daytona Beach, Florida, but one year ago, he was a full-time pastor. Find out how he made the leap, and why. You can find the show notes for this episod...
Nov 20, 2019•23 min•Ep. 74
Did you know that closing a credit card can actually hurt your credit score? Or that your bank may not be reporting your credit information to both of Canada’s credit bureaus? In this episode, I’m joined by Richard Moxley, credit expert and author of the book, The Credit Game. Richard explains why it is so important to monitor your credit on a regular basis, and he also busts a few credit score myths along the way. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/richardmox...
Nov 13, 2019•33 min•Ep. 73
Do you know what industries you’re supporting through your investment portfolio? These days, more and more people are choosing to move away from the so called “sin stocks”, like alcohol, tobacco, and gambling, opting instead to invest in companies with a track record of sustainability. My guest this week is Tim Nash, a fee based advisor at Good Investing and founder of The Sustainable Economist. Tim explains why, these days, socially responsible investors should be thrilled by the many sustainab...
Nov 06, 2019•25 min•Ep. 72
Have you avoided talking with your elderly parents about their finances? Do you know if they’ve created a will, or a power of attorney? If not, there is no better time than now to start a conversation. My guest this week knows a thing or two about having money conversations with parents, after all, she wrote a book on the topic. Cameron Huddleston is an award winning journalist, and author of the book, Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk: How To Have Essential Conversations With Your Parents About Thei...
Oct 30, 2019•29 min•Ep. 71
It might be hard to believe, but many Canadian investors lose more than 50% of their return to fees. Are you one of them? My guest this week is Larry Bates, a former bank executive and author of the book, Beat the Bank: The Canadian Guide To Simply Successful Investing. Larry joins us to discuss why Canadians are losing so much money to investment fees, and what we can do about it. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/larrybates The biggest myth about robo advis...
Oct 23, 2019•30 min•Ep. 70
Have you made your will? If not, what’s holding you back? For a lot of Canadians, just the idea of having to deal with the subject of death makes them uncomfortable. Thankfully, creating a will doesn’t have to be a daunting task. My guest this week is Erin Bury, CEO of Willful, a Canadian online will and estate planning company. Erin joins us to discuss why it’s so important for Canadians to not only create a will, and make sure it stays updated. You can find the show notes for this episode at h...
Oct 16, 2019•23 min•Ep. 69
It has been said that the best way to build wealth is to invest early and often, then let time, and compound interest take over. It’s a solid plan, but it takes years, decades even. But what if there was a way to accelerate your path to wealth, by investing in yourself. My guest this week is Jeff Rose, a long time financial planner, and founder of Wealth Hacker, and The Good Financial Cents blog. For years, Jeff followed the traditional path to wealth, until he realized that his biggest returns ...
Oct 09, 2019•39 min•Ep. 68