The Empowered Investor

Keith Matthews
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If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of choices and voices in the Canadian financial services industry, The Empowered Investor Podcast can transform your investment experience and increase your odds of becoming financially secure – forever. With his simple, straightforward approach, host Keith Matthews cuts through the noise to help you make better decisions and discover the best investment and planning strategies for you and your family. As a portfolio manager and advisor at Tulett, Matthews & Associates, Keith has spent twenty-five years helping investors achieve their financial goals using the same planning and portfolio principles discussed in The Empowered Investor podcast. Always an advocate for investors, Keith has spoken at global conferences, been quoted in many Canadian newspapers and magazines, and recently published the new and revised 4th edition of his book, The Empowered Investor. To learn more about Keith’s client advisory services or to request a complementary copy of the latest edition of The Empowered Investor, please visit www.tma-invest.com

  1. 3d ago

    CRM3 Explained: What Canadian Investors Need to Know Before 2027

    About This Episode CRM3 is the next major evolution in investment cost transparency and it arrives on Canadian investment statements in early 2027. In this episode, Keith Matthews is joined once again by TMA's chief compliance officer and director of operations, Michael Baldoni, for a follow-up to their episode on fiduciary care. CRM3 follows CRM1 and CRM2, two earlier rounds of fee disclosure reform, but goes a step further with a single number, the FER, that shows exactly what your investments cost you in dollars. Keith and Michael break down what's changing, what it means for your statement, and the questions worth asking your own advisor once it arrives. Michael walks through the full history of the CRM framework, from CRM1 in 2009 to CRM2's fee and performance reporting, all the way to what CRM3 will require: a complete, dollar-by-dollar breakdown of every cost layer in a client's portfolio, including embedded fund fees that many investors have never seen clearly reported before. Keith and Michael discuss what investors will actually see on their new statements, who stands to benefit most from this change, which firms and advisors will be under pressure, and what questions every investor should be asking right now. If you want to know exactly what you're paying, and what you're getting for it, this is the episode for you. Happy listening! Key Topics Covered: What is CRM3 and why does it matter for every Canadian investor? (02:05)The evolution from CRM1 to CRM2 to CRM3 — a 20-year journey toward transparency (04:15)CRM1 in 2009: documenting relationships, services, and responsibilities (04:15)CRM2 from 2013 to 2017: fee disclosure in dollars and performance reporting (05:41)CRM3: the next step — total all-in cost transparency, including embedded fund fees (07:11)What is a FER (Fund Expense Ratio) and what does it include? (08:07)MER vs. TER — what most investors don't know about trading expense ratios (08:55)These aren't new fees — the difference between disclosure and transparency (10:51)Walking through the math: the four cost layers on a $1 million portfolio (13:04)Why high-fee strategies will be impossible to hide after CRM3 (15:28)Cost vs. value — why cheapest isn't always best, and why services matter (16:32)Where embedded fees were previously disclosed — and why most investors never noticed (19:05)Does having an embedded fee automatically make an investment bad? (19:42)The hierarchy of investment costs: DIY, stock-picking advisors, index strategies, full-service firms (20:13)The winners: investors and low-cost index-based strategies (22:03)Who will be under pressure: branch-level advisors and high-fee mutual fund providers (23:26)Canada's largest mutual fund — a real example of what CRM3 will reveal (24:11)Questions every investor should ask their advisor right now (26:10)How long before the industry shifts? A 5 to 7 year evolution (26:42)Final thoughts: CRM3 is a very good thing for Canadian investors (28:12) Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112. Follow Tulett,Matthews & Associates on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, and more! Follow The Empowered Investor on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Thanks for listening!

    CRM3 Explained: What Canadian Investors Need to Know Before 2027

  2. Sep 17

    Fiduciary vs. Suitability: What Every Canadian Investor Needs to Know

    About This Episode In this episode, Keith Matthews sits down with TMA's Chief Compliance Officer and Director of Operations, Michael Baldoni, for an important and eye-opening conversation on a topic most Canadian investors don't fully understand: fiduciary care. Michael brings a wealth of experience from large financial institutions including National Bank Financial, MD Financial, and Scotia's High Net Worth Division to break down what fiduciary responsibility actually means, how it differs from the industry's more common suitability standard, and why the distinction matters enormously for your financial outcomes. Keith and Michael walk through the three main types of investment professionals Canadians encounter portfolio managers, investment advisors, and financial planners and explain exactly which standard applies to each. They also explore what it means to work with an independent portfolio manager versus one operating inside a large financial institution, and clarify what fiduciary care does and doesn't guarantee. A must-listen for any Canadian investor who wants to truly understand who is and who isn't mandated to act in their client's best interest. Happy listening! Key Topics Covered: Introduction to Michael Baldoni — background, career path, and why he chose compliance (01:54)From hundreds of portfolio managers at Scotia to a team of six at TMA — the difference between big firms and independent ones (03:48)What is fiduciary care? The legal and ethical obligation to act solely in a client's best interest (06:34)The four pillars of fiduciary responsibility: loyalty, care, disclosure, and avoiding conflicts of interest (06:34)Other professions with fiduciary duties — lawyers, corporate directors, doctors (07:51)Fiduciary vs. suitability — the two standards and what separates them (08:36)The three categories: portfolio manager, investment advisor, and financial planner — who has which responsibility? (10:08)Discretionary vs. non-discretionary accounts — what this means in practice (10:52)Why "financial advisor" is a catch-all title that tells you very little (13:42)How Canadians should actually filter and evaluate the professionals they work with (14:18)How to verify someone's registration category — using provincial securities commission websites (15:49)Designations vs. registration — why having a CFA or CIM doesn't automatically mean fiduciary responsibility (17:37)Live examples: what a non-discretionary recommendation looks like vs. a discretionary decision (18:43)Why discretionary portfolio management leads to better outcomes in bear markets (19:23)Independent portfolio managers vs. large financial institutions — the key structural differences (21:27)How in-house products create potential conflicts of interest — even for registered portfolio managers (22:51)Why TMA's use of Dimensional Fund Advisors does not compromise its fiduciary independence (25:17)Every firm has some conflicts — what matters is how they're managed and disclosed (27:53)Fiduciary care doesn't guarantee good investment results — an important nuance (30:02)Final takeaway: fiduciary first, always — and what options exist for Canadians who don't qualify (31:42)Sneak peek: the next episode on CRM3 and new total cost reporting coming to client statements in 2027 (33:19) Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112. Follow Tulett,Matthews & Associates on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, and more! Follow The Empowered Investor on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Thanks for listening!

    Fiduciary vs. Suitability: What Every Canadian Investor Needs to Know

  3. Aug 20

    Philanthropy & Tax Planning with Flow-Through Shares

    About This Episode In this episode, Ruben Antoine sits down with Albert Labelle, partner at PearTree Canada, to close out the three-part series on charitable giving with a deep dive into flow-through shares — one of the most powerful and least understood tools in Canadian tax and philanthropic planning. Albert walks through what flow-through shares are, why the Canadian government created them, and how they work both as a tax reduction strategy and as a way to supercharge charitable giving. He explains how an individual in the highest tax bracket can make a $50,000 donation for as little as $1,000 out of pocket — and why this is not a loophole, but an intentional government program designed to support Canada's natural resources sector. The conversation also covers how corporations and holding companies can benefit from flow-through shares, the role of the Capital Dividend Account, and how PearTree has structured transactions to eliminate market risk for investors. A fascinating and eye-opening episode for anyone who pays significant taxes, has philanthropic goals, or both. Happy listening! Key Topics Covered: Introduction to Albert Labelle and PearTree Canada (01:49)What are flow-through shares and how did they originate? (03:14)Why mining companies can't simply use banks or venture capital to finance exploration (07:02)Canada's outsized role in global mining — 60 to 65% of mining companies worldwide are Canadian-based (07:02)How the government expanded flow-through shares to critical minerals with a 30% investment tax credit (09:50)Why oil and gas was excluded from the program in 2023 (09:50)Minerals and metals as the foundation of modern technology — from computers to electric vehicles (11:06)Flow-through shares in other countries — how Canada's program compares (12:08)Flow-through shares representing over 80% of natural resources sector financing in Canada (14:14)The tax mechanics: reducing your effective rate from 53% down to the 37% alternative minimum tax floor (15:32)Who is the ideal candidate? Income profile, income type, and the $350,000 threshold (19:13)Why capital gains income is not well-suited for flow-through share transactions (20:32)How PearTree de-risked the transaction — knowing the buy price and exit price in advance (24:11)The philanthropic power of flow-through shares: making a $50,000 donation for as little as $1,000 (28:33)How flow-through shares combine with donor advised funds for maximum philanthropic impact (31:13)Is this aggressive tax planning or a loophole? Why the answer is neither (34:59)Using flow-through shares through a holding company or CCPC — benefits, differences, and the Capital Dividend Account (38:41)Key takeaways: amplifying generosity, reducing taxes, and letting professionals do the work (43:17) Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112. Follow Tulett,Matthews & Associates on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, and more! Follow The Empowered Investor on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Thanks for listening!

    Philanthropy & Tax Planning with Flow-Through Shares

  4. Jul 9

    2026 Mid-Year Investment Review

    Geopolitical tension, market volatility, and remarkable investment returns. In this episode, Keith Matthews and Lawrence Greenberg sit down for a mid-year review of the first six months of 2026 — a period packed with geopolitical tension, market volatility, and some truly remarkable investment returns. Keith and Lawrence break down what actually drove markets higher despite a noisy and unsettling news cycle, from the Iran conflict to oil supply shocks and AI capital investment. They walk through asset class returns across the board, zoom out to put the last decade of performance in perspective, and tackle one of the most common investor questions right now: should I keep investing when markets are at all-time highs? They also cover the rotation happening beneath the surface — the relative underperformance of the Mag 7, the surge in small cap and emerging market stocks — and revisit the gold narrative that dominated headlines earlier in the year. A grounding, data-driven episode for any investor wondering what to make of today's markets. Happy listening! Key Topics Covered: Major themes and geopolitical events of the first half of 2026 (01:25)Market volatility: the S&P 500's 10% peak-to-trough drop and its recovery (02:26)What actually drives stock market performance — corporate earnings up 28% year over year (03:17)"Climbing the wall of worry" — why staying invested through the Iran conflict paid off (04:25)Six-month asset class returns: Canadian stocks, US stocks, international, emerging markets, real estate (05:27)Portfolio performance — 60/40 and 100% equity allocations, and the value of tilts to value and small cap (06:34)Zooming out: stock returns since COVID, since the Russia-Ukraine war, and since the trade war (08:53)Canadian real estate vs. diversified stocks over the same period (09:51)The best 10-year period for most Canadian investors — 12.86% per year, or 335% cumulative (11:31)20-year stock market returns: nearly 10% per year, multiplying wealth 6.6x (12:02)The dangers of chasing fads — hedge funds, private equity, syndicated real estate (12:41)Rotation beneath the surface: Mag 7 underperformance vs. the S&P 493 (13:41)US small cap stocks up 21.4% vs. large cap at under 10% — a massive six-month gap (15:15)Gold in 2026: down 20% during peak Iran conflict volatility — what that tells us (16:12)Should you invest at all-time highs? What 1,000 months of data actually show (18:47)Dollar cost averaging: when phasing in large lump sums makes behavioral sense (21:37)Final thoughts: stay the course, stay diversified, and don't forget bonds (23:28) Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112. Follow Tulett,Matthews & Associates on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, and more! Follow The Empowered Investor on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Thanks for listening!

    2026 Mid-Year Investment Review

  5. Jun 25

    Your Money, Your Legacy: How Donor Advised Funds Work

    The Donor Advised Fund Playbook In this episode, Lawrence Greenberg continues the three-part series on charitable giving in Canada with Part Two: Donor Advised Funds. He's joined by special guest Linda Argalgi, tax accountant and philanthropy advisor at the Jewish Community Foundation (JCF). Linda walks through what a donor advised fund (DAF) is, how it compares to a private foundation, and why this strategy isn't just for the ultra-wealthy. They cover the mechanics of contributing to a DAF, how investment options work, and the key differences in administration, privacy, disbursement flexibility, and legacy planning between a DAF and a private foundation. Lawrence and Linda also discuss real-world planning scenarios — from front-loading donations during a high-income or wealth-creation year, to setting up a fund that honors a donor's wishes for generations to come. A must-listen for anyone curious about more sophisticated, flexible ways to structure their charitable giving. Happy listening! Key Topics Covered: Introduction to Linda Argalgi and her path into philanthropy (00:29)Overview of the Jewish Community Foundation (JCF) (02:52)How donors give to charities through a DAF (04:14)Investment options within a donor advised fund (05:36)Why Canadians are turning to DAFs — and debunking the "only for the ultra-wealthy" myth (07:11)DAF vs. private foundation: who owns the assets? (08:53)Administrative burden: private foundation vs. public foundation fund (10:10)Disbursement quotas and flexibility in timing your giving (11:11)Types of assets you can contribute (cash, securities, real estate, insurance, private shares) (12:55)Privacy differences between private foundations and DAFs (13:41)Legacy planning and naming a fund (14:48)The four steps of how a DAF works, from contribution to grant (17:03)Strategic timing: front-loading donations around a high-income or liquidity event (19:25)Real client example: using a DAF after a real estate sale (22:00)What happens to a DAF when the donor passes away (23:11)Debate: are donor advised funds delaying giving to charities? (25:45)Key takeaways and closing thoughts (27:47) Mentioned in this episode: Linda Argalji, tax accountant and philanthropy advisorJewish Community Foundation (JCF). Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112. Follow Tulett,Matthews & Associates on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, and more! Follow The Empowered Investor on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Thanks for listening!

    Your Money, Your Legacy: How Donor Advised Funds Work

  6. Jun 11

    Give More, Keep More: How to Maximize Your Charitable Impact in Canada

    Donations 101: A Canadian Guide to Tax-Smart Charitable Giving In this episode, Lawrence Greenberg and Jackson Matthews kick off a three-part series on charitable giving in Canada. Lawrence and Jackson break down the different ways to give, how charitable donations affect your taxes, and how to plan strategically around your giving. They cover everything from the basic cash donation to the more powerful — and often overlooked — strategy of gifting securities in kind, which can generate significant tax savings for both the donor and the charity. They also touch on corporate giving, the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), annual donation limits, estate planning opportunities, and offer a preview of two advanced strategies — donor advised funds and flow-through shares — that will be explored in depth in the next two episodes. A must-listen for anyone who wants to be more intentional and tax-efficient with their generosity. Happy listening! Key Topics Covered: Introduction and overview of the three-part series (00:46)Ways to give: time, items, cash, and securities (01:12)How charitable donations affect your taxes — the non-refundable tax credit explained (02:34)Spousal pooling of donation receipts (03:46)Cash donation vs. gifting securities in kind — and why in kind is often more powerful (05:03)Corporate giving from a holding company and the Capital Dividend Account (07:29)The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) — a potential roadblock for large donors (08:37)Annual donation limits and the five-year carry-forward rule (10:06)Year of death exception — increasing your limit to 100% of net income (11:39)Preview: Donor Advised Funds explained at a high level (12:53)Preview: Flow-through shares and their tax advantages (14:13)Key takeaways — including why gifting securities in kind is the low-hanging fruit for non-registered account holders (15:04) Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112. Follow Tulett,Matthews & Associates on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, and more! Follow The Empowered Investor on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Thanks for listening!

    Give More, Keep More: How to Maximize Your Charitable Impact in Canada

  7. May 21

    How to Manage the Financial and Emotional Reality of Aging Parents

    In this episode of the Empowered Investor Podcast, Marcelo Taboada sits down with financial journalist and CFP professional Beth Pinsker to discuss one of the most overlooked areas of financial planning: caregiving for aging parents. Beth shares the deeply personal story behind her book My Mother’s Money and explains why financial caregiving is about far more than estate planning. The conversation explores the emotional, logistical, and financial realities families face when a parent becomes ill or incapacitated, from powers of attorney and healthcare directives to sibling dynamics, long-term care costs, and difficult end-of-life decisions. Marcelo and Beth also discuss the hidden burden caregiving places on families, why early conversations matter, and the practical steps listeners can take today to protect both their parents and their own future caregivers. Key takeaways • Financial caregiving is more than estate planning. (00:05:09) • Why most families avoid these conversations until it’s too late. (00:06:48) • The importance of powers of attorney and healthcare directives. (00:12:00) • Why having passwords alone is no longer enough. (00:16:33) • How banks can reject outdated or incomplete legal documents. (00:22:40) • Why estate documents should be reviewed regularly after major life changes. (00:24:23) • How family meetings can reduce conflict and confusion later on. (00:25:59) • The emotional and financial burden often falls disproportionately on women. (00:27:46) • How sibling dynamics can complicate caregiving and estate decisions. (00:28:05) • Why communication and transparency are critical within families. (00:30:12) • What families tend to fight over most during estate settlements. (00:33:29) • The true cost of aging and long-term care planning. (00:34:10) • Why traditional retirement planning often ignores late-life care realities. (00:34:34) • How healthcare and caregiving costs can quickly escalate. (00:35:16) • The difficult balance between protecting parents and preserving inheritances. (00:39:06) • Why aging at home is emotionally appealing but not always practical. (00:41:17) • How early conversations with parents can improve financial planning outcomes. (00:42:54) • Why housing decisions become central later in retirement. (00:44:24) • The emotional difficulty of downsizing and leaving the family home. (00:45:05) • How caregiving changed Beth’s perspective on retirement and life priorities. (00:49:22) • The importance of documenting family stories and personal history before it’s too late. (00:48:00) • Why simplifying finances is one of the greatest gifts to future caregivers. (00:52:36) • The benefits of consolidating accounts and reducing financial complexity. (00:53:16) Mentioned in this episode: Beth PinskerBook: My Mother’s MoneyBeth Pinsker: MarketWatchMarketWatch Thanks for listening! Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112. Follow Tulett,Matthews & Associates on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, and more! Follow The Empowered Investor on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

    How to Manage the Financial and Emotional Reality of Aging Parents

  8. May 7

    Run Your Business with Clarity: Operating Systems with Shelby Hacala

    In this episode, Keith Matthews sits down with Shelby Hacala, Co-Founder of BOS360, to break down how business operating systems can transform the way companies run and grow. They explore why so many entrepreneurs and aspiring business leaders feel stuck or overwhelmed and how implementing the right structure can bring clarity, accountability, and better execution across teams. Shelby shares practical insights on aligning people, setting clear priorities, and building systems that actually drive results. They also discuss the value of coaching, why discipline matters more than motivation, and how small, consistent improvements can lead to major long-term success. If you’re an entrepreneur or aspiring business leader looking to scale your business with more clarity and control, this episode delivers actionable insights you can apply right away. Key moments:Introduction and overview of business operating systems (00:02:56)Shelby Hacala’s entrepreneurial background (00:03:23)Transition from business owner to coach (00:03:23)Why entrepreneurs often feel overwhelmed (00:18:17)The cost of lacking structure in a business (00:18:17)The core components of a strong operating system (00:18:17)Improving communication and alignment within teams (00:25:35)Creating clarity around roles and responsibilities (00:25:35)The importance of setting clear priorities (“rocks”) (00:40:29)How weekly meetings improve execution and accountability (00:43:57)Problem-solving as an ongoing business discipline (00:40:29)The value of having a coach vs doing it alone (00:16:48)Why discipline beats motivation in business growth (00:16:48)Decision-making speed in entrepreneurial vs large organizations (01:00:41)Shifting from financial success to long-term impact (01:01:34) Thanks for Listening! Mentioned in the Episode Shelby HacalaBOS 360Traction Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112. Follow Tulett,Matthews & Associates on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, and more! Follow The Empowered Investor on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

    Run Your Business with Clarity: Operating Systems with Shelby Hacala
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About

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of choices and voices in the Canadian financial services industry, The Empowered Investor Podcast can transform your investment experience and increase your odds of becoming financially secure – forever. With his simple, straightforward approach, host Keith Matthews cuts through the noise to help you make better decisions and discover the best investment and planning strategies for you and your family. As a portfolio manager and advisor at Tulett, Matthews & Associates, Keith has spent twenty-five years helping investors achieve their financial goals using the same planning and portfolio principles discussed in The Empowered Investor podcast. Always an advocate for investors, Keith has spoken at global conferences, been quoted in many Canadian newspapers and magazines, and recently published the new and revised 4th edition of his book, The Empowered Investor. To learn more about Keith’s client advisory services or to request a complementary copy of the latest edition of The Empowered Investor, please visit www.tma-invest.com

Information

  • Creator
    Keith Matthews
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    135
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Keith Matthews
  • Show Website
    The Empowered Investor

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