Plain English Finance

Tré Bynoe CFP®, CIM®
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The Plain English Finance podcast is hosted by Tré Bynoe CFP® CIM®, a financial planner with TCU Wealth Management and Aviso Wealth.  While Tré specializes in working with families with more complicated finances, typically involving corporations and trusts, this podcast is for anyone wanting to learn how to make high-quality decisions based on evidence, to give themselves the highest likelihood of financial success.  You should always consult with your financial, legal, and tax advisors before making changes.  This podcast is provided as a general source of information and should not be considered personal investment advice or solicitation to buy or sell any securities. The views expressed are those of the individual and are not necessarily those of Aviso Financial Inc.  Mutual funds and other securities are offered through Aviso Wealth, a division of Aviso Financial Inc. 

  1. 5d ago

    Why Investing Gets Complicated for Corporation Owners | Ep.57

    Send us Fan Mail Investing gets more complicated once you move beyond RRSPs, TFSAs and simple registered accounts. For Canadian corporation owners, incorporated professionals, and investors with taxable accounts, the type of income your investments generate can matter almost as much as the return itself. In this episode of the Plain English Finance Podcast, Tré and Sierra discuss three core investment concepts that help explain how financial planning, tax planning and portfolio construction fit together for corporation owners. The episode focuses on investment income types, how to think about risk, and why a consistent investment philosophy matters when taxes and corporate accounts are involved. In this episode, we discuss:  Why investing becomes more complicated in non-registered and corporate accounts  The three main types of investment income: interest, capital gains and dividends  Why GICs, bonds and fixed income create interest income  Why capital gains are treated differently from interest income  Why Canadian dividends can have a different tax profile  Why RRSPs change the tax treatment of investment income  Why asset location matters across RRSPs, personal taxable accounts and corporations  Why “risk” should not only mean volatility  Why fixed income may become riskier over long timeframes  Why market ups and downs are a feature, not a flaw  Why low-cost, globally diversified investments can simplify planning  Why turnover matters in taxable accounts  How active management can create unexpected taxable capital gains  Why corporate investment decisions should be made with tax drag in mindLearn more about working with Tré Bynoe, CFP®, CIM®:  https://trebynoe.ca This podcast is provided as a general source of information and should not be considered personal investment, tax or legal advice. Consult your financial, legal and tax professionals before making changes to your financial plan. Website | Youtube | Linkedin

    24 min

  2. Jun 19

    Send This to Someone Who Needs to Start Investing | Ep. 56

    Send us Fan Mail Do you know someone who keeps saying they’ll start investing “later”? This episode is for the person who knows investing is important but feels overwhelmed by where to begin. Tré and Sierra talk through the simplest possible starting point for a young Canadian or beginner investor: understand compound interest, stop waiting to learn everything, open a TFSA, start investing, and learn more as you go. The point is not to build the perfect investment strategy on day one. The point is to stop losing time. In this episode, we discuss:  Why compound interest matters so much  Why the first $100,000 invested is such an important milestone  How starting earlier can matter more than saving more later  Why “I’ll catch up later” usually does not work  Why young investors should focus on getting started instead of optimizing  Why a TFSA is often the simplest place to begin  Why a low-cost global equity portfolio can be a reasonable default  Why early market drops can actually help you build investing experience  The difference between risk tolerance and risk capacity  Why keeping everything in cash or GICs can create its own long-term risk  How parents, friends and family can encourage someone to start investing If you are young, new to investing, or trying to help someone you care about get started, the message is simple: Start now. Keep it simple. Learn as you go. Waiting until you understand every detail may feel safer, but time is one of the most valuable ingredients in building wealth. Once it is gone, you cannot get it back. Chapters 00:00 Helping someone start investing  00:44 Why “just start” matters most  01:24 Compound interest explained simply  02:13 Why starting young changes everything  02:45 The first $100,000 invested  03:30 Why compound interest feels unimpressive at first  05:04 When investment growth starts to feel real  06:32 Why lost time cannot be recovered  07:45 What an 18-year-old should do first  08:24 Step 1: understand compound interest  09:25 Step 2: do not wait to learn everything  10:18 Step 3: start with a TFSA  11:04 When young people can start investing  12:00 Investing for kids before they can open their own account  12:46 Step 4: choose a 100% equity portfolio  13:12 Investing is like learning to drive  14:18 Why owning assets builds wealth  14:42 Global equity index funds  15:20 Why early market drops can be useful lessons  16:00 Risk capacity versus risk tolerance  17:30 Use the default, then learn why  18:14 Why early losses feel bigger than they are  19:10 Where to open an investment account  20:05 Why starting early made such a difference  21:00 First-generation financial literacy  22:28 Recap: compound interest matters  22:58 Recap: there is no catching up later  23:10 Recap: start with a TFSA  23:28 Recap: choose a low-cost global equity fund  24:00 Why a market crash should not stop you  24:40 Building a lifetime investing habit  25:08 Send this episode to someone who needs to start  25:52 Final thoughts and disclaimer Learn more about working with Tré Bynoe, CFP®, CIM®:  https://trebynoe.ca Website | Youtube | Linkedin

    27 min

  3. Jun 12

    RRSPs Aren’t a Scam, But This Mistake Is Costly | Ep. 55

    Send us Fan Mail RRSPs are not a scam, but using one without a withdrawal plan can create an avoidable tax problem. In this episode, we explain when RRSP contributions help, when they don't, and why retirement withdrawals need to be planned years in advance. What I cover: • Why an RRSP is best understood as a tool for moving income between years • The mistake people make when they spend their RRSP tax refund • How one client’s decision may have cost approximately $12,000 • Why taking no RRSP income in early retirement can backfire • How RRIF withdrawals, pensions, CPP, and OAS can stack together • Why automatically maximizing your RRSP is not always the best strategy Chapters: 00:00 Are RRSPs a scam? 01:12 What an RRSP actually does 02:18 The problem with spending the tax refund 04:40 The RRSP decision that may have cost $12,000 06:35 Why the withdrawal strategy matters 08:28 How a large RRSP can become a retirement tax trap 13:12 Using lower-income years for withdrawals 25:02 When maximizing your RRSP may be the wrong move RRSP planning is not a way to get a tax refund. Deciding when you want to recognize the income and pay the tax is what they're designed for. Subscribe for more practical conversations about Canadian retirement, tax, and financial planning. Website | Youtube | Linkedin

    32 min

  4. May 29

    Are You Paying Too Much to Invest? | Ep. 53

    Send us Fan Mail Paying more for investing does not automatically mean you are getting better advice, better products, or better returns. In this episode, Tre breaks down what Canadians should understand about investment fees, advice fees, product costs, commissions, and the difference between active and passive investing. He explains why new fee disclosures matter, how fees can quietly drag down returns, and why investors need to know exactly what they are paying for. This episode is especially useful for professionals, business owners, and DIY investors who want to make informed decisions instead of assuming higher cost means higher quality. The goal is simple: know your fees, understand the value, and stop overpaying for complexity that may not help you.  You’ll learn:  Why higher investment fees do not always mean better performance  How active and passive investing costs compare  What management expense ratios mean in plain English  Why commission-based products can create conflicts  How advice fees, product fees, and robo-advisor fees differ  Why good financial planning should be clear about cost and value Follow, review, and share the Plain English Finance Podcast with someone who needs to check what they are really paying for financial advice. Website | Youtube | Linkedin

    1h 4m

  5. May 22

    Conversations on Money, Values, and Parenthood | Ep. 52

    Send us Fan Mail What changes when a financial planner becomes a parent? More than you think—and less than you might expect. In this episode, Tre shares the practical money moves he made after having a child, from updating the family will to reviewing life insurance, adjusting cash flow, and setting money aside early for future needs. He also talks about the bigger parenting challenge: teaching kids how money works without spoiling them, scaring them, or making money the centre of everything. This episode is for Canadian parents, soon-to-be parents, and professionals who want to raise financially capable kids while protecting their family first.  You’ll learn:  Why parents need a will, guardianship plan, and proper life insurance  How to budget for a child before and after they arrive  Why cash flow is the foundation of family finances  How to teach kids delayed gratification and responsible spending  Why children should learn to earn, save, invest, and give  How to raise kids with healthy money values in a privileged environment Follow, review, and share the Plain English Finance Podcast with someone who wants to make better financial decisions for their family. Website | Youtube | Linkedin

    25 min

  6. May 15

    Too Good to Be True? Investment Red Flags Explained | Ep. 51

    Send us Fan Mail Have you ever looked at an investment and wondered if it was too good to be true?  In this episode, we walk through the red flags that can show up in private investments, real estate deals, mortgage funds, and other “exclusive” opportunities. What I cover:  Why high returns with low risk should immediately raise questions  The problem with returns that look too smooth or consistent  How urgency can push people into poor investment decisions  Why you need to understand how an investment makes money  Why you also need to understand how you could lose money  The hidden risk in private or illiquid investmentsThis episode is for education only and should not be considered personal investment advice. Always speak with your financial, legal, and tax advisors before making investment decisions. Subscribe for more plain-English conversations about investing, financial planning, and avoiding costly money mistakes. Website | Youtube | Linkedin

    28 min

  7. May 8

    Why Smart People Make Bad Money Decisions | Ep. 50

    Send us Fan Mail Your calm self is not always a good judge of what your stressed self will do. In this episode, we talk about why smart people still make poor financial decisions under pressure. What I cover: Why good intentions do not guarantee good financial decisionsHow hot-cold empathy gaps affect investing, retirement, and estate planningWhy people misjudge how they will feel during market crashesThe difference between risk capacity and emotional willingnessHow too many options can create analysis paralysisWhy pre-deciding rules and automating good behaviour can help protect your future selfPlanning is easier before life gets emotional. Subscribe for more plain-English conversations about investing, retirement, tax planning, and better financial decision-making. References: https://www.cmu.edu/dietrich/sds/docs/loewenstein/hotColdEmpathyGaps.pdf https://dtg.sites.fas.harvard.edu/Gilber%20t&%20Ebert%20%28DECISIONS%20&%20REVISIONS%29.pdf Website | Youtube | Linkedin

    57 min

  8. May 1

    Popular Money Advice vs What the Research Says | Ep. 49

    Send us Fan Mail Most money advice is popular because it’s easy to follow — not because it’s right.  In this episode, I break down what academic research says about personal finance versus what popular financial books and gurus recommend. What I cover  Why “save 10–15%” is simple, but not always optimal  The difference between smooth consumption and rule-of-thumb saving  Why dividend investing is often overrated  How to think about portfolio risk based on time horizon, not just age  Where passive investing beats active management  What the data says about debt repayment and mortgage choices Chapters 00:00 Why finance advice conflicts 01:00 The paper comparing gurus vs professors 03:30 Saving 10–15% vs controlling consumption 09:00 The real key: separate income from expenses 18:00 Portfolio mix: age vs time horizon 24:30 Dividend investing vs tax efficiency 31:20 Small value, international diversification, and indexing 35:00 Debt repayment and fixed vs variable mortgages Good financial decisions usually come from better frameworks, not better slogans.  Subscribe for more plain-English financial education, and watch the next episode if you want more evidence-based investing and planning conversations. Website | Youtube | Linkedin

    39 min
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About

The Plain English Finance podcast is hosted by Tré Bynoe CFP® CIM®, a financial planner with TCU Wealth Management and Aviso Wealth.  While Tré specializes in working with families with more complicated finances, typically involving corporations and trusts, this podcast is for anyone wanting to learn how to make high-quality decisions based on evidence, to give themselves the highest likelihood of financial success.  You should always consult with your financial, legal, and tax advisors before making changes.  This podcast is provided as a general source of information and should not be considered personal investment advice or solicitation to buy or sell any securities. The views expressed are those of the individual and are not necessarily those of Aviso Financial Inc.  Mutual funds and other securities are offered through Aviso Wealth, a division of Aviso Financial Inc. 

Information

  • Creator
    Tré Bynoe CFP®, CIM®
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Plain English Finance
  • Show Website
    Plain English Finance

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