The Wealthy Barber Podcast

The Wealthy Barber Inc.
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Investing
  • Updated Weekly

The Wealthy Barber Podcast is Canada’s go-to source for approachable, entertaining, and free financial education. Hosted by none other than David Chilton—former Dragon on CBC’s ”Dragons’ Den” and the best-selling author of ”The Wealthy Barber” and ”The Wealthy Barber Returns”—this podcast is here to help Canadians manage their money better. Much better. Dave Chilton has spent over 35 years demystifying personal finance, offering understandable, unbiased, and actionable advice that has empowered millions of Canadians to achieve their financial goals. Now, he’s bringing that same wisdom to your favourite podcasting platforms, with regular episodes designed to make personal finance simple, relatable, and yes, even entertaining. Episodes of The Wealthy Barber Podcast features Dave in conversation with expert guests from across the spectrum of Canadian personal finance. From investing and real estate to taxes, RESPs, and even money psychology, no topic is off-limits. Plus, don’t miss our special “Office Hours” episodes, where Dave answers real questions from audience members, delivering informed, balanced, and sometimes downright funny advice. Follow for Canadian personal finance made simple.

  1. 20h ago

    #72 — Leanne Kauman (Returns): Trust & Estate Planning Advice

    Our guest this episode is Leanne Kaufman — President and CEO of RBC Royal Trust and one of Canada's leading voices on trust and estate planning. A lawyer by training, Leanne joined RBC Royal Trust in 1999 and has spent more than two decades helping Canadian families protect and transfer their wealth. She returns to the show after first joining us back in episode #32. In this episode, Dave and Leanne dive into the estate planning issues that trip up Canadian families most often. They break down what probate actually is, and the risks of using joint accounts and gifting to avoid it. Leanne also explains how regular-income Canadians can use trusts, covering formal vs. informal trusts, multi-generational planning, the tax disadvantages, the 21-year rule and the legal duties that come with being a trustee. The conversation also explores the practical side of getting your affairs in order, from what to do before naming someone as your executor to thinking through your beneficiary designations and building a "When I Die" binder. Along the way, Leanne shares her perspective on why you should talk to your beneficiaries while you still can, how to choose the right power of attorney for personal care and property, and the risks of naming co-powers of attorney. Whether you're drafting your first will, updating an existing plan or have been named as someone's executor or power of attorney, this episode is full of clear, practical guidance to help you and your family avoid costly mistakes.    Show Notes (00:00) Intro & Disclaimer (00:55) Intro to Leanne Kaufman (03:16) What Is Probate? (06:06) Dave's Policy Idea for Probate Fees (07:26) The Risks of Joint Accounts (08:47) Supreme Court Rulings on Joint Accounts (10:24) Gifting to Avoid Probate (11:34) Why Do Inherited Cottages Cause So Much Family Friction? (15:27) Capital Gains Tax on Family Cottages (17:57) How Regular-Income Canadians Can Use Trusts (22:36) Multi-Generational Planning with Trusts (23:49) The Difference Between Formal and Informal Trusts (25:10) The Tax Disadvantages of Trusts (28:47) The Legal Obligations and Fiduciary Duties of a Trustee (31:14) How Much Do Corporate Trustees Charge? (32:41) The 21-Year Rule for Trusts (34:21) What to Do Before Naming Someone as Your Executor (36:23) Naming a Lawyer as Executor Is a Personal Appointment (37:38) Think Through Your Beneficiary Designations (39:27) The Importance of a "When I Die" Binder and What to Put In It (43:50) Why You Should Talk to Your Beneficiaries Before You Die (44:46) Hiring a Corporate Executor or Agency Service (49:16) Choosing the Right Power of Attorney for Personal Care and Property (53:18) The Risks of Naming Co-Powers of Attorney (54:25) Conclusion

  2. Sep 15

    #71 — Jonathan Chevreau: Lessons from Decades as a Personal Finance Author & Journalist

    Our guest this episode is Jonathan Chevreau — veteran personal finance journalist, author and founder of the Financial Independence Hub. Jonathan spent nearly two decades as the National Post's personal finance columnist, served as Editor-in-Chief of MoneySense and still writes the magazine's Retired Money column. In this episode, Dave and Jonathan dive into the lessons of a career spent covering Canadian money, from Jonathan's early years sounding the alarm on mutual fund fees to the discipline of filing a story a day for a national newspaper. They explore why Jonathan sees a paid-off house as the foundation of financial independence, what the "12 good years" of retirement are, and what it looks like to keep working on your own terms well past the traditional finish line. Whether you're planning your own path to financial independence or already living it, this episode offers a hard-won perspective from one of the most experienced voices in Canadian personal finance.    Show Notes (00:00) Intro & Disclaimer (00:55) Intro to Jonathan Chevreau (02:25) Jonathan Was Early to Criticize High-Cost Mutual Funds (04:32) Jonathan's Semi-Retirement (06:32) Handling the Pressure of Daily Writing Deadlines (08:53) The 12 Best Years of Retirement & Travelling (12:25) Exploring the Annuity Puzzle (16:28) Home Affordability Challenges, FHSAs and the Bank of Mom and Dad (20:39) Debating Downsizing Versus Aging in Place (23:02) The Growing Strain on the Long-Term Care System (24:55) Staying Active in Retirement (27:04) Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence and the Job Market (29:25) Sector ETFs vs. Index Funds (30:48) Avoiding Crypto and NFT Investment Hype (32:21) Long-Term Optimism for Canada's Economy (33:28) Retaining Innovative Tech Talent and Funding in Canada (35:03) Highlighting Outstanding Canadian Financial Educators (37:47) Conclusion

  3. Sep 1

    #70 — Chad Wiebe: Retirement Planning 101

    Our guest this episode is Chad Wiebe — Certified Financial Planner and Founder of Pathway Wealth, a virtual, advice-only financial planning firm based in Winnipeg serving clients across Canada.  In this episode, Dave and Chad take a deep dive into the fundamentals of retirement planning. They explore why so many retirees struggle to give themselves permission to spend, how to build a financial plan that accounts for spending shocks, and the massive potential costs of long-term care. Chad also breaks down the hidden benefits of downsizing your home, the factors to weigh when deciding how many more years to work, and the delicate task of telling a client they can't retire just yet. The conversation also covers plenty of nuts-and-bolts strategy, including strategic RRIF withdrawals to smooth out your average tax rate, why the RRSP is still an outstanding vehicle for most people, whether everyone should delay CPP, and the tax disadvantages facing single seniors. Along the way, Chad shares his perspective on giving early inheritances to children, the assets you should consider selling before retiring, and the complexities of retiring with a corporate account. Whether retirement is decades away or right around the corner, this episode is full of practical guidance to help you plan with confidence.   Show Notes (00:00) Intro & Disclaimer (00:55) Intro to Chad Wiebe (02:44) Why Chad Left K4 Financial to Start His Own Firm (04:43) Scaling an Advice-Only Financial Planning Business (06:06) The Value of Advice-Only Financial Planning (07:16) Specializing in Deaccumulation and Retirement Planning (10:00) Common Pre-Retirement Mistake: No TFSA (12:05) The Permission Problem in Retirement (14:15) Creating a Financial Plan with Spending Shocks (19:22) Planning for the Massive Costs of Long-Term Care (22:29) The Hidden Benefits of Downsizing Your Home in Retirement (25:50) The Factors When Deciding How Many More Years to Work Before Retirement (29:51) How to Tell a Client They Cannot Retire Yet (31:49) The Risks and Rewards of Giving Early Inheritances to Children (34:35) Strategic RRIF Withdrawals to Smooth Out Your Average Tax Rate (39:09) Why the RRSP is Still an Outstanding Vehicle for Most People (40:53) The Tax Disadvantages for Single Seniors (43:24) Should Everyone Delay CPP? (48:41) Assets You Should Sell Before Retiring (50:32) The Complexities of Retiring with a Corporate Account (53:10) Growing a YouTube Channel (54:21) Conclusion

  4. Aug 25

    #69 — Mike Lipkin: How to Find Purpose in Life and Retirement

    Our guest this episode is Mike Lipkin — motivational speaker, executive coach and founder of Environics/Lipkin, a Toronto-based research and motivation company. Mike has spoken to more than a million people across 43 countries, authored 18 books on leadership and high performance, and has built his career around helping people play at their best. In this episode, Dave and Mike dive into what it takes to build a life of purpose in retirement, starting with the sobering statistics linking retirement and depression and why so many men in particular struggle once they stop working. They cover the habits that keep you energetic and fit as you age, including six daily practices that can extend your life span, the case for mini home workouts and the neuroscience behind why personal growth matters more than ever in your later years. The conversation also gets personal. Mike opens up about his own battle with severe depression and how he rebuilt his life, shares inspiring stories of lifelong learning and choosing impact over comfort, and warns about the atrophy that can set in early in retirement if you don't stay involved. He also reflects on balancing travel and independence in marriage, his spectacular success investing in tech stocks, lessons from 44 years of marriage and a preview of his upcoming book. Whether you're approaching retirement, already there or simply want to age with more energy and purpose, this episode is full of practical wisdom you can put to work right away.    Show Notes (00:00) Intro & Disclaimer (00:55) Intro to Mike Lipkin (04:08) Retirement and Depression Statistics (07:45) Staying High Energy and Fit as You Age (09:39) Six Daily Habits to Extend Your Life Span (12:08) The Benefits of Mini Home Workouts (14:09) Mike's Story About Overcoming Depression and Rebuilding (17:03) Why Men Struggle with Purpose in Retirement (18:59) The Neuroscience of the Importance of Personal Growth in Retirement (21:23) Staying in Shape as You Age (23:29) Inspiring Stories of Lifelong Learning (26:17) Impact Over Comfort (28:06) The Danger of Atrophy in Early Retirement if You Don't Stay Involved (31:44) Balancing Travel and Independence in Marriage (33:53) Mike's Spectacular Success Investing in Tech Stocks (39:51) Lessons From 44 Years of Marriage (42:35) Mike's Upcoming Book (45:21) Conclusion

  5. Aug 18

    #68 — Brian Portnoy: A Behavioural Finance Expert on How to Shape a Life of Money and Meaning

    Our guest this episode is Brian Portnoy — behavioural finance expert, founder and CEO of Shaping Wealth and author of "The Geometry of Wealth" and "The Investor's Paradox." Brian holds a PhD from the University of Chicago, is a CFA charterholder and spent more than two decades in the financial industry. His mission is helping people use their money to underwrite a meaningful life. In this episode, Dave and Brian dive into behavioural finance and the fast-changing world of financial advice. They explore the challenges of building an AI coach that's genuinely helpful, the lessons Brian took from Morningstar and the hedge fund industry, and why "simplicity on the far side of complexity" is worth striving for. They also break down the investor's paradox, choice overload and how thoughtful choice architecture can combat decision fatigue. The conversation also traces the 50-year arc of financial advice, from product-pushing to planning to the human side of money, and why good financial planning can sometimes feel like marriage counselling. Along the way, Brian shares the difference between being rich and being wealthy, the impact of his "funded contentment" concept and his perspective on growth, hope and defining "enough." Whether you're an investor, an advisor or simply someone trying to figure out what money is actually for, this episode is packed with thoughtful insights you won't want to miss.   Show Notes (00:00) Intro & Disclaimer (00:55) Intro to Brian Portnoy (03:52) Shaping Wealth and the Lydia AI Innovation (06:43) The Challenges of Building an AI Coach (08:50) Partnering with Conquest Planning Software (13:15) Lessons from Morningstar and the Hedge Fund Industry (15:53) Simplicity on the Far Side of Complexity (20:33) The Investor's Paradox and Choice Overload (24:04) Decision Fatigue & Choice Architecture (29:03) The 50-Year Arc of Financial Advice (33:25) Financial Planning Can Be Like Marriage Counselling (35:35) The Difference Between Being Rich and Being Wealthy (40:53) The Impact of the Funded Contentment Concept (42:03) Growth, Hope, and Defining Enough (44:08) Conclusion

  6. Aug 11

    #67 — Alexandra Macqueen: How Retirement Planning Has Changed Over the Years

    Our guest this episode is Alexandra Macqueen — CFP professional, Vice President of Learning, Development and Professional Practice at FP Canada and one of Canada's leading voices on retirement income planning. Alexandra has been a practicing financial planner since 2005, taught personal finance at York University's Schulich School of Business and co-authored the bestselling book "Pensionize Your Nest Egg." In this episode, Dave and Alexandra dive into how retirement planning has changed over the years, from the way rising longevity has reshaped Canadians' awareness of retirement risks to the assumptions that underpin every retirement plan. They cover why financial planning has become harder, when professional advice can pay off for retirees, and the roles FP Canada and the QAFP designation play in raising the standard of advice. Alexandra also breaks down the factors to weigh when deciding whether to commute a defined benefit pension and makes the case for annuities as a retirement planning tool. The conversation also explores reverse mortgages and how they compare to HELOCs, the "Die With Zero" legacy approach, lessons from "The Millionaire Next Door" and why the timing of CPP and OAS is different for everyone.  Whether you're nearing retirement or simply want to understand the decisions that will shape it, this episode is packed with practical insights from one of Canada's most respected retirement planning experts.    Show Notes (00:00) Intro & Disclaimer (00:55) Intro to Alexandra Macqueen (03:07) Why Alexandra Specialized in Retirement Income Planning (04:32) Why Longevity Has Changed the Awareness of Retirement Planning (06:56) Assumptions in Retirement Planning (10:14) Financial Planning Has Become Harder (12:55) Why Professional Financial Advice Can Pay Off for Retirees (13:51) What Is FP Canada? (15:23) What Is the QAFP Designation? (17:45) The Factors When Deciding to Commute a Defined Benefit Pension or Not (22:15) Annuities as a Retirement Planning Tool (25:13) Are Reverse Mortgages an Underappreciated Financial Tool? (26:30) Reverse Mortgages vs. HELOCs: Which Makes More Sense? (28:08) Evaluating the Die With Zero Legacy Approach (29:17) Lessons from "The Millionaire Next Door" (32:01) It's Harder to Navigate Financial Planning Today (36:17) The Value of an Outside Voice in Financial Planning for Spouses (37:54) The Role of Active vs. Passive Investing Strategies (39:23) When to Take CPP and OAS Is Different for Everyone (41:20) The Increasing Costs of Assisted Living (42:44) Teaching Financial Planners the Psychological Aspects of Working with Clients (45:18) The Reality of Family Adjustments After Retirement (46:03) The Improvement of the Financial Advice Industry (47:54) Conclusion

  7. Jul 28

    #66 — Brenda Hiscock: A Remarkable Story About Overcoming Hardships and Finding Fulfillment as a Financial Planner

    Our guest this episode is Brenda Hiscock, a CFP with Objective Financial Partners, one of Canada's leading advice-only planning firms. Brenda's route to financial planning was anything but easy. She lost her mother as a teenager, faced homelessness, battled addiction and overcame a cancer diagnosis, all while building a decades-long career in Canadian financial services. Today, she draws on those experiences to help clients navigate both the numbers and the emotions of money. In this episode, Dave and Brenda dive into her remarkable life story: the childhood hardship and early family loss that shaped her, and the turning point that came through therapy, mentorship and self-forgiveness.  The conversation also explores a wide range of retirement topics, including practical tips for people who start their financial planning later in life, retiring abroad, planning for the potential costs of long-term care and the psychology of actually spending your savings later in life. Brenda shares her thinking on protecting parents' retirements before making gifts to their kids, using trusts to protect generational wealth, RRSP meltdowns, delaying CPP and OAS, and facing retirement with a mortgage.  This episode is packed with practical insights and an inspiring story you won't want to miss.    Show Notes (00:00) Intro & Disclaimer (00:55) Intro to Brenda Hiscock (02:09) Brenda's Childhood Hardship and Early Family Loss (05:41) The Trauma of Eviction and Developing an Addiction (07:31) The Turning Point: Therapy, Mentorship and Self-Forgiveness (10:54) Overcoming a Cancer Diagnosis and Rebuilding Confidence (11:54) Tips if You Start Financial Planning Later in Life (14:10) How Brenda's Life Experiences Have Informed Her Views on Insurance (16:00) Retiring Abroad (18:29) Managing Client Fears About the Stock Market (20:54) Planning for the Looming Potential Costs of Long-Term Care (22:40) The Psychology of Spending Your Savings Later in Life (25:08) Protecting Parents' Retirement Before Making Gifts to Their Kids (27:39) Using Trusts to Protect Generational Wealth (28:29) RRSP Meltdowns and Delaying CPP/OAS (30:04) Who Seeks Advice-Only Financial Planning? (31:01) The Impact of "Millionaire Teacher" (32:00) Raising the Standards in the Canadian Financial Planning Industry (35:00) Facing Retirement with a Mortgage (37:23) Embracing Your Authentic Life Story (39:50) Conclusion

  8. Jul 21

    #65 — Michael J. Wiener: Answers to the Money Questions That Matter

    Our guest this episode is Michael J. Wiener — retired cryptologist and the writer behind the long-running Canadian personal finance blog "Michael James on Money." After a high-tech career in cryptography that produced roughly 20 patents, Michael has spent nearly two decades applying an engineer's rigour to investing and retirement math, helping everyday Canadians make clearer, lower-fee, evidence-based decisions with their money. In this episode, Dave and Michael dive into the real cost of investment fees, from high-fee group RRSPs to how seemingly small percentages quietly erode a portfolio over decades. They cover the evidence for passive investing over active management, how to optimize RESP contributions, strategies for smoothing taxes on retirement income and whether it makes sense to delay taking CPP and OAS. The conversation also explores how Michael uses the CAPE ratio to adjust his asset allocation, planning ahead for cognitive decline, the debt paydown vs. investing question and why he's skeptical of Dalbar's famous mutual fund underperformance data. Along the way, Michael shares his takes on real estate investing, reverse mortgages, budgeting for healthcare and long-term care costs, and estate planning essentials. If you want clear, math-driven thinking on investing and retirement from someone with no product to sell, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss.   Show Notes (00:00) Intro & Disclaimer (00:57) Intro to Michael J. Wiener (03:09) The Impact of High Fees in Group RRSPs (05:23) The Big Impact of Seemingly Small Investment Fees (07:09) Active Management vs. Passive Investing (08:46) Optimizing RESP Contributions: Lump Sum vs. Ongoing (12:02) Smooth Taxation Strategies for Retirement Income Planning (14:49) Should You Delay Taking OAS and CPP? (17:02) How Michael Uses the CAPE Ratio to Adjust His Asset Allocation (20:40) Addressing Cognitive Decline and Managing Your Investments (22:25) Balancing Debt Paydown vs. Investing (24:21) RRSP vs. TFSA Debate (25:55) Is a 100% Equity Portfolio Right for Young Investors? (27:19) Evaluating Dalbar's Mutual Fund Underperformance Data (30:34) The Realities and Hassles of Real Estate Investing (33:28) The Hidden Risks and Rules of Reverse Mortgages (35:01) Common Financial Mistakes Savers Make in Retirement (36:38) Budgeting for Healthcare and Long-Term Care Costs (39:47) Cash Value Insurance vs. Term Insurance for Canadians (41:24) Essential Estate Planning and Power of Attorney Tips (42:15) The Importance of Decluttering for the Next Generation (44:07) Engineering, Cryptography, and Quantum Computing Threats (45:01) The Story Behind Michael's Pseudonym (45:49) Finding an Initial Audience and Blogging Success (46:34) Conclusion

See All (73)

Trailer

Hosts & Guests

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

The Wealthy Barber Podcast is Canada’s go-to source for approachable, entertaining, and free financial education. Hosted by none other than David Chilton—former Dragon on CBC’s ”Dragons’ Den” and the best-selling author of ”The Wealthy Barber” and ”The Wealthy Barber Returns”—this podcast is here to help Canadians manage their money better. Much better. Dave Chilton has spent over 35 years demystifying personal finance, offering understandable, unbiased, and actionable advice that has empowered millions of Canadians to achieve their financial goals. Now, he’s bringing that same wisdom to your favourite podcasting platforms, with regular episodes designed to make personal finance simple, relatable, and yes, even entertaining. Episodes of The Wealthy Barber Podcast features Dave in conversation with expert guests from across the spectrum of Canadian personal finance. From investing and real estate to taxes, RESPs, and even money psychology, no topic is off-limits. Plus, don’t miss our special “Office Hours” episodes, where Dave answers real questions from audience members, delivering informed, balanced, and sometimes downright funny advice. Follow for Canadian personal finance made simple.

Information

  • Creator
    The Wealthy Barber Inc.
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    73
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Wealthy Barber Podcast

You Might Also Like