Think Smart with TMFG

The McClelland Financial Group of CI Assante Wealth Management Ltd.
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Take control of your financial future with expert insights, tips, and guidance from Senior Financial Advisor Mike Connon, Senior Financial Advisor Carlo Cansino, and Financial Advisor John Iaconetti at the McClelland Financial Group of CI Assante Wealth Management Ltd.

  1. 5D AGO

    Episode 349: Revenue Isn’t Success - This Is What Actually Makes a Business Sustainable

    Revenue is often the first number people look at when measuring business success, but it rarely tells the full story. A business can generate strong sales and still struggle financially behind the scenes. In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we break down what actually defines a sustainable business. From profit margins and cash flow to debt management and clients, the real indicators of success go far beyond revenue alone. We also explore the key difference between being a business owner and an employee, including the trade-off between income stability and control, and the risks that come with relying too heavily on the business itself. A major focus is the importance of separating business and personal financial planning. Many owners reinvest everything back into the business, but without building personal wealth outside of it, long-term financial security, especially retirement, can be at risk. A successful business isn’t just about how much you make; it’s about how sustainable, efficient, and aligned it is with your long-term financial plan. 📌 If you’d like help aligning your business and personal financial plan, you can connect with our team here: Schedule a meeting. Question for our listeners: Are you measuring your business success beyond just revenue? 🎧 Watch the full episode on YouTube. Follow us: LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial Group Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/

    14 min

  2. MAR 17

    Episode 348: Is the Canadian Dream Changing?

    The path that once defined financial success in Canada is starting to feel less certain. Rising costs, shifting careers, and housing challenges are prompting many to question the country's economic direction.  In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we break down why Canadians are feeling this shift. From affordability and job market changes to the growing gap between wages and living costs, the traditional roadmap looks very different today. Housing remains a key pressure point, especially for younger Canadians, while many families are now navigating how to support the next generation without compromising their own retirement. We also explore how career stability and pensions have evolved, placing more responsibility on individuals to manage their financial future. The takeaway? The Canadian Dream isn’t gone, but it requires a more active and adaptable approach than before. 📌 If you’d like help building or adjusting your financial plan in today’s changing environment, you can connect with our team here: Schedule a meeting. Question for our listeners: Do you think the Canadian Dream is still achievable today? 🎧 Watch the full episode on YouTube. Follow us: LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial Group Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/

    14 min

  3. MAR 10

    Episode 347: From Saving to Spending - The Retirement Mindset Shift

    For most of our working lives, financial advice is simple: save more, invest consistently, and build your portfolio. But eventually, the conversation changes. Instead of asking how to grow your money, the question becomes how that money will support your lifestyle. On this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we explore the psychological and financial shift that happens as people move from accumulation to spending in retirement. Many savers spend decades building their wealth, only to discover that actually using it can feel uncomfortable. We discuss why this transition can be difficult, including the concept of loss aversion, a behavioural bias that makes people feel the pain of seeing their portfolio decline more strongly than the benefit of using it for their lifestyle. We also look at the structure of retirement income in Canada. Programs like CPP and OAS provide a base level of income, but for most people, they are not enough to maintain the lifestyle they’re used to. That’s why personal savings, pensions, and investment withdrawals play such an important role in retirement planning. The key is understanding that retirement planning isn’t just about building wealth. It’s about building the confidence to use that wealth in a way that supports the life you worked so hard to create. Question for our listeners: Do you think the harder part of financial planning is saving for retirement or learning how to spend in retirement? 📌 If you’d like help turning your savings into a retirement income plan, you can connect with our team here: Schedule a meeting. 🎧 Click here to listen on YouTube. Follow us: LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial Group Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/

    15 min

  4. MAR 3

    Episode 346: Estate Planning Beyond the Will - What Could Catch Your Family Off Guard

    Estate planning isn’t just about who gets what; it’s about what happens to your money, your taxes, and your family when you’re no longer here. On this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we explain why a will is only one part of the process and how taxes can become the biggest surprise for families. From executors and guardianship to beneficiary designations and probate, real planning is about coordination, not just paperwork. We also walk through what happens at death from a tax perspective in Canada. Many assets are treated as if they were sold, which can trigger capital gains and fully taxable RRSP or RRIF balances, sometimes creating the largest tax bill of your lifetime. The goal isn’t just to have documents in place. It’s to reduce stress, avoid unnecessary taxes, and make things easier for the people you care about. Question for our listeners: What feels more overwhelming to you: choosing an executor, understanding the tax impact, or making sure everything is properly coordinated? 📌 If you’d like help reviewing how your will and investments fit together, you can book a meeting with our team here: Schedule a meeting. 🎧 Click here to listen on YouTube. Follow us: LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial Group Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/

    16 min

  5. FEB 24

    Episode 345: How Should You Pay Yourself as a Business Owner - Salary, Dividends, or Both?

    Owning a business gives you flexibility in how you pay yourself, but that flexibility can also create confusion around what’s actually best for your taxes, retirement, and long-term financial plan. On this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we break down the key differences between taking a salary, dividends, or a mix of both, and how each choice impacts your taxes today and your financial future. From RRSP contribution room and CPP benefits to corporate tax rates and long-term savings inside a company, the way you structure your compensation matters more than many business owners realize. We also discuss why incorporating isn’t always the “magic solution” people expect, how leaving money inside a corporation can be beneficial, and the common mistakes owners make when they focus solely on short-term tax savings rather than long-term planning. The goal is to make informed decisions based on your income needs, business structure, and retirement goals so your compensation strategy actually supports the life you’re building. Question for our listeners: If you’re a business owner, what’s been more challenging: deciding how to pay yourself, understanding corporate taxes, or planning for retirement while running the business? 📌 If you’d like guidance on structuring your income, planning withdrawals, or optimizing your compensation strategy, you can book a meeting with our team here: Schedule a meeting. 🎧 Click here to listen on YouTube. Follow us: LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial Group Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/

    14 min

  6. FEB 17

    Episode 344: Tax Canada Season - What Every Canadian Should Know Before Filing

    Tax season has a way of making even the most organized Canadians feel like things are a bit out of control.   On this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we walk through what actually matters for the 2026 tax season, from key filing deadlines and the slips to expect, to the deductions, credits, and common mistakes that can quietly cost people money each year. We talk about why many Canadians end up overpaying, not because they did anything wrong, but because they didn’t know what to look for. We also cover what’s different for self-employed individuals, how staying organized throughout the year can make tax time easier, and why being strategic with RRSP contributions can have a bigger impact than simply trying to maximize them. The goal isn’t to get everything perfect, it’s to stay informed, prepared, and intentional so you can avoid unnecessary stress and make better financial decisions. Question for our listeners: What part of tax season makes you feel the most uncertain, knowing what to claim, staying organized, or worrying you missed something? 📌 If you’d like guidance that goes beyond just filing and helps you plan ahead, you can book a meeting with our team here: Schedule a meeting. 🎧 Click here to listen on YouTube. Follow us: LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial Group Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/

    19 min

  7. FEB 10

    Episode 343: Stop Comparing Yourself - Here’s How It’s Hurting Your Finances

    Can keeping up with everyone else really hurt your finances? The short answer: yes, more than most Canadians realize. On this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we analyze how rising costs and debt are pushing people to compare themselves to friends, coworkers, and what they see online. Those comparison-driven choices? They can lead to stress, overspending, and putting off important long-term planning. We walk through real examples and practical tips on how budgeting, awareness, and informed decisions can help you take control of your money, avoid financial pitfalls, and make smarter moves for the future. The takeaway is simple: focus on your financial growth, not what anyone else is doing. Planning well and sticking to disciplined habits is what really pays off. Question for our listeners: Are comparisons affecting your spending, your career choices, or your long-term plans? 📌 If you want to make a plan that prioritizes your goals, book a meeting with our team here: Schedule a meeting.  🎧 Click here to listen on YouTube. Follow us:  LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial Group Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/

    14 min

  8. FEB 3

    Episode 342: AI and Canadian Jobs - Will Automation Replace Your Work?

    AI isn’t coming; it’s already here. And the real question most Canadians are asking is: Is my job safe? On this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we talk about how AI is already showing up in Canadian workplaces and why the reality is much more nuanced than the headlines suggest. We look at how technology has reshaped work throughout history, from farming and manufacturing to today’s knowledge economy, and why AI is more likely to change the nature of many jobs rather than simply wipe them out. We also discuss which roles may be more exposed to automation, why repetitive and routine tasks are at higher risk, and how factors like education, age, and adaptability affect long-term career resilience. From a planning perspective, we share why learning to work with AI, instead of resisting it, can help you stay relevant, productive, and valuable as the labour market evolves. And we talk about why human skills like judgment, empathy, and behavioural guidance still matter deeply, especially in fields like healthcare, law, and financial advice. The core message? AI isn’t “you versus the machine.” The future belongs to people who learn to work alongside AI and use it to enhance the value they bring to others. Question for our listeners: Are you preparing your career and long-term plans for a world where AI plays a bigger role? 📌 If you’d like help thinking through how changes in your work could affect your financial plan, book a meeting with our team here: Schedule your meeting here. 🎧 Click here to listen on YouTube. Follow us on social: LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial Group Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/

    15 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Take control of your financial future with expert insights, tips, and guidance from Senior Financial Advisor Mike Connon, Senior Financial Advisor Carlo Cansino, and Financial Advisor John Iaconetti at the McClelland Financial Group of CI Assante Wealth Management Ltd.

Information

  • Creator
    The McClelland Financial Group of CI Assante Wealth Management Ltd.
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2020 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Think Smart with TMFG

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