What do you actually earn from the stock market? If you think it's all "interest," think again.

In this episode, Tré Bynoe, CFP, CIM, breaks down the three types of investment income in Canada—dividends, capital gains, and other income—and explains how each one is taxed. This isn’t just technical terminology, but essential knowledge for anyone investing outside registered accounts or running a corporation. Understanding these differences can help you keep more of your money and avoid costly tax mistakes.

You’ll learn:

• Why not all investment income is treated equally
• How dividends work and why they’re tax-advantaged
• What counts as a capital gain and when it’s triggered
• Why interest income is often the least tax-efficient
• How corporate structure affects tax treatment
• The hidden power of asset location and after-tax returns

If you’re a professional, business owner, or serious DIY investor, this episode is for you.

Follow, rate, and share the Plain English Finance Podcast.

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This episode is different. It's a reading of a children’s story called The Four Money Bears, recorded for our daughter, Ariyah.

It’s about spending, saving, investing, and giving — but more than that, it’s about balance, care, and intention, and a reminder that how we use money should help us take care of ourselves and each other.

However someone finds this episode, I hope it reminds you to tell the people you love how important they are, because we're only human and nothing is guaranteed.

Love you baby girl.

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Many Canadians are stuck under a mountain of debt. Some with no idea how much they owe, or how to get out. In this episode, Tré breaks down what to do right now if you’re facing serious consumer debt. From making your first net worth statement to choosing between the avalanche and snowball methods, this is your guide to regaining control.

Whether you’re a professional, business owner, or anyone dealing with high-interest debt, this episode helps you stop spinning your wheels and start taking action.

What you’ll learn:

• Why avoiding the numbers only makes things worse
• How to do a basic net worth and debt inventory
• When to choose avalanche vs. snowball for repayment
• The biggest mistake with car loans and mortgages
• Why lifestyle cuts and sacrifices are non-negotiable
• How to make debt payoff sustainable and final

Like what you hear? Follow, review, and share the podcast to help more Canadians take control of their money.

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Think taking out a car loan in your 20s is no big deal? Think again.

In this episode, Tré breaks down the long-term consequences of everyday debt decisions using real-life modelling to show how a single $40,000 car loan can quietly derail your financial trajectory for decades. It isn’t only about interest—it's about financial stress, lost time, and missed opportunities.

If you’ve ever said, “I had no choice,” this one’s for you.

What you’ll learn:

• How a single debt decision at 25 changes your life at 45
• Why debt isn’t just about cost, it’s about long-term stress
• What “financial flexibility” actually looks like
• The hidden opportunity cost of car loans
• Why delayed gratification is a wealth-building superpower

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Most Canadian parents know about RESPs, but few use them to their full potential. In this episode, Tré exposes the common RESP mistakes that cost families thousands and shows you how to actually make the most of this powerful tool.

You’ll learn how to maximize government grants, why timing matters more than you think, and how RESP investing can be a stealthy tax strategy. Plus, Tré explains why helping your kids should never come at the cost of your own retirement.

What you’ll learn:

• How RESP grant matching actually works (and how to catch up if you fall behind)
• Why “superfunding” your RESP may not be optimal
• The best RESP strategy based on your expected investment return
• What happens if your kid doesn’t go to school
• How to use RESPs for income splitting and tax planning

Subscribe, rate, or share the show to help more Canadians make smart money decisions.
🔗 https://trebynoe.ca/podcast

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In this episode, Tré breaks down how credit scores work in Canada using best practices given directly from Equifax and TransUnion. Using information straight from Equifax and TransUnion, he explains exactly what goes into your score and how to build it the right way.

Whether you’re starting out or trying to repair your credit, this episode will help you make smarter decisions that lenders actually care about.

What you'll learn:

• The five real factors that impact your credit score (and what doesn’t)
• How to use credit without damaging your score
• What credit utilization actually means—and why 30% matters
• Why obsessing over your score past 750 is a waste of time
• How to build credit early, safely, and effectively
• When giving money can hurt your financial stability

Share this with someone building credit—or struggling with it. And don’t forget to follow or review the show.

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In this episode, Tré lays out the clear financial steps to follow if you’re thinking about starting a business in Canada.

If you’re a Canadian professional or aspiring business owner, this episode is your practical roadmap.

You’ll learn why understanding cash flow, separating your identity from the business, and using debt efficiently aren’t optional—they’re foundational.

What you'll learn:

• Why learning basic financial skills beats chasing business trends
• The difference between self-employment and real business ownership
• How to structure debt to reduce taxes as a sole proprietor
• When (and why) to consider incorporating
• How to avoid common traps that lead to CRA nightmares
• Why planning your exit strategy now pays off later

If you want to start smart and stay solvent, this episode is essential.

Follow, review, or share the show to help more Canadians build businesses that work—for them.

Teaching comes with one of the best pensions in Canada. But that doesn’t mean your retirement is “set and forget.” In this episode, Tré walks through the financial decisions every teacher needs to get right—before and after retiring.

Defined benefit pensions reduce your investment risk but create planning traps if you don’t understand tax brackets, withdrawal timing, and how your income really works in retirement. If you’re a teacher or married to one, this episode is essential listening.

What you’ll learn:

• How defined benefit pensions work (and why they’re golden handcuffs)
• The big pension change in 2015 that impacts your payout
• Why CPP, OAS, and RRSP timing matters more than you think
• How to avoid paying more tax than necessary in retirement
• When to use (or avoid) RRSPs if you're in a defined benefit plan
• What to consider before buying retiree health and dental plans

Know a teacher? Share this episode with them—they’ll thank you later. And don’t forget to follow or rate the podcast.

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