The MapleMoney Show

Do you struggle to give to charity? Perhaps you want to give, but aren’t sure where to allocate your charitable dollars. This week’s guest explains why charitable giving is so important, and shows us an easier way to donate. John Bromley began his career in corporate finance working with PwC and RBC Capital Markets. After developing an in-depth understanding of the complex world underpinning the charity sector, he founded Charitable Impact, an organization that has facilitated more than $1.1 billion in charitable donations. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/216 This episode of The MapleMoney Show is brought to you by Retire Happy. Retire Happy has been providing top-quality information and resources on retirement, investing, and estate planning for over 20 years and was named the best personal finance blog by The Globe and Mail. The Retire Happy VIP Members Library includes subscriber-only downloads, including an Annual Financial Checkup and checklists to help you with everything from reviewing your portfolio, to what you need to know about your duties as an executor. Become a Retire Happy VIP, by signing up for free at https://retirehappy.ca/subscribe

Do you consider yourself a perfectionist? Do you struggle to accept failure? Too often, our fear of failure holds us back. My guest this week explains that we should not only embrace failure, we should celebrate it. Erin “Big” Diehl is a Business Improv Edutainer, Failfluencer, and Professional Zoombie. Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn, play, and grow. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/215 This episode of The MapleMoney Show is brought to you by Retire Happy. Retire Happy has been providing top-quality information and resources on retirement, investing, and estate planning for over 20 years and was named the best personal finance blog by The Globe and Mail. The Retire Happy VIP Members Library includes subscriber-only downloads, including an Annual Financial Checkup and checklists to help you with everything from reviewing your portfolio, to what you need to know about your duties as an executor. Become a Retire Happy VIP, by signing up for free today at https://retirehappy.ca/subscribe

The Canadian workplace has undergone massive changes in recent years, with the rise of the gig economy and a shift towards remote work. But does it mean companies have changed how they recruit and hire new talent? My guest this week is an expert on hiring in Canada. He joins me to share tips to help you land a job in 2022 and beyond. David King is a Senior Managing Director with Robert Half, the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions firm. His perspectives and knowledge on workplace issues and labour trends are often featured in major media outlets and executive keynotes, and he provides curriculum guidance to leading educational institutions across the country. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/214 This episode of The MapleMoney Show is brought to you by Retire Happy. Retire Happy has been providing top-quality information and resources on retirement, investing, and estate planning for over 20 years and was named the best personal finance blog by The Globe and Mail. The Retire Happy VIP Members Library includes subscriber-only downloads, including an Annual Financial Checkup and checklists to help you with everything from reviewing your portfolio, to what you need to know about your duties as an executor. Become a Retire Happy VIP, by signing up for free today at https://retirehappy.ca/subscribe

Have you made your will and named an executor for your estate? Does your executor understand your wishes when it comes closing down your digital assets? If not, you still have some work to do. Anything that’s attached to a login ID and password can be considered a digital asset. If your executor isn’t prepared to handle your various online accounts after you die, it could cause problems. David E. Edey is a Certified Executor Advisor (CEA) who has worked in the financial planning industry in Montreal for more than 35 years. No one likes talking about death and inheritances before they have to, but David has learned that having these conversations earlier rather than later will save time and money. I sat down with David this week to talk about digital assets and how you can prepare your executor (and your family members) to make life easier when you’re gone. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/213 This episode of The MapleMoney Show is brought to you by Retire Happy. Retire Happy has been providing top-quality information and resources on retirement, investing, and estate planning for over 20 years and was named the best personal finance blog by The Globe and Mail. The Retire Happy VIP Members Library includes subscriber-only downloads, including an Annual Financial Checkup and checklists to help you with everything from reviewing your portfolio, to what you need to know about your duties as an executor. Become a Retire Happy VIP, by signing up for free at https://retirehappy.ca/subscribe

It’s a subject no one wants to think about, but at some point, many people will be forced to endure the loss of a spouse. The emotional toll alone can be overwhelming, but how do you deal with the financial implications when your spouse passes away? It’s an experience this week’s guest had to face. Richard Dri is a financial planner with over 20 years of experience. In 2020, he lost his wife, Mary after a five year battle with ovarian cancer. He has now dedicated his work to help widows and widowers with their finances. I sat down with Richard to talk about picking up the pieces financially after losing your spouse. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/212 This episode of The MapleMoney Show is brought to you by Retire Happy. Retire Happy has been providing top-quality information and resources on retirement, investing, and estate planning for over 20 years and was named the best personal finance blog by The Globe and Mail. The Retire Happy VIP Members Library includes subscriber-only downloads, including an Annual Financial Checkup and checklists to help you with everything from reviewing your portfolio, to what you need to know about your duties as an executor. Become a Retire Happy VIP, by signing up for free at https://retirehappy.ca/subscribe

The price of Canadian real estate is all over the map. We’ve been hearing that prices will continue to fall, but how far and for how long? With so much volatility, how does one know when it’s a good time to buy a house? Bekim Merdita is the Vice President of Sales & Business Development at Rocket Mortgage Canada, a mortgage broker that uses a fully digital experience to transform the home buying process. Bekim joins me on the show to discuss the current state of the Canadian housing market. Bekim explains why buying a house is like buying a stock, and shares tips on how to get started if you’re planning to buy a house in the near future. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/211 Do you prefer to invest in socially responsible companies? If so, our sponsor Wealthsimple will help you build a portfolio focusing on low carbon, cleantech, human rights, and the environment. To get started with Socially Responsible Investing, head over to https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimple today!

With stock markets in turmoil and sky-high inflation, we haven’t had much in the way of good news as of late. But how does one respond when it seems like our economy is crashing? Do you stay invested or cash out? According to this week’s guest, now isn’t the time to panic, but that doesn’t mean the trouble is over. Kanwal Sarai has been a dividend investor for more than 22 years, and started with just $500. He is the founder of Simply Investing, a dividend investing educational company designed to help people become financially independent, and the all-new Simply Investing Dividend podcast. Kanwal has a natural ability to teach complex subjects in an easy-to-understand manner. He joins me to discuss why dividend investing now matters more than ever. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/210 This episode of The MapleMoney Show is brought to you by Willful. Did you know that 57% of Canadian adults don’t have a will? Willful has made it more affordable, convenient, and easy for Canadians to create legal Will and Power of Attorney documents online from the comfort of home. In less than 20 minutes and for a fraction of the price of visiting a lawyer, you can gain peace of mind knowing you’ve put a plan in place to protect your children, pets, and loved ones in the event of an emergency. Get started for free at https://maplemoney.com/willful and use promo code MAPLEMONEY to save 15%.

What’s your approach to life? Do you set goals for the future or take things as they come? And if you have a spouse or partner, how do you include them in your plans? This week’s guest has achieved financial independence together with his wife. I met him at Fincon in Orlando, Florida, to discuss the role that lifestyle design played in their early retirement. Matt is a financially-independent economist, entrepreneur, and financial consultant who left the corporate world in 2017 to pursue his dreams. With a deep understanding of the investment world in Asia and the West, he currently lives between Switzerland, Singapore, and Taiwan. He writes about how the wealthy manage their money on his blog, Financial Imagineer. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/209 Do you prefer to invest in socially responsible companies? If so, our sponsor Wealthsimple will help you build a portfolio focusing on low carbon, cleantech, human rights, and the environment. To get started with Socially Responsible Investing, head over to https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimple today!

Do you have a career or business venture that you’re trying to grow? If so, how is your network? The very thought of building a network is intimidating for most people, but it doesn’t have to be. For this week’s episode, I reached out to my own network for help. Monica Louie is a former personal finance blogger turned Facebook Ads strategist who now runs her own successful agency. Lacey Langford is an Accredited Financial Coach and founder of the Military Money Show, a podcast dedicated to helping the military community with personal finance. They joined me live from the Podcast Movement Conference in Dallas this week to discuss the importance of building a strong network and to share how networking has made a difference in their careers and lives. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/208 This episode of The MapleMoney Show is brought to you by Willful. Did you know that 57% of Canadian adults don’t have a will? Willful has made it more affordable, convenient, and easy for Canadians to create legal Will and Power of Attorney documents online from the comfort of home. In less than 20 minutes and for a fraction of the price of visiting a lawyer, you can gain peace of mind knowing you’ve put a plan in place to protect your children, pets, and loved ones in an emergency. Get started for free at https://maplemoney.com/willful and use promo code MAPLEMONEY to save 15%.

Want to know more about cryptocurrencies and NFTs or how the blockchain works? It’s a fascinating and ever-changing world, and as you explore it, the possibilities seem endless. Eric Rosenberg is a finance writer, speaker, and consultant. His writing has appeared in publications including the Huffington Post, Business Insider, Investopedia, and many others. He’s worked with many top brands, including TD Ameritrade, Betterment, Citizens Bank, and BMO Harris. I met with Eric at Podcast Movement this past week to discuss current trends in cryptocurrency, NFTs, and ways the blockchain could be used in the future. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/207 Do you prefer to invest in socially responsible companies? If so, our sponsor Wealthsimple will help you build a portfolio focusing on low carbon, cleantech, human rights, and the environment. To get started with Socially Responsible Investing, head over to https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimple today!

Do you find yourself checking your bank account statement every month wondering where all of the money has gone? Do you wonder why you find yourself still living paycheque to paycheque no matter how many raises you get at work? The problem is cashflow, or a lack of it. Gordon Stein is an international keynote speaker, blogger, personal finance expert and author of Cashflow Cookbook - $2 Million of Financial Freedom in 60 Easy Recipes. He delivers transformational talks that help people crush their number one stress – their finances. I sat down with Gordon this week to talk about how increased cash flow can not only improve your financial wellness, but help you regain focus, balance, and find more joy in your life. According to Gordon, it can be done with minimal effort and no budgeting. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/206 This episode of The MapleMoney Show is brought to you by Willful. Did you know that 57% of Canadian adults don’t have a will? Willful has made it more affordable, convenient, and easy for Canadians to create legal Will and Power of Attorney documents online from the comfort of home. In less than 20 minutes and for a fraction of the price of visiting a lawyer, you can gain peace of mind knowing you’ve put a plan in place to protect your children, pets, and loved ones in the event of an emergency. Get started for free at https://maplemoney.com/willful and use promo code MAPLEMONEY to save 15%.

Are you in the midst of a divorce or considering a divorce? The road ahead will have it’s share of difficulty, but you and your spouse can have a more positive outcome depending on how you make some key decisions. My guest this week is a divorce account who understands the financial and emotional toll of divorce, and she joins me to share some expert advice. Kelly LaVallie, CPA, CA, is a divorce accountant who helps clients navigate the financial implications of marriage breakdown from understanding the family finances to negotiating and structuring the financial settlement. She’s also the author of a book titled, Untying the Knot: Protecting Your Emotional and Financial Health During Divorce. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/205 Do you prefer to invest in socially responsible companies? If so, our sponsor Wealthsimple will help you build a portfolio that focuses on low carbon, cleantech, human rights, and the environment. To get started with Socially Responsible Investing, head over to https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimple today!

As I get older, I realize just how quickly life moves by. And at the end, I don’t want to leave behind a bunch of regrets. But how do you plan a regret-free life? That’s what this episode is all about. Jordan Grumet was a hospice doctor who discovered the personal finance community through a book called The White Coat Investor. Since then, he left his clinical practice to pursue his passion for deep conversations about money and life. Today he hosts a podcast called Earn & Invest, and his upcoming book, Taking Stock: A Hospice Doctor’s Advice on Financial Independence, Building Wealth, and Living a Regret-Free Life, comes out on August 2nd, though you can pre-order it on Amazon today. I sat down with Jordan to talk about living for today as you plan for the future. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/204 This episode of The MapleMoney Show is brought to you by Willful. Did you know that 57% of Canadian adults don’t have a will? Willful has made it more affordable, convenient, and easy for Canadians to create legal Will and Power of Attorney documents online from the comfort of home. In less than 20 minutes and for a fraction of the price of visiting a lawyer, you can gain peace of mind knowing you’ve put a plan in place to protect your children, pets, and loved ones in the event of an emergency. Get started for free at https://maplemoney.com/willful and use promo code MAPLEMONEY to save 15%.

For most investors, a passive index approach is the easiest way to invest for the long-term. But if you’re willing to do the research, individual stocks offer a lot of potential. The challenge is knowing what fundamentals to look for, especially in today’s turbulent markets. Braden Dennis is my guest this week. He’s the founder of stratosphere.io, an all-in-one platform for financial data, company specific metrics, and company research for investors, and host of The Canadian Investor Podcast. He walks us through his 6-step approach for finding great individual companies. If you enjoyed Braden’s insight and would like to learn more about his methods for finding great companies to invest in, I highly recommend that you check out Stratosphere, Braden’s research platform. You can sign up for free at https://maplemoney.com/stratosphere You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/203 Do you prefer to invest in socially responsible companies? If so, our sponsor Wealthsimple will help you build a portfolio that focuses on low carbon, cleantech, human rights, and the environment. To get started with Socially Responsible Investing, head over to https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimple today!

An energy-efficient home can save you thousands of dollars and help the environment, but making the necessary eco-friendly upgrades can be very expensive. Thankfully, there are several different federal and provincial home rebates and loan programs that can help to offset the cost. Jordan Kaye is a personal finance expert, green home renovation enthusiast, and spokesperson for Zolo.ca. She joins me this week to discuss ways you can take advantage of these programs to save money and make your home more energy-efficient You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/202 This episode of The MapleMoney Show is brought to you by Willful. Did you know that 57% of Canadian adults don’t have a will? Willful has made it more affordable, convenient, and easy for Canadians to create legal Will and Power of Attorney documents online from the comfort of home. In less than 20 minutes and for a fraction of the price of visiting a lawyer, you can gain peace of mind knowing you’ve put a plan in place to protect your children, pets, and loved ones in the event of an emergency. Get started for free at https://maplemoney.com/willful and use promo code MAPLEMONEY to save 15%

Real estate investing often requires a slow and steady approach, but there is a way to increase your investment returns, through private mortgage lending. You have a chance to become the bank by lending your own money to individuals who need a mortgage, but are outside the box of traditional lenders. Chad Robinson is the president of Align Mortgage Corporation and IQ Lend Inc. A fully licensed mortgage and real estate broker with 25 years of experience, he is also the author of the book, Becoming the Bank. I sat down with Chad this week to find out more about private mortgage lending, and why it offers so much potential for some real estate investors. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/201 Do you prefer to invest in socially responsible companies? If so, our sponsor Wealthsimple will help you build a portfolio that focuses on low carbon, cleantech, human rights, and the environment. To get started with Socially Responsible Investing, head over to https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimple today!

It’s hard to believe, but we celebrate 200 episodes of The MapleMoney Show this week! Joining in the fun are my most frequent guests from the past four years, and good friends, J.D. Roth and Miranda Marquit. Rather than focus on a single topic for episode 200, I decided to reflect on my previous conversations with J.D. and Miranda here on the show. For example, Miranda updates us on how she continues outsourcing tasks like grocery shopping and housekeeping. And J.D. talks about a recent move and reminisces on one of his big money mistakes. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/200 This episode of The MapleMoney Show is brought to you by Willful. Did you know that 57% of Canadian adults don’t have a will? Willful has made it more affordable, convenient, and easy for Canadians to create legal Will and Power of Attorney documents online from the comfort of home. In less than 20 minutes and for a fraction of the price of visiting a lawyer, you can gain peace of mind knowing you’ve put a plan in place to protect your children, pets, and loved ones in the event of an emergency. Get started for free at https://maplemoney.com/willful and use promo code MAPLEMONEY to save 15%

Loyalty rewards programs can be very lucrative, rewarding their members with free flights and hotel stays, and other luxury experiences. But why do they have to be so confusing? This week, I sat down with an expert to find out what really are the best credit card rewards programs in Canada, and how the average Canadian can maximize their earnings. Ricky Zhang is the founder of Prince of Travel, Canada’s leading travel rewards website. Leading up to our conversation, I was hoping that Ricky could clear up some of the confusion I had regarding credit card travel rewards, so I came prepared with lots of questions. Ricky is hosting The Travel Summit in late October in Toronto and is giving MapleMoney Show listeners a discount. If you’re interested in learning more about making the most of your travel, head to https://thetravelsummit.com/ and during checkout, use coupon code MAPLEMONEY to save $50. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/199 Do you prefer to invest in socially responsible companies? If so, our sponsor Wealthsimple will help you build a portfolio that focuses on low carbon, cleantech, human rights, and the environment. To get started with Socially Responsible Investing, head over to https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimple today!

When most of us think about insurance, we think of life insurance - protecting our loved ones after we die. But what about insurance to cover you and your family while you’re still alive? This week on The MapleMoney Show, I tackle the subject of disability and critical illness insurance with my guest, Kristen Fazio. Kristen explains how disability and critical illness insurance differs from life insurance. For one, life insurance is very straightforward, you’re either alive, or you’re not. Disability and critical illness insurance are considered living benefits - it protects you while you’re still alive. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/198 This episode of The MapleMoney Show is brought to you by Willful. Did you know that 57% of Canadian adults don’t have a will? Willful has made it more affordable, convenient, and easy for Canadians to create legal Will and Power of Attorney documents online from the comfort of home. In less than 20 minutes and for a fraction of the price of visiting a lawyer, you can gain peace of mind knowing you’ve put a plan in place to protect your children, pets, and loved ones in the event of an emergency. Get started for free at https://maplemoney.com/willful and use promo code MAPLEMONEY to save 15%.

Purchasing an older home and then funding major renovations is hard enough for two people, let alone one. The numbers can get tricky in the current housing market if you’re a solo homeowner. This week on The MapleMoney Show, I brought in an expert. Jordann Brown is a content marketing manager for Zolo and a personal finance expert who writes on topics such as debt management, homeownership, and budgeting. She has been featured in publications including The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, and CBC. Over the past few years, Jordann has spent a significant amount of money on eco-friendly renovations to her Halifax home. I sat down with Jordann this week to find out more about her experience, and how she manages her budget as a solo homeowner. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/197 Do you prefer to invest in socially responsible companies? If so, our sponsor Wealthsimple will help you build a portfolio that focuses on low carbon, cleantech, human rights, and the environment. To get started with Socially Responsible Investing, head over to https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimple today!