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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.
45 Episodes
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AI is driving markets, headlines, and a lot of investor anxiety. In this episode, Tré and Sierra talk through why the U.S. stock market looks so expensive right now, what investors may be missing about AI valuations, and why this trend could be far bigger than most people think. Tré explains why he believes the real race is not just to build better chat tools, but to build systems that could transform productivity, labour, and the economy at a massive scale. He also breaks down the practical ...
Most investors focus on what they invest in and ignore where they hold it. That mistake can quietly cost hundreds of thousands of dollars over time. In this episode, Tré Bynoe, CFP, CIM, explains investment location—how placing the right assets in the right accounts can matter more than fund selection or provider choice once your finances get complex. This is especially relevant for incorporated professionals and high earners using non-registered accounts. You’ll hear a real-world example sho...
If cash flow still feels confusing, this episode fills in the gaps. Tré Bynoe, CFP, CIM, walks through his real-life cash flow system from January to December—account by account, decision by decision. This is a practical breakdown of how to separate spending from income, handle irregular pay, and avoid constant budgeting without losing control. It’s designed for people who want structure without spreadsheets taking over their lives. (Although there's nothing wrong with spreadsheets!) You’ll l...
Not all investing is created equal. In this episode, Tré Bynoe, CFP, CIM, unpacks the three core investment approaches—indexing, factor investing, and alpha strategies—and how to know which one fits you. Whether you're DIY or working with an advisor, understanding the difference can mean the difference between steady growth and unnecessary risk. You’ll learn: What an index fund really isHow factor investing aims for better-than-market returnsWhy most alpha strategies underperform over timeHow...
Should you pay yourself a salary or dividends from your corporation? If you’re a Canadian business owner, this decision shapes your long-term wealth. In this episode, Tré Bynoe, CFP, CIM, breaks down why it’s not a binary choice and what most professionals and incorporated entrepreneurs get wrong. You’ll learn the real tax impact of each strategy, why RRSP room and CPP contributions matter, and how your spending habits, investment style, and future goals play a role. You’ll learn: Why t...
In this special off-script episode, Sierra flips the mic and asks Tré Bynoe, CFP, CIM, some personal and thought-provoking questions—from career paths not taken to his philosophy on helping people who actually want to be helped. This is the human side of financial planning, where mindset, motivation, and money collide. You’ll learn: The financial myth Tré really can’t standWhat he’d do if he weren’t a financial plannerThe truth about who he’ll help (and who he won’t)The personal reason behind...
Notional accounts may sound like accountant-speak, but they’re critical if you're investing through a corporation. In this episode, Tré Bynoe CFP CIM breaks down what these invisible accounts are, how they work, and why ignoring them could quietly cost you thousands in tax. If you don’t know the difference between a CDA and an RDTOH—or worse, you’re holding GICs inside your corporation—this episode is required listening. You’ll learn: What a notional account is (and why it isn’t a real accoun...
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 t...
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. ...
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 ...
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...
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...
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 doe...
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 trendsThe difference between sel...
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. Wha...
Most employees guess their way through financial decisions. That leads to debt, missed opportunities, and slow progress. In this episode, Tré lays out a clear, step-by-step plan for employees who want better results and are willing to do the work. You'll learn which financial decisions matter most and in what order — so you can stop guessing and start building real financial momentum. This episode is for Canadian professionals who want to take control, avoid costly mistakes, and use their inc...
In this episode of Plain English Finance, host Tré Bynoe, CFP®, CIM®, breaks down the step-by-step plan for professionals thinking about buying into their firm — lawyers, engineers, accountants, and doctors alike. Tré explains how to build your finances in the right order so you’re ready when the chance to buy in comes. From mastering personal spending to building a non-registered account and structuring your debt for tax savings, this episode lays out a simple roadmap for professionals who w...
In this episode of Plain English Finance, Tré Bynoe, CFP®, CIM® walks through a real-life case study (with names changed) to explore what happens when you’ve already “made it” — when your retirement savings are on track, your debt is under control, and your financial plan is stable. Tré and Sierra unpack the next stage of wealth building: turning a strong foundation into long-term flexibility and opportunity. They discuss how to transition from saving for retirement to managing money for life...
In this episode of Plain English Finance, Tré Bynoe, CFP®, CIM® breaks down the foundations of smart investing. Joined by Sierra, he walks through the same conversation he has with every new client — what “risk” really means, why most people misunderstand it, and how to build a portfolio that matches both your goals and your comfort level. Tré explains how to think about equity versus fixed income, why the U.S. still dominates global markets, and how to stay calm through inevitable market dro...
Some financial planners still use the same flat “4% return” rate for every client’s retirement plan. Tré and Sierra explain why that’s not just inaccurate—it’s unprofessional. In this candid episode, Tré shares what happened at a due diligence event that left him frustrated with the industry’s bad habits. You’ll learn why using made-up assumptions leads to misleading plans, what FP Canada actually requires, and how real professionals base projections on evidence, not convenience. This episode...
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