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, including optimizing taxes, separating income from expenses, and building an “opportunity fund” that gives you the freedom to act when life changes.

This episode challenges the idea that financial success means slowing down. It’s about not coasting on autopilot.

Key Topics:

• What to focus on once you’ve already met your retirement goals
• Turning non-deductible debt into deductible debt
• Why a non-registered account creates future options
• Tax-efficient planning for couples in different brackets
• Balancing security with enjoying life and spending intentionally
• How to build an “opportunity fund” for flexibility and freedom

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 drops. If you’ve ever wondered how to invest confidently without losing sleep, this episode gives you the clarity and structure you need.

Key Topics:

• How to define and measure investment risk
• Why education increases your tolerance for volatility
• The importance of matching investments to time horizons
• Global diversification and Canada’s small slice of the world market
• Why big market drops are normal — and what to do when they happen

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 is a must-listen for anyone who wants to know whether their financial planner is doing the job right or just guessing.

You’ll learn

• Why a flat 4% rate of return isn’t “conservative”
• What FP Canada’s standards really say
• How lazy assumptions mislead clients
• What proper financial planning should include
• Questions to ask your own planner