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

Should you incorporate your business, or stick with a sole proprietorship? In this episode, Tré and Sierra unpack what a corporation really is, how it works, and why it’s one of the most powerful wealth-building tools available to Canadians. Tré explains the real advantages—legal protection, tax efficiency, and control over income timing—while also calling out the pitfalls that sink small business owners who treat their corporations like personal piggy banks. Whether you’re a freelancer, professional, or business owner, this episode helps you understand how corporations create opportunity and what mistakes to avoid before you make the move.

You’ll learn

• What a corporation actually is (and how it differs from a sole proprietorship)
• The truth about corporate tax advantages (no, it’s not a magic loophole)
• How to use pre-tax dollars to build wealth faster
• The difference between personal and professional liability
• The biggest mistakes small business owners make with corporations

Most people think insurance is for “what if I die?” scenarios—but that’s not the real risk. In this episode, Tré and Sierra break down how smart families and business owners actually manage risk. From life insurance to disability and liability coverage, Tré explains how to identify what’s truly at stake—your ability to earn, live, and protect your family’s future—and how to match your coverage to your real financial needs. You’ll learn the difference between guessing and planning, and why overinsuring small things while ignoring the big ones is one of the most expensive mistakes Canadians make.

You’ll learn

• The four ways to handle risk: avoid, reduce, transfer, or ignore
• How to size insurance to your actual needs (not sales pitches)
• Why income protection often matters more than life insurance
• The key mistake most families make with coverage
• How to make sure one event doesn’t ruin your financial plan

“Buy now, pay later” sounds harmless. Four easy payments, no interest, and you’re done. But in this episode, Tré and Sierra Bynoe break down why services like Klarna are anything but free. They uncover how BNPL programs encourage overspending, trap users in hidden fees, and target the most financially vulnerable. From financing groceries to making payments on a coffee, this trend is reshaping how young Canadians use debt—and not for the better. Tré explains why “borrowing from your future self” always comes at a cost, and what to do instead if you want lasting financial stability.

You’ll learn

• How “buy now, pay later” programs really make money
• The behaviours that lead to debt traps
• Who’s being targeted—and why it’s not an accident
• The long-term cost of borrowing for lifestyle spending
• A simple mindset shift to protect your future finances

“Tax-Free Savings Account” is a bad name. It’s an investment account, not a savings jar.

In this episode, Tré explains what the TFSA really is, how to use it properly, and how it fits with your RRSP. You’ll learn the real contribution rules (including why withdrawals don’t reset until January 1), why TFSA room is more valuable than a one-time tax break, and the estate move that can add six figures of lifelong tax-free space for your spouse.

You’ll learn

• TFSA vs RRSP—what actually differs at withdrawal time
• The calendar-year rule for recontributing after withdrawals
• Why TFSA room is valuable—and how market losses can shrink it
• Costly traps: over-contribution penalties and “in-kind” transfers at a loss
• Smart estate play: name a successor holder and consider maxing a spouse’s TFSA, even using a line of credit

If this helped, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a friend who’s serious about building wealth.

Want a $40,000 car but only pay $10K out of pocket? That’s the power of understanding time, interest, and inflation. In this episode, Tré and Sierra are joined by his in-laws to break down the basics of financial math using an online calculator and show how these “boring” numbers can radically change your financial future.

This real conversation about how money grows, why debt costs more than you think, and how to use tools that anyone can access will give you an inside look into conversations Tré often has with friends and family.

You’ll learn:

• How to use a free online financial calculator (and why it matters)
• What your Disney cruise or gym equipment really costs over time
• Why early investing crushes late investing — even if you save less
• How inflation silently destroys your savings (and how to fight back)
• What stock splits, PE ratios, and market caps actually mean

Subscribe, rate, or share this with someone who thinks “math isn’t their thing”—they might change their mind.