In this episode of The Financial Rundown (filmed October 7, 2025), CJ welcomes Madeline Stratton, Associate Advisor at Philotimo Wealth, to unpack a whirlwind of headlines: from viral tax horror stories to the truth behind Canada’s rising unemployment.
They start with a look at a Burlington family’s inheritance “wipeout”, a case making waves online for showing how a $700,000 RRSP turned into just $55,000 after taxes and why that headline is more clickbait than cautionary tale. CJ and Madeline break down the real tax rules behind RRSPs, cottages, and capital gains, and how smart planning can help you avoid the RRSP tax bomb.
Next, the team turns to the markets and the economy covering:
- The “political market myth” using new data from Ryan Detrick showing why stocks rise regardless of who’s in office.
- A closer look at Canada’s rising unemployment, the challenges young adults face, and how families can build resilience through budgeting, skill growth, and smart investing.
- What’s really driving the market’s strength in 2025 (with earnings and fundamentals, not speculation) behind the rally.
And as always, we close with a few personal recommendations that CJ and Maddy have been watching, reading, and listening to lately.
Who We Are
Philotimo (fee.low.tee.mo)
Definition: “Friendship and Honour”
We build long-term client relationships rooted in friendship and honour. CJ Stevens is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® proudly serving 400+ Canadian families with personalized, transparent financial advice.
Get in touch:
➭ https://www.philotimowealth.ca/contact
➭ https://www.instagram.com/philotimowealth/
In this episode of Philotimo: Finances with Friends, CJ Stevens, CFP®, sits down with Vince Kraljevic, CFA®, ETF Strategist at Fidelity Canada and one of the sharpest minds in the investing world.
With over 18 years in the industry and a no-nonsense approach, Vince breaks down the world of quant investing, the differences between ETFs and mutual funds, and how Fidelity builds its all-in-one portfolios. If you’ve ever wondered how portfolios are built, how to interpret market signals, or what keeps professionals up at night: this one’s for you.
Together, CJ and Vince explore everything from strategy to risk indicators, with plenty of takeaways for both new and seasoned investors.
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About Vince Kraljevic
Vince is an ETF Strategist at Fidelity Investments Canada, the world’s third-largest asset manager. With 18 years of experience, he brings a unique blend of product expertise and advisor perspective. Vince is a Chartered Financial Analyst® charterholder and has worked across the investment spectrum—from boutique firms to large institutions.
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About Philotimo
We build long-term client relationships rooted in friendship and honour. CJ Stevens is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® proudly serving 400+ Canadian families with personalized, transparent financial advice.
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📞 Get in touch ➭ https://www.philotimowealth.ca/contact
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📸 Follow us on Instagram ➭ https://www.instagram.com/philotimowealth/
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🎵 Music Credit: Syn Cole - Feel Good [NCS Release]
In this special episode of Philotimo: Finances with Friends, shot on Mother’s Day 2025, CJ sits down with three incredible women to talk about motherhood, identity, and what it really means to build a life that feels rich, even when things are hard.
Andrea, Maddy, and Jess share their personal experiences: from post-natal depression to financial stress, from career sacrifices to joy in the little things. It's real talk on parenting, home finances, and defining what success looks like for your family.
This one’s for everyone on the parenting journey, whether you're expecting, raising little ones, supporting grown kids, or reflecting as a grandparent.
❔Who are we?
Philotimo (fee.low.tee.mo)
Definition: "Friendship and Honour"
We strive to form client relationships built on a foundation of friendship and honour and value giving our clients the foundation they need to achieve their goals. CJ Stevens is a seasoned CFP professional proudly serving 400+ families, working alongside them to learn and grow.
Mutual funds, exempt market products, and/or exchange-traded funds are offered through Investia Financial Services Inc.
Get in touch with us ➭ https://www.philotimowealth.ca/contactInstagram ➭ https://www.instagram.com/philotimowealth/
Music ➭ Syn Cole - Feel Good [NCS Release]
In this episode of The Financial Rundown (filmed May 12, 2025), CJ closes the book on tax season and kicks off a new chapter with tips for financial “spring cleaning.” We unpack the latest Canadian federal election results and explore how they may impact your wallet.
From the truth about market volatility to why you shouldn’t give in to the pressure of social media: CJ dives into what actually drives success with money and why your systems > goals every time.
Watch More Financial Rundown Episodes ➭
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOyDYFyRumQ&list=PLoJ1ls9aIwMfaN3g-5J7xAghCHXtd-4Jj
Check Out Huberman Essentials ➭
https://www.hubermanlab.com/essentials
❔Who are we?
Philotimo (fee.low.tee.mo)
Definition: "Friendship and Honour"
We strive to form client relationships built on a foundation of friendship and honour and value giving our clients the foundation they need to achieve their goals. CJ Stevens is a seasoned CFP professional proudly serving 400+ families, working alongside them to learn and grow.
Mutual funds, exempt market products, and/or exchange-traded funds are offered through Investia Financial Services Inc.
💻 Get in touch with us ➭ https://www.philotimowealth.ca/contact
📱Follow us elsewhere:
Instagram ➭ https://www.instagram.com/philotimowealth/
Taxes don’t have to be overwhelming! Bianca Batty, Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), joins us to break down key tax strategies for homeowners, small business owners, and freelancers. We cover real estate tax rules, deductible expenses, business tax planning, CRA audits, and commonly missed credits. Plus, Bianca debunks major tax myths and shares practical tips to keep more money in your pocket.
You can learn more about Batty Accounting at ➭ https://www.battyaccounting.com/
❔Who are we?
Philotimo (fee.low.tee.mo)
Definition: "Friendship and Honour"
We strive to form client relationships built on a foundation of friendship and honour and value giving our clients the foundation they need to achieve their goals. CJ Stevens is a seasoned CFP professional proudly serving 400+ families, working alongside them to learn and grow.
Mutual funds, exempt market products, and/or exchange-traded funds are offered through Investia Financial Services Inc.
Get in touch with us ➭ https://www.philotimowealth.ca/contact
Instagram ➭ https://www.instagram.com/philotimowealth/
Music ➭ Syn Cole - Feel Good [NCS Release]
#WealthManagement
#FinancialPlanning
#Finance
#FinanceGoals
#Canada
#CanadianFinance
#PersonalFinance
#PersonalFinanceTips
In this episode of The Financial Rundown (shot on March 12, 2025), CJ explores how historical market patterns can guide us through current market volatility. Looking back at 2018, we've seen that while markets may experience short-term fluctuations due to tariff stress, staying focused on your long-term investment strategy is key. As tax season approaches (deadline: April 30th!), it's the perfect time to have a chat and ensure you're positioned for success.
Have questions? We're here to help you navigate both tax season and market uncertainty. Let's work together to keep your financial future on track. Keep calm and carry on!
❔Who are we?
Philotimo (fee.low.tee.mo)
Definition: "Friendship and Honour"
We strive to form client relationships built on a foundation of friendship and honour and value giving our clients the foundation they need to achieve their goals. CJ Stevens is a seasoned CFP professional proudly serving 400+ families, working alongside them to learn and grow.
Mutual funds, exempt market products, and/or exchange-traded funds are offered through Investia Financial Services Inc.
💻 Get in touch with us ➭ https://www.philotimowealth.ca/contact
📱Follow us on Instagram ➭ https://www.instagram.com/philotimowealth/
In this episode of The Financial Rundown (shot on Feb 10, 2025), CJ breaks down the urgent RRSPs and the major impact of new US tariffs that could affect your wallet in 2024!
Have any questions? We're here to help! Let's make sure you're making the right moves for your financial future. 📈🍁
❔Who are we?
Philotimo (fee.low.tee.mo)
Definition: "Friendship and Honour"
We strive to form client relationships built on a foundation of friendship and honour and value giving our clients the foundation they need to achieve their goals. CJ Stevens is a seasoned CFP professional proudly serving 400+ families, working alongside them to learn and grow.
Mutual funds, exempt market products, and/or exchange-traded funds are offered through Investia Financial Services Inc.
💻 Get in touch with us ➭ https://www.philotimowealth.ca/contact
📱Follow us elsewhere:
Instagram ➭ https://www.instagram.com/philotimowealth/
WealthManagement,
FinancialPlanning,
Finance,
FinanceGoals,
Canada,
CanadianFinance,
PersonalFinance,
PersonalFinanceTips
In this special episode (filmed on January 10th), CJ and Jerry reflect on their careers, share valuable financial insights, and discuss Jerry’s retirement after 27 years as the podcast evolves from Bantering Bosses to its new name: Finances with Friends! Join us for a trip down memory lane as Jerry recalls how he and CJ first met, his journey in finance, and the key lessons he’s learned about money along the way. And as he steps into retirement, Jerry offers his perspective on retirement planning—because the proof is in the pudding! Whether you’re just starting your financial journey or preparing for retirement, this episode is packed with insights for everyone. ❔Who are we? Philotimo (fee.low.tee.mo) Definition: "Friendship and Honour" We strive to form client relationships built on a foundation of friendship and honour and value giving our clients the foundation they need to achieve their goals. Jerry Kallitsis and CJ Stevens, are seasoned CFP professionals. With over 50 years of combined experience, we proudly serve 400+ families, working alongside them to learn and grow. Mutual funds, exempt market products, and/or exchange-traded funds are offered through Investia Financial Services Inc. Get in touch ➭ https://www.philotimowealth.ca/contact Instagram ➭ https://www.instagram.com/philotimowealth/ YouTube ➭ https://www.youtube.com/@philotimowealth
Music ➭ Syn Cole - Feel Good [NCS Release] Wealth Management, Financial Planning, Finance, Finance Goals, Canada, Canadian Finance, Personal Finance, Personal Finance Tips