The Wealthy Barber Podcast is Canada’s go-to source for approachable, entertaining, and free financial education. Hosted by none other than David Chilton—former Dragon on CBC’s ”Dragons’ Den” and the best-selling author of ”The Wealthy Barber” and ”The Wealthy Barber Returns”—this podcast is here to help Canadians manage their money better. Much better.
Dave Chilton has spent over 35 years demystifying personal finance, offering understandable, unbiased, and actionable advice that has empowered millions of Canadians to achieve their financial goals. Now, he’s bringing that same wisdom to your favourite podcasting platforms, with regular episodes designed to make personal finance simple, relatable, and yes, even entertaining.
Episodes of The Wealthy Barber Podcast features Dave in conversation with expert guests from across the spectrum of Canadian personal finance. From investing and real estate to taxes, RESPs, and even money psychology, no topic is off-limits. Plus, don’t miss our special “Office Hours” episodes, where Dave answers real questions from audience members, delivering informed, balanced, and sometimes downright funny advice.
Follow for Canadian personal finance made simple.
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The Wealthy Barber Podcast is Canada’s go-to source for approachable, entertaining, and free financial education. Hosted by none other than David Chilton—former Dragon on CBC’s ”Dragons’ Den” and the best-selling author of ”The Wealthy Barber” and ”The Wealthy Barber Returns”—this podcast is here to help Canadians manage their money better. Much better.
Dave Chilton has spent over 35 years demystifying personal finance, offering understandable, unbiased, and actionable advice that has empowered millions of Canadians to achieve their financial goals. Now, he’s bringing that same wisdom to your favourite podcasting platforms, with regular episodes designed to make personal finance simple, relatable, and yes, even entertaining.
Episodes of The Wealthy Barber Podcast features Dave in conversation with expert guests from across the spectrum of Canadian personal finance. From investing and real estate to taxes, RESPs, and even money psychology, no topic is off-limits. Plus, don’t miss our special “Office Hours” episodes, where Dave answers real questions from audience members, delivering informed, balanced, and sometimes downright funny advice.
Follow for Canadian personal finance made simple.
Our guest this episode is Aaron Hector—Founding Partner of TIER Wealth, President of the Institute of Advanced Financial Planners and a fellow personal-finance nerd like Dave.
In this episode, Dave and Aaron explore some of the most overlooked opportunities in Canadian financial and estate planning. From optimizing RESP withdrawals to gifting tax deductions to your kids, Aaron shares smart, actionable strategies that can help families build and preserve wealth more effectively. They also cover timely topics like when to defer RRSP or FHSA deductions, how to handle joint accounts, why every Canadian needs a will and the difference between a beneficiary and a successor holder.
Whether you’re just building your financial plan or revisiting it with an eye for tax efficiency, this episode is full of practical tips and clear explanations you can put to use.
Show Notes
(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer
(00:55) Intro to Aaron Hector & TIER Wealth
(04:23) Detailed Optimizations in Financial Planning
(07:22) When Should You Defer FHSA or RRSP Tax Deductions?
(10:41) A FREE Strategy for Parents to Help Their Kids Buy a Home (Gifting a Tax Deduction)
(15:22) TFSA vs. RRSP
(17:13) RESP Lump-Sum vs. Gradual Contributions
(20:34) Optimal RESP Withdrawal Strategies
(26:45) A Simple—But Powerful—Estate Planning Exercise
(30:17) Joint Tenancy on Non-Registered Accounts
(32:01) Get a Will!
(34:44) What’s the Difference Between a Beneficiary and a Successor Holder?
(37:23) The Importance of Estate Planning
(39:10) Corporate Executors
(42:24) Tax Opportunities When the Stock Market Pulls Back
(44:49) Are More Grandparents Giving Money to Their Grandchildren?
(46:24) Conclusion
Our guest this episode is Brian Scudamore—founder and CEO of O2E Brands, the parent company of 1-800-GOT-JUNK, the world’s largest junk removal business. Brian started the company at just 18 years old after dropping out of high school, and has since built it into a $700 million empire. Along the way, he’s expanded into other home service brands like WOW 1 DAY PAINTING and Shack Shine, and today is also a Dragon on CBC’s “Dragons’ Den.”
In this conversation, Brian joins Dave to share the story behind his entrepreneurial journey—from naming the company after a phone number to franchising it internationally to turning “ordinary” home services into premium, trusted brands. They dive into the lessons Brian learned while building the business, why he believes anyone can be an entrepreneur and how his grandfather’s advice on kindness continues to shape his leadership style.
Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or just curious how a scrappy Canadian startup turned into a household name, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration.
Show Notes
(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer
(00:57) Intro to Brian Scuadmore
(02:47) How Brian’s Grandparents Taught Him to Treat People Kindly
(04:23) 1-800-GOT-JUNK Today
(08:10) Brian’s New Brands
(09:26) Business Differences in Canada vs. the U.S.
(11:23) How Brian Started 1-800-GOT-JUNK
(13:54) Naming the Business a Phone Number
(15:32) Keys to Success in Home Services
(19:23) Successes and Failures of Growing Internationally
(20:56) The Franchise Model
(23:54) Premium Pricing in the Service Industry
(26:55) Finding $400k in the Floorboards
(28:13) Business Formation in Canada
(30:31) Starting New Home Service Brands
(37:54) Dragons’ Den
(41:54) Anyone Can Be an Entrepreneur
(42:45) The Future of Brian’s Businesses
(44:39) The Impact of Dragons’ Den
(47:52) Conclusion
Our guest this week is Ben Rabidoux—Founder of Edge Realty Analytics and North Cove Advisors and one of the most respected voices on Canadian housing and economics. In this episode, he joins Dave to tackle some of the biggest questions facing Canada’s real estate market today.
From the condo market crash to vacancy rates for rentals to the role of HELOCs and immigration policy, Ben explains how we got here, what’s coming next and what it all means for affordability in this country. He also shares the story of catching Fortress as a fraud and offers a candid take on whether Canada is too soft on white-collar crime.
If you care about housing, affordability or the future of Canada’s economy, this episode is a must-listen.
Show Notes
(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer
(00:55) Intro to Ben Rabidoux
(02:19) Catching Fortress as a Fraud
(09:26) Is Canada Too Soft on White-Collar Crime?
(11:56) Are Rents Going to Come Down in Canada?
(15:12) How Much Do Home Prices Need to Drop to Become Affordable Again?
(16:33) The Condo Market is Hyper-Cyclical
(17:58) The Condo Market Crash
(24:34) Who Was Buying These Pre-Sale Condos?
(25:27) Where is This Condo Crisis Headed?
(28:18) The Impact HELOCs Have on Canada’s Economy
(32:51) Immigration and Its Impact on Canadian Real Estate
(38:47) A Challenge Our Government Faces Over Immigration
(41:01) The Impact of AI on Immigration Levels
(44:46) How Does Canada Fix Its Affordability Challenges?
(48:09) Conclusion
Our guest this episode is Adam Bornn—Founder and Managing Partner at Parallel Wealth, a Canadian financial planning firm that specializes in helping people retire with confidence. Adam also runs an educational YouTube channel (@ParallelWealth) with over 138,000 subscribers where he shares practical and approachable retirement advice for Canadians.
In this conversation, Dave and Adam dive deep into the world of retirement planning—from understanding the “Go-Go, Slow-Go, and No-Go” phases of retirement to managing taxes through RRSP meltdowns to whether you really need $1 million to retire. Adam shares why retirees need a financial plan, common mistakes people make and how strategies like delaying CPP, TFSAs and even reverse mortgages can play a role in a well-structured retirement.
If you’re planning for retirement—or even just starting to think about it—this episode is packed with insights, myths debunked and practical advice tailored to Canadian listeners.
Show Notes
(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer
(00:55) Intro to Adam Bornn
(03:35) Why Did Adam Specialize in Retirement Planning?
(05:23) Why Retirees Need a Financial Plan
(10:45) The Go-Go, Slow-Go and No-Go Phases of Retirement
(11:57) What is an RRSP Meltdown?
(13:16) Your Average Tax Rate Should Be Consistent Through Retirement
(14:38) OAS Clawback
(16:07) Do Reverse Mortgages Fit Into Retirement Plans?
(17:08) Annuities
(18:03) The “Die With Zero” Concept
(19:11) Building Generational Wealth
(20:44) People Underestimate How Long They’re Going to Live
(22:44) Single Retirees Are at a Massive Disadvantage
(23:57) When Does Whole Life Insurance Make Sense?
(25:57) Most Retirees Need Stocks in Their Portfolios
(27:33) Should You Plan for Large Late-Life Healthcare Costs?
(29:41) Pre-Retirees Should Do Their Research
(31:28) The Biggest Mistakes Adam Sees Retirees Make
(32:20) Myth: You Need $X Number to Retire
(33:01) TFSAs Add Flexibility for Retirees
(34:56) Conclusion
Our guest this week is Amanda Lang—longtime Canadian business journalist and host of Taking Stock, a weekly business news program on CTV, BNN Bloomberg and CP24.
In this episode, Dave and Amanda dive into the state of Canada’s economy from our productivity struggles and housing crisis to the US tariffs to whether the capital gains tax on real estate needs to change. They also unpack the profound impacts artificial intelligence is already having on the job market, the economy and business formation.
It’s a wide-ranging and thought-provoking episode you won’t want to miss!
Show Notes
(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer
(00:55) Intro to Amanda Lang
(02:48) Lang & O’Leary
(06:12) Canadian Productivity Growth & Losing Top Talent
(09:38) How Can We Solve Canada’s Housing Crisis?
(12:02) Should We Change the Capital Gains Tax on Real Estate?
(15:40) How AI is Going to Change Our Economy
(20:01) The Dangers of New Technology Being Used for Evil
(25:11) Professions at Risk From AI
(27:52) US Tariffs
(30:32) Dave’s Biggest Worry: The US Debt
(36:39) Fewer Young People Are Starting Businesses
(42:16) The Changing Media Landscape
(44:30) Dave Has Only Been to ONE Concert in His Life
(46:24) Worried For Young People Today
(48:44) Can We Get Big Projects Done in Canada?
(51:36) Conclusion
Our guest this week is Bruce Sellery, CEO of Credit Canada—a non-profit credit counselling agency that’s helped millions of Canadians avoid bankruptcy, get out of debt and reclaim control of their financial lives.
In this episode, Bruce joins Dave to talk about the growing debt problem in Canada and the personal stories behind it. They dig into everything from credit scores to the rising cost of kids’ sports to the impact of divorce on your finances. Bruce also shares his own unique journey—leaving a corporate job to become a business journalist and help launch BNN, before becoming a financial educator with a bestselling book and podcast “Moolala.”
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by debt or just want to understand how credit counselling really works, this is a candid, insightful and engaging conversation you won’t want to miss.
Show Notes
(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer
(00:55) Intro to Bruce Sellery
(03:37) Leaving a Corporate Career to Be a TV Reporter and Help Launch BNN
(07:06) Personal Finance vs. Business/Investing News
(09:05) How Bruce Developed His Communication Skills
(12:17) The Grace of a Well-Lived Life
(13:44) The Affordability Crisis in Canada
(16:04) What is Credit Canada?
(17:52) Credit Canada’s Non-Profit Structure
(22:12) What Happens if You Need to Claim Bankruptcy?
(23:30) How Do People Get Into Trouble with Debt?
(29:50) What Impacts Your Credit Score?
(32:28) The Housing-Affordability Crisis’s Impact on Debt Levels
(37:42) Divorce and Debt
(39:30) Kids’ Sports Have Become CRAZY Expensive
(43:56) Conclusion
Our guest this week is Jim Chuong—better known online as “The Lazy Canadian Investor.” With over 1 million followers across TikTok and Instagram, Jim has built a massive audience by breaking down investing concepts in a clear, no-BS way.
In this episode, Dave and Jim cover a wide range of investing topics—from how Jim first got into real estate investing to whether it still makes sense today. They dig into Jim’s philosophy on using leverage, his take on individual stocks vs. ETFs, and why he prefers US-only investing over global diversification. Jim also shares what motivates him to create content and how he approaches simplifying complex financial ideas for everyday Canadians.
If you’re curious about real estate, passive investing or just want to hear from someone who’s built a personal finance brand from scratch—this episode is packed with practical insights.
Show Notes
(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer
(00:55) Intro to Jim Chuong
(01:44) How Jim Learned About Personal Finance
(06:52) Jim’s Early Investing Approach
(09:49) Getting Started with Real Estate Investing
(15:54) Is Real Estate Investing Still Attractive Today?
(20:34) The Toronto Real Estate Market
(22:12) Is Crypto An Investment?
(23:57) Jim’s Philosophy on Leverage and Investing
(25:49) Canada is a Wonderful Country
(27:43) Parenting Teenagers
(29:12) Why Does Jim Make Content Online?
(33:15) US-Only Investing Versus Global Diversification
(36:43) Investing in Individual Stocks vs. Broad-Market ETFs
(39:56) Why Private-Market Investing Isn’t Well Suited for the Average Investor
(42:05) Conclusion
Our guest this week is Kelley Keehn—best-selling author, personal finance expert and media personality who is on a mission to help Canadians build healthier relationships with money.
In this episode, Dave sits down with Kelley to unpack some of the most pressing financial challenges people face today. From the emotional weight of debt to the psychological traps that make it so easy to overspend, Kelley brings both empathy and expertise to the table. They dive into why debt happens in the first place, practical strategies to get out of it and how to avoid the subtle (and not-so-subtle) pressures that push people to spend more than they should. Kelley also shares crucial tips on how to spot and prevent financial fraud in a world where scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
Whether you’re struggling with debt, trying to get a better handle on your spending or simply want to protect yourself from financial fraud, this episode is full of valuable insights.
Show Notes
(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer
(00:55) Intro to Kelley Keehn
(03:57) The Crushing Weight of Debt
(06:10) Strategies to Get Out of Debt
(08:31) Snowball vs. Avalanche Method
(10:41) Why Do People Get Into Debt?
(12:01) It’s So Easy to Spend Today
(14:23) Everybody Wants You to Spend
(17:24) Spending Summaries
(20:32) How Taking a Timeout Can Help You to Spend Purposely
(21:59) Credit Scores
(25:48) Pay Yourself First, But Revisit the Amount
(27:39) Are FHSAs Always Best?
(29:05) Don’t Chase Discounts on Things You Don’t Need
(32:39) Buying Used Can Come With Opportunity Costs
(34:17) How to Prevent Financial Fraud
(43:45) What’s The Worst Investment Kelley Has Ever Made?
(44:17) What’s The Smartest Investment Kelley Has Ever Made?
(45:39) Conclusion
Our guest this episode is the legendary Canadian comedian Gerry Dee! You know him as the creator and star of “Mr. D” and the host of “Family Feud Canada”—but did you know “The Wealthy Barber” is one of the five books he’s ever read?
In this 15ish minute episode, Gerry sits down with Dave to talk about the lessons he learned during his early career as a teacher, his leap into stand-up comedy, his big break with “Mr. D” and how all of those experiences shaped how he thinks about money.
Tune in for laughs, insights and a fun dose of nostalgia!
Show Notes
(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer
(00:55) Intro to Gerry Dee
(02:14) Gerry’s Early Life
(04:20) Gerry’s Career as a Comedian & Entrepreneur
(07:56) Lessons Learned From Gerry’s Athletic Background
(12:16) When Gerry’s Career Took Off
(13:43) The Story of Mr. D
(14:33) Gerry’s Investing Approach
(17:41) The Best Investment Gerry Ever Made
(18:17) Does Gerry Follow The Wealthy Barber Principles?
(20:08) Conclusion
Welcome to the very first “Office Hours” episode of The Wealthy Barber Podcast where Canadians call in with real financial questions and Dave Chilton offers guidance through his signature mix of wisdom, wit and practical advice.
From coast to coast, listeners asked about everything from budgeting for big home repairs to whether “Pay Yourself First” applies to before- or after-tax income to investing tips for those who got a later start and much, much more. No jargon, no fluff—just honest, helpful education from one of Canada’s most trusted voices in personal finance.
Don’t miss this candid, fast-paced and surprisingly fun Q&A session. Got a question of your own? Submit it through our website’s contact form or DM us on social media and you might be featured in the next “Office Hours” episode!
FILMED: April 1, 2025
Show Notes
(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer
(00:48) Best Investments for the Short-Term?
(03:18) Which Index Funds to Pick as a Passive Investor?
(06:47) Advice if You Started Investing Later in Life?
(11:13) Is “Pay Yourself First” Before or After Tax?
(14:26) How to Budget for Major Home Expenses?
(16:56) What Should You Look For in a Financial Advisor?
(19:58) Lump Sum vs. Dollar-Cost Averaging
(23:51) Is the 4% Rule Still Valid Today?
(28:51) Send Us Your Questions!
Our guest this episode is Winnipeg Jets star Mark Scheifele! Mark was given a copy of “The Wealthy Barber” early in his career and it still influences the way he manages his finances today.
In this 15ish minute episode, Dave and Mark chat about Mark’s experience playing the NHL, what he likes to spend his money on, his approach to investing and, most importantly, Mark’s role on Dave’s fantasy hockey team.
Enjoy this quick episode with NHL star Mark Scheifele!
Show Notes
(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer
(00:55) Intro to Mark Scheifele
(01:26) Mark and the Winnipeg Jets' Great Year
(04:01) Dave's Fantasy Hockey Team
(04:41) When Mark First Read "The Wealthy Barber”
(06:00) What Does Mark Like to Spend Money On?
(07:10) The Parallels Between Hockey and Golf
(09:45) How Exciting Would it Be to Win the Stanley Cup in Winnipeg?
(10:25) Mark's Investing Approach
(11:59) Playing and Living in Winnipeg
(13:04) Conclusion
In our very first 15ish-minute episode, we cover a big question: TFSAs or RRSPs? To help answer it, we’ve got Mark McGrath—Associate Portfolio Manager at PWL Capital and co-host of the “Rational Reminder” podcast—who’s spent plenty of time looking at all of the pros and cons.
In this podcast, Mark and Dave break down key points including why RRSPs get a bad rap (but shouldn’t), how RRSP withdrawals can actually be tax-efficient and why a TFSA’s flexibility isn’t always an advantage. All that, and more, in a fast-paced, insight-packed episode.
Don’t miss this one—20 minutes could save you thousands in retirement savings!
Show Notes
(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer
(00:55) Intro to Mark McGrath
(02:27) TFSAs vs. RRSPs
(05:19) Comparing Tax on TFSAs vs. RRSPs
(09:09) Why RRSP Withdrawals Can Often Be At a Lower Tax Rate
(14:53) What if The Government Raises Taxes in the Future?
(17:31) How the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) Changes the Math
(18:40) TFSAs Are More Flexible—A Double-Edged Sword
(20:47) Conclusion
Our guest this episode is Robb Engen—creator of the Canadian personal finance blog “Boomer & Echo” and advice-only financial planner based in Lethbridge, AB.
In this podcast, Dave and Robb discuss navigating retirement and the world of advice-only financial planning—what it is, why it’s not as common in Canada and Robb’s unconventional career path in finance. Much of the conversation has Robb sharing his expertise on retirement planning, covering everything from when to take your CPP to safe withdrawal rates to planning for big expenses and much more.
Whether you’re nearing retirement or just curious about fee-only financial planning, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!
Show Notes
(00:00:00) Intro & Disclaimer
(00:00:55) Intro to Robb Engen
(00:06:39) What is Advice-Only Financial Planning
(00:12:26) What Type of Clients Are Best for Advice-Only Planning
(00:17:09) Why Isn't Advice-Only Planning More Popular in Canada
(00:19:17) Upsizing in Retirement
(00:21:04) When Should You Take Your CPP?
(00:25:11) Spending in Retirement
(00:29:29) All-in-One ETFs
(00:30:56) Robo-Advisors Turning Into Speculative Investment Platforms
(00:35:01) Safe Withdrawal Rates in Retirement
(00:37:47) Planning for Large One-Time Expenses in Retirement
(00:42:57) Giving Kids Money for a Down Payment
(00:44:02) Housing Prices Are Unfair For The Younger Generation
(00:45:49) Postnups
(00:46:55) Options for Accessing Your Home Equity in Retirement
(00:50:43) Giving Money Away if You Have Enough for Retirement
(00:53:58) Life Insurance
(00:55:43) Grandparents Helping to Fund RESPs
(00:57:28) Robb’s Big Three Takeaways
(00:59:51) You Just Retired… Now What?
(01:02:40) Dave's Dad's "Solution" to Financial Planning
(01:03:46) Die With Zero
(01:04:48) Conclusion
Our guest this episode is none other than Arlene Dickinson—famed businesswoman, investor, author and the longest-serving Dragon on CBC’s "Dragons’ Den."
In this episode, Dave and Arlene reminisce about their time on "Dragons’ Den" together and chat about everything from Arlene’s early career struggles to the potential US tariffs to the current economic climate for Canadian entrepreneurs and much, much more.
Don’t miss this fantastic episode!
Show Notes
(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer
(00:55) Intro to Arlene Dickenson
(02:46) Dragons’ Den
(04:26) Handling Online Criticism
(08:21) Arlene’s Early Career Struggles
(16:13) How Did Arlene Become a Dragon?
(19:46) Reflecting on the Impact of Dragons’ Den
(24:24) Two Lessons Arlene Taught Dave
(23:29) The Time Arlene Accidentally Got Drunk on Dragons' Den
(25:53) The Current Economic Climate for Canadian Entrepreneurs
(30:03) Potential US Tariffs
(33:48) Younger Canadians Are Frustrated
(36:08) Taxes & Government Spending in Canada
(37:56) How Do We Build Up the Canadian Entrepreneur Ecosystem?
(42:46) The Impact of AI
(47:12) Arlene's Closing Message for the Audience
We’re joined this episode by Dan Bortolotti—Portfolio Manager at PWL Capital, creator of the hugely popular “Canadian Couch Potato” blog, author of “Reboot Your Portfolio: 9 Steps to Successful Investing with ETFs” and co-host of the “Rational Reminder” podcast.
In this episode, Dan and Dave dive deep into index investing, covering everything from active vs. passive investing styles to tips for DIY investors, asset allocation strategies, the pros and cons of all-in-one ETFs in Canada and much more. There’s a lot to unpack, but Dan and Dave make it all easy to understand.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about DIY investing—tune in now!
Show Notes
(00:00:00) Intro & Disclaimer
(00:00:55) Intro to Dan Bortolotti
(00:02:04) The Origins of the “Canadian Couch Potato”
(00:06:56) What is an Index Fund
(00:08:52) Why Don't Most Active Managers Outperform the Market?
(00:15:12) How Dave's Dad Can Beat Professional Money Managers
(00:16:57) Group Retirement Plans
(00:19:25) Mutual Fund Underperformance
(00:22:42) Should People Speculate with 5-10% of Their Portfolio?
(00:26:31) The Financial-Planning-First Model
(00:35:52) How to Construct An Index-Fund Portfolio
(00:34:57) Risk Tolerance and Asset Allocation
(00:42:50) When Stocks & Bonds Both Went Down
(00:44:56) What Goes Into a Financial Plan?
(00:46:34) Get Life Insurance!
(00:47:59) There is No "Optimal" Financial Plan
(00:49:52) When to Take CPP
(00:51:21) The Risks of Helping Kids/Grandkids with Down Payments
(00:53:52) All-in-One ETFs
(00:58:16) Withholding Taxes on US Stocks
(01:02:27) Online Investment Platform Recommendations
(01:04:26) Conclusion
Our guest this episode is Ron Butler—a 30-year veteran of the mortgage industry and owner of Butler Mortgage. Some of you may recognize Ron from his social media rants or his “Angry Mortgage Podcast” where he uses colourful language and profanity to express his opinions (and share his wisdom!) on the world of real estate and mortgages.
In this episode, Dave and Ron discuss all things real estate including the pros/cons of using a mortgage broker, where they think interest rates are headed, whether people should use fixed- or variable-rate mortgages and much, much more.
Enjoy this entertaining and insightful episode.
Show Notes
00:00 – Intro & Disclaimer
00:57 – Intro to Ron Butler
03:20 – Pros/Cons of Using a Mortgage Broker
05:29 – Canada vs. USA Use of Mortgage Brokers
08:19 – Where Ron Thinks Interest Rates Are Headed
09:47 – Divergence Between Haves vs. Have-Not
11:48 – Fixed vs. Variable Mortgage Rates
13:54 – Parents Helping with Down Payments
18:02 – The Financialization of Housing
20:07 – Where Are Housing Prices Headed?
25:51 – The Small-Condo Market
30:09 – 30-Year Amortizations
32:10 – High Transaction Costs in Real Estate
34:46 – Renovations
39:37 – Big vs. Small Homes
43:23 – High Housing Costs Causing People to Leave Canada
46:10 – The Housing-Affordability Crisis
51:42 – Rapid-Fire Questions
57:16 – An F-Bomb-Filled Ron Rant
59:03 – Conclusion
Our guest this episode is Richard Coffin—better known to many as "The Plain Bagel." Richard is a CFA and CFP professional working as a Portfolio Manager in Ottawa. He has nearly 1 million subscribers on his YouTube channel where he creates entertaining and educational videos on finance, investing and economics.
In this episode, Dave and Richard discuss the rise of "Finfluencers" in today’s social-media-driven world and explore the fascinating landscape of behavioural finance. They cover everything from the origins of “The Plain Bagel,” to the pros and cons of getting financial advice online, to the biases that affect us all and much, much more.
Enjoy this fantastic episode featuring two of Canada’s top financial educators.
Show Notes
00:00:00 – Intro & Disclaimer
00:00:55 – Intro to Richard Coffin
00:03:28 – Origin of “The Plain Bagel”
00:08:13 – Richard’s Work & Educational Background
00:12:13 – The Rise of Finfluencers
00:16:34 – The Laws Around Giving Financial Advice Online
00:20:14 – How to Evaluate Online Financial Advice
00:21:24 – Trusting Finfluencers More than Wall Street
00:25:20 – The “Beginner” Finfluencer
00:28:58 – Investing Courses
00:38:42 – Trustworthy Canadian Finfluencers
00:44:41 – It’s Easy to Fake Wealth Online
00:47:57 – YouTubers Being Paid to Promote Stocks
00:55:27 – Behavioural Finance & Loss Aversion
01:02:56 – Confirmation Bias
01:06:35 – The Skills Behind Creating Content People Enjoy Watching
01:08:46 – Recency Bias
01:13:41 – Framing Bias
01:19:02 – Conclusion
Our guest this episode is Barry Choi, the ultimate expert on all things credit card points and loyalty programs in Canada. You may also know him from his frequent TV appearances or his personal finance website www.moneywehave.com.
In this episode Dave asks Barry everything Canadians need to know about credit card points and loyalty programs including which programs offer the most lucrative sign-up bonuses, tips for how to maximize the value of your points, which card is best for travel and much, much more.
This is a highly informative episode and you’ll be sure to take away a few valuable tips by listening.
Show Notes
00:00 – Intro & Disclaimer
00:56 – Intro to Barry Choi
03:02 – Loyalty Programs and Data
06:35 – Learn a Few Programs Inside Out
08:51 – Transferring Points to Increase Value
10:47 – Credit Card Points as an Employee Benefit
12:04 – Tips to Maximize Points
14:39 – How to Optimize Points for Travel
17:12 – Which Credit Card is Right for You
18:56 – Sign-Up Bonuses
22:16 – Dave’s Reservations About Credit Cards
25:32 – High-Income Canadians with Credit-Card Balances
28:01 – Barry’s Spending
30:02 – When Barry Took His Family to Hong Kong
34:09 – American Express
37:37 – Dave Doesn't Use Airport Lounges
38:26 – Non-Point Benefits
41:20 – The Lifecycle of a Fintech Company
42:25 – Consumerism & Stuff
45:49 – Donating Loyalty Points
46:58 – Fraud with Loyalty Points
48:37 – Conclusion
Our guest this episode is Ben Felix—Chief Investment Officer at PWL Capital and co-host of “The Rational Reminder” podcast. You might also know him from his popular YouTube channel where he creates meticulously researched videos on investing, financial decision-making and living a good life (although you may not recognize his stunning new hairstyle!).
In this episode Dave and Ben dive deeply into the world of investing. They cover everything from active versus passive styles to why CPP is a one-of-a-kind asset to why people underperform so badly in mutual funds and much, much more.
This is a must-listen episode featuring two of Canada’s top financial educators.
Show Notes:
00:00:00 – Intro & Disclaimer
00:00:55 – Intro to Ben Felix
00:04:25 – Ben’s New Hair
00:05:50 – Why Is It So Difficult to Beat the Market?
00:08:02 – Why It's Hard for Active Managers to Consistently Outperform
00:11:42 – “Buy the Haystack” (Passive Investing)
00:13:55 – The Market is Forward Looking
00:17:45 – Why Dave & Ben Don't Listen to Market Forecasts
00:21:46 – Dave's Only Market-Timing Story (Gone Wrong)
00:25:22 – Performance Gaps for Individual vs. Fund Performance
00:29:55 – Lump Sum vs. Dollar-Cost Averaging
00:35:18 – Everyone's Risk Tolerance is Different
00:36:56 – Countries With High Economic Growth ≠ High Stock Returns
00:41:35 – Beware of High Growth Industries & Thematic ETFs
00:46:00 – The Difference Between Investment Planning & Financial Planning
00:51:20 – How Can Everyday Canadians Get Good Financial Advice?
00:55:44 – Trust is Key in Financial Planning
00:57:26 – Why a 2% Mutual Fund Fee Is So Costly
00:59:11 – Canadian Banks
01:01:19 – Keep it Simple! Complexity Underperforms
01:04:09 – Venture Capital
01:05:42 – Can the US Market Continue to Outperform?
01:13:36 – Robo-Advisors
01:17:44 – Would Ben Ever Be a Landlord?
01:20:00 – CPP – Four Reasons Why You Should Wait to Take It
01:26:11 – Conclusion
Our guest this episode is Jessica Moorhouse—a Canadian personal finance creator, host of the “More Money Podcast,” and soon-to-be-published author of the book “Everything but Money: The Hidden Barriers Between You and Financial Freedom.”
In this episode Dave and Jessica discuss how our emotions and past experiences affect our relationship with money including bad financial habits people learn from their parents, biases that get in our way, why the financial industry benefits from making it seem more complicated than it is and much, much more.
Don’t miss this engaging discussion with Jessica Moorhouse.
Show Notes00:00 – Introduction00:56 – Jessica's Background03:21 – How Jessica's Podcast Started05:51 – Jessica's Upcoming Book11:43 – Bad Money Habits We Learn From Our Parents15:34 – Money and Shame17:18 – How to Take Control of Your Relationship with Money19:07 – Status Quo Bias22:15 – Anyone Can Learn to be Good With Money24:33 – Overconfidence Bias in Young Men27:02 – Women and Investing29:02 – Emotions and Investing31:51 – Index Investing & Fintech33:51 – Focus on What You Can Control and Don't Give Up Hope38:10 – Living in Toronto40:37 – The Best Financial Educators Are Truly Trying to Help43:55 – Happiness and Financial Planning46:39 – COVID49:18 – Where to Get Jessica’s Book
The Wealthy Barber Podcast is Canada’s go-to source for approachable, entertaining, and free financial education. Hosted by none other than David Chilton—former Dragon on CBC’s ”Dragons’ Den” and the best-selling author of ”The Wealthy Barber” and ”The Wealthy Barber Returns”—this podcast is here to help Canadians manage their money better. Much better.
Dave Chilton has spent over 35 years demystifying personal finance, offering understandable, unbiased, and actionable advice that has empowered millions of Canadians to achieve their financial goals. Now, he’s bringing that same wisdom to your favourite podcasting platforms, with regular episodes designed to make personal finance simple, relatable, and yes, even entertaining.
Episodes of The Wealthy Barber Podcast features Dave in conversation with expert guests from across the spectrum of Canadian personal finance. From investing and real estate to taxes, RESPs, and even money psychology, no topic is off-limits. Plus, don’t miss our special “Office Hours” episodes, where Dave answers real questions from audience members, delivering informed, balanced, and sometimes downright funny advice.
Follow for Canadian personal finance made simple.
