Most Canadians think investing is about picking the right stock, timing the markets, or chasing returns. It’s not. In this episode, Tré breaks down exactly how he manages his own investment portfolio, and why simplicity, tax-efficiency, and a clear philosophy matter far more than hot tips or flashy products.

If you're a DIY investor, a skeptical professional, or someone overwhelmed by jargon, this episode will ground you in what actually works.

You’ll learn:

• Why Tré uses low-cost, globally diversified index funds
• The real difference between “market risk” and unnecessary risk
• Why most people don’t understand what they’re investing in
• The hidden danger of “tax-optimized” investments like swap-based ETFs
• Why investing doesn’t need to be complicated to be effective

Share this episode with someone who’s still chasing stock picks or paying too much in fees — and follow or review the show to support smarter financial decisions.

Earning over $400,000 a year puts you in a privileged position, but it also comes with bigger decisions, bigger risks, and bigger tax bills. In this episode, Tré breaks down how high earners can avoid the most common financial pitfalls and finally shift from focusing on income to building lasting wealth.

This episode is for professionals, business owners, and executives who are in—or approaching—high-income territory and want to avoid lifestyle creep, inefficient tax planning, and financial regret.

You’ll learn:

• Why high income doesn’t guarantee high net worth
• The budgeting mindset that scales with income
• How to use income surpluses without wasting them
• Why taxes—not spending—become your biggest threat
• The importance of risk management and having a team
• How over-gifting and poor oversight can quietly erode wealth

Follow, share, or leave a review if this episode helped you.

Most people “budget” by looking backward at what they’ve spent. That's reactive.

In this episode, Tré walks through the exact system he and his family use to manage their money proactively — with multiple accounts, a clear spending structure, and zero guilt. Whether you’re a couple or managing solo, this framework gives you total control without obsessing over receipts.

You’ll learn:

• Why tracking expenses is backward, and what to do instead
• How to set up your accounts for true financial clarity
• The one rule that keeps your spending and goals in sync
• How to budget without ever saying the word “budget”
• What to do with the money left over after monthly expenses

Follow, review, or share the podcast if you’re ready to stop reacting to your money and start directing it.

Investing Simulator: https://buildyourstax.com/

Most people think bonds are “safe” and stocks are “risky.” But what if that’s exactly backward, especially over the long term?

In this episode, Tré breaks down the real meaning of asset allocation and why traditional advice like “add more bonds as you age” may be setting you up for failure. Backed by research, Tré explains why a 100% equity portfolio often leads to the best outcomes — and how to know if it’s right for you.

You’ll learn:

• Why bonds can increase your risk of running out of money in retirement
• What “balanced” portfolios really deliver—and why they might fall short
• How to match investments to your spending timeline (not your age)
• The emotional traps investors fall into (like anchoring bias)
• Why financial literacy is your best defense against panic
• How to think about asset allocation across TFSA, RRSP, and corporate accounts

Follow, review, or share this podcast to help more Canadians invest with confidence.

If you’re torn between paying off your mortgage or investing, you’re not alone, and there’s a lot of bad advice out there. This episode breaks it down with facts, not feelings.

Tré uses real planning software to run side-by-side comparisons and shows why—mathematically—investing often comes out ahead. But psychology, discipline, and risk tolerance matter just as much. Whether you're holding low-interest debt or still paying off your credit cards, this episode will help you choose your next move confidently.

You’ll learn:

• Why credit card debt and investing don’t mix—ever
• How a small change today can mean hundreds of thousands by retirement
• Why risk tolerance and financial literacy are key to your strategy
• When it’s smarter to pay off your mortgage (yes, sometimes it is)
• How to blend both strategies if you're unsure
• What advisors often get wrong, and how to push back

Make the right call for your future. Subscribe, review, or share the episode today.

Earning six figures used to mean financial security. Now? That mindset could be a trap.

In this episode, Tré tackles the hidden risks for Canadian households earning between $100,000 and $200,000. This range feels comfortable, but it’s where lifestyle inflation, car loans, and poor planning quietly eat away at your financial future. Tré offers a practical, no-fluff guide to budgeting, systematizing cash flow, and staying on track.

You’ll learn:

• Why $150K/year isn’t the safety net people think it is
• How car loans and credit creep derail your progress
• What “systematizing” your finances really looks like
• Why middle-income households must still track the small expenses
• The risk of looking rich instead of being rich
• When it’s time to cut back or increase your income

If you're in this income range and want to stay in control, subscribe, review, and share this episode.

Most Canadians treat debt as a burden and taxes as a given. But what if you could flip that thinking and turn your debt into a tax advantage?

In this episode, Tré breaks down how to structure debt so the interest becomes tax-deductible. He outlines strategies that can save you tens of thousands over time, especially if you’re a business owner, landlord, or hold non-registered investments.

You’ll learn:

• Why minimizing tax over your lifetime beats avoiding a tax bill today
• How to turn your mortgage into a tax-deductible investment loan
• What the Smith Maneuver is—and how it can transform your finances
• Common mistakes that ruin deductibility (and how to avoid them)
• Why structure and discipline matter more than ever in this strategy
• When you shouldn’t attempt this on your own

Taxes need to be paid, but you should only pay what you need to. Subscribe, review, or share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

Are you earning over $200,000 but still feeling like your money disappears too fast? In this episode, we dig into budgeting for high-income earners and why earning more doesn’t always mean building wealth.

We explore key behavioural differences between natural savers and spenders — and the blind spots both groups have when it comes to money management. You’ll learn how to stop relying on unpredictable income like commissions and bonuses to make progress and instead build a systematic, sustainable approach to saving and investing.

If you want to start growing your net worth with intention, this episode is for you.

What you'll learn:

• Why high-income earners still struggle with budgeting
• The habits that hold spenders and savers back
• How to create an automatic wealth-building system
• Why bonuses and commissions can’t be your financial plan

What Really Drove Market Gains in Q2? (Hint: It's Not What You Think)

Markets bounced back in Q2—but it’s not all good news. In this bonus quarterly review episode, Tre breaks down what’s behind the recent returns and why short-term market moves can be misleading.

You’ll learn what drove gains (like multiple expansion and currency), why the April drop didn’t show up on your statement, and why Canadian investors might be in better shape than they think. If you’re sitting on cash or trying to time the market, this one’s for you.

What you’ll learn:

• Why the early-April market drop didn’t impact your Q2 statement
• How currency and market multiples drove returns—not earnings
• Why Canada’s trade shift may be a long-term win
• What makes lump-sum investing risky in today’s market
• How inflation data really works (hint: prices aren’t coming down)
• Why Saskatchewan is still a cost-effective place to live

Follow, share, and leave a review if you found this helpful.

Most people think of money as cash in the bank. But in this episode, Tre unpacks a bolder truth: money is just a middleman for value. Joined by his wife Sierra, Tre explains why viewing money as value—rather than currency—can change how you spend, save, and invest. This isn’t your usual budgeting talk. It’s a direct conversation about how our financial system works, why inflation erodes your purchasing power, and how to make smarter decisions with the money you earn.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why money is no longer a store of value—and what that means for you
• How inflation works and why it impacts every Canadian
• What happens when governments can print unlimited currency
• Why storing wealth in cash may be a risky move
• How to think about investing as converting value, not chasing returns

Follow the show, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who still hides cash under their mattress.

Ever wondered why tracking your net worth is essential for your financial health? In this episode, we break down exactly what net worth means, clearly defining your assets and liabilities. We'll explore practical reasons why regularly monitoring your net worth can significantly enhance your financial decision-making, confidence, and goal-setting. Plus, we provide a simple, step-by-step calculation (linked below) to empower you to easily determine your own net worth today.

Key points:

• What is net worth, and why does it matter?
• Understanding assets vs. liabilities
• The top reasons to consistently track your net worth
• An easy calculation method to figure out yours: Target Net Worth = [Your Age − 25] ∗ [1/5th ​∗ Gross Annual Income]

Ready to find out your net worth? Hit play now.

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review if you found this episode helpful.

Find your car value: https://www.vmrcanada.com/

Most people misunderstand risk — and it's costing them.

In this episode, Tre breaks down how the financial industry defines risk (hint: it’s mostly about volatility) and why that approach often leads investors astray. He explains the many types of risk that matter more than short-term market swings, and how to manage them with evidence, not emotion. If you've ever said "I'm a low-risk investor," this one's for you.

You’ll learn:

• Why the standard definition of investment risk is flawed
• What standard deviation actually tells you (and what it doesn't)
• How “low-risk” funds can lead to high-risk outcomes
• The real risks most investors should be worried about—like liquidity, inflation, and longevity
• How proper planning reduces investment risk more than picking the “right” fund

Follow, review, and share the podcast if you want smarter, more confident money decisions.

Are you paying thousands in hidden investment fees—and not even realizing it? In this episode, Tre gets a little... passionate discussing segregated funds (seg funds), an insurance-wrapped investment product that many Canadians are sold under the guise of “safety.” Tre breaks down why these products often come with inflated costs, opaque fee structures, and misleading sales tactics—and why most Canadians are better off avoiding them.

Whether you’re a retiree, business owner, or concerned adult child reviewing a parent’s portfolio, this episode is a must-listen.

You’ll learn:

• What seg funds are and how they differ from mutual funds
• The truth behind the “guarantees” and why they rarely matter
• How these products are marketed using fear, not facts
• The staggering long-term cost difference in real dollar terms
• What to watch for if your advisor only sells insurance products

If you have money invested with an insurance first company like WFG (World Financial Group), Primerica, Quadrus, La Capitale or anything else similar, please get a second opinion! 

Of course, feel free to give my office a call or reach out. But to ensure I'm as unbiased as possible. Go talk to someone with their 'CFP' who works at a bank, credit union, investment firm like Raymond James and Edward Jones, find someone on the FPAC member list... Literally anyone with the right education and licenses.

https://www.fpassociation.ca/members

I just beg you to get a second opinion.

Follow, share, or review the podcast to help more Canadians make smarter money decisions.

Episode 3: How We Built Wealth by Ignoring Bad Advice

Most financial advice is either too generic or completely off base. In this episode, Tre Bynoe CFP CIM and his wife Sierra explain why smart money decisions aren’t about rules—they’re about principles. From dissecting Tre’s evidence-based decision-making model to discussing how emotion and outdated advice derail financial progress, this conversation is raw, real, and full of practical insight. If you’ve ever wondered why "common sense" financial wisdom can lead you astray, this one’s for you.

What you’ll learn:

• Why "it depends" is often the best answer in personal finance
• Tre's rational decision-making model (and how to use it)
• The danger of taking advice from well-meaning but uninformed people
• How your upbringing shapes your money mindset
• Why inaction is often the worst financial decision

Subscribe, review, or share if you’re serious about mastering your money.

IIn this episode of the Plain English Finance Podcast, Tre Bynoe, CFP, CIM, explains why good financial planning isn’t about crunching numbers — it’s about making better decisions. He tackles how decision paralysis derails progress and lays out the six steps he uses to guide clients through the planning process. From managing taxes and cash flow to choosing investments and controlling risk, Tre shares the principles he uses to help professionals and business owners make smart, confident choices with their money.

Whether you're exploring if Tre’s approach fits your needs or just want to learn what real financial planning looks like, this episode gives you a clear, practical overview.

What You’ll Learn:

• How decision paralysis keeps people stuck (and how to avoid it)
• The six-step process behind personalized financial planning
• Tax and cash flow principles that work at any income level
• How to invest smartly inside corporations
• What to look for (and avoid) in a financial advisor

Like what you hear? Follow, review, and share this episode with someone who wants to build wealth with purpose.

Most people get their financial advice from the wrong sources—and it shows. In this first episode of Plain English Finance, Tre Bynoe CFP, CIM shares the story behind the podcast and why your financial future depends on who you listen to. From growing up in the UK foster care system to becoming a Certified Financial Planner in Canada, Tre explains how life experience, logic, and a data-first mindset shaped his approach to money.

This episode sets the tone: practical, expert advice for people who want to make better decisions—and get real results.

What you’ll learn:

• How Tre’s background shaped his no-nonsense approach to finance
• Why decision-making is the real secret to building wealth
• Who actually qualifies to give you financial advice
• What to look for in a financial planner or investment advisor
• Why avoiding decisions is the fastest way to stay stuck

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Welcome to the Plain English Finance Podcast
• 00:26 Host Introduction and Background
• 00:44 Impact of Foster Care on Financial Views
• 02:14 Decision Making and Financial Advice
• 04:29 Expertise and Credentials in Financial Planning
• 06:39 Working with TCU Wealth Management
• 07:29 Purpose of the Podcast and Final Thoughts

Call to Action:
Like what you hear? Subscribe, leave a review, or share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.