In this special off-script episode, Sierra flips the mic and asks Tré Bynoe, CFP, CIM, some personal and thought-provoking questions—from career paths not taken to his philosophy on helping people who actually want to be helped.

This is the human side of financial planning, where mindset, motivation, and money collide.

You’ll learn:

• The financial myth Tré really can’t stand
• What he’d do if he weren’t a financial planner
• The truth about who he’ll help (and who he won’t)
• The personal reason behind his early retirement planning
• Why separating income from expenses changes everything
• How social media affects contentment and financial decisions

If you’ve ever wondered what drives a financial planner (or just want to hear real talk about who Tré is), this one’s for you.

Follow and share the podcast to support real, honest finance content for Canadians.

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Notional accounts may sound like accountant-speak, but they’re critical if you're investing through a corporation. In this episode, Tré Bynoe CFP CIM breaks down what these invisible accounts are, how they work, and why ignoring them could quietly cost you thousands in tax.

If you don’t know the difference between a CDA and an RDTOH—or worse, you’re holding GICs inside your corporation—this episode is required listening.

You’ll learn:

• What a notional account is (and why it isn’t a real account)
• The difference between CDA, eligible, and non-eligible refund tax accounts
• Why interest income in corporations is heavily penalized
• How dividend payouts trigger tax refunds
• What happens if you don’t manage these accounts proactively
• Why clearing your RDTOH balance matters more than you think

This is essential for business owners investing through a corporation.

Follow, rate, and share the podcast if this saved you a tax headache.

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What do you actually earn from the stock market? If you think it's all "interest," think again.

In this episode, Tré Bynoe, CFP, CIM, breaks down the three types of investment income in Canada—dividends, capital gains, and other income—and explains how each one is taxed. This isn’t just technical terminology, but essential knowledge for anyone investing outside registered accounts or running a corporation. Understanding these differences can help you keep more of your money and avoid costly tax mistakes.

You’ll learn:

• Why not all investment income is treated equally
• How dividends work and why they’re tax-advantaged
• What counts as a capital gain and when it’s triggered
• Why interest income is often the least tax-efficient
• How corporate structure affects tax treatment
• The hidden power of asset location and after-tax returns

If you’re a professional, business owner, or serious DIY investor, this episode is for you.

Follow, rate, and share the Plain English Finance Podcast.

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This episode is different. It's a reading of a children’s story called The Four Money Bears, recorded for our daughter, Ariyah.

It’s about spending, saving, investing, and giving — but more than that, it’s about balance, care, and intention, and a reminder that how we use money should help us take care of ourselves and each other.

However someone finds this episode, I hope it reminds you to tell the people you love how important they are, because we're only human and nothing is guaranteed.

Love you baby girl.

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Many Canadians are stuck under a mountain of debt. Some with no idea how much they owe, or how to get out. In this episode, Tré breaks down what to do right now if you’re facing serious consumer debt. From making your first net worth statement to choosing between the avalanche and snowball methods, this is your guide to regaining control.

Whether you’re a professional, business owner, or anyone dealing with high-interest debt, this episode helps you stop spinning your wheels and start taking action.

What you’ll learn:

• Why avoiding the numbers only makes things worse
• How to do a basic net worth and debt inventory
• When to choose avalanche vs. snowball for repayment
• The biggest mistake with car loans and mortgages
• Why lifestyle cuts and sacrifices are non-negotiable
• How to make debt payoff sustainable and final

Like what you hear? Follow, review, and share the podcast to help more Canadians take control of their money.

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Think taking out a car loan in your 20s is no big deal? Think again.

In this episode, Tré breaks down the long-term consequences of everyday debt decisions using real-life modelling to show how a single $40,000 car loan can quietly derail your financial trajectory for decades. It isn’t only about interest—it's about financial stress, lost time, and missed opportunities.

If you’ve ever said, “I had no choice,” this one’s for you.

What you’ll learn:

• How a single debt decision at 25 changes your life at 45
• Why debt isn’t just about cost, it’s about long-term stress
• What “financial flexibility” actually looks like
• The hidden opportunity cost of car loans
• Why delayed gratification is a wealth-building superpower

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Most Canadian parents know about RESPs, but few use them to their full potential. In this episode, Tré exposes the common RESP mistakes that cost families thousands and shows you how to actually make the most of this powerful tool.

You’ll learn how to maximize government grants, why timing matters more than you think, and how RESP investing can be a stealthy tax strategy. Plus, Tré explains why helping your kids should never come at the cost of your own retirement.

What you’ll learn:

• How RESP grant matching actually works (and how to catch up if you fall behind)
• Why “superfunding” your RESP may not be optimal
• The best RESP strategy based on your expected investment return
• What happens if your kid doesn’t go to school
• How to use RESPs for income splitting and tax planning

Subscribe, rate, or share the show to help more Canadians make smart money decisions.
🔗 https://trebynoe.ca/podcast

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In this episode, Tré breaks down how credit scores work in Canada using best practices given directly from Equifax and TransUnion. Using information straight from Equifax and TransUnion, he explains exactly what goes into your score and how to build it the right way.

Whether you’re starting out or trying to repair your credit, this episode will help you make smarter decisions that lenders actually care about.

What you'll learn:

• The five real factors that impact your credit score (and what doesn’t)
• How to use credit without damaging your score
• What credit utilization actually means—and why 30% matters
• Why obsessing over your score past 750 is a waste of time
• How to build credit early, safely, and effectively
• When giving money can hurt your financial stability

Share this with someone building credit—or struggling with it. And don’t forget to follow or review the show.

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