Plain English Finance
The Plain English Finance podcast is hosted by Tré Bynoe CFP® CIM®, a financial planner with TCU Wealth Management and Aviso Wealth.
While Tré specializes in working with families with more complicated finances, typically involving corporations and trusts, this podcast is for anyone wanting to learn how to make high-quality decisions based on evidence, to give themselves the highest likelihood of financial success.
You should always consult with your financial, legal, and tax advisors before making changes.
This podcast is provided as a general source of information and should not be considered personal investment advice or solicitation to buy or sell any securities.
The views expressed are those of the individual and are not necessarily those of Aviso Financial Inc.
Mutual funds and other securities are offered through Aviso Wealth, a division of Aviso Financial Inc.
Episodes
30 episodes
Ep. 29 | Stop Guessing: The Employee's Guide to Financial Order of Operations
Most employees guess their way through financial decisions. That leads to debt, missed opportunities, and slow progress. In this episode, Tré lays out a clear, step-by-step plan for employees who want better results and are willing to do the wo...
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Episode 29
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29:58
Ep. 28 | The Smart Path to Buying Into Your Firm
In this episode of Plain English Finance, host Tré Bynoe, CFP®, CIM®, breaks down the step-by-step plan for professionals thinking about buying into their firm — lawyers, engineers, accountants, and doctors alike.Tré expl...
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Episode 28
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29:05
Ep. 27 | Case Study: What Comes After “We’re On Track”?
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 de...
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Episode 27
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38:00
Ep. 26 | Investing Basics: Understanding Risk
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, wh...
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Episode 26
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42:13
Ep. 25 | The 4% Fallacy: Why Lazy Planning Hurts Clients
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 ...
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Episode 25
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45:21
Ep. 24 | Should You Incorporate? What Canadians Should Know
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 Cana...
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Episode 24
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42:58
Ep. 23 | The Real Purpose of Insurance
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 ...
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Episode 23
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49:43
Ep. 22 | Buy Now, Regret Later.
“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, ...
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Episode 22
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31:45
Ep. 21 | The Right Way to Use Your TFSA
“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 contributi...
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Episode 21
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36:01
Ep. 20 | Compounding, Inflation, and Stock Splits — Made Simple
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...
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Episode 20
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41:22
Ep. 19 | How to Leave Money to Your Kids Without Screwing Them Up
Most wills don’t plan for reality. They ignore messy family dynamics, future kids, or the financial chaos that hits when parents die unexpectedly. In this episode, Tré Bynoe, CFP, CIM, shares how he and his wife structured their own estate plan...
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Episode 19
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29:45
Ep. 18 | Why RRSPs Are Overrated (Unless You Know What You’re Doing)
Most Canadians treat RRSPs like a retirement silver bullet, and most are using them wrong.In this episode, Tré explains why Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) are powerful tools only when used strategically. He breaks d...
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Episode 18
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43:07
Ep. 17 | How to Give More to Charity and Pay Less Tax
Want to support a cause and cut your tax bill? This episode is for you.Tré explains how to give to charity in a smarter, more tax-efficient way — without spending more out of pocket. Whether you're tithing, giving to local rescu...
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Episode 17
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24:59
Ep. 16 | Why Most Canadians Miss Out on Free Money Through RDSPs
https://www.rdsp.com/calculator/ - LinkMost Canadians eligible for the RDSP have never opened one. That’s a costly mistake.In this episode, Tré breaks down why the Registered Disability Savings Plan is one of the most pow...
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Episode 16
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27:28
Ep. 15 | How Tré Invests — And What Most Investors Get Wrong
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 c...
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Episode 15
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1:00:58
Ep. 14 | Budgeting on $400K+: Why High Income Doesn’t Equal Wealth
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 fina...
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Episode 14
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41:18
Ep. 13 | How to Set Up a Cashflow System That Actually Works
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 struct...
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Episode 13
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41:02
Ep. 12 | Why a 100% Equity Portfolio Could Be Your Best Bet
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...
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Episode 12
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47:48
Ep. 11 | Should You Invest or Pay Down Debt? Here's What the Numbers Say
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 compariso...
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Episode 11
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38:40
Ep. 10 | The Middle-Class Trap — How Households Earning $100K–$200K Fall Behind
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 wh...
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Episode 10
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41:19
Ep. 9 | Tax-Efficient Debt: How the Right Structure Can Save You Thousands
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. H...
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Episode 9
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26:32
Ep. 8 | High-Income Budgeting: How $200K+ Earners Can Start Building Wealth
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 diffe...
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Episode 8
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46:37
BONUS | Q2 2025 Review
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-ter...
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23:03
Ep. 7 | What Is Money, Really?
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 spe...
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Episode 7
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29:16
Ep. 6 | Why You Should Track Your Net Worth
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 monitorin...
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Episode 6
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19:49