Afleveringen
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You filled out a risk questionnaire once, when you opened your account, and probably never looked at it again. But do you actually know how you'll react if your portfolio drops 20%?
In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we unpack risk tolerance vs. risk capacity: what a risk questionnaire is really measuring, and why the answers people give in a calm market rarely hold up once one turns. We dig into recency bias, why investors overestimate their risk tolerance in good markets, and why fund flow data shows people moving into equities at the top and fleeing to cash at the bottom, exactly backwards.
We also cover the handful of life events that should actually change your risk profile: retirement, losing a spouse, or simply getting older.
📌 If it's been years since you reviewed your risk profile, feel free to reach out. We'd be happy to help you through those decisions:
Schedule a meeting here
🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube.
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Most founders can tell you their business's revenue down to the penny, but ask about their own net worth, and they draw a blank.
In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we unpack founder compensation and personal wealth-building: why so many successful business owners are asset-rich on paper but personally behind, and why that gap only gets harder to close the longer you wait.
We dig into how you pay yourself: salary builds CPP and RRSP room, while dividends offer tax advantages but no CPP contributions, and aren't deductible to the corporation. We also cover using corporate debt to build income (versus personal debt to buy things), insurance as a corporate wealth tool, and the capital dividend account, a lesser-known way to pull money out of your company tax-free.
Finally, we share the habit that separates founders who build lasting wealth from those who don't: knowing when to stop reinvesting everything and start retaining earnings, even just 10–20%, so a rough year for the business doesn't become a personal financial crisis.
📌 If you're a founder or business owner rethinking how you pay yourself or reinvest, feel free to reach out. We'd be happy to help you through those decisions:Schedule a meeting here
🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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This summer, a wave of Canadians will open their mail to find a GIC renewal notice, and the new rate won't look anything like the 5% they locked in back in 2023.
In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we go back to square one on Guaranteed Investment Certificates: what they actually are, why so many people own them without realizing it, and why the timing of this year's renewal wave matters so much.
We also dig into one of the biggest drawbacks of GICs: their tax treatment. Interest income is taxed at your top marginal rate, and accumulation GICs can leave you paying tax on money you haven't even received yet. For retirees focused on keeping their tax bill low, we discuss why those forgotten GICs often show up as an unexpectedly high interest line on a tax return.
From there, we break down the hybrid and index-linked GICs and liquidity risk, why locked-in money can be a problem inside a corporation or in a pinch, and the liquid alternatives like high-interest savings and money market funds that can serve a similar purpose.
Finally, we share practical strategies if GICs are right for you: laddering for liquidity, why you should always negotiate rather than accept the artificially low posted renewal rate, and the importance of watching CDIC coverage limits, especially outside the big five banks.
📌 If you have a GIC coming due this summer, personally or inside your company, feel free to reach out before the renewal date. We'd be happy to help you through those decisions:
Schedule a meeting here
🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube.
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.ca
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/
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In our last episode, we covered the foundation of retirement planning for business owners. Now we continue the conversation by looking at what it actually takes to get a business ready for a successful sale.
What an owner thinks their company is worth doesn't always match what a buyer is willing to pay. We explore what buyers are really looking at when they assess value, and why most of them want to buy your cash flow, not your business. We also discuss why heavy owner dependency, mixed personal and business expenses, and customer concentration can all quietly hurt your valuation.
From there, we break down EBITDA, the difference between a share sale and an asset sale, and how family trusts can multiply the capital gains exemption.
If you missed Part 1, go back and have a listen to Episode 361, where we covered the retirement planning foundation that sets all of this up.
📌 If you're a business owner starting to think seriously about a transition or succession, feel free to reach out. We'd be happy to help:Schedule a meeting here
🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube.
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LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial Group
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.ca
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/
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As a business owner, retirement can feel like a distant thought when you're focused on building something; stepping away is the last thing on your mind.
We explore why retirement planning looks different for business owners, why strong cash flow within a business can be misleading for long-term financial readiness, and why building assets outside the business is one of the most important steps an owner can take.
We also discuss the value of creating your own pension plan through tools like an IPP, why diversifying your income sources matters more than many business owners realize, and how separating yourself financially from your business, early on, can lead to a stronger retirement and a higher business valuation when the time comes to sell.
Finally, we touch on why preparing for a business transition isn't a one-year process, and why the best time to start thinking about your exit strategy is long before it feels urgent. This is Part 1 of a 2-part series. In our next episode, we continue the conversation by exploring what preparing for life after the business can look like as transition planning becomes more real.
📌 If you're a business owner starting to think more seriously about retirement planning or business succession, feel free to reach out to us. We'd be happy to help:
Schedule a meeting here
🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube.
Follow us:LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial GroupFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.caInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/
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As inflation rises, many retirees begin asking the same question: Will my retirement income still be enough 10, 20, or 30 years from now?
In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we explore why rising costs create unique challenges for retirees, how inflation impacts retirement income, and why maintaining purchasing power becomes one of the most important long-term planning considerations.
We also discuss the risks of becoming too conservative with retirement savings, why relying heavily on fixed-income investments can create challenges during inflationary periods, and how equities can help retirees keep pace with rising costs over time.
Finally, we discuss the importance of flexibility in retirement planning as health needs, family circumstances, spending goals, and economic conditions evolve throughout retirement.
📌 If you're concerned about how inflation may affect your retirement income, withdrawal strategy, or long-term financial plan, feel free to reach out to us. We'd be happy to help:
Schedule a meeting here
🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube.
Follow us:
LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial GroupFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.caInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/
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Many families spend decades building wealth, but far fewer prepare for how that wealth will eventually transfer to the next generation.
In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we explore four common wealth transfer problems families often overlook, including avoiding difficult inheritance conversations, navigating family cottages, managing rising estate tax exposure, and preparing the next generation financially.
We also discuss why more retirees are choosing to help their children earlier in life rather than solely through inheritance, how larger RRIFs and rising asset values are creating unexpected tax complexity, and why passing down wealth does not automatically transfer financial knowledge or responsibility.
📌 If you’re starting to think about retirement structure, estate planning, or long-term family wealth planning, feel free to reach out to us. We’d be happy to help.
Schedule a meeting here
We also help facilitate family meetings where these conversations can take place openly in a safe, structured environment.
🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube.
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Building a successful business and exiting one successfully are often two very different skill sets.
In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we explore the emotional and financial side of stepping away from a business, from succession planning and business valuation to tax structures, identity, and preparing a company to operate without the owner at the center of everything.
We also discuss why many business owners wait too long to start planning, how personal and corporate finances often become intertwined over time, and why the best exits usually occur years before the actual transition.
📌 If you’re a business owner wondering whether your corporation, succession plan, or personal financial structure is truly prepared for the future, feel free to reach out to us. We’d be happy to help.
Schedule a meeting here
📌 Want to learn more? Check out the article mentioned in this episode:10 Years to Retirement: What Every Business Owner with $1 Million Should Be Doing Right Now
🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube.
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Some financial decisions sound smart at first… until years later, when the long-term consequences finally start to show up.
In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we talk about the financial decisions and investing behaviours we’ve become more cautious about after years of working with investors, retirees, and business owners across different market cycles.
From overly complex investment products and financial structures to overconfidence during strong markets, we walk through the patterns we’ve repeatedly seen create unnecessary pressure, higher costs, and long-term financial stress.
📌 If you’re wondering whether your portfolio, risk tolerance, or financial plan is truly aligned with your long-term goals, feel free to reach out to us. We’re happy to help.
Schedule a meeting here
📌 Do you know what type of investor you are? Discover it in our episode 169:Episode 169: The 5 Types of Investors - Which Type Are You?
🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube.
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In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG: Client Stories, we sit down with Jonathan van Bilsen, a longtime TMFG client, author, radio announcer, photographer, and world traveller who has explored more than 107 countries. Together, we talk about what travel has taught him about retirement, purpose, and health, and why so many people wait too long to do the things they truly want.
From stories in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings to planning trips across England using AI tools, this conversation explores what it really means to build a retirement around experiences, flexibility, and long-term thinking. We also discuss travel insurance, budgeting for travel, changing health in retirement, and why memories often become more valuable than possessions over time.
We also want to give a special shoutout to Jon’s book Photos n Travel, featuring photography and stories from his travels around the world. If you enjoy travel, culture, and photography, we definitely encourage you to check it out.
📖 Buy the book here: https://www.photosntravel.com/
We also encourage you to check out The Jonathan van Bilsen Show, which features compelling guests from across the community and gives viewers an opportunity to learn the “Story Behind the Person.”
📌 If you’d like to build a retirement that gives you more flexibility to travel and enjoy the experiences that matter most to you, connect with our team here: Schedule a meeting.
Question for our listeners:What’s one place in the world you’ve always wanted to visit, and what’s stopping you from going?
🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube.
Follow us:LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial GroupFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.caInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/
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A smooth retirement doesn’t always start the way people expect… in fact, the first year is often where the real adjustment begins.
In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we walk through what actually happens financially in your first year of retirement, and why it can feel so different from what you planned.
From shifting away from a steady paycheck to building your own income stream, we break down how sources like CPP, OAS, pensions, RRIFs, and investment accounts come together, and why they don’t always line up as neatly as a biweekly paycheque. We also explore the key decisions retirees face early on, from when to draw income and how different sources are taxed, to how poor market timing (sequence of returns) can impact your long-term plan.
The first year won’t be perfect… but it’s where your retirement plan starts to take shape.
📌 Want help building a retirement income plan that actually works in practice? Connect with our team:
Schedule a meeting here
📌 Want to better understand how your retirement income will be structured?Download our free guide: 10 Critical Mistakes People Make When Planning for Retirement.
Question for our listeners:What surprised you most (or what do you think will surprise you) about the first year of retirement?
🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube.
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LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial GroupFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.caInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/
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A tax bill doesn’t always mean something went wrong… it often means something worked.
In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we explain why taxes, especially on investments, are often misunderstood, and how they’re usually the result of growth, income, or smart financial decisions.
From interest and dividends to capital gains, we break down how each is taxed and why capital gains, despite being the most tax-efficient, tend to trigger the biggest reactions.
We also cover why realizing gains on purpose, like during portfolio rebalancing, can actually protect your long-term plan, even if it means paying some tax today.
Avoiding tax at all costs can lead to bigger financial mistakes.
📌 Want to understand how taxes impact your financial plan? Connect with our team:
Schedule a meeting here
📌 Want to understand how your investments get taxed?Download our free guide: 10 Mistakes That Investors MakeQuestion for our listeners:Have you ever avoided a financial decision just to avoid paying tax?
🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube.
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LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial Group
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.ca
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Global events don’t stay global; they show up in your day-to-day costs.
In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we break down how disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are driving inflation, increasing oil prices, and impacting everyday Canadians.
We explain why this is a supply shock, not a demand issue, and why interest rates don’t always fix it. From gas and groceries to travel and manufacturing, rising oil prices affect more than most people realize.
We also discuss what this means for your portfolio, and why reacting emotionally during periods like this can do more harm than good.
These events are out of your control, but how you plan around them isn’t.
📌 Want to understand how rising costs and market changes may impact your financial plan? Connect with our team to continue the conversation:
Schedule a meeting here
📌 Want to understand how rising costs may affect your long-term plan?Download our free guide: “Will You Run Out of Money in Retirement?”
Question for our listeners:Have rising costs changed how you think about your financial plan?
🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube.
Follow us:LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial GroupFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.caInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/
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In the continuation of our Understanding the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) series, we shift the focus to what happens after approval, and why this step can be more impactful than many Canadians expect.
In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we break down how the DTC works from a financial perspective, including how the non-refundable tax credit can reduce taxes payable and be transferred within a family when it can’t be fully used.
We also discuss the potential for retroactive tax adjustments, which can lead to meaningful refunds depending on how long eligibility has been in place.
Beyond taxes, we explore what the DTC unlocks, including access to the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), government grants, and the long-term benefit of tax-deferred growth.
The conversation also covers important planning considerations, such as protecting government benefits, structuring assets properly, and how strategies like a Henson Trust can help preserve income support while managing wealth effectively.
📌 If you’d like help understanding how this could fit into your financial plan, you can connect with our team here: Schedule a meeting.
Question for our listeners:If you or someone in your family qualifies for the DTC, are you fully using the opportunities that come with it?
🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube.
Follow us:LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial GroupFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.caInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/
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In this special episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we’re launching a new series, Client Stories, conversations with clients about the experiences, decisions, and challenges that have shaped their lives and financial journeys.
To begin the series, we sit down with Rob McClelland, founder of The McClelland Financial Group of CI Assante Wealth Management Ltd, to reflect on what it really took to build a business from the ground up, and the lessons that only become clear in hindsight. Rob shares the uncertainty, financial pressure, and personal sacrifices that came with starting out, along with the mindset, discipline, and calculated risk-taking that helped him keep moving forward.
We also explore what it means to grow something sustainable over time, from leadership and hiring to systems, recurring income, and balancing business growth with family life. More than a business story, this conversation is about long-term thinking, resilience, and what it takes to build something that can last beyond you.
📌 If you’d like to learn more about who we are and how we help individuals, families, and business owners navigate long-term financial decisions, you can connect with our team here: Schedule a meeting.
Question for our listeners:If you were building something from the ground up, what would you want to get right from the beginning?
🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube.
Follow us:LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial GroupFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.caInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/
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The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is one of the most overlooked tax benefits available to Canadians, and many individuals and families may not realize it could apply to them.
In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we break down who may qualify, how the DTC works, and why it can be much more important than people think. While many assume it’s the same as disability income or government support, the DTC is actually a federal tax credit that can open the door to other financial opportunities.
We also discuss why eligibility is based on how a condition affects daily living, and how approval may lead to benefits like retroactive tax savings, access to an RDSP, and other planning opportunities for individuals and families.
This episode is a starting point for understanding how the DTC works, and why it may be worth looking into if disability has affected you or someone in your family.
📌 If you’d like help understanding how this could connect to your financial plan, you can connect with our team here: Schedule a meeting.
Question for our listeners:Have you ever looked into whether the Disability Tax Credit could apply to your situation?
🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube.
Follow us:LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial GroupFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.caInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/
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Revenue is often the first number people look at when measuring business success, but it rarely tells the full story. A business can generate strong sales and still struggle financially behind the scenes.
In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we break down what actually defines a sustainable business. From profit margins and cash flow to debt management and clients, the real indicators of success go far beyond revenue alone.
We also explore the key difference between being a business owner and an employee, including the trade-off between income stability and control, and the risks that come with relying too heavily on the business itself.
A major focus is the importance of separating business and personal financial planning. Many owners reinvest everything back into the business, but without building personal wealth outside of it, long-term financial security, especially retirement, can be at risk.
A successful business isn’t just about how much you make; it’s about how sustainable, efficient, and aligned it is with your long-term financial plan.
📌 If you’d like help aligning your business and personal financial plan, you can connect with our team here: Schedule a meeting.
Question for our listeners:Are you measuring your business success beyond just revenue?
🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube.
Follow us:LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial GroupFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.caInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/
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The path that once defined financial success in Canada is starting to feel less certain. Rising costs, shifting careers, and housing challenges are prompting many to question the country's economic direction.
In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we break down why Canadians are feeling this shift. From affordability and job market changes to the growing gap between wages and living costs, the traditional roadmap looks very different today.
Housing remains a key pressure point, especially for younger Canadians, while many families are now navigating how to support the next generation without compromising their own retirement.
We also explore how career stability and pensions have evolved, placing more responsibility on individuals to manage their financial future.
The takeaway? The Canadian Dream isn’t gone, but it requires a more active and adaptable approach than before.
📌 If you’d like help building or adjusting your financial plan in today’s changing environment, you can connect with our team here: Schedule a meeting.
Question for our listeners:Do you think the Canadian Dream is still achievable today?
🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube.
Follow us:LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial GroupFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.caInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/
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For most of our working lives, financial advice is simple: save more, invest consistently, and build your portfolio. But eventually, the conversation changes. Instead of asking how to grow your money, the question becomes how that money will support your lifestyle.
On this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we explore the psychological and financial shift that happens as people move from accumulation to spending in retirement. Many savers spend decades building their wealth, only to discover that actually using it can feel uncomfortable.
We discuss why this transition can be difficult, including the concept of loss aversion, a behavioural bias that makes people feel the pain of seeing their portfolio decline more strongly than the benefit of using it for their lifestyle.
We also look at the structure of retirement income in Canada. Programs like CPP and OAS provide a base level of income, but for most people, they are not enough to maintain the lifestyle they’re used to. That’s why personal savings, pensions, and investment withdrawals play such an important role in retirement planning.
The key is understanding that retirement planning isn’t just about building wealth. It’s about building the confidence to use that wealth in a way that supports the life you worked so hard to create.
Question for our listeners:Do you think the harder part of financial planning is saving for retirement or learning how to spend in retirement?
📌 If you’d like help turning your savings into a retirement income plan, you can connect with our team here: Schedule a meeting.
🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube.
Follow us:LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial Group
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.caInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/
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Estate planning isn’t just about who gets what; it’s about what happens to your money, your taxes, and your family when you’re no longer here.
On this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we explain why a will is only one part of the process and how taxes can become the biggest surprise for families. From executors and guardianship to beneficiary designations and probate, real planning is about coordination, not just paperwork.
We also walk through what happens at death from a tax perspective in Canada. Many assets are treated as if they were sold, which can trigger capital gains and fully taxable RRSP or RRIF balances, sometimes creating the largest tax bill of your lifetime.
The goal isn’t just to have documents in place. It’s to reduce stress, avoid unnecessary taxes, and make things easier for the people you care about.
Question for our listeners:What feels more overwhelming to you: choosing an executor, understanding the tax impact, or making sure everything is properly coordinated?
📌 If you’d like help reviewing how your will and investments fit together, you can book a meeting with our team here: Schedule a meeting.
🎧 Click here to listen on YouTube.
Follow us:LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial GroupFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.caInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/
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