The MapleMoney Show

Did you know that conflict over finances is one of the leading causes of divorce today? Surprisingly though, the problem isn't the lack of finances, it is that couples aren't on the same page when it comes to their money. My guest this week knows a thing or two about overcoming financial stress in a relationship, because he's been there. Talaat Mcneely is the co-founder of His & Her Money. Together with his wife, they help couples build stronger marriages by teaching them how to play on the same money team. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/talaatmcneely Our sponsor, Borrowell, wants all Canadians to feel great about their credit. To help, they've taken a product that was once over $20/month, and made it completely free. For a copy of your free credit score, credit report, and monthly updates, visit https://maplemoney.com/borrowell

What do the terms financial Independence and early retirement mean to you? Did you know that the concept has an acronym, and itís fueling a movement thatís growing in popularity across North America? FIRE, or Financial Independence, Retire Early, promotes the idea of making compromises today, to gain financial freedom in the future. My distinguished guests were none other than Doug Nordman, of the Military Guide, Mark Seed, from My Own Advisor, and J.D. Roth, from Get Rich Slowly. In this episode we chat about the whole idea of financial independence, and retiring early. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/fincon19 The biggest myth about robo advisors is that they are all tech, and lack the personal touch. If you're curious about moving over and have questions, our sponsor, Wealthsimple, now lets you book a 15 minute call with an experienced portfolio manager. To book your appointment today, head over to https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimplechat

Listening to podcasts can be entertaining, and educational. But did you know that they can also be good for your health? Your financial health, that is. Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a podcasting conference, and ran into a few friends from the personal finance community while I was there; Bethany Bayless, Chris Browning, and Philip Taylor. In this special episode, recorded live at Podcast Movement, I chatted with two fellow podcasters, and a former podcaster, about why listening to personal finance podcasts can be a great way to improve your finances. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/podcastmovement Did you know that your credit score tends to improve when you check it more often? Our sponsor this week, Borrowell, makes it easy, by providing a free credit report, along with regular updates every month. To get your free credit score and report, head to https://maplemoney.com/borrowell

Has anyone ever told you that they don't invest because it's no different than gambling? It's a line I hear from time to time, so I invited this week's guest on to the show, to answer the question once and for all. David Stein is the author of the new book, Money For The Rest Of Us, and hosts a podcast by the same name. Previously, for many years, he managed billions of dollars for institutional investors, so he knows a thing or two about the subject of investing. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/davidstein Have you heard the buzz about robo-advisors, and would love to know how it all works? Thanks to our sponsor, Wealthsimple, you can now book a 15 minute, no obligation call, with an experienced portfolio manager. Head get started, head over to https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimplechat

Are you looking for ways to make extra money alongside your 9-5? Or maybe start a business that could someday replace your full-time gig. There are plenty of people who have done just that, including my guest this week. Deacon Hayes is the founder of the personal finance blog, Well Kept Wallet. For Deacon, success didn't come overnight. Listen in as we discuss how he got started in blogging, and why he thinks there are better ways to make money. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/deaconhayes Did you know that having a good credit score will help you get better rates on your mortgage, insurance, and loans, saving you a lot of money in the long run? Our sponsor, Borrowell, will provide you with a free credit report, along with monthly updates and recommendations. To get started, visit https://maplemoney.com/borrowell

Do you have travel plans in the near future? To take the sting out of hotel costs, many people are turning to things like credit card rewards, hotel loyalty programs, even third party websites such as Expedia, or Booking.com. But with so many options available, which loyalty program should you choose? Lee Huffman is a travel and finance blogger, and founder of the website, Bald Thoughts. Lee knows a thing or two about getting a great deal on a hotel, and he joins us this week to share some of his best tips. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/leehuffman The biggest myth about robo advisors is that they are all tech, and lack the personal touch. If youíre curious about moving over and have questions, our sponsor, Wealthsimple, now lets you book a 15-minute call with an experienced portfolio manager. Book your appointment today by heading over to https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimplechat

How do you feel when you look at your investment statements? Will you ever experience financial freedom? How about retirement? Does it seem like nothing more than a pipedream? My guest this week is Rob Berger, a personal finance editor for Forbes, and author of the book, Retire Before Mom and Dad. According to Rob, financial freedom is a journey, not a destination, and he shows us ways that we can get started right away. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/robberger Our sponsor, Borrowell, is on a mission is to help Canadians feel great about their credit. To do it, theyíve taken a product that was once $23/month and made it completely free. To get a copy of your free credit score, credit report, as well as ongoing monitoring every month, head to maplemoney.com/borrowell

Have you ever thought about buying a rental property, but worried that it might be too much work? According to my guest this week, real estate investing can be a great source of passive income, but only if you manage it the right way. Dustin Heiner is a real estate investor, and founder of the blog, Master Passive Income. Dustin joins us to discuss how he generates passive income from a large real estate portfolio spread across three different states. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/dustinheiner Have you thought about investing with a robo-advisor, but are unsure how it all works? Our sponsor, Wealthsimple, lets you book a free, no obligation call with an experienced portfolio manager. To book your call, head over to maplemoney.com/wealthsimplechat

Have you ever wondered what your life would look like on a physician's salary? After all, what kind of money trouble could a doctor run into? According to this week's guest, the answer might surprise you. Ryan Inman is the host of the popular Financial Residency Podcast, a show dedicated to helping high-income earners stay on top of their finances. He joins us to discuss why it's always important to have a budget, regardless of your income. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/ryaninman Did you know that one of the best ways to improve your credit score is by checking it on a regular basis? Our sponsor, Borrowell, makes it easy by providing a free credit report, along with regular updates every month. To get your free credit score and report, head to maplemoney.com/borrowell

It's no secret that it's more expensive than ever to own a home in Canada. In fact, the average price of a home today is over $450,000, and in cities like Toronto and Vancouver, it's well over a million dollars. With prices like that, how can a young person ever afford to own a home? My guest this week is Alyssa Davies, content specialist at Zolo.ca, Canada's largest digital real estate brokerage, and founder of Mixed Up Money. She joins us to discuss the challenges faced by people entering the housing market and shares some ideas to help make the homeownership dream a reality. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/alyssadavies Do you prefer to invest in companies that are socially responsible? If so, our sponsor Wealthsimple will help you build a portfolio that focuses on low carbon, clean tech, human rights, and the environment. Get started with Socially Responsible Investing by visiting https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimple

Have you ever dreamed of checking off items from your bucket list, but felt like you just didn't have the time or the money to make the dream a reality? My guest this week spent years struggling to find free time and extra money for herself. That is, until she figured out how to reclaim her schedule and infuse more affordable bucket list experiences into everyday life. Karen Cordaway is the author of The Everyday Bucket List Book, and she joins me right here on The MapleMoney Show, to help me and you with our own lists. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/karencordaway There was a time when getting a copy of your credit report was a major hassle, and would cost money as well. That ís no longer the case, thanks to our sponsor, Borrowell. They will send you an updated credit report each month, and share tips on how you can improve your credit. To get your free credit report, head to https://maplemoney.com/borrowell

Your mortgage is likely the biggest debt you'll take on in your life, and it can delay your retirement savings. But what if you could convert your mortgage into a tax-deductible loan and start saving for retirement a couple decades earlier? That's exactly where the Smith Manoeuvre comes in. Robinson Smith is president of Smith Consulting Group Ltd and the son of Smith Manoeuvre creator, Fraser Smith. Robinson is the expert in the Smith Manoeuvre so it was a no brainer to bring him on the show for this topic. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/robinsonsmith The biggest myth about robo-advisors is that it's all tech and you're on your own. Are you curious about moving over but have some questions? Thanks to our sponsor Wealthsimple, you can book a 15-minute call with an experienced Portfolio Manager. To book your call, head over to https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimplechat

As Canadians, do we need to buy a house, stick to the same career, and only travel during our few weeks of vacation? Or could we shun homeownership while investing the majority of our income, to retire early and travel the world? Kristy Shen and Bryce Leung from Millenial Revolution were able to quit their jobs and now live in countries where the cost of living is less than the dividends they earn from their portfolio. They join the show to help dispel the myths around this type of lifestyle. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/kristybryce Have you checked out our sponsor Borrowell's mobile app? It makes checking your financial health even easier. The app includes Molly, Canadaís first AI-powered Credit Coach, who will make it easy to understand your credit score and give you great tips and product recommendations. To sign up, go to https://maplemoney.com/borrowell

Ah, the internet, where everyone has an opinion and people get advice from anonymous strangers. But it doesn't have to be all bad if you know the right questions to ask and have the right level of skepticism to not blindly accept the replies when it involves your personal finances. Joe Saul-Sehy, the founder of Stacking Benjamins and Money With Friends, gets out of the basement to join the show to discuss how we can use the internet and make the most of forums, social media, and Facebook groups. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/joesaulsehy I've talked about robo-advisors often on the show and over at the blog as well. Especially our sponsor Wealthsimple. But I get it's a new option and you might have some questions. Wealthsimple now lets you book a 15-minute call with an experienced Portfolio Manager, with no obligation to set up an account. To see if robo-advisors make sense for you, head over to https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimplechat

How much are your investments costing you? Investors and a lot of the investment offers out there like to talk about past returns, but that's not a great indicator of future returns and on average, by definition, you're just as likely to underperform the market as you are to beat it. But it gets worse, because of fees, which take that hopefully at least average return and start dragging it down and potentially costing you hundreds of thousands by the time you retire. Dean Kendall joins us today to discuss all the fees you might be getting nailed with and how to deal with them. Dean is a Financial Organizer and author of the aptly titled book, Stop Paying Hidden Investment Fees! You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/deankendall Our sponsor Borrowell recently launched their mobile app, which makes checking your financial health even easier. The app includes Molly, Canada's first AI-powered credit coach, who will make it easy to understand your credit score and give you great tips and product recommendations. To sign up, go to https://maplemoney.com/borrowell today.

There are lots of ways to make a little money on the side, especially in this digital age. We've covered a few in more generalized episodes, but I want to dive into one of the opportunities this week. Bobby Hoyt started Millennial Money Man after paying off $40,000 in student loans, but what I found interesting is that he grew his site with Facebook ads and also ran a digital marketing agency to help other businesses get customers through Facebook. Today, Bobby is joining us to go through how you can start your own Facebook side hustle and make decent money once you land that first client. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/bobbyhoyt To check out Bobby's course, head over to https://maplemoney.com/facebooksidehustle Robo-advisors have really revolutionized the investing market over the last few years, but it's a new concept and you might have some questions. Thanks to our sponsor, Wealthsimple, you can book a 15 minute, no obligation call with an experienced Portfolio Manager. To book your call, simply head over to https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimplechat

Have you recently caught financial independence fever? Or maybe like I did, you hit a point where you've realized you need to change your spending and increase your income. That's great, but that doesn't mean everyone in your household will have that same epiphany at the same time. Andy Hill is the host of the Marriage, Kids and Money Podcast, and he joins us to share how he got his wife interested in working towards financial independence and how he got his children learning some great money habits too. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/andyhill Borrowell's mission is to help Canadians make great decisions about credit! to do that, they've taken a product that used to be $23 a month and made it totally free. To get your free credit score, free credit report, and continual monitoring, head over to https://maplemoney.com/borrowell

One of our favourite things to talk about in Canada is the extraordinary cost of real estate, especially in Toronto and Vancouver. But who says you need to be locked into a mortgage, or even a location? Nick True from Mapped Out Money lives full time in an RV. And it's not just him, his wife and four pets are also packed into their Airstream! Keep listening for the pros and cons and how he makes it all work. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/nicktrue Are you curious about robo-advisors but have some questions? Thanks to our sponsor, Wealthsimple, you can book a 15 minute, no obligation call with an experienced Portfolio Manager. To book your call, simply head over to https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimplechat

If you've been listening to the podcast for a while, and certainly if you've been reading the blog, you'll know I'm a big fan of using credit cards responsibly as a tool to earn rewards, build credit, and protect your purchases and travel. However, some people in our personal finance circles believe the best way to become debt free and stay that way is to not allow yourself to have such easy access to spending and debt. Steve Stewart is the editor behind the MapleMoney Show and we're in great company as he also edits podcasts like Stacking Benjamins, Choose FI, and Afford Anything. Steve became debt free and a big part of that was avoiding credit cards. Steve shares his story today and gives some great rebuttals to my examples of times we might need a credit card. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/stevestewart In this episode, Steve mentions the importance of checking our credit reports for signs of fraud and other errors. Our sponsor Borrowell provides free credit reports so you can ensure it's correct and take steps to fix it if needed. To get your free credit report, head over to https://maplemoney.com/borrowell

More and more, it's becoming a dream of people to escape the cubicle and live the life they want. Now, there's nothing wrong with the traditional career path to retirement, but I want to show there are other options that are possible. Paula Pant from Afford Anything did just this, so today we'll walk through how she was able to quit her job and travel the world. Then when she came back, she decided that the regular 9-5 wasn't going to work for her and created the lifestyle she wanted. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/paulapant You've heard me talk a lot about Wealthsimple, but the biggest myth about robo-advisors is that it's all tech and you're on your own. Are you curious about moving over but have some questions? You can now book a 15-minute call with an experienced Wealthsimple Portfolio Manager. To book your call, simply head over to https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimplechat

Have you heard of the Couch Potato Portfolio? It's a simple investing model that I've really liked over the years, but there's one thing that bothered me, that the Canadian market was given the same weighting in the allocation as the US and international markets. Noah Solomon from Outcome Wealth Management joins us on the show to discuss how Canadians are overinvested in Canada, whether they're following the Couch Potato Portfolio or simply choosing stocks and mutual funds. Plus, we discuss how to become more diversified, leading to stabilized returns and less risk. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/noahsolomon Our sponsor, Borrowell, provides personalized product recommendations from credit cards, to mortgages and loans from trusted partners, tailored just for you. Head over to Borrowell to get your free credit score, and more at https://maplemoney.com/borrowell

Have you heard of the Latte Factor? It's a term coined by David Bach, author of The Automatic Millionaire, a book you should definitely read. Our guest today is Bethany Bayless, the co-host of The Money Millhouse podcast, and she joins us to discuss what the Latte Factor is and how cutting small expenses can add up to some real gains over time. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/bethanybayless Once you've overcome your latte factor, put your money to work in a low maintenance, low fee portfolio, and watch it grow with our sponsor Wealthsimple. MapleMoney listeners get their first $10,000 managed free of charge for one year. For more on Wealthsimple, head over to https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimple

Thinking of starting a business with your spouse? Or maybe you already have a business and are considering bringing your significant other on so they can leave their job and enjoy the entrepreneurial lifestyle with you? Mike Monfredi from MikedUp Blog is here today to walk us through what it's been like to work with his wife at their dental practice. We cover the pros and cons and how you can find opportunities to work together with your spouse that actually creates a stronger relationship from it. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/mikemonfredi Today's show is brought to you by our sponsors at Borrowell, Canada's leading credit education company. My wife and I both signed up to get our free credit scores and credit reports and receive an update each month via email. Get your free credit score at https://maplemoney.com/borrowell

Are you planning a family vacation for this summer? Sometimes these vacations can really wear down the parents, especially if your children are young or you're paying for the trip with credit. You'll come back feeling much more relaxed and refreshed if you can enjoy the experience and are not racking up debt from the trip. Holly Johnson from Club Thrifty joins us to discuss how she makes the most of family travel, starting before the trip by reducing expenses and budgeting in advance. Then, we get into how to save the most money and get the most value for your vacation dollar. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/hollyjohnson Our sponsor Wealthsimple has a better way to save. Smart Savings has no-fees on deposits and withdrawals, and they offer higher interest rates than the big banks. You can find out more about Smart Savings at https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimple

We've talked about FIRE, or Financial Independence Retire Early, on this show before, but how do you line up your finances to be able to make that major change to your lifestyle? Jonathan Mendonsa from Choose FI stopped by the show to explain how we can create space to execute a fully funded lifestyle change. We cover a lot today, like eliminating debt, increasing your savings, and creating additional income so you're not dependant on your job. Plus, just how much are your years of education and career loyalty really worth? You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/jonathanmendonsa I love our sponsor Borrowell's mission to help Canadians make great decisions about credit! They've taken a product that used to be $23 a month and made it absolutely free. To get your free credit score, free credit report, and continual monitoring, head over to https://maplemoney.com/borrowell

Health and wealth. Those two things seem to go hand in hand, whether it's new year's resolutions or just those of us that want to stop bad habits and get on the right track. While we obviously talk a lot about money here, what if you wanted to be healthier without it knocking you off your road to financial freedom? Brad Barrett from Choose FI joins us this week to discuss how he was able to adopt a healthy lifestyle while still staying frugal. You can cut out the junk, eat better, exercise, and simply get fit without it hitting your wallet. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/bradbarrett Are you a socially responsible investor? If so, our sponsor Wealthsimple can help you build a portfolio that focuses on low carbon, clean tech, human rights, and the environment. Get started with Socially Responsible Investing by visiting https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimple

You're listening to the MapleMoney Show, and I hope you also love the MapleMoney blog, but the beauty of personal finance blogs is that there's something out there for everyone. While MapleMoney's mission is to help all Canadians with various money issues, there are many great sites dedicated only to investing or women's finances, or maybe even write with humour that attracts someone that might not have been interested otherwise. Harlan Landes is possibly the first personal finance blogger and a money community supporter through The Plutus Awards and Plutus Foundation. He joins us to inspire you to find blogs and bloggers that resonate with where you're at in your personal finance journey. We also discuss how to read online content with a critical eye, including if they know what they're talking about and what bias or profit motivation does the writer have. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/harlanlandes This episode is made possible by our sponsors at Borrowell. Have you heard the saying, "what gets measured, gets managed"? Borrowell conducted a study that found a correlation between the frequency of checking your credit score, and credit score increases. To begin increasing your credit score, head over to https://maplemoney.com/borrowell

Winter is coming to an end, so I apologize now for bringing up snowballs and avalanches, but there's also no better time than now to get out of debt. Jackie Beck is the creator of the app store hit, Pay Off Debt by Jackie Beck, which has helped over 53,000 people break free from debt. Today on the show, Jackie shares her debt story and explains the difference between and the debt snowball and the debt avalanche, and which one might be best for you to finally conquer your debt. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/jackiebeck Today's sponsor is Wealthsimple. With no-fees on deposits and withdrawals and higher interest rates than the big banks, Smart Savings is a better way to save. You can find out more about Wealthsimple at https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimple

Are you looking to pay down debt, increase your income, or save for retirement? Or maybe even simply save for a nice warm vacation next winter? Then breaking things down to small, specific goals is the way to achieve that. Eric Rosenberg from Personal Profitability is on the show today to discuss how he sets goals and makes sure to follow through on them. I'm a big fan of goals, in fact, I can easily get distracted with my time, so I find it hard to get anything accomplished without goals and deadlines. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/ericrosenberg Here's the thing, a good credit score will help you get better rates on your mortgage, insurance, and loans, saving you a lot of money in the long run. Our sponsor, Borrowell, will supply you with your free credit score, report and a whole lot more. Visit Borrowell today at https://maplemoney.com/borrowell

Living frugally is a great way to get your spending under control and set a base to improve your personal finances. However, what's the point of cutting every expense and possibly retiring early if you aren't able to put your money to good use on the things you enjoy in life? Tanja Hester is the writer behind the blog Our Next Life and the new book Work Optional, and she's joining us to share her views on how we can be selectively hardcore in our money saving ways but be able to spend on quality items or experiences that align with our priorities. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/tanjahester You may soon find yourself with a big tax refund burning a hole in your pocket. How should you spend it? The smartest thing you can do is invest it. In fact, put it right into your RRSP and get a jump start on your contributions. As a MapleMoney reader, get $10,000 managed for free when you open a new account or transfer your existing RRSP to our sponsor, Wealthsimple. Go to https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimple

Are you still paying regular price when you shop? With the right strategies, you don't need to step up to a till or hit that cart button without getting some kind of discount, rewards, or cash back. Or even better yet, get all of that on the same purchase! Stephen Weyman from creditcardGenius and HowToSaveMoney.ca stopped by the show to explain how we can stack multiple types of savings before, during, and after a purchase, so you'll never need to pay 100% of the listed price again. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/stephenweyman One of the things we talk about on this episode is credit cards, well our sponsor, Borrowell, allows you to receive personalized product recommendations for credit cards, mortgages and loans from trusted partners. Head over to Borrowell to get your free credit score, and more at https://maplemoney.com/borrowell

Do you avoid investing in stocks because you don't want to follow all these companies and know when to get in and out of an investment? Mark Seed from My Own Advisor is on the show this week to tell us about how to get started on a buy and hold investment strategy that will give you dividend income without constantly watching the stock market. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/markseed Make your money work harder with our sponsor, Wealthsimple. Get a bigger refund and pay lower fees with a Wealthsimple RRSP. Contributing to your RRSP is a great way to prepare for your future and get immediate savings off your tax bill. As a MapleMoney reader, get $10,000 managed for free when you open a new account or transfer your existing RRSP to Wealthsimple. Head over to https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimple

Does investing in stocks sound too difficult? Do you think you need to follow the investment shows on TV or the latest stock tip online? Do you need to eliminate all investment risk when heading into retirement? Joseph Hogue joins us to dispel these investing myths and more, showing us that investing in stocks can be a lot simpler than we might think. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/josephhogue Today's show is brought to you by Borrowell. Not too long ago, I used to have to fax in my request to get my free credit report by mail once a year. Now I get my report and score for free online, saving me a lot of hassle. Get your free credit score at https://maplemoney.com/borrowell

College can be an interesting time in someone's life, for many reasons, but even when it comes to your money. Robert Brown is on the show today to discuss the unique challenges young people face. From debt, to savings, to keeping your spending under control, and how all this helps young adults get through school on the right track with their finances. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/robertbrown Smart Savings, by our sponsor Wealthsimple, is a better way to save. There are no-fees on deposits and withdrawals, and they offer higher interest rates than the big banks. You can find out more about Smart Savings at https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimple

Just like you should consider the source when it comes to news and politics, the money advice you receive is no different. Do they have credentials or experience on the topic? Are they providing the right advice for your situation? Eric Nisall joins us on the show to discuss how we can objectively consider the information we find online and how it applies to our situation. After all, personal finances are personal, and not everything we read will apply to us. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/ericnisall Our sponsor this week is Borrowell, who has launched an automated credit coach to help you improve your credit score. To meet Molly, head over to https://maplemoney.com/borrowell

Investing can be intimidating to anyone who hasn't gone through the process before, but are there certain things that especially hold women back from investing? From The Sassy Investor, Michelle Hung dives into the female mindset when it comes to investing, including how women perceive the stock market and if they're waiting too long to start investing. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/michellehung Are you a socially responsible investor? If so, our sponsor Wealthsimple can help you build a portfolio that focuses on low carbon, clean tech, human rights, and the environment. Get started with Socially Responsible Investing by visiting https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimple

Kids love to play games, whether it's board games, video games, or just making up games as part of playing throughout the day. Paul Vasey is the founder of Cash Crunch Games, so I asked him to join us to share what we learn when we play a game like Monopoly or Pay Day, or even how our children can learn money lessons by making a game out of going to the grocery store. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/paulvasey Our sponsor this week is Borrowell. They conducted a study which showed a correlation between the frequency of checking your credit score, and a credit score increase. To begin increasing your credit score, head over to https://maplemoney.com/borrowell

Want to make sure your children learn about money and personal finance? The best way to ensure this happens is to start at home and start early. Matt Matheson, from Method To Your Money, is also an assistant principal and walks us through how we can find teachable moments for our children so they'll learn how to set goals, count their money and then save it, plus we cover the importance of giving and even letting them make their own mistakes early. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/mattmatheson You can make your money make more money with our sponsor, Wealthsimple. They will build you an intelligent, personalized portfolio using a Nobel prize winning investment strategy. The best part? MapleMoney listeners get their first $10,000 managed free for one year. Head over to https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimple

You've heard the saying before, "money can't buy happiness." But is that true? Melissa Leong, the author of the new book Happy Go Money, breaks down the relationship between money and happiness, including why we love buying things, can we flip that thrill towards debt repayment, plus we'll look at the balance between time and money. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/melissaleong Did you know that having a good credit score will help you get better rates on your mortgage, insurance, or personal loan, saving you a lot of money in the long run. Our sponsor, Borrowell, will supply you with your free credit score, report and a whole lot more. Visit Borrowell today at https://maplemoney.com/borrowell

Have you come across stories of bloggers that are making 5 or 6 figures a month? If you're a regular listener, you've probably also heard me say how blogging isn't a great plan if you need to make some extra money in the next couple months. Michael Dinich from Your Money Geek shares his perspective as a new blogger, coming into a business that sees bloggers in any niche willing to tell you how much they are making and then sell you a course on how to make money by blogging. I've been a blogger for nearly a decade now, and while I tried to avoid too many "back in my day" references in this episode, it's hard not to contrast the difference to now where blogging looks like the fast track to internet riches. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/michaeldinich Put your money to work in a low maintenance, low fee portfolio, and watch it grow with our sponsor Wealthsimple. MapleMoney listeners get their first $10,000 managed free of charge for one year. For more on Wealthsimple, check them out at https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimple

A lot of us have been in this same situation, getting raises under 2% each year. You're likely not even keeping up with inflation, which means you're falling further behind every year. Robb Engen from Boomer and Echo shares with us how he creates his own raise through his side hustles, selling things he no longer needs, and spending wisely with credit cards to gain free travel. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/robbengen Our sponsor, Borrowell, allows you to find personalized product recommendations from credit cards, to mortgages and loans from trusted partners, tailored just for you. Head over to Borrowell to get your free credit score, and more at https://maplemoney.com/borrowell

The end of the year is coming to a close, but it's not too late to optimize your taxes to keep more of your income. Janine Rogan runs us through her checklist of year-end tax tips to make sure you know what you can do now to get a bigger tax refund in the spring. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/janinerogan Smart Savings, by our sponsor Wealthsimple, is a better way to save. There are no-fees on deposits and withdrawals, and they offer higher interest rates than the big banks. You can find out more about Wealthsimple at https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimple

What's more important to you, time or money? It seems like we're constantly trying to find the balance when trading our time for money. What if we could create more of both? Todd Tresidder from Financial Mentor, and the author of The Leverage Equation, shares the six types of leverage that can allow us to work less, make more, and cut years off our retirement plans. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/toddtresidder Today's show is brought to you by our sponsors at Borrowell. Last month I received my Borrowell email saying, "Congratulations, your credit score has increased!" In the past, I'd fax, yes, fax in my request to get my free credit report by mail once a year. Now I get my report and score for free online, and these monthly updates are very motivating for any Canadians looking to improve their credit score. Get your free credit score at https://maplemoney.com/borrowell

Christmas is right around the corner and there's a price tag to a lot of the festive season. So how can we enjoy the holidays without burning through your credit card? Peter Anderson from Bible Money Matters takes us through how much people are spending on Christmas and how budgeting for the holidays can make sure you don't have debt in the new year. Pete also drops a lot of great ideas for DIY Christmas gifts and decorations and how you can save money on holiday activities and shopping for presents. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/peteranderson You've heard me talk about today's sponsor Wealthsimple many times in the past, but they've been really busy in the past year, so I wanted to recap all the services they now offer to Canadians. First, there's Wealthsimple Invest, this is the robo-advisor they're known for, and my #1 overall pick for Canadian robo-advisor. Then there's Wealthsimple Save, a high-interest savings account. Next, they have Wealthsimple Trade coming out, which is stock trading with no commissions. Check out everything Wealthsimple offers at https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimple

Addictions of all kinds lead to problems with your relationships, career, and yes, also your money. Beau Humphreys is a Canadian Personal Finance Coach and the host of The Personal Finance Show. Beau leads us through the story of his gambling addiction and how it affected his finances, plus how he was able to overcome his problems and how others can get help with addiction. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/beauhumphreys Did you know, on average, Canadians have over $24,000 in high-interest credit card debt? That's why our sponsor Borrowell offers low-interest personal loans online, up to $35,000! Thousands of Canadians have relied on Borrowell for their personal loans. The average Borrowell borrower saves $4,812 in interest. To see what you could qualify for, head on over to https://maplemoney.com/borrowell

Have you heard of FIRE yet? It's a movement to achieve Financial Independence so you can Retire Early. But does FIRE mean you need to make six figures or live in an RV? Bob Lai, from the site Tawcan, comes on the show to discuss what FIRE really means and how it applies to Canadians. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/boblai Are you ever unsure about how much room you have left for RRSP contributions? Our sponsor, Wealthsimple, has an RRSP tracker that takes into account your salary, adjusts for any raise you get, plus the contributions already made to your RRSP and employer plans. Find out more at https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimple

We've talked before about various ways to make money on the side, but how do you succeed at making a few extra dollars while not interfering with your day job? Robert Farrington runs a site called The College Investor, and he grew his side hustle into an impressive business all while still holding down a day job in the retail sector. He shares how he was able to do this and gives tips to help others balance a job, a side gig, and family. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/robertfarrington Today's show is sponsored by our friends at Borrowell! I use Borrowell myself to check my credit score and credit reports each month. Having a good credit score can help you get a better mortgage rate and lower insurance rates. It may even help you land that dream apartment, as most landlords now ask for a credit score and report! Get your free credit score in under 3 minutes https://maplemoney.com/borrowell

Networking. It isn't about shoving your business card in everyone's face. Whether you're out for coffee with a coworker or neighbour, or at an industry conference, these tips will help you build meaningful, lasting connections that are worth much more than that stack of business cards from people you barely recall meeting. Speaking of conferences, this episode is live from FinCon18, a conference for those of us in the money niche. Joining me on stage are Miranda Marquit and Kyle Prevost, both are past guests of the MapleMoney Show, but the reason I brought them on was to have a Money Mastermind Show reunion, a podcast we had a few years ago that I always explained as "The View, for personal finance." http://moneymastermindshow.com/ You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/fincon18 Do you have a larger portfolio that's being dragged down by the fees that are typical with mutual funds? Have a look at Wealthimple Black, from our sponsor, Wealthsimple. For portfolios over $100,000, Weathsimple drops the fee down to 0.4%, gives you access to financial planning and tax-loss harvesting. They even throw in airport lounge access. Check them out at https://maplemoney.com/wealthsimple

A lot of people aren't happy with their financial situation, but they're not sure what they can so about it. My guest this week knows how you can create your own luck with money. Grant Sabatier went from completely broke to financially independent in 5 years. He'll share with us how he was able to get a raise, start a business, and achieve financial freedom. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/grantsabatier Today's show is brought to you by our sponsors at Borrowell. I love their mission: to help Canadians make great decisions about credit! They've taken a product that used to be $23 a month and made it absolutely free. If you haven't already, head on over to https://maplemoney.com/borrowell

Would you like to work from home? Becoming a virtual assistant can be a great way to make money online. To find out more about this career choice, I brought on Kayla Sloan, who has been earning a great living as a virtual assistant and now she helps others start their own virtual assistant business. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://maplemoney.com/kaylasloan I wanted to let you know about Wealthsimple Trade, a new offering from our sponsor Wealthsimple. Trade will let you buy and sell over 8,000 stocks and ETFs commission-free. You can find out more at https://wealthsimple.com/trade