Plain English Finance

14 Episodes
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By: Tré Bynoe CFP®, CIM®

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 an...

EP. 13 | How to Set Up a Cashflow System That Actually Works
#13
Today at 3:00 PM

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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 insteadHow to set up your accounts for true financial clarityThe one rule that keeps your spending and goals in...


Ep. 12 | Why a 100% Equity Portfolio Could Be Your Best Bet
#12
08/15/2025

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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...


Ep. 11 | Should You Invest or Pay Down Debt? Here's What the Numbers Say
#11
08/08/2025

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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 d...


Ep. 10 | The Middle-Class Trap — How Households Earning $100K–$200K Fall Behind
#10
08/01/2025

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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 isHow car loans and credit creep derail your progress...


Ep. 9 | Tax-Efficient Debt: How the Right Structure Can Save You Thousands
#9
07/25/2025

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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 todayHow to turn your mortgage into a tax-d...


Ep. 8 | High-Income Budgeting: How $200K+ Earners Can Start Building Wealth
#8
07/18/2025

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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 growin...


BONUS | Q2 2025 Review
07/16/2025

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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 tryi...


Ep. 7 | What Is Money, Really?
#7
07/11/2025

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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...


Ep. 6 | Why You Should Track Your Net Worth
#6
07/04/2025

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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. liabilitiesThe top reasons to consistently track your...


Ep. 5 | Why ‘Low-Risk’ Investments Can Be Your Biggest Risk
#5
06/27/2025

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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 flawedWhat standard deviation actually tells you (and what it doe...


Ep. 4 | The Truth About Seg Funds (and Why You Should Think Twice)
#4
06/20/2025

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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...


Ep. 3 | How We Built Wealth by Ignoring Bad Advice
#3
06/13/2025

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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.

<...


Ep. 2 | How I Help Clients Make Better Financial Decisions
#2
06/06/2025

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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...


Ep.1 | Introduction to Plain English Finance: Who is Tre Bynoe?
#1
05/30/2025

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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...