Moolala: Money Made Simple With Bruce Sellery

Certified financial planner Jackie Porter joins Bruce Sellery to make the case for financial awareness, a deeper, more actionable layer of understanding that goes beyond basic literacy. Jackie explains why knowing your cash flow, net worth, and financial blind spots is essential for both risk management and optionality: the freedom to make choices on your own terms. Through real client stories, she illustrates how this awareness can unlock the ability to take a year off, weather an unexpected job loss, or ensure your assets are used exactly the way you intend right up to the end of your life. Find out more at askjackie.ca and connect on Instagram and LinkedIn.

After nearly 30 years as the personal finance columnist at the Globe and Mail, Rob Carrick has launched a new podcast, the FinDustry, co-hosted with Shannon Lee Simmons. Rob joins Bruce to talk about why he's turned his lens toward financial advisors themselves, how the industry has evolved on transparency and fees, and what clients should actually expect for their money. He also tackles the rise of advice-only planning, the challenge of decumulation in retirement, and whether AI is coming for the advisory profession. Find out more at robcarrick.ca and connect on Substack, LinkedIn and X.

Heather Scoffield, CEO of the Canadian Tax Observatory, walks Bruce through new independent research on Canada's First Home Savings Account. While the program was designed to help young Canadians save for their first home, the data tells a more complicated story with higher-income earners are maxing out the account, older Canadians are taking advantage of the lack of age restrictions, and the Bank of Mom and Dad is quietly channeling wealth through the program. Heather weighs in on what a more progressive housing policy could actually look like. Find out more at X, LinkedIn, and Substack.

Psychologist and Deloitte behavioural scientist Michelle Hilscher joins Bruce Sellery to explore the emotional mechanics behind financial scams. From manufactured urgency and false intimacy to overconfidence bias and the myth that education alone keeps you safe, Michelle breaks down why anyone, regardless of age, income, or savviness can fall victim. She also shares a practical framework for protecting yourself and having difficult conversations with loved ones you think may be at risk. Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn.

In this episode of Moolala: Money Made Simple, Bruce Sellery explores the emotional and psychological tactics scammers use to manipulate their victims with psychologist and Deloitte behavioural scientist Michelle Hilscher. It’s all about unpacking why awareness alone isn't enough to protect you and what questions you should ask yourself before you click. Heather Scoffield, CEO of the Canadian Tax Observatory, shares eye-opening research on Canada's First Home Savings Account and who it's really benefiting. Rob Carrick discusses his new podcast The FinDustry, co-hosted with Shannon Lee Simmons, exploring the financial advisory industry from the inside. And certified financial planner Jackie Porter breaks down the difference between financial literacy and true financial awareness, including why understanding your cash flow and net worth could be the most powerful move you make for your financial future. To find out more about the guests check out: Michelle Hilscher: LinkedIn Heather Scoffield: X | LinkedIn | S

Erin Bury, co-founder and CEO of Willful, shares why more Canadians are naming pet guardians and leaving money for their pets’ care. Bruce and Erin cover how pets are treated in Canada, what a cash gift or trust can look like, how to avoid family disputes by writing clear instructions, and practical details to document (vet info, meds, routines) so pets are cared for if something happens. Find out more about Willful at willful.co and connect on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. Connect with Erin on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Bruce speaks with Logan Gibson, founder and CEO of Kindly, about the growing reality of caregiving and the time and emotional load it puts on families. Logan explains how Kindly matches families with licensed social workers and provides navigation across planning and crisis moments, including legal/financial preparation, hospital transitions, and exploring home care and living options. Find out more on kindly.ca and connect on LinkedIn.

Award-winning psychologist and author Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe joins Bruce to break down the science of hope and why it’s different from optimism—especially when finances feel uncertain. They talk about hope as trust and agency (not an outcome), how small financial “wins” can reinforce healthier behaviors like saving, and why burnout and toxic positivity can block the spaciousness people need to move forward. Find out more at drrobyne.ca and connect on Instagram, LinkedIn, and check out the Podcast.

In this episode of Moolala: Money Made Simple, Bruce talks with award-winning psychologist and author Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe to explore the surprising connection between hope and money, and why hope isn’t just optimism, but a practical strategy rooted in trust, agency, and small financial “wins.” Bruce also speaks with Logan Gibson, founder and CEO of Kindly, about how families can navigate aging and caregiving with better planning and support, from legal/financial prep to crisis transitions. Plus, Erin Bury, co-founder and CEO of Willful, explains how (and why) more Canadians are including pets in their wills, including pet guardianship and what a cash gift or trust for ongoing care can look like. To find out more about the guests check out: Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe: drrobyne.ca | Instagram | LinkedIn | Podcast Logan Gibson (Kindly) : kindly.ca | LinkedIn Erin Bury: Instagram | LinkedIn Willful: willful.co | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn Bruce Sellery is a personal finance expert and best-selling author.

Credit Canada credit counsellor Brandon Thonson joins Bruce Sellery to unpack the current state of household debt in Canada, where consumers now owe $1.77 for every dollar earned. Brandon shares what he's seeing on the front lines, from people using debt to service debt, to mortgage renewals jumping 15–20%, to a 39% increase in counselling requests at Credit Canada. He identifies the warning signs that debt is becoming unmanageable, explains what to expect during a credit counselling session, and outlines solutions, including debt consolidation programs, conversations with financial institutions, and Credit Canada's GOLD coaching program. A compassionate, no-judgment conversation about taking control of your finances. Find out more at creditcanada.com and connect on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Licensed insolvency trustee Joshua Harris, CEO of Harris & Partners, joins Bruce Sellery to break down what makes debt uniquely challenging for seniors in Canada. They discuss the realities of living on a fixed income from CPP and OAS, how ageism limits earning potential, and the critical difference between consumer proposals and bankruptcy filings. Joshua explains which assets are protected, including the fact that government pensions are non-garnishable, addresses common fears about losing your home, and shares what happens to debt when a person passes away. If you're a senior dealing with debt or love someone who is, this is essential listening. Find out more at harrisandpartnersinc.com and connect on LinkedIn.

Award-winning Toronto Star journalist Moira Welsh joins Bruce Sellery to discuss her new book The Astonishing Lives of Older Women: How to Create Pleasure Over Peril in the Age of Peak Longevity. Moira shares powerful real-life stories of women in their 70s, 80s, and beyond who are struggling financially, from a woman who lived in her car for nine months to another who went from a yacht club lifestyle to a trailer park. They explore how divorce, the wage gap, and the motherhood penalty leave women vulnerable in later life, and discuss innovative solutions like communal living that are helping women regain stability, community, and hope. Connect with Moira on Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and Bluesky.

Credit Canada credit counsellor Brandon Thonson joins Bruce Sellery to unpack the current state of household debt in Canada, where consumers now owe $1.77 for every dollar earned. Brandon shares what he's seeing on the front lines, from people using debt to service debt, to mortgage renewals jumping 15–20%, to a 39% increase in counselling requests at Credit Canada. He identifies the warning signs that debt is becoming unmanageable, explains what to expect during a credit counselling session, and outlines solutions, including debt consolidation programs, conversations with financial institutions, and Credit Canada's GOLD coaching program. A compassionate, no-judgment conversation about taking control of your finances. Find out more at creditcanada.com and connect on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Vikki Brown lays out common cross-border scenarios (inheritances, property sales, pensions) and the simplest ways to transfer funds. They compare big bank cross-border setups with fintech tools like Wise, explain how FX fees are often built into rates, and cover large-transfer strategies like wiring to a Canadian USD account or using Norbert’s Gambit—plus what to consider around timing and possible tax complications. Find out more at moderncents.ca and connect on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Credit Canada’s Himank Bhatia, certified Credit Counsellor and Financial Coach, discusses what debt looks like in real life right now: payday loan spirals, divorce-driven debt, sports betting debt, and higher-income households living in “fragile luxury.” He explains how fear and shame keep people stuck, why minimum payments create an interest trap, and how support and structured plans (including options to freeze interest) can help people get out of debt. Check out Credit Canada on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube X, and TikTok.

Jonathan Bennett shares what business owners often don’t anticipate: selling can feel like letting go of a big part of your identity. He talks about the grief-like emotional curve, what can go wrong when founders don’t fully “let go,” and why taking intentional time after a sale can help avoid rebound decisions and set up a healthier next chapter. Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn.

Barry Choi explains why credit card travel insurance is never one-size-fits-all. Coverage can change based on your age, health, trip length, and even how you booked (including using points). They dig into where credit card insurance can be helpful, where it can be misleading, and why rental car coverage can have gaps, such as low coverage caps and no liability protection. Connect with Barry on Instagram.

Planning a trip and counting on your credit card for travel insurance? Personal finance and travel expert Barry Choi breaks down what credit card travel insurance may cover (and where it can fall short), including key "it depends" factors like age, pre-existing conditions, how you paid (cash vs points), rental car coverage limits, and why standalone policies can be stronger. Then, executive advisor Jonathan Bennett from Clearly Then explores the emotional realities of selling a business: identity, grief, and how to prepare for the "now what?" after an exit. Next, Credit Canada’s certified credit counsellor and financial coach, Himank Bhatia, shares the most common debt stories he hears, from payday loan spirals and divorce-related debt to sports betting and the rising cost of living, and why shame and isolation can be the biggest obstacles to getting help. Finally, certified financial planner Vikki Brown from Modern Cents explains practical ways to move money from the US to Canada, compares banks vs. fintech

Mortgage delinquency is often measured by payments that are 90 days overdue, but mortgages are usually the last debt people fall behind on. CMHC’s Aled ab Iorwerth explains the broader risks of Canada’s high household debt levels and the early indicators that financial stress may be building. Connect on LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, X and Facebook.

Unsubscribes, insurance hassles, forms, and passwords are a modern time-suck. Chris Colin explains the “admin night” idea, the simple rules that make it work, and how community and time-boxing can help people finally get those nagging tasks done. Find out more at chriscolin.com and connect on Bluesky and Instagram