Moolala: Money Made Simple With Bruce Sellery

In this episode of Moolala: Money Made Simple, host Bruce Sellery explores the “lightbulb moments” that change how we handle money. Fee-only planner and author Shannon Lee Simmons shares the personal story that shaped her approach to emergency funds, why the act of saving matters more than a magic number, how to tailor the size of your fund to your risk and income, and practical ways to avoid sliding into debt when life throws a curveball. Then, portfolio manager Dan Bartolotti of PWL Capital tackles a thorny topic: helping parents or loved ones financially. He lays out clear steps to decide if and how you can help without jeopardizing your own retirement, set healthy boundaries, and navigate family dynamics with transparency. Plus, Jonathan Hackett, Head of Sustainable Finance at BMO, explains the bank’s Indigenous Bond - how sustainable debt can channel capital to Indigenous businesses and communities. Finally, certified death doula Michelle Leray demystifies end-of-life support and connects it to estate pl

Becky Western-Macfadyen, Manager of Financial Coaching and Education of Credit Canada, introduces EASE (Economic Abuse Support and Empowerment), a program designed to help survivors of intimate-partner violence recover financially. She explains how economic abuse damages credit and confidence, and how trauma-informed financial coaching restores control, security, and long-term independence. Connect with Becky on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X/Twitter.

Financial coach Alanna Abramsky, founder of Broad Money, explains seven proven ways to manage cash flow, from zero-based and 50/30/20 budgets to pay-yourself-first and the envelope system, and how to pick the one that aligns with your habits, goals, and income. Learn simple ways to track spending, plan ahead, and stay consistent so budgeting feels realistic, not restrictive. Find out more at broadmoney.ca and connect on Instagram.

Rob Kilner from Spergel shares insights from their national Debt Load and Psychological Well-Being Study, revealing how financial pressure, social-media comparison, and stigma heighten anxiety and depression. He discusses real-world solutions, from debt management plans to professional credit counselling, that help Canadians reduce stress, rebuild stability, and regain peace of mind. Connect with Rob on X/Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Becca Mintz, Vice-President of Credit & Data at Capital One Canada, clears up the biggest misconceptions about credit scores, like whether checking your score hurts it, if income matters, and how “soft” versus “hard” inquiries work. She offers practical tips for building and repairing credit responsibly, managing utilization, and spotting reporting errors before they cost you points. Connect with Becca on Instagram and Facebook.

This episode of Moolala: Money Made Simple with host Bruce Sellery dives into the practical, the psychological, and the empowering side of money management. First, financial coach Alanna Abramsky, founder of Broad Money, outlines seven proven approaches to budgeting, from zero-based and goals-based methods to the envelope system, showing how to find a money plan that fits your lifestyle. Then, Becca Mintz, Vice President of Credit and Data at Capital One Canada, joins Bruce to bust common credit myths, including whether checking your score hurts it, how income affects credit, and what “hard hits” and “soft hits” really mean. Plus, Rob Kilner from Spergel shares insights from their annual Debt Load and Psychological Well-Being Study, revealing how debt stress, social media pressures, and stigma intersect and what truly helps people move toward financial recovery. Finally, Becky Western-Macfadyen from Credit Canada introduces EASE, a groundbreaking program that helps survivors of intimate partner violence regai

Author Jane Blaufus shares hard-won lessons on having courageous conversations about money and estate planning. She outlines where to start (with yourself), how to bring in family without escalating conflict, and the four pro “legs” to consult: financial advisor, lawyer, accountant, and funeral pre-planning. Jane also stresses writing everything down from wishes to contacts and key documents so loved ones aren’t making 90+ decisions in crisis. Gentle, practical steps to protect the people you care about. Find out more at janeblaufus.com and connect on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Rebecca Oakes, VP of Analytics at Equifax Canada, introduces Optimal Path, an AI-driven tool that translates your credit data into realistic, step-by-step actions to raise your credit score. Think concrete guidance on utilization, payment consistency, and balances, plus estimated point gains over the next ~3 months. Rebecca explains how the model personalizes advice (not one-size-fits-all), where consumers will access it via banks/fintechs, and how AI can both improve coaching and combat fraud. Clear, actionable insights for Canadians looking to build stronger credit. Find out more at equifax.ca and connect on X/Twitter and LinkedIn.

Psychiatrist Dr. Sally Satel, medical director of a methadone clinic, explains contingency management - a harm-reduction approach where clients receive small, escalating rewards (e.g., gift cards) for clean tests. She covers why this behavioural nudge works especially for stimulant addictions (where no gold-standard meds exist), typical program structures, cost/benefit logic, and how incentives can jump-start a virtuous cycle toward work, relationships, and stability. A nuanced, evidence-informed look at an approach that’s effective yet often misunderstood. Find out more on Substack and connect on X/Twitter.

Bruce talks with retired Globe and Mail personal-finance columnist Rob Carrick about 30 years of investor wisdom. Rob explains why low-cost ETFs win for most Canadians, the hidden risks of high-yield dividend stocks, and why bonds are helpful, but not perfect, shock absorbers. He also breaks down how to think about market crashes (buying when it feels worst), the danger of chasing trends like private credit/equity for retail investors, and why money you’ll need within five years doesn’t belong in stocks. Practical, time-tested guidance for building a calmer, smarter portfolio.  

This episode of Moolala: Money Made Simple digs into real-world tools and timeless lessons to help you manage your money with more confidence. We start with Equifax Canada’s Rebecca Oakes on “Optimal Path,” an AI-driven feature that translates your own credit data into clear, realistic steps - think concrete targets for utilization, payment consistency, and score impact over the next three months. Then psychiatrist Dr. Sally Satel explains “contingency management,” a harm-reduction approach where clinics pay meth users small, escalating rewards to sustain abstinence and why the data shows it works for tough clinical cases. Veteran personal-finance columnist Rob Carrick joins Bruce to unpack 30 years of lessons, from ETF simplicity and diversification to the traps of trend-chasing, dividend myths, imperfect bond hedges, and why market crashes are buying opportunities (if your timeline is long enough). We close with author Jane Blaufus on having courageous conversations about money and estate planning - what to

Money stress often starts with silence. Certified financial therapist Erika Wasserman, author of Conversations with Your Financial Therapist, joins Bruce Sellery to discuss how to talk about money with your partner, family, or even yourself without shame or conflict. Erika’s M.O.N.E.Y. framework turns hard financial conversations into moments of connection, helping you uncover your money mindset and rewrite unhelpful habits. From setting shared goals to using scripted conversations, this segment blends financial literacy with emotional intelligence to help you grow your confidence and your bank account. Find out more at yourfinancialtherapist.com and connect on Instagram.

Cybercrime isn’t just a corporate problem anymore. James South from Aviva Canada joins Bruce to explain personal cyber insurance, a new layer of protection for the digital age. From online fraud recovery and ransomware response to cyberbullying coverage and dark-web monitoring, this coverage can help individuals and families stay financially and emotionally protected after an online attack. Learn how it works, what it costs (hint: about $6/month), and why every connected Canadian should consider adding it to their home or tenant policy. Find out more at aviva.ca and connect on Instagram and LinkedIn.

If you’re starting late on retirement savings, this interview with CPA and author David Trahair will give you hope and a plan. Drawing from his book The Procrastinator’s Guide to Retirement, David shows how Canadians can still build financial security even if they begin saving in their 40s or 50s. He unpacks the math behind RRSP vs. mortgage paydown, spending patterns after retirement, and smart ways to maximize CPP. This conversation proves it’s never too late to take control of your financial future. Find out more at trahair.com and connect on LinkedIn and X/Twitter.

Bruce Sellery sits down with Chris Potvin, co-founder of Camp Mustache Toronto: Firescape, a four-day retreat for Canadians pursuing Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE). Chris shares how the camp blends community, hands-on workshops, and lifestyle design to help attendees align their spending with their values. From budgeting around what truly matters to building a supportive peer network, this conversation explores how to make financial independence a reality, without losing sight of purpose or fun along the way. Find out more at cmtofirescape.com.

In this week’s episode of Moolala: Money Made Simple, Bruce Sellery kicks off with the FIRE movement at CMTO Firescape, where co-founder Chris Potvin shares what a four-day money camp looks like: hands-on workshops, case studies, and a community built around Financial Independence, Retire Early. Then, for listeners who got a late start on savings, CPA David Trahair unpacks The Procrastinator’s Guide to Retirement—including the real math behind RRSP vs. mortgage paydown, how spending actually changes in retirement, and smart ways to maximize CPP when time is short. Next, we look at protecting your household in a digital world. James South from Aviva Canada explains what personal cyber insurance covers—from online fraud recovery and forensic clean-ups to cyberbullying support and dark-web monitoring—and how much it typically costs to add to a home/tenant policy. Finally, financial therapist Erika Wasserman walks through practical scripts to improve your money mindset and have calmer, more productive conversatio

Bruce Sellery, host of Moolala: Money Made Simple, is joined by ecoATM’s Neil Fried, as he explains the 6–7 minute kiosk process: —device checks, data wipe and pay on the spot to turn your phone into cash. Plus how to prep your phone (backup, factory reset, remove locks) and where devices go next. Connect with Neil Fried on LinkedIn.

In this episode of Moolala: Money Made Simple, Gifting Sense founder Karen Holland shows parents how big events can build financial literacy: total-cost planning (tickets, travel, merch), dynamic pricing realities, and the DIMS Score + “Worth-the-Wait” tracker to practice patience and smart trade-offs. Find out more at giftingsense.org and Score Money Smarts With 2026 FIFA

In this episode of Moolala: Money Made Simple, host Bruce Sellery chats with Chandler Point’s John Puffer as he breaks down how 1/10 ownership and 5 weeks/year actually work, what fees cover (cleaning, taxes, reserves, Wi-Fi), how rentals and rules are handled, and why it’s different from a timeshare, —including resale and passing shares to family. Find out more at chandlerpoint.com and connect on Facebook .

In this episode of Moolala: Money Made Simple, Melissa Leong sits down with host Bruce Sellery and shares a practical playbook for splitting costs with friends: set expectations early (“everything optional, nothing personal”), assign a banker/accountant, use bill-splitting apps, and know when to say no if you can’t pay off the trip. Find out more at melissaleong.com and connect on Instagram.