Our guest this episode is Aravind Sithamparapillai, a financial planner at Ironwood Wealth Management Group. Earlier this year, Aravind earned his CFP® designation with the highest exam score in the country, placing him at the top of the CFP® Exam President’s List, and was also selected for FP Canada’s Emerging Leader’s Award.

In this conversation, Dave and Aravind walk through what great financial planning actually looks like in practice. They discuss the “financial quarterback” model, Aravind's four-step process for investing and why assessing true risk tolerance goes far beyond a simple questionnaire. Aravind explains how biology and financial stress affect investor behaviour, why unusually high returns are unlikely to last forever and how personal preferences should factor into a well-designed plan.

The episode also dives into estate and tax planning topics that are often overlooked—from common estate planning mistakes and the risks of joint accounts to when RRSPs should be left to an estate, how taxes work at death and traps grandparents can fall into with RESPs. The conversation wraps up with a practical comparison of TFSAs vs. RRSPs, a discussion on alternative investments and Aravind’s personal story about discovering The Wealthy Barber.

Whether you’re building your first financial plan or refining an existing one, this episode is packed with clear, thoughtful insights from one of Canada’s brightest young planners.

Show Notes

(00:00) Intro and Disclaimer

(00:55) Intro to Aravind Sithamparapillai

(04:47) ​​The Financial “Quarterback” Model

(10:32) The Four-Step Investing Process

(14:38) How Do You Assess True Risk Tolerance?

(16:47) A Financial Planner’s Role in Changing Risk Tolerance

(19:04) Biology and Financial Stress

(21:38) 20% Returns (Probably) Won’t Go On Forever

(23:30) Personal Preferences & Maximizing Return

(25:05) Common Estate Planning Mistakes

(26:50) Reasons Why RRSPs Should Be Left to the Estate

(31:47) The Risks of Using Joint Accounts to Avoid Probate

(34:44) The Benefits of Leaving a Letter of Direction with Your Will

(36:43) What Happens Tax-Wise When You Die?

(38:26) The RESP Trap for Grandparents

(45:00) TFSA vs. RRSP

(49:09) The Risks of Alternative Investments

(56:13) Aravind’s Personal Story About The Wealthy Barber

(58:45) Conclusion

Our guest this episode is Daniel Foch, a Canadian real estate broker, co-host of “The Canadian Real Estate Investor” podcast and Chief Real Estate Officer at Valery.ca. Daniel creates widely-followed content at the intersection of data, news and insights for the Canadian housing market.

In this conversation, Dave and Daniel tackle the big questions facing the real estate market today. They discuss the Ontario government’s move to take over RECO, whether realtors should be able to represent both sides of a deal, and the evolving role of municipalities, development charges and zoning in housing affordability. Daniel shares his perspective on where the market goes from here, why most Canadians still want a detached home and what it will take to make those homes more affordable.

The conversation ranges far beyond prices, touching on the challenges of an aging population, mortgage stress tests and why older generations are staying “overhoused.” There’s also a fascinating discussion about the impact of AI, First Nations’ land claims and the rise in Powers of Sale.

If you’re interested in the state of Canadian real estate — from policy to affordability to where things might be headed — this episode is full of insights you won’t want to miss.

Show Notes

(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer

(00:55) Intro to Daniel Foch

(05:06) Ontario Government Taking Over RECO

(07:57) Should Realtors Be Able to Represent Both Sides of a Deal?

(10:36) Housing Affordability and the Role of Government

(16:30) Should Municipalities Lower Their Development Charges?

(18:00) Where Does the Real Estate Market Go From Here?

(20:56) Most Canadians Still Want a Detached Home

(23:15) Owning vs. Renting

(26:25) How Do We Make Detached Homes More Affordable?

(28:40) Older Generations Are Overhoused But Not Downsizing

(34:07) Mortgage Stress Tests

(38:42) Daniel Thinks Municipal Governments Could Go Away

(40:13) The Potential Impact of AI on Societies

(41:54) First Nations’ Land Claims in Canada

(44:31) Bill 60

(46:47) Valery AI

(50:15) Increasing Powers of Sale

(54:57) Conclusion

Our guest this episode is Morgan Housel, international bestselling author of “The Psychology of Money,” “Same as Ever” and his newest book, “The Art of Spending Money.”

In this conversation, Dave and Morgan explore the timeless principles that shape how we think about money, happiness and decision-making. Morgan shares the story behind writing “The Psychology of Money,” why earning more didn’t change his life as much as he expected and why he believes money is “the greatest show on Earth.” They dig into core ideas like why firsthand experiences are more persuasive than data, why “no one’s crazy” and how comfort (not speed) is often the real goal in personal finance.

The discussion also covers the emotional side of money — from spending mistakes and regrets to what Morgan actually enjoys spending on — along with big-picture themes like luck, independence, volatility and how to think in terms of what’s reasonable rather than purely rational.

If you’re fascinated by human behaviour, personal finance or simply want to make better decisions with your money, this episode is packed with thoughtful insights and memorable lessons from one of today’s most influential financial thinkers.

Show Notes

(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer

(00:55) Intro to Morgan Housel

(03:01) The Story of Writing “The Psychology of Money”

(07:37) How Making More Money Changed Morgan’s Life (Spoiler: Not Much)

(09:56) Why Morgan Calls Money "The Greatest Show on Earth"

(11:25) Nothing is More Persuasive Than What You’ve Experienced Firsthand

(13:42) “No One’s Crazy”

(17:16) You Can Either Make the Train Twice as Fast or Twice as Comfortable

(19:33) Was There Pressure Writing a Follow-Up Book?

(21:26) Nobody is Paying as Much Attention to You as You Are

(23:32) Volatility is the Price of Admission in Investing

(26:05) Buying Independence vs. Buying Expensive Things

(29:12) Spending Mistakes vs. Regrets

(32:17) What Does Morgan Like to Spend Money On?

(35:08) The Role of Luck in Our Lives

(40:33) Reasonable vs. Rational in Personal Finance

(43:21) The Most Overrated Financial Advice

(44:48) Conclusion