#20 — Adam Bornn: Retirement Planning For Canadians
Our guest this episode is Adam Bornn—Founder and Managing Partner at Parallel Wealth, a Canadian financial planning firm that specializes in helping people retire with confidence. Adam also runs an educational YouTube channel (@ParallelWealth) with over 138,000 subscribers where he shares practical and approachable retirement advice for Canadians.
In this conversation, Dave and Adam dive deep into the world of retirement planning—from understanding the “Go-Go, Slow-Go, and No-Go” phases of retirement to managing taxes through RRSP meltdowns to whether you really need $1 million to retire. Adam shares why retirees need a financial plan, common mistakes people make and how strategies like delaying CPP, TFSAs and even reverse mortgages can play a role in a well-structured retirement.
If you’re planning for retirement—or even just starting to think about it—this episode is packed with insights, myths debunked and practical advice tailored to Canadian listeners.
Show Notes
(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer
(00:55) Intro to Adam Bornn
(03:35) Why Did Adam Specialize in Retirement Planning?
(05:23) Why Retirees Need a Financial Plan
(10:45) The Go-Go, Slow-Go and No-Go Phases of Retirement
(11:57) What is an RRSP Meltdown?
(13:16) Your Average Tax Rate Should Be Consistent Through Retirement
(14:38) OAS Clawback
(16:07) Do Reverse Mortgages Fit Into Retirement Plans?
(17:08) Annuities
(18:03) The “Die With Zero” Concept
(19:11) Building Generational Wealth
(20:44) People Underestimate How Long They’re Going to Live
(22:44) Single Retirees Are at a Massive Disadvantage
(23:57) When Does Whole Life Insurance Make Sense?
(25:57) Most Retirees Need Stocks in Their Portfolios
(27:33) Should You Plan for Large Late-Life Healthcare Costs?
(29:41) Pre-Retirees Should Do Their Research
(31:28) The Biggest Mistakes Adam Sees Retirees Make
(32:20) Myth: You Need $X Number to Retire
(33:01) TFSAs Add Flexibility for Retirees
(34:56) Conclusion
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#19 — Amanda Lang: Canada’s Economy and the Impacts of AI
Our guest this week is Amanda Lang—longtime Canadian business journalist and host of Taking Stock, a weekly business news program on CTV, BNN Bloomberg and CP24.
In this episode, Dave and Amanda dive into the state of Canada’s economy from our productivity struggles and housing crisis to the US tariffs to whether the capital gains tax on real estate needs to change. They also unpack the profound impacts artificial intelligence is already having on the job market, the economy and business formation.
It’s a wide-ranging and thought-provoking episode you won’t want to miss!
Show Notes
(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer
(00:55) Intro to Amanda Lang
(02:48) Lang & O’Leary
(06:12) Canadian Productivity Growth & Losing Top Talent
(09:38) How Can We Solve Canada’s Housing Crisis?
(12:02) Should We Change the Capital Gains Tax on Real Estate?
(15:40) How AI is Going to Change Our Economy
(20:01) The Dangers of New Technology Being Used for Evil
(25:11) Professions at Risk From AI
(27:52) US Tariffs
(30:32) Dave’s Biggest Worry: The US Debt
(36:39) Fewer Young People Are Starting Businesses
(42:16) The Changing Media Landscape
(44:30) Dave Has Only Been to ONE Concert in His Life
(46:24) Worried For Young People Today
(48:44) Can We Get Big Projects Done in Canada?
(51:36) Conclusion
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#18 — Bruce Sellery: Getting Out of Debt So You Can Get Back Into Life
Our guest this week is Bruce Sellery, CEO of Credit Canada—a non-profit credit counselling agency that’s helped millions of Canadians avoid bankruptcy, get out of debt and reclaim control of their financial lives.
In this episode, Bruce joins Dave to talk about the growing debt problem in Canada and the personal stories behind it. They dig into everything from credit scores to the rising cost of kids’ sports to the impact of divorce on your finances. Bruce also shares his own unique journey—leaving a corporate job to become a business journalist and help launch BNN, before becoming a financial educator with a bestselling book and podcast “Moolala.”
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by debt or just want to understand how credit counselling really works, this is a candid, insightful and engaging conversation you won’t want to miss.
Show Notes
(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer
(00:55) Intro to Bruce Sellery
(03:37) Leaving a Corporate Career to Be a TV Reporter and Help Launch BNN
(07:06) Personal Finance vs. Business/Investing News
(09:05) How Bruce Developed His Communication Skills
(12:17) The Grace of a Well-Lived Life
(13:44) The Affordability Crisis in Canada
(16:04) What is Credit Canada?
(17:52) Credit Canada’s Non-Profit Structure
(22:12) What Happens if You Need to Claim Bankruptcy?
(23:30) How Do People Get Into Trouble with Debt?
(29:50) What Impacts Your Credit Score?
(32:28) The Housing-Affordability Crisis’s Impact on Debt Levels
(37:42) Divorce and Debt
(39:30) Kids’ Sports Have Become CRAZY Expensive
(43:56) Conclusion
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#17 — Jim Chuong (The Lazy Canadian Investor): Real Estate and ETF Investing
Our guest this week is Jim Chuong—better known online as “The Lazy Canadian Investor.” With over 1 million followers across TikTok and Instagram, Jim has built a massive audience by breaking down investing concepts in a clear, no-BS way.
In this episode, Dave and Jim cover a wide range of investing topics—from how Jim first got into real estate investing to whether it still makes sense today. They dig into Jim’s philosophy on using leverage, his take on individual stocks vs. ETFs, and why he prefers US-only investing over global diversification. Jim also shares what motivates him to create content and how he approaches simplifying complex financial ideas for everyday Canadians.
If you’re curious about real estate, passive investing or just want to hear from someone who’s built a personal finance brand from scratch—this episode is packed with practical insights.
Show Notes
(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer
(00:55) Intro to Jim Chuong
(01:44) How Jim Learned About Personal Finance
(06:52) Jim’s Early Investing Approach
(09:49) Getting Started with Real Estate Investing
(15:54) Is Real Estate Investing Still Attractive Today?
(20:34) The Toronto Real Estate Market
(22:12) Is Crypto An Investment?
(23:57) Jim’s Philosophy on Leverage and Investing
(25:49) Canada is a Wonderful Country
(27:43) Parenting Teenagers
(29:12) Why Does Jim Make Content Online?
(33:15) US-Only Investing Versus Global Diversification
(36:43) Investing in Individual Stocks vs. Broad-Market ETFs
(39:56) Why Private-Market Investing Isn’t Well Suited for the Average Investor
(42:05) Conclusion
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#16 — Kelley Keehn: Breaking Free from Debt, the Psychology of Overspending and How to Avoid Financial Fraud
Our guest this week is Kelley Keehn—best-selling author, personal finance expert and media personality who is on a mission to help Canadians build healthier relationships with money.
In this episode, Dave sits down with Kelley to unpack some of the most pressing financial challenges people face today. From the emotional weight of debt to the psychological traps that make it so easy to overspend, Kelley brings both empathy and expertise to the table. They dive into why debt happens in the first place, practical strategies to get out of it and how to avoid the subtle (and not-so-subtle) pressures that push people to spend more than they should. Kelley also shares crucial tips on how to spot and prevent financial fraud in a world where scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
Whether you’re struggling with debt, trying to get a better handle on your spending or simply want to protect yourself from financial fraud, this episode is full of valuable insights.
Show Notes
(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer
(00:55) Intro to Kelley Keehn
(03:57) The Crushing Weight of Debt
(06:10) Strategies to Get Out of Debt
(08:31) Snowball vs. Avalanche Method
(10:41) Why Do People Get Into Debt?
(12:01) It’s So Easy to Spend Today
(14:23) Everybody Wants You to Spend
(17:24) Spending Summaries
(20:32) How Taking a Timeout Can Help You to Spend Purposely
(21:59) Credit Scores
(25:48) Pay Yourself First, But Revisit the Amount
(27:39) Are FHSAs Always Best?
(29:05) Don’t Chase Discounts on Things You Don’t Need
(32:39) Buying Used Can Come With Opportunity Costs
(34:17) How to Prevent Financial Fraud
(43:45) What’s The Worst Investment Kelley Has Ever Made?
(44:17) What’s The Smartest Investment Kelley Has Ever Made?
(45:39) Conclusion
The Wealthy Barber Podcast is Canada’s go-to source for approachable, entertaining, and free financial education. Hosted by none other than David Chilton—former Dragon on CBC’s ”Dragons’ Den” and the best-selling author of ”The Wealthy Barber” and ”The Wealthy Barber Returns”—this podcast is here to help Canadians manage their money better. Much better.
Dave Chilton has spent over 35 years demystifying personal finance, offering understandable, unbiased, and actionable advice that has empowered millions of Canadians to achieve their financial goals. Now, he’s bringing that same wisdom to your favourite podcasting platforms, with regular episodes designed to make personal finance simple, relatable, and yes, even entertaining.
Episodes of The Wealthy Barber Podcast features Dave in conversation with expert guests from across the spectrum of Canadian personal finance. From investing and real estate to taxes, RESPs, and even money psychology, no topic is off-limits. Plus, don’t miss our special “Office Hours” episodes, where Dave answers real questions from audience members, delivering informed, balanced, and sometimes downright funny advice.
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