033 | Why 98% of Canadian Mutual Funds Are Losing to the Market (Part 1/3)

035 | The Best of Both Worlds: A Smarter Way to Invest (Part 3/3)

In the final episode of our three-part investing series, we get into a third way to build a portfolio, one that sits between traditional active management and pure passive indexing. We unpack the research behind tilting toward value, profitability, and company size, why those factors have historically delivered higher expected returns over the long run, and how Dimensional Fund Advisors turns that philosophy into a real portfolio. We're also honest about the trade-offs: who this approach suits, who it doesn't, and why patience matters more than beating any single benchmark in a given year. If you've ever wondered whether you can do better than simply matching the market, this one's worth your time. 📊 Take the Financial Clarity Assessment → https://alignwealth.scoreapp.com [https://alignwealth.scoreapp.com] 📸 Follow Scott Campbell on Instagram → www.instagram.com/scottcampbell.fp [http://www.instagram.com/scottcampbell.fp] 🌐 Learn more about Align Wealth → www.alignwealth.ca [http://www.alignwealth.ca]

034 | Why "Just Buy the Index" Isn't the Whole Story (Part 2/3)

Most Canadians have been told the same thing: ditch active management, buy a passive index fund, and you're done. But "passive" investing is nowhere near as hands-off as it sounds. In this episode, Chris and Scott break down what passive investing actually is, why there are 13 million indexes to choose from, and the surprising number of active decisions you're making the moment you pick a fund. Through real stories about Lululemon's five-year wait to join the S&P 500 and Tesla's strange month-long price run before it was added, they show how index providers and fund managers make choices that can quietly cost you money. If you've ever assumed an ETF automatically means low fees and a smart strategy, this one will change how you think about your portfolio. Listen first before you decide where your money goes. 📊 Take the Financial Clarity Assessment → https://alignwealth.scoreapp.com [https://alignwealth.scoreapp.com] 📸 Follow Scott Campbell on Instagram → www.instagram.com/scottcampbell.fp [http://www.instagram.com/scottcampbell.fp] 🌐 Learn more about Align Wealth → www.alignwealth.ca [http://www.alignwealth.ca]

033 | Why 98% of Canadian Mutual Funds Are Losing to the Market (Part 1/3)

Most Canadians have no idea how their money is actually invested — and the stats show that 77% of investor dollars are sitting in actively managed funds at the big banks. In this first episode of a three-part investing mini-series, Scott and Chris break down what active management actually is, why it's still so common in Canada, and what the data says about whether all those highly paid fund managers are actually beating the market. Spoiler: over the last 10 years, less than 2% of Canadian equity mutual funds beat their benchmark. You'll learn how fees quietly eat into your long-term returns (the difference between a 1% and 3% fee on $1M over 30 years is over $2 million), why active funds keep disappearing, and the biases that keep investors chasing past performance. If you're not crystal clear on how you're invested today, this is the place to start. 📊 Take the Financial Clarity Assessment → https://alignwealth.scoreapp.com [https://alignwealth.scoreapp.com] 📸 Follow Scott Campbell on Instagram → www.instagram.com/scottcampbell.fp [http://www.instagram.com/scottcampbell.fp] 🌐 Learn more about Align Wealth → www.alignwealth.ca [http://www.alignwealth.ca]

032 | The One-Page Financial Plan: What Actually Belongs On It

Most financial plans end up as a 60-page leather-bound binder collecting dust on a shelf. In this episode, Scott and Chris make the case that everything you actually need can fit on a single page — and walk through exactly what belongs on it. Inspired by Carl Richards' The One-Page Financial Plan, they cover why money matters to you, how to think about goals (or "guesses"), where you stand today, and the investment mandate that keeps you disciplined when the next "hot opportunity" lands in your inbox. If you've ever wondered what a financial plan should actually do for you, start here. 📊 Take the Financial Clarity Assessment → https://alignwealth.scoreapp.com [https://alignwealth.scoreapp.com] 📸 Follow Scott Campbell on Instagram → www.instagram.com/scottcampbell.fp [http://www.instagram.com/scottcampbell.fp] 🌐 Learn more about Align Wealth → www.alignwealth.ca [http://www.alignwealth.ca]

031 | Tax Refunds, RRSPs, and the Plan Most Canadians Don't Have

Roughly 80% of Canadians get a tax refund every year, with the average sitting around $2,000. But getting a refund isn't free money — it means you overpaid the CRA and lent them your cash interest-free. This episode breaks down why that happens, how to stop it, and what to actually do with a refund when it lands. We also get into RRSP planning, the lump sum vs. monthly contribution debate, and why so many retirees end up resenting their RRSPs (hint: it's not the RRSP's fault). If you want your tax refund to do more than disappear into lifestyle spending, this one's worth a listen. 📊 Take the Financial Clarity Assessment → https://alignwealth.scoreapp.com [https://alignwealth.scoreapp.com] 📸 Follow Scott Campbell on Instagram → www.instagram.com/scottcampbell.fp [http://www.instagram.com/scottcampbell.fp] 🌐 Learn more about Align Wealth → www.alignwealth.ca [http://www.alignwealth.ca]