The Empowered Investor

Give More, Keep More: How to Maximize Your Charitable Impact in Canada

Donations 101: A Canadian Guide to Tax-Smart Charitable Giving In this episode, Lawrence Greenberg [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrence-greenberg-cfa/] and Jackson Matthews [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackson-matthews-cfa/] kick off a three-part series on charitable giving in Canada. Lawrence and Jackson break down the different ways to give, how charitable donations affect your taxes, and how to plan strategically around your giving. They cover everything from the basic cash donation to the more powerful — and often overlooked — strategy of gifting securities in kind, which can generate significant tax savings for both the donor and the charity. They also touch on corporate giving, the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), annual donation limits, estate planning opportunities, and offer a preview of two advanced strategies — donor advised funds and flow-through shares — that will be explored in depth in the next two episodes. A must-listen for anyone who wants to be more intentional and tax-efficient with their generosity. Happy listening! Key Topics Covered: * Introduction and overview of the three-part series (00:46) * Ways to give: time, items, cash, and securities (01:12) * How charitable donations affect your taxes — the non-refundable tax credit explained (02:34) * Spousal pooling of donation receipts (03:46) * Cash donation vs. gifting securities in kind — and why in kind is often more powerful (05:03) * Corporate giving from a holding company and the Capital Dividend Account (07:29) * The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) — a potential roadblock for large donors (08:37) * Annual donation limits and the five-year carry-forward rule (10:06) * Year of death exception — increasing your limit to 100% of net income (11:39) * Preview: Donor Advised Funds explained at a high level (12:53) * Preview: Flow-through shares and their tax advantages (14:13) * Key takeaways — including why gifting securities in kind is the low-hanging fruit for non-registered account holders (15:04) Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112. Follow Tulett,Matthews & Associates [https://www.tma-invest.com/] on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, and more! Follow The Empowered Investor on Facebook, LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/empoweredinvestorinvestisseurtransforme], and Instagram. Thanks for listening!

How to Manage the Financial and Emotional Reality of Aging Parents

In this episode of the Empowered Investor Podcast, Marcelo Taboada [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcelotaboadaecheverria/] sits down with financial journalist and CFP professional Beth Pinsker [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bpinsker/] to discuss one of the most overlooked areas of financial planning: caregiving for aging parents. Beth shares the deeply personal story behind her book My Mother’s Money [https://bethpinsker.com/] and explains why financial caregiving is about far more than estate planning. The conversation explores the emotional, logistical, and financial realities families face when a parent becomes ill or incapacitated, from powers of attorney and healthcare directives to sibling dynamics, long-term care costs, and difficult end-of-life decisions. Marcelo and Beth also discuss the hidden burden caregiving places on families, why early conversations matter, and the practical steps listeners can take today to protect both their parents and their own future caregivers. Key takeaways • Financial caregiving is more than estate planning. (00:05:09) • Why most families avoid these conversations until it’s too late. (00:06:48) • The importance of powers of attorney and healthcare directives. (00:12:00) • Why having passwords alone is no longer enough. (00:16:33) • How banks can reject outdated or incomplete legal documents. (00:22:40) • Why estate documents should be reviewed regularly after major life changes. (00:24:23) • How family meetings can reduce conflict and confusion later on. (00:25:59) • The emotional and financial burden often falls disproportionately on women. (00:27:46) • How sibling dynamics can complicate caregiving and estate decisions. (00:28:05) • Why communication and transparency are critical within families. (00:30:12) • What families tend to fight over most during estate settlements. (00:33:29) • The true cost of aging and long-term care planning. (00:34:10) • Why traditional retirement planning often ignores late-life care realities. (00:34:34) • How healthcare and caregiving costs can quickly escalate. (00:35:16) • The difficult balance between protecting parents and preserving inheritances. (00:39:06) • Why aging at home is emotionally appealing but not always practical. (00:41:17) • How early conversations with parents can improve financial planning outcomes. (00:42:54) • Why housing decisions become central later in retirement. (00:44:24) • The emotional difficulty of downsizing and leaving the family home. (00:45:05) • How caregiving changed Beth’s perspective on retirement and life priorities. (00:49:22) • The importance of documenting family stories and personal history before it’s too late. (00:48:00) • Why simplifying finances is one of the greatest gifts to future caregivers. (00:52:36) • The benefits of consolidating accounts and reducing financial complexity. (00:53:16) Mentioned in this episode: * Beth Pinsker [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bpinsker/] * Book: My Mother’s Money [https://bethpinsker.com/] * Beth Pinsker: MarketWatch [https://www.marketwatch.com/author/beth-pinsker] * MarketWatch [https://www.marketwatch.com/] Thanks for listening! Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112. Follow Tulett,Matthews & Associates [https://www.tma-invest.com/] on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, and more! Follow The Empowered Investor on Facebook, LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/empoweredinvestorinvestisseurtransforme], and Instagram.

Run Your Business with Clarity: Operating Systems with Shelby Hacala

In this episode, Keith Matthews [https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-matthews-516b328/] sits down with Shelby Hacala [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelbyhacala/], Co-Founder of BOS360 [https://www.linkedin.com/company/bos360/], to break down how business operating systems can transform the way companies run and grow. They explore why so many entrepreneurs and aspiring business leaders feel stuck or overwhelmed and how implementing the right structure can bring clarity, accountability, and better execution across teams. Shelby shares practical insights on aligning people, setting clear priorities, and building systems that actually drive results. They also discuss the value of coaching, why discipline matters more than motivation, and how small, consistent improvements can lead to major long-term success. If you’re an entrepreneur or aspiring business leader looking to scale your business with more clarity and control, this episode delivers actionable insights you can apply right away. KEY MOMENTS: * Introduction and overview of business operating systems (00:02:56) * Shelby Hacala’s entrepreneurial background (00:03:23) * Transition from business owner to coach (00:03:23) * Why entrepreneurs often feel overwhelmed (00:18:17) * The cost of lacking structure in a business (00:18:17) * The core components of a strong operating system (00:18:17) * Improving communication and alignment within teams (00:25:35) * Creating clarity around roles and responsibilities (00:25:35) * The importance of setting clear priorities (“rocks”) (00:40:29) * How weekly meetings improve execution and accountability (00:43:57) * Problem-solving as an ongoing business discipline (00:40:29) * The value of having a coach vs doing it alone (00:16:48) * Why discipline beats motivation in business growth (00:16:48) * Decision-making speed in entrepreneurial vs large organizations (01:00:41) * Shifting from financial success to long-term impact (01:01:34) Thanks for Listening! Mentioned in the Episode * Shelby Hacala [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelbyhacala/] * BOS 360 [https://bos360.ca/] * Traction [https://www.simonandschuster.ca/books/Traction/Gino-Wickman/9781936661831] Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112. Follow Tulett,Matthews & Associates [https://www.tma-invest.com/] on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, and more! Follow The Empowered Investor on Facebook, LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/empoweredinvestorinvestisseurtransforme], and Instagram.

Stop Overthinking, Start Investing: A Guide for Young Canadians in their 20's and 30's

In this episode, Lawrence Greenberg [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencegreenberg/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencegreenberg/and Jackson Matthews [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackson-matthews-cim-968638150/] break down how young Canadians in their 20's and 30's should approach investing and building a strong financial foundation. They walk through the biggest challenges beginners face, from information overload to the fear of making mistakes, and explain how to simplify the process. The conversation covers the different ways to start investing, whether through traditional banks, robo-advisors, or DIY platforms, and how to choose the right approach based on your level of involvement. They also explain how to prioritize accounts like the FHSA, TFSA, and RRSP, and why understanding their tax advantages can significantly impact long-term wealth. Beyond that, they highlight the importance of diversification, avoiding stock picking, and keeping fees low. Throughout the episode, the focus remains on building good habits early, staying disciplined, and letting time and compounding do the heavy lifting. KEY POINTS FROM THE EPISODE: * Why young investors struggle to get started (01:29) * Investment options: banks, robo-advisors, and DIY platforms (02:12) * How robo-advisors like Wealthsimple simplify investing (03:00) * DIY investing and the role of ETFs (04:00) * Introduction to the FHSA and how it works (06:28) * Why the FHSA is a powerful “hybrid” account (06:38) * Understanding the TFSA and its flexibility (08:39) * Long-term power of tax-free growth in a TFSA (10:02) * How RRSP contribution room works (11:16) * Tax benefits and income optimization with RRSPs (12:38) * Employer matching and why it’s free money (13:29) * When to use a non-registered account (16:05) * Why stock picking underperforms the market (18:15) * What the SPIVA report reveals about active management (19:22) * The power of starting early and compounding (21:46) * How fees impact long-term returns (24:04) * Final takeaway: build habits, stay disciplined, and think long term (25:59) Thanks for Listening! Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112. Follow Tulett,Matthews & Associates [https://www.tma-invest.com/] on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, and more! Follow The Empowered Investor on Facebook, LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/empoweredinvestorinvestisseurtransforme], and Instagram.

Nicolas Bérubé: 17 Lessons for Canadian Investors

In this episode, Marcelo Taboada [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcelotaboadaecheverria/] sits down with Nicolas Bérubé [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolas-b%C3%A9rub%C3%A9-27b9b111b/] to discuss his latest book L’art de multiplier son argent : 17 leçons pour réussir en bourse [https://editionslapresse.ca/products/lart-de-multiplier-son-argent](The Art of Multiplying Your Money: 17 Lessons for Success in the Stock Market). Together, they break down the key lessons every investor should understand to build long-term success in the stock market. Nicolas brings deep expertise in wealth management and financial planning, with a strong focus on helping families make thoughtful, long-term decisions. He is also the author of three books and a regular personal finance columnist for La Presse [https://www.lapresse.ca/auteurs/nicolas-berube], where he shares practical insights with a broad audience. His work has been published in multiple languages (primarily French and English), reflecting his broad reach with readers interested in practical personal finance. Known for his disciplined approach and ability to simplify complex financial concepts, Nicolas has built a reputation for delivering clear, client-centered advice that aligns strategy with real-world goals. Overall, this episode is a reminder that successful investing is not about complexity, but about consistency and avoiding common mistakes. KEY POINTS: * Introduction to Nicolas Bérubé and his book (00:40) * Why he wrote L’art de multiplier son argent : 17 leçons pour réussir en bourse (05:56) * The main lessons behind the book (05:30) * Market timing and common investing myths (22:54) * Why starting early makes a difference (23:49) * The importance of diversification (04:00) * ETFs and building a simple portfolio (04:00) * Investor psychology and behavioral biases (04:00) * Why beating the market is so difficult (12:14) * The impact of fees on returns (36:13) * Dividend investing explained (37:25) * Risks of chasing popular sectors (47:58) * Why “boring” companies often outperform (49:44) * The role of bonds in a portfolio (43:31) * Final takeaway: discipline and simplicity win long term (50:30) Mentioned in this episode: * One Hundred Years in the U.S. Stock Markets [https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=6438198] * L’Investisseur Transforme [https://www.tma-invest.com/fr/le-balado-linvestisseur-transforme/] podcast * Nicolas Berube weekly article [https://www.lapresse.ca/auteurs/nicolas-berube]in LaPresse * Book: Les millionnaires ne sont pas ceux que vous croyez [https://editionslapresse.ca/products/les-millionnaires-ne-sont-pas-ceux-que-vous-croyez], Nicolas Bérubé * Book: De zéro à millionaire: investir en bourse sans souffrir [https://editionslapresse.ca/products/de-zero-a-millionnaire], Nicolas Bérubé * Book: Millionaire Next Door [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-millionaire-next-door-thomas-j-stanley-phd/1103345785], Thomas J. Stanley Ph.D., William D. Danko Ph.D * Book: Zero to Millionaire. A simple, effective and stress-free way to invest in the stock market [https://www.amazon.com/Zero-Millionaire-simple-effective-stress-free/dp/1804090263], Nicolas Bérubé * Book: L'art de multiplier son argent: 17 leçons pour réussir en bourse [https://editionslapresse.ca/products/lart-de-multiplier-son-argent], Nicolas Bérubé * Book: Die with Zero [https://www.diewithzerobook.com/welcome], Bill Perkins Thanks for Listening! Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112. Follow Tulett,Matthews & Associates [https://www.tma-invest.com/] on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, and more! Follow The Empowered Investor on Facebook, LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/empoweredinvestorinvestisseurtransforme], and Instagram.