Your Biggest Financial Questions, Answered

Your Biggest Financial Questions, Answered

In this listener Q&A episode, Eli Kirchmaier and Brandon Murphy answer real financial planning questions from Canadians. They cover topics including LIRAs, pension transfers, gifting wealth to children, retirement income, taxes, CRA audits, and other common planning questions that can have a significant impact on your financial future. If you'd like your question featured on a future episode, leave a comment or get in touch with the team at Up Financial.

What Separates Great Financial Advisors from the Rest?

What separates great financial advisors from average ones? In this episode of The Up Side, Eli sits down with Dylan to discuss the growing importance of technical expertise in financial planning, why education is often overlooked in the industry, and what advisors can do to better serve clients in an increasingly complex financial world. They explore the challenges facing today's advisors, common gaps in industry training, the role of specialization, and why clients need far more than basic investment advice. Whether you're a financial professional, business owner, or someone looking to better understand the value of quality financial planning, this conversation offers practical insights into what truly drives long-term success. Topics discussed: * Why education is the ultimate competitive advantage * The biggest mistakes new advisors make * Why specialization matters * Risk tolerance vs. financial goals * Building trust with clients * The future of financial advice * What clients should expect from a great advisor

What to Do With "Excess Wealth" (7 Smart Moves for High-Net-Worth Families)

What happens when you realize you've saved more money than you actually need for retirement? In this episode of The Upside with Eli, Eli sits down with CPA Brandon Murphy to unpack one of the most overlooked financial planning conversations for affluent Canadians: how to strategically manage "excess wealth." From helping adult children with down payments and business capital to estate planning, tax-efficient gifting, and structuring long-term family wealth, Eli and Brandon break down the real decisions wealthy families face once retirement is already secure. They discuss: * What "excess wealth" actually means * The most common ways affluent families support their children * Real estate vs. invested assets * Tax considerations around gifting and wealth transfer * How retirees think differently once they know they have enough * Why intentional planning matters more than ever Whether you're building wealth, approaching retirement, or thinking about your legacy, this episode offers practical insight into how high-net-worth families make smart financial decisions beyond retirement income planning.

The Retirement Planning Mistakes Costing Canadians Millions

Most retirement plans fail for one reason: they were never actually planned. In this episode of The Up Side with Eli, Eli sits down with portfolio manager and retirement specialist Dylan Rieberer to break down the most common (and costly) retirement mistakes Canadians make. From CPP and OAS timing mistakes to poor RRSP/RRIF drawdown strategies, sequence of returns risk, tax traps, LIRA/LIF planning, income splitting, and retirement portfolio construction, this episode dives deep into the financial decisions that can quietly cost retirees hundreds of thousands...or even millions...over their lifetime. You'll learn: • Why generic retirement advice can be dangerous • How poor drawdown strategies destroy wealth • The biggest CPP & OAS timing mistakes • Why many retirees overpay tax unnecessarily • How sequence of returns risk can derail retirement • The difference between accumulating wealth and drawing it down properly • Why retirement investing is completely different from growth investing If you're approaching retirement, or already retired, this episode could save you from some very expensive mistakes.

How to Transition from Accounting to Wealth Management (& Build a Real Brand)

In this episode, Eli sits down with Brandon Murphy to unpack a career path that more people in finance are starting to consider, but few talk about openly. If you've ever felt stuck in a technical role or wondered what it actually takes to move beyond "just doing the numbers," this conversation is for you. Eli and Brandon break down the transition from accounting into wealth management, including the mindset shifts, skill changes, and real-world challenges that come with stepping into a more client-facing, advisory role. They also get into: * Why many professionals in finance feel stuck (even when they're successful on paper) * The difference between being an expert and being a trusted advisor * How personal brand plays a bigger role than most people think * What to consider before making a move into wealth management Whether you're early in your career or already established and looking for something more, this episode will give you a clearer perspective on what's possible—and what it actually takes to get there. If you enjoy the episode, don't forget to follow the show and share it with someone who's thinking about their next move in finance. Work with Eli / Up Financial Book a call: https://upfinancial.ca/book/ Email: up@upfinancial.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elithemoneyguy/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elithemoneyguy Connect with Brandon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murphonmoney/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@murphonmoney Subscribe for weekly episodes!