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Think Smart with TMFG: Daily Summaries Delivered
by The McClelland Financial Group of CI Assante Wealth Management Ltd.
Take control of your financial destiny with great insights, tips and advice from the team at The McClelland Financial Group of CI Assante Wealth Management Ltd.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 1 weeks ago18 min
Episode 380: AI in Financial Advice: A Tool, Never a Replacement
Everyone seems to be talking about AI right now. Some say it will replace financial advisors, and others won’t touch it. So where does it actually belong when it comes to your money? In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we share our takeaways from a recent DFA conference in the U.S. on AI in financial practices, and what they could mean for how your financial plan is built and serviced. We explain how AI is changing the way people find a financial advisor. More people now ask tools like ChatGPT instead of searching Google, giving smaller firms a real chance to be found alongside big banks. We also talk about the client tools AI can build in minutes, and why confidentiality and Canadian privacy rules have to come first, before speed or convenience. Then we discuss why AI answers can’t always be trusted. In one example, an AI tool used an outdated capital gains inclusion rate, which is why every calculation still needs to be checked by a knowledgeable person. We also sort AI uses from low risk to high risk, from marketing to automated trading, and explain why we plan to stay at the low-risk end. Most importantly, we explain where AI adds real value: taking over routine tasks like meeting preparation so we can spend more time with you. AI can help us do more for our clients than ever before, but it’s a tool, not a replacement. 📌 Curious how we use technology in your financial plan, or where you think AI belongs in financial advice? Feel free to reach out. We’d be happy to talk it through. Schedule a meeting here: https://tmfg.ca/schedule/ 🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube. Follow us: LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial Group Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/ Hosting this episode: Mike Connon, Senior Financial Advisor, and John Iaconetti, Financial Advisor
- 2 weeks ago14 min
Episode 379: Receiving an Inheritance in Canada: What You Should Know About Taxes, Timing, and the First Big Decisions
You’ve just lost someone close to you, and now there’s paperwork, accounts, and possibly more money than you’ve ever had to manage. Where do you even start? In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we walk through what to expect when receiving an inheritance in Canada, from the emotions that come with it to the first financial decisions that matter most. We clear up one of the most common misconceptions: in Canada, there is no inheritance tax for the person receiving the money. Taxes are paid by the estate, not the beneficiary. We also explain how probate works in Ontario, why it can take anywhere from a few months to several years, and how assets like life insurance and registered accounts with a named beneficiary can pass outside the estate. From there, we discuss why the money you inherit can lose its protection under Ontario family law once it’s mixed with joint accounts or used to pay down a shared mortgage. We also cover why receiving an inheritance is a good time to revisit your own will and beneficiaries, and what to consider before passing money along to your children. Most importantly, we explain why there’s rarely a need to rush. The people who handle an inheritance best usually take a pause, keep the money separate, and put a plan in place before making any big decisions. 📌 Have you recently received an inheritance, or are you acting as an executor? Feel free to reach out. We’d be happy to help you think through your next steps. Schedule a meeting here: https://tmfg.ca/schedule/ 🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube. Follow us: LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial Group Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/ Hosting this episode: Mike Connon, Senior Financial Advisor, and Gabriel Zitoli, Financial Advisor
- 3 weeks ago16 min
Episode 378: Did Canadians Forget the House Always Wins? The Rise of Sports Betting and What It Means for Your Family's Finances
Two in five Gen Z Americans now see sports betting as an investment. In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we look at the rise of online sports betting in North America, more specifically in Canada and why a generation raised on instant returns is forgetting that the house always wins. Ontario’s online gambling market brought in more than $4 billion in 2025, and emergency room visits for gambling disorders in the province have nearly doubled since it opened. We break down the real difference between investing and gambling, from expected returns to the hidden cost built into every wager. We also look at how prediction markets are blurring the line inside financial apps. For parents and grandparents, we discuss how to protect both the next generation and the wealth you plan to pass on through thoughtful estate planning and early financial education. 📌 Want to make sure your estate plan protects what you pass down? Feel free to reach out. We’d be happy to help. Schedule a meeting here: https://tmfg.ca/schedule/ If someone in your family is struggling with gambling, ConnexOntario is available 24/7 at 1-866-531-2600. 🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube. Follow us: LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial Group Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/ Hosting this episode: Mike Connon, Senior Financial Advisor, and Gabriel Zitoli, Financial Advisor
- 4 weeks ago14 min
Episode 377: Why Are Mortgage Rates Rising Again? The Bond Yield Story Behind This Fall's Renewal Shock
You check your mortgage renewal quote one week, then look again a few days later, and the rate is higher. The Bank of Canada hasn't changed interest rates, so what happened? In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we discuss why fixed mortgage rates in Canada can rise even when the Bank of Canada holds its benchmark rate steady. Many homeowners assume mortgage rates move directly with central bank announcements, but fixed mortgage rates are actually influenced by bond yields, inflation expectations, economic forecasts, and market sentiment. We break down the relationship between government bonds and fixed mortgage rates, explain why bond yields and bond prices move in opposite directions, and discuss what happened this fall that caused many lenders to increase their fixed mortgage rates. We also explore why a Bank of Canada rate hold doesn't necessarily mean mortgage rates will stay the same, and how changes in the United States can influence borrowing costs here in Canada. We also discuss the differences between fixed and variable mortgage rates, what homeowners approaching a mortgage renewal should be paying attention to, and why choosing between the two isn't simply a matter of picking whichever option feels safer. We also explain how mortgage lenders price risk, why bond markets are constantly looking ahead, and what that means for Canadians renewing their mortgages in today's environment. We also discuss a strategy that many borrowers overlook: securing a rate hold before renewal. A rate hold can help protect you if rates rise while still allowing you to benefit if rates move lower, making it one of the few financial decisions that can provide flexibility with very little downside. 📌 Want to review your mortgage renewal options or compare fixed and variable rates based on your financial plan? Feel free to reach out. We'd be happy to help you evaluate the numbers and explore your options. Schedule a meeting here: https://tmfg.ca/schedule/ 🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube. Follow us: LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial Group Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/ Hosting this episode: Mike Connon, Senior Financial Advisor, and Tyler Robertson, Financial Advisor
- Oct 6, 202616 min
Episode 376: What Is Sequence-of-Returns Risk? - The Retirement Withdrawal Order That Can Make or Break Your Plan
Two people retire on the same day with the same savings, the same investments, and the same average return over 20 years. One still has money in their 90s. The other runs out in their early 80s. Same numbers, completely different outcomes. In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we break down sequence of returns risk: why it barely matters while you're saving, but can make or break your retirement depending on whether the good years or bad years show up first. We also cover a wrinkle unique to Canadian retirees: RRIF minimums, and why most people don't realize a RRIF withdrawal doesn't have to be taken in cash. We also talk through practical ways to manage this risk: building a cash wedge, using CPP and OAS to reduce reliance on your portfolio in down years, and why fixed income is a strategic tool, not just a conservative one. 📌 Want to know how your retirement plan would hold up against a downturn hitting early? Feel free to reach out, we'd be happy to run the scenarios with you: Schedule a meeting here 🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube. Follow us: LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial Group Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/ Hosting this episode: Mike Connon (Senior Financial Advisor) and Ingrid Kucera (Financial Advisor).
- Sep 29, 202616 min
Episode 375: The 2026 Scam Report - What Scams Are Targeting The Everyday Canadian?
The phone rings on a busy afternoon. It sounds like your grandchild; the voice is right, and they need money wired overseas right now. Scams like this are built to catch you with your guard down, and AI is making them harder to spot. In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we talk about the scams targeting everyday Canadians: family emergency calls, fake CRA messages, spoofed banking websites, and the small recurring charges that slip past business owners. We also cover why even careful people get caught, and how AI voice/video replication has raised the stakes. From there, we walk through what to do if you have been scammed, including contacting your financial institution, placing a fraud alert with Equifax and TransUnion, and reporting to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. We also share the habits that protect you and your family, starting with never acting on urgency. 📌 If you have questions about protecting your finances and your family's wealth, feel free to reach out. We'd be happy to help you through those decisions: Schedule a meeting here Question for our listeners: Have you or someone you know been targeted by a scam? Share your story in the comments to help warn others 👇 🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube. Source: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre Follow us: LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial Group Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/ Hosting this episode: Mike Connon (Senior Financial Advisor) and Carlo Cansino (Senior Financial Advisor)
- Sep 22, 202613 min
Episode 374: How to Build a Proper Emergency Fund for an Unplanned Business Expense
A piece of equipment fails, a big client walks, or a lawsuit lands on your desk, could your business cover it without touching your personal savings? In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we go back to square one on business emergency funds: why it's easy to put off when things are going well, and why the businesses hit hardest are usually the ones doing fine right up until they weren't. We dig into why mixing personal and business emergency savings is a mistake, your corporation should be self-sustaining on its own cash flow, and why pulling personal money in to bail it out undoes that separation for good. From there, we talk about how to size your fund based on your expense ratio and industry risk, why a revolving credit line is a shaky substitute for cash, and why keeping it liquid inside a holdco, not the operating company, protects it from quietly getting spent. Finally, we share practical strategies: carving out a consistent percentage of revenue, treating it with the same discipline as setting aside for a tax bill, and why liquidity beats rate of return for this particular pool of money. 📌 If you're not sure where your business stands on emergency reserves, feel free to reach out. We'd be happy to help you work through the numbers: Schedule a meeting here 🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube. Follow us: LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial Group Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/ Hosting this episode: Mike Connon, Senior Financial Advisor and Carlo Cansino, Senior Financial Advisor
- Sep 15, 202618 min
Episode 373: Is a Financial Advisor Worth It? The Numbers Don't Lie
Discount brokerage ads keep telling Canadians they don't need "their parent's advisor." So is that true? With robo-advisors, low-fee ETFs, and endless free information online, do you still need a financial advisor? In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we talk about what advisors actually do beyond picking investments, and why the two biggest objections, fees and trust, don't hold up the way people assume. We break down Russell Investments' 2026 Value of an Advisor Study, which puts that value at 4.92% annually, most of it from behavioural coaching, plus tax-smart planning, family wealth planning, asset allocation and many more. We also cover why cheap, diversified funds have made basic investing easy, shifting the real value of an advisor toward retirement income planning, tax-efficient withdrawals, and wealth transfer, and how trust with an advisor gets built over years, not a first meeting. 📌 If you've been putting off finding a financial advisor, or you're wondering whether the one you have is earning their fee, feel free to reach out. We'd be happy to help you through those decisions: Schedule a meeting here 🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube. Source: Russell Investments, 2026 Value of an Advisor Study Follow us: LinkedIn: The McClelland Financial Group Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/ Hosting this episode: Mike Connon, Senior Financial Advisor and Ingrid Kucera, Financial Advisor
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