Moolala: Money Made Simple With Bruce Sellery

Credit Canada credit counsellor Brandon Thonson joins Bruce Sellery to unpack the current state of household debt in Canada, where consumers now owe $1.77 for every dollar earned. Brandon shares what he's seeing on the front lines, from people using debt to service debt, to mortgage renewals jumping 15–20%, to a 39% increase in counselling requests at Credit Canada. He identifies the warning signs that debt is becoming unmanageable, explains what to expect during a credit counselling session, and outlines solutions, including debt consolidation programs, conversations with financial institutions, and Credit Canada's GOLD coaching program. A compassionate, no-judgment conversation about taking control of your finances. Find out more at creditcanada.com and connect on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Licensed insolvency trustee Joshua Harris, CEO of Harris & Partners, joins Bruce Sellery to break down what makes debt uniquely challenging for seniors in Canada. They discuss the realities of living on a fixed income from CPP and OAS, how ageism limits earning potential, and the critical difference between consumer proposals and bankruptcy filings. Joshua explains which assets are protected, including the fact that government pensions are non-garnishable, addresses common fears about losing your home, and shares what happens to debt when a person passes away. If you're a senior dealing with debt or love someone who is, this is essential listening. Find out more at harrisandpartnersinc.com and connect on LinkedIn.

Award-winning Toronto Star journalist Moira Welsh joins Bruce Sellery to discuss her new book The Astonishing Lives of Older Women: How to Create Pleasure Over Peril in the Age of Peak Longevity. Moira shares powerful real-life stories of women in their 70s, 80s, and beyond who are struggling financially, from a woman who lived in her car for nine months to another who went from a yacht club lifestyle to a trailer park. They explore how divorce, the wage gap, and the motherhood penalty leave women vulnerable in later life, and discuss innovative solutions like communal living that are helping women regain stability, community, and hope. Connect with Moira on Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and Bluesky.

Credit Canada credit counsellor Brandon Thonson joins Bruce Sellery to unpack the current state of household debt in Canada, where consumers now owe $1.77 for every dollar earned. Brandon shares what he's seeing on the front lines, from people using debt to service debt, to mortgage renewals jumping 15–20%, to a 39% increase in counselling requests at Credit Canada. He identifies the warning signs that debt is becoming unmanageable, explains what to expect during a credit counselling session, and outlines solutions, including debt consolidation programs, conversations with financial institutions, and Credit Canada's GOLD coaching program. A compassionate, no-judgment conversation about taking control of your finances. Find out more at creditcanada.com and connect on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Vikki Brown lays out common cross-border scenarios (inheritances, property sales, pensions) and the simplest ways to transfer funds. They compare big bank cross-border setups with fintech tools like Wise, explain how FX fees are often built into rates, and cover large-transfer strategies like wiring to a Canadian USD account or using Norbert’s Gambit—plus what to consider around timing and possible tax complications. Find out more at moderncents.ca and connect on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Credit Canada’s Himank Bhatia, certified Credit Counsellor and Financial Coach, discusses what debt looks like in real life right now: payday loan spirals, divorce-driven debt, sports betting debt, and higher-income households living in “fragile luxury.” He explains how fear and shame keep people stuck, why minimum payments create an interest trap, and how support and structured plans (including options to freeze interest) can help people get out of debt. Check out Credit Canada on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube X, and TikTok.

Jonathan Bennett shares what business owners often don’t anticipate: selling can feel like letting go of a big part of your identity. He talks about the grief-like emotional curve, what can go wrong when founders don’t fully “let go,” and why taking intentional time after a sale can help avoid rebound decisions and set up a healthier next chapter. Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn.

Barry Choi explains why credit card travel insurance is never one-size-fits-all. Coverage can change based on your age, health, trip length, and even how you booked (including using points). They dig into where credit card insurance can be helpful, where it can be misleading, and why rental car coverage can have gaps, such as low coverage caps and no liability protection. Connect with Barry on Instagram.

Planning a trip and counting on your credit card for travel insurance? Personal finance and travel expert Barry Choi breaks down what credit card travel insurance may cover (and where it can fall short), including key "it depends" factors like age, pre-existing conditions, how you paid (cash vs points), rental car coverage limits, and why standalone policies can be stronger. Then, executive advisor Jonathan Bennett from Clearly Then explores the emotional realities of selling a business: identity, grief, and how to prepare for the "now what?" after an exit. Next, Credit Canada’s certified credit counsellor and financial coach, Himank Bhatia, shares the most common debt stories he hears, from payday loan spirals and divorce-related debt to sports betting and the rising cost of living, and why shame and isolation can be the biggest obstacles to getting help. Finally, certified financial planner Vikki Brown from Modern Cents explains practical ways to move money from the US to Canada, compares banks vs. fintech

Mortgage delinquency is often measured by payments that are 90 days overdue, but mortgages are usually the last debt people fall behind on. CMHC’s Aled ab Iorwerth explains the broader risks of Canada’s high household debt levels and the early indicators that financial stress may be building. Connect on LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, X and Facebook.

Unsubscribes, insurance hassles, forms, and passwords are a modern time-suck. Chris Colin explains the “admin night” idea, the simple rules that make it work, and how community and time-boxing can help people finally get those nagging tasks done. Find out more at chriscolin.com and connect on Bluesky and Instagram

The promise of AI is fast answers, but tax rules are personal and easy to misapply. Anita Balakrishnan shares what accountants are seeing, the types of errors that show up most often, and why complex situations still need a real professional double-check. Find out more at thelogic.co and connect with Anita on LinkedIn.

Canada’s filing system is largely voluntary, but millions of Canadians still do not file each year. Jennifer Robson explains how auto-filing could work, who it is designed to help first, and why filing is often the “gateway” to benefits like GST credits, child benefits, and other supports. Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn and Bluesky.

AI tools can be helpful, but when it comes to taxes, they can also be confidently wrong. In this episode of Moolala: Money Made Simple, Bruce Sellery talks with Jennifer Robson, Associate Professor, Carleton University, about the federal government’s SimpleFile initiative and how automatic tax filing could help more Canadians file returns and unlock benefits. Then Anita Balakrishnan, Reporter at The Logic, breaks down why accountants are increasingly seeing AI-generated tax mistakes and what to watch for before relying on tools like ChatGPT. For a lighter take on grown-up chores, Chris Colin, Journalist at the Wall Street Journal, explains how hosting an “admin night” can make boring tasks less painful. Finally, Aled ab Iorwerth, Deputy Chief Economist at CMHC, shares key context on mortgage delinquencies and the early warning signs that a household may be heading into financial distress. To find out more about the guests check out: Jennifer Robson – Associate Professor, Carleton University: LinkedIn | Blues

Parents supporting adult children is common, but often hidden. Lindsey Stanberry reframes it as a “boomer lifestyle subsidy” and explores why people stay quiet, how childcare and education support can be as powerful as a cheque, and how being more open can reduce shame, comparison, and confusion. Find out more on thepurse.co and connect on Instagram.

Signing a lease can feel like reading fine print you’re expected to ignore, but the stakes are high. Lawyer Lisa Mackie explains the key terms renters should understand, common red flags, what landlords can and cannot ask for, and how provincial rules, municipal bylaws, and federal protections (like privacy and human rights) shape your rights. Find out more on ahbl.ca and connect on LinkedIn(ahbl) and Instagram(ahbl). Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn.

Doug Hoyes breaks down what the latest bankruptcy study shows: higher balances, more creditors, and growing strain that is increasingly structural rather than tied to one crisis event. They unpack the impact of inflation, housing costs, and why people should reach out for help early, before high-interest borrowing makes the math impossible. Find out more on hoyes.com and connect on X.

It’s never been easier to spend money, and that “one click” convenience is quietly reshaping our budgets. In this episode, Bruce explores friction maxing with certified financial planner and money psychology expert Hanna Horvath, including practical ways to slow down impulse purchases and make saving more automatic. Then, insolvency trustee Doug Hoyes breaks down what his firm is seeing in Canada’s latest bankruptcy study, from higher balances and more creditors to mounting pressure from food costs, unemployment, and housing. Next, Lindsey Stanberry (The Purse) tackles the taboo topic of parents supporting adult children, and why more transparency around the “bank of mom and dad” matters. Finally, lawyer Lisa Mackie shares what renters should know before signing a lease, including key terms, red flags, and how laws at different levels of government shape your rights. To find out more about the guests check out: Hanna Horvath: Substack | Instagram | TikTok Doug Hoyes: hoyes.com | X Lindsey Stanberry: thepurse

Online shopping, tap-to-pay, and one-click checkout remove the pause that used to protect our budgets. Hanna Horvath explains “friction maxxing” and shares practical tactics to slow impulse buys, like deleting shopping apps, removing saved payment info, using a 24 - 48 hour waiting rule, and making saving and investing automatic. Find out more on Substack and connect on Instagram and TikTok.

Wealth manager and author Geoff Saab (Low Risk Rules) makes the case for simpler, lower-cost, fully liquid investing, especially for entrepreneurs who are used to taking risks in business. They talk about the hidden cost of fees, why illiquidity can be dangerous, and why even pros cannot consistently predict market outcomes, making a disciplined long-term approach more reliable. Find out more on Substack and connect on X.