Moolala: Money Made Simple with Bruce Sellery

In this episode of Moolala: Money Made Simple, host Bruce Sellery explores the “lightbulb moments” that change how we handle money. Fee-only planner and author Shannon Lee Simmons shares the personal story that shaped her approach to emergency funds, why the act of saving matters more than a magic number, how to tailor the size of your fund to your risk and income, and practical ways to avoid sliding into debt when life throws a curveball. Then, portfolio manager Dan Bartolotti of PWL Capital tackles a thorny topic: helping parents or loved ones financially. He lays out clear steps to decide if and how you can help without jeopardizing your own retirement, set healthy boundaries, and navigate family dynamics with transparency.

Plus, Jonathan Hackett, Head of Sustainable Finance at BMO, explains the bank’s Indigenous Bond - how sustainable debt can channel capital to Indigenous businesses and communities. Finally, certified death doula Michelle Leray demystifies end-of-life support and connects it to estate planning and family conversations you should start now. 

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To find out more about the guests check out:

• Shannon Lee Simmons: Instagram
• New School of Finance: Instagram

Bruce Sellery is a personal finance expert and best-selling author. As the founder of Moolala and the CEO of Credit Canada, Bruce is on a mission to help you get a better handle on your money so you can live the life you want. High energy & low B.S., this is Moolala: Money Made Simple.

Find Bruce Sellery at Moolala.ca | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn

Becky Western-Macfadyen, Manager of Financial Coaching and Education of Credit Canada, introduces EASE (Economic Abuse Support and Empowerment), a program designed to help survivors of intimate-partner violence recover financially. She explains how economic abuse damages credit and confidence, and how trauma-informed financial coaching restores control, security, and long-term independence.

Connect with Becky on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X/Twitter.

Financial coach Alanna Abramsky, founder of Broad Money, explains seven proven ways to manage cash flow, from zero-based and 50/30/20 budgets to pay-yourself-first and the envelope system, and how to pick the one that aligns with your habits, goals, and income. Learn simple ways to track spending, plan ahead, and stay consistent so budgeting feels realistic, not restrictive.

Find out more at broadmoney.ca and connect on Instagram.

Rob Kilner from Spergel shares insights from their national Debt Load and Psychological Well-Being Study, revealing how financial pressure, social-media comparison, and stigma heighten anxiety and depression. He discusses real-world solutions, from debt management plans to professional credit counselling, that help Canadians reduce stress, rebuild stability, and regain peace of mind.

Connect with Rob on X/Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Becca Mintz, Vice-President of Credit & Data at Capital One Canada, clears up the biggest misconceptions about credit scores, like whether checking your score hurts it, if income matters, and how “soft” versus “hard” inquiries work. She offers practical tips for building and repairing credit responsibly, managing utilization, and spotting reporting errors before they cost you points.

Connect with Becca on Instagram and Facebook.

This episode of Moolala: Money Made Simple with host Bruce Sellery dives into the practical, the psychological, and the empowering side of money management.

First, financial coach Alanna Abramsky, founder of Broad Money, outlines seven proven approaches to budgeting, from zero-based and goals-based methods to the envelope system, showing how to find a money plan that fits your lifestyle. Then, Becca Mintz, Vice President of Credit and Data at Capital One Canada, joins Bruce to bust common credit myths, including whether checking your score hurts it, how income affects credit, and what “hard hits” and “soft hits” really mean.

Plus, Rob Kilner from Spergel shares insights from their annual Debt Load and Psychological Well-Being Study, revealing how debt stress, social media pressures, and stigma intersect and what truly helps people move toward financial recovery. Finally, Becky Western-Macfadyen from Credit Canada introduces EASE, a groundbreaking program that helps survivors of intimate partner violence regain financial stability and confidence.

To find out more about the guests check out:

• Becca Mintz: Instagram | Facebook
• Rob Kilner: X/Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
• Alanna Abramsky: broadmoney.ca | Instagram
• Becky Western-Macfadyen: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | X/Twitter

Bruce Sellery is a personal finance expert and best-selling author. As the founder of Moolala and the CEO of Credit Canada, Bruce is on a mission to help you get a better handle on your money so you can live the life you want. High energy & low B.S., this is Moolala: Money Made Simple.

Find Bruce Sellery at Moolala.ca | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn

Author Jane Blaufus shares hard-won lessons on having courageous conversations about money and estate planning. She outlines where to start (with yourself), how to bring in family without escalating conflict, and the four pro “legs” to consult: financial advisor, lawyer, accountant, and funeral pre-planning. Jane also stresses writing everything down from wishes to contacts and key documents so loved ones aren’t making 90+ decisions in crisis. Gentle, practical steps to protect the people you care about.

Find out more at janeblaufus.com and connect on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Rebecca Oakes, VP of Analytics at Equifax Canada, introduces Optimal Path, an AI-driven tool that translates your credit data into realistic, step-by-step actions to raise your credit score. Think concrete guidance on utilization, payment consistency, and balances, plus estimated point gains over the next ~3 months. Rebecca explains how the model personalizes advice (not one-size-fits-all), where consumers will access it via banks/fintechs, and how AI can both improve coaching and combat fraud. Clear, actionable insights for Canadians looking to build stronger credit.

Find out more at equifax.ca and connect on X/Twitter and LinkedIn.

Psychiatrist Dr. Sally Satel, medical director of a methadone clinic, explains contingency management - a harm-reduction approach where clients receive small, escalating rewards (e.g., gift cards) for clean tests. She covers why this behavioural nudge works especially for stimulant addictions (where no gold-standard meds exist), typical program structures, cost/benefit logic, and how incentives can jump-start a virtuous cycle toward work, relationships, and stability. A nuanced, evidence-informed look at an approach that’s effective yet often misunderstood.

Find out more on Substack and connect on X/Twitter.

Bruce talks with retired Globe and Mail personal-finance columnist Rob Carrick about 30 years of investor wisdom. Rob explains why low-cost ETFs win for most Canadians, the hidden risks of high-yield dividend stocks, and why bonds are helpful, but not perfect, shock absorbers. He also breaks down how to think about market crashes (buying when it feels worst), the danger of chasing trends like private credit/equity for retail investors, and why money you’ll need within five years doesn’t belong in stocks. Practical, time-tested guidance for building a calmer, smarter portfolio.