Moolala: Money Made Simple with Bruce Sellery

Housing costs keep climbing, but smart ideas (and smarter planning) can help you move forward. In this episode of Moolala: Money Made Simple with Bruce Sellery, we explore four timely topics: turning empty office towers into co-living spaces for young professionals, what a real financial plan actually includes, how to design mini retirements without derailing your future, and a first-time homebuyer app that helps you understand and grow buying power.

First, Robert Barnard of Toboggan Flats explains how co-living office conversions in Canada can deliver private rooms with shared amenities, stronger communities, and faster timelines by reusing office infrastructure. It’s an affordable housing approach that leverages existing buildings instead of starting from scratch.

Then, advice-only financial planner Sandi Martin walks through the seven pillars of a real financial plan—purpose & goals, cash flow, debt, risk/insurance, investments, retirement/financial independence, and estate & lifetime tax—plus how to stress-test assumptions and focus on the three actions that move the needle most.

Next, author Jillian Johnsrud shares how a mini retirement (a month or more) can fit real life. You’ll get practical budgeting rules of thumb, ideas for front-loading affordable adventures, and tips to offset costs by renting out or exchanging your home.

Finally, Andrew Peker introduces Homie, a first-time homebuyer app in Canada that models mortgage readiness like an underwriter. Learn how daily habits affect approval, why car leases can hurt more than you think, and how the app nudges you to build buying power over time.

Whether you’re chasing cheaper rent, real planning clarity, more meaningful breaks, or your first set of keys, this episode delivers practical steps you can act on today.

To find out more about the guests check out:

• Robert Barnard: tobogganflats.com | LinkedIn
• Sandi Martin: sandimartin.ca | Instagram | Bluesky
• Jillian Johnsrud: retireoften.com | Instagram
• Andrew Peker: meethomie.ca | LinkedIn

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

Would you buy your next home through a platform that gives you cash back — thousands of dollars after closing? Bruce Sellery speaks with Benjy Katchen, CEO of Wahi, about their innovative approach to real estate. Learn how Wahi’s digital-first platform combines technology with expert guidance to create efficiencies — and passes those savings back to buyers. Plus, discover what kind of homebuyer is best suited for this model and how it fits into Canada’s evolving housing market.

You’ll learn

• Cashback for Homebuyers: Wahi gives buyers 1% of the buyer-agent commission back — often thousands of dollars — just days after closing.
• Tech + Realtors: The platform uses a "Netflix-meets-Tinder" app experience combined with desk-based realtors to cut costs while still providing expert guidance.
• Who It’s For: Ideal for tech-savvy homebuyers who prefer an efficient, data-driven process without sacrificing support during negotiations.

This episode is packed full of ideas on how to look at real estate as a way to stretch your dollar and get some savings passed back to you, the buyer.

Find out more on wahi.com and connect with Benjy on X/Twitter and Instagram.

Divorce isn’t just an ending — it’s a beginning. Bruce Sellery speaks with Olivia Howell, co-founder and CEO of Fresh Starts Registry, about how divorce registries are helping people rebuild their homes, routines, and lives after a separation. Discover how these registries work, why they reduce the overwhelm of starting over, and how they help friends and family show meaningful support.

You’ll Learn

• From Wedding Registry to Divorce Registry: Olivia shares how her own divorce inspired the creation of Fresh Starts Registry — a platform to help people rebuild their homes after a breakup.
• Practical Support, Not Just Gifts: Registries include vetted bundles for every room and budget — from $7 shower curtains to full kitchen sets — to make starting over easier.
• More Than Divorce: Fresh Starts Registry also supports other life transitions, like coming out, job loss, moving, and post-illness recovery.

If you are feeling overwhelmed going through a divorce this conversation is packed with ways of learning that you are a the beginning of your new life.

Find out more at freshstartregistry.com and connect with Olivia on Threads, Facebook and Instagram.

Feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of today's world? You're not alone — but uncertainty might actually be your secret weapon. In this episode of Moolala: Money Made Simple, host Bruce Sellery sits down with Scott Stirrett, author of The Uncertainty Advantage and founder of Venture for Canada, to explore how uncertainty can be transformed from a source of anxiety into a catalyst for growth.

Scott shares his personal journey — leaving Goldman Sachs at 22, navigating OCD during the pandemic, and building a national nonprofit — to illustrate how confronting the unknown can lead to resilience, purpose, and opportunity.

You’ll learn:

• What “uncertainty” really means and why today’s world is four times more uncertain than in 2008
• Six pillars for building your “uncertainty muscle” including adaptability, antifragility, and entrepreneurial thinking
• How young professionals (and anyone, at any career stage) can thrive during disruptive times
• Why cultivating both strong and weak professional ties is essential for opportunity and resilience

If you’re facing career uncertainty, worried about AI disruption, or just want to feel more confident about the future, this conversation is packed with actionable insights and inspiration.

Connect with Scott on X/Twitter and LinkedIn and sign up to his Substack.

This week Bruce Sellery explores three timely money topics to help you navigate today’s changing financial landscape.

 

First, we look at the state of the labour market during uncertain times with Scott Stirrett, author of The Uncertainty Advantage. Learn how to adapt your career strategy, build resilience, and strengthen your professional network when the job market feels unpredictable.

 

Next, Olivia Howell, co-founder and CEO of Fresh Starts Registry, joins us to talk about divorce registries — an innovative way for individuals to get the essential items they need as they begin a new chapter after separation.

 

Finally, Benjy Katchen, CEO of Wahi, explains how their cashback program from a digital real estate platform and brokerage can put thousands of dollars back in your pocket after buying a home.

 

If you’re facing a big life transition, worried about your job security, or curious about how to save money on your next home purchase, this episode is packed with practical insights you can act on right away.

 

To find out more about the guests check out:

• Scott Stirrett: Substack | X/Twitter | LinkedIn
• Benjy Katchen: wahi.com | X/Twitter | Instagram
• Olivia Howell: freshstartregistry.com | Threads | Facebook | 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

Retiring abroad. Jen Barnett, co-founder of Expatsi, takes us through the financial considerations people have to make before spending retirement in a new country. Then, A budgeting app for newcomers by newcomers, designed to increase financial confidence. It’s called Butterfly. Credit Canada’s Tanvi Chitnis is here to tell us how it works. And, Darrell MacMullin, SVP Product and Solutions at Mastercard in Canada, takes us through their emerging tech trends report. Plus, we’ll speak with Michelle Hilscher from BEworks about their behavioural science course for financial advisors.

To find out more about the guests check out:

• Jen Barnett: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
• Tanvi Chitnis: creditcanada.com | Facebook | X | Instagram
• Michelle Hilscher: LinkedIn
• Darrell MacMullin: LinkedIn | 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

Imagine taking a year off work, by choice, and long before your retirement. Jillian Johnsrud, a coach who helps people take career breaks, tells us how to prepare financially. Then, how to effectively change jobs. Michael Horn, author of JOB MOVES: 9 Steps For Making Progress In Your Career, shares his tips. And, the financial cost of ignoring burnout. Olga Morawcynski, founder of Heal-3 and a mental wellbeing advocate, tells us about her journey. Plus, getting laid off and sharing your experience on TikTok. Giovanna Ventola, founder of Rhize, shares why she turned to social media after losing her job and how she’s now helping others with their job search.

To find out more about the guests check out:

• Jillian Johnsrud: retireoften.com | Instagram
• Michael Horn: jobmoves.com | LinkedIn | X
• Heal-3: heal-3.com | LinkedIn
• Olga Morawcynski: LinkedIn
• Giovanna Ventola: TikTok | Instagram | LinkedIn
• Rhize:  rhizetogether.com | LinkedIn

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

Books to improve your finances. The first one is about what it means to be wealthy. Daniel Crosby, psychologist and behavioral finance expert, will be here to talk about his book The Soul of Wealth. Then, a new financial literacy book for kids. Author Cinders McLeod takes us through the latest book in the MONEYBUNNY series called How Do YOU Spend? And, twenty lessons from retirement thought leaders. Christine Benz tells us about her book How to Retire. Plus, we speak with Daryl Fairweather, Chief Economist at Redfin, about her new book called Hate the Game: Economic Cheat Codes for Life, Love, and Work. 

To find out more about the guests check out:

• Daniel Crosby: X | LinkedIn
• Daryl Fairweather:Linktree
• Cinders McLeod:Instagram | X
• Moneybunny:Instagram | X | Facebook
• Christine Benz:morningstar.com | X | LinkedIn

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

Newcomers and building credit. Founders of Mundo Together Carolina Restrepo and Juan Cala came to Canada around six years ago. They share their experience building up their credit history when they first came here. Then, an app for newcomers called “Welcome to Canada”. PeaceGeeks CEO Jennifer Freeman takes us through its features. And, managing your money in a way that works with your beliefs. Dr. Mohamad Sawwaf, founder and CEO of Manzil, tells us about their halal financial services. Plus, we speak with Juan Sebastian D’Achiardi, of TransUnion Canada, about a tool that can help improve credit access for new and young Canadians. 

To find out more about the guests check out:

• Juan Cala & Carolina Restrepo: mundotogether.com | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
• Jennifer Freeman: LinkedIn
• PeaceGeeks: PeaceGeeks AI Career Coach | X/Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram
• Welcome To Canada: LinkedIn | Facebook | X/Twitter | TikTok
• Mohamad Sawwaf: X/Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
• Juan Sebastian D’Achiardi: LinkedIn | 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

So how can financial advisors better serve their female clients. Cary Carbonaro is an author and certified financial planner. She joins us to talk about her book “Women and Wealth: A Playbook to Empowering Clients and Unlocking Their Fortune”.

Find out more at carycarbonaro.com and book Cary at carycarbonaro/speaking. Connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and X/Twitter.