Moolala: Money Made Simple with Bruce Sellery

DIY Retirement: Get Decumulation Right

CFP Owen Winkelmolen introduces Advice (with two i’s), a low-cost platform that helps do-it-yourselfers build and iterate a proper retirement plan. Input income, expenses, assets, debts, and goals—then let strategy tools explore hundreds of “what ifs” in seconds: RRSP/RRIF withdrawals, CPP/OAS timing, tax brackets, income splitting, and estate trade-offs. 

On this episode of Moolala: Money Made Simple with Bruce Sellery, we discuss why accumulation is simple but decumulation is where real value is created, and why you should start that plan ~5 years before retiring. Quick to set up, easy to refine—so you can spend confidently for the long run.

Find out more at adviice.ca.

Kids and Phones: 50 Life Skills First

Author Adam Ferguson proposes an unconventional contract: before your kid gets a smartphone, they complete 50 real-world experiences—from cooking a family meal and doing laundry to building a fire and planning a road trip. On this episode of Moolala: Money Made Simple with Bruce Sellery, he explains why the list is a “carrot,” not a crackdown, and how it builds resilience, connection, and competence. 

We tackle the spicy items (self-defense, “break a minor law”) and talk age & stage—why Grade 8 is a useful target while recognizing maturity varies. Parents will get practical ideas to replace infinite scroll with meaningful, confidence-building moments.

Find out more at beforethephone.com.

Six Smart Career Pivots (and How to Know You’re Ready)

Career strategist Janel Abrahami joins Bruce on this episode of Moolala: Money Made Simple to demystify the career pivot. From low-risk mini moves to big leaps like entrepreneurship or going back to school, she outlines six clear options and when to use each. Learn the simple test for timing a change (learning, earning, or loving), how to frame a so-called “bridge job” without saying it out loud, and why building a personal Board of Advisors speeds decisions. 

Janel’s “energy résumé” method helps you sort energizers from drainers, apply the “five whys,” and flip dislikes into must-haves—so your next role makes sense on paper and in real life.

Find out more at janelabrahami.com and connect on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.

Career Pivots, Kids & Phones, Newcomer Money Tips, and DIY Retirement Planning | Full Episode

In this episode, career strategist Janel Abrahami shares a practical framework for knowing when to change lanes, the six types of pivots you can make (from mini moves to major overhauls), and how to use a personal Board of Advisors and an “energy résumé” to decide what’s next. Then, author Adam Ferguson walks through his provocative checklist for kids—50 things to do before you get a phone —and why those experiences build skills, character, and connection. For newcomers to Canada, BMO’s Sumit Sarkar explains first steps for banking, credit, and building a personalized plan with BMO’s tools. Finally, Owen Winkelmolen (Adviice—yes, with two i’s) shows how DIYers can build and iterate a retirement plan, and why decumulation strategy matters more than you think.

To find out more about the guests check out:

• Janel Abrahami: janelabrahami.com | Instagram | TikTok | LinkedIn
• Adam Ferguson: beforethephone.com
• Sumit Sarkar: bmo.com | X/Twitter | LinkedIn
• Owen Winkelmolen: adviice.ca

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

Homie: The App Helping First-Time Homebuyers Build Buying Power

Buying your first home can feel overwhelming — from saving a down payment to understanding mortgage rules. In this segment of Moolala: Money Made Simple with Bruce Sellery, Bruce talks with Andrew Peker, founder and CEO of Homie, a new Canadian fintech app designed to help first-time homebuyers understand, track, and grow their buying power.

Andrew explains how Homie works:

• Pulling real financial data securely through partners like Plaid and Equifax Canada
• Showing users what they can afford based on how a mortgage underwriter would see them
• Offering habit-building nudges — from avoiding new car loans that could hurt your approval, to staying aware of interest rate impacts
• Helping users plan for hidden costs like cash reserves, land transfer taxes, and closing fees

If you’re a first-time homebuyer in Canada or helping someone become one, this segment will give you practical insight into mortgage readiness, budgeting smarter, and avoiding costly mistakes on the road to homeownership.

Find out more at meethomie.ca and connect on LinkedIn.

Retire Often: How to Take Mini Retirements Without Derailing Your Finances

What if you didn’t have to wait until 65 to enjoy retirement? Bruce sits down with Jillian Johnsrud — coach, speaker, and author of Retire Often: How Anyone Can Take Multiple Career Breaks to Unlock Adventure, Advance Their Career, and Find Financial Freedom.

Jillian shares how mini retirements — intentional breaks of a month or longer — can help you reset, pursue meaningful goals, travel, or spend time with family without sacrificing your long-term financial health. She explains:

• How to budget for a mini retirement: replace one month of income and cap extra costs at ~50% of take-home pay
• Why it’s smart to front-load affordable, physically demanding adventures early in life
• Creative ways to offset costs, from renting out your home to home exchanges
• How mini retirements can actually advance your career by reducing burnout and opening new opportunities
• The mindset shifts needed to see career breaks as investments rather than setbacks

If you’ve ever dreamed of backpacking across Europe, taking a sabbatical to write a book, or just having the time to breathe between career chapters, this conversation gives you the financial planning tools, creative strategies, and inspiration to make it happen — without blowing up your future retirement plans.

Find out more at retireoften.com and connect on Instagram.

Do You Have a Real Financial Plan? Advice-Only Planner Sandi Martin Explains

A lot of people think they have a financial plan — but do they really? Bruce is joined by Sandi Martin, a certified advice-only financial planner, to break down what a real financial plan looks like and why it matters.

You’ll also hear why a real plan is more than just an investment portfolio or a set of bank statements, how to stress-test assumptions (like inflation and market returns), and why focusing on the top three “needle-moving” actions is better than a 15-point to-do list.

Sandi explains how to avoid “straight-line” planning mistakes by considering worst-case scenarios, and why an annual review keeps your plan relevant as life changes.

If you’ve ever wondered whether the plan you got from your bank or investment advisor is actually setting you up for success, this conversation will help you tell the difference — and take steps toward a truly comprehensive, purpose-driven financial plan.

Find out more at sandimartin.ca and connect on Instagram and Bluesky

Turning Empty Offices into Co-Living Spaces for Young Professionals

Vacant office towers could be the key to solving Canada’s housing affordability crisis. Bruce speaks with Robert Barnard, CEO of Toboggan Flats, about their innovative plan to convert underused downtown office buildings into co-living spaces for young professionals.

You’ll hear about:

• Target rents of $1,100–$1,300 all-in, aimed at roughly 30% of the average salary for 25–34-year-olds.
• How shared living can help young workers save for future home ownership.
• Landlord and investor incentives, including reduced building density, steady nighttime occupancy, and the environmental benefits of reusing existing buildings.
• The focus on curated events, roommate matching, and staff support to make co-living more than just a room — it’s about fostering a real sense of community downtown.

If you’ve wondered how Canada can create affordable housing without years-long construction timelines, this conversation is full of practical insights on office-to-residential conversions, co-living trends, and the future of urban housing.

Find out more at tobogganflats.com and connect on LinkedIn.

Co-Living Conversions, Real Financial Plans, Mini Retirements & a First-Time Homebuyer App

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

How Wahi’s Real Estate Cashback Program Works

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.