Financial BS Podcast

Jason is not surprised at reports of cheating on the life insurance licensing exam. Chael is excited for the prospect of using AI, but not to cheat on exams.  https://www.investmentexecutive.com/news/ontarios-llqp-exams-will-soon-be-held-in-person-only/

Part 2 of 2. Jason is not happy with the state of financial planning. Chael gets it.  https://openpolicyontario.com/champagne-wishes-and-caviar-dreams/ https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/personal-finance/financial-facelift/

Jason again picks on the Globe and Mail. Chael discusses bread pans and free ice cream.  https://openpolicyontario.com/champagne-wishes-and-caviar-dreams/  https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/personal-finance/financial-facelift/

Jason expresses the crazy idea that a financial advisor should a) present client with options and b) not brag about not doing so. Chael demonstrates that he really did learn about DB pensions.  https://www.wealthprofessional.ca/news/industry-news/why-none-of-this-advisors-physician-clients-even-asked-about-joining-a-db-plan/391295?hsmemberId=

Jason continues to pick on active management and dividend investing and Chael demonstrates why he failed Aeronautics Engineering 232.  https://www.manulifeim.com/retail/ca/en/investments/etf/manulife-smart-international-dividend-etf-u-idiv.b 

Jason gets to pick on one of his favourite pieces of financial BS, and saves Chael the trouble of hawking ice cream.  https://www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/fc61fb9e3ac95b7c9416a9fde8526e13dff1d8a856a603842cd938e68ad19374/DX54VHO5IBCCXEMDZ44ZGCU6YI/ 

Jason is unreasonably angry about bus stop advertising. Chael wishes he could have his old podcast co-host back. 

Jason takes issue with holding out. Chael endorses 15-minute cities.  https://www.abcouncil.ab.ca/councils-directories/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishal-zaveri-156b04325/ https://therealhowmoneyworks.ca/ca/zaverivishal https://www.abcouncil.ab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Life-Insurance-Council.pdf

Jason somehow thinks people will be better off for understanding Additional Deposit Options. Chael is mystified by insurance marketing.  https://advisor.equitable.ca/advisor/getattachment/60fea57e-a7cf-44c1-b9e3-b029a7463e7f/EDO-QA.pdf 

Jason accidentally gives a lesson in life insurance, and Chael (horror of horrors!) is uninsured.  https://equitable.ca/products/insurance/whole-life 

Jason explains the various aspects of insurance commissions and Chael learns why the Calgary airport is a popular spot for some BC insurance agents. https://www.investmentexecutive.com/news/sun-life-introduces-more-level-whole-life-policy-compensation/ https://suncentral.sunlife.ca/en/news/we-re-maintaining-2026-2027-sun-life-dividend-scale-and-announcing-the-close-of-sun-par-accelerator/ https://www.linkedin.com/posts/the-wealthy-barber_the-commission-conflict-in-insurance-sales-activity-7425546344246747136-zCVY?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAFBOskBvYA6UygOxfSLkqBMuP4vGXokuco

Chael is mystified by the inability to prosecute criminals for crimes.  https://www.investmentexecutive.com/news/fsra-revokes-licence-of-insurance-agent-for-allegedly-misappropriating-700k-from-church-members/ 

Chael is having a pretty good day. Jason calls out a regulator for overreach. Is Jason a hypocrite? You decide.  https://decisions.abcouncil.ab.ca/abic/icaba/en/item/520991/index.do 

Jason finds the silver lining on a steaming pile of crap. But it's still a steaming pile of crap.  https://www.fa-mag.com/news/trillions-more-dollars-are-available-for-private-market-investments--a-technology-firm-said-84945.html https://www.goodinvesting.com/podcast 

Jason is frustrated about private investments and gating, but Chael talks him off the ledge.  Jennifer and Andrea's podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/modern-cents/episodes/Where-Math-Meets-Heart-with-Jennifer-Hughes-e3danv6   The paywalled article: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-cortland-debt-fund-halts-investor-redemptions-single-borrower/

Chael and Jason explore why 'use it or lose it' may not be the best approach to group benefits. 

Chael is very patient as Jason explains the problem with the Canada Learning Bond. And something is not BS!  Links:  https://www.hifinance.ca/  https://canadabuys.canada.ca/en/tender-opportunities/tender-notice/cb-563-12576045 https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2371931 https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5575891 https://publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.858229/publication.html https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4267356 https://carleton.ca/politicalmanagement/wp-content/uploads/FINAL_clean-1.pdf 

The budgeting exercise works out surprisingly well for Chael, and we missed a big sponsorship opportunity! 

Chael talks about implementing a budget here, and how much it has changed things for him. 

Chael delves into his history, and Jason tries to not help him feel shame. 

Do we care about credit scores? Not as much as we care about misinformation!  https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/consumer-alert/article/i-never-thought-they-were-going-to-destroy-my-credit-score-woman-shocked-her-credit-score-dropped-dramatically-over-one-unpaid-bill/

By the end of this episode, you'll understand pensions in a way that no person could have ever fathomed understanding pensions. 

Jason tries and fails to explain pensions in 20 minutes or less.  https://www.reddit.com/r/PersonalFinanceCanada/comments/1op6m6i/i_dont_understand_how_my_hoopp_pension_works/?share_id=EDJEajnKLXHBhqPJBALFN&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&utm_source=share&utm_term=3 

Incentives matter. In this episode, we look at how incentives in the insurance industry are badly disconnected from regulatory outcomes.  https://www.investmentexecutive.com/news/industry-news/fsra-fines-former-insurance-agent-and-his-corporation-for-coercion-undue-influence/ 

Is Chael still the financial layperson? Not so sure after this episode.  https://www.sootoday.com/local-news/ontario-woman-says-government-took-every-cent-of-parents-savings-11128994  https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/consumer-alert/article/daughter-hit-with-660000-tax-bill-when-both-parents-died-in-same-year/

Chael leaves as confused as he started.  https://calgaryherald.com/business/local-business/finfluencer-alberta-securities-commission-fine

Two men talk about women's issues.  https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/gender-equity/pay-transparency-in-bc https://equivision.services.gc.ca/?report=sector The job posting we discussed is no longer live. Good luck to the person doing that job! 

The Chael Maneuver vs the Jason Maneuver - which will win?  https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/smith-maneuver.asp 

How many people can you successfully know and work with? Chael and Jason explore the application of anthropological science to the delivery of financial advice. 

The most asinine of all holidays:  https://www.fraserinstitute.org/studies/canadians-celebrate-tax-freedom-day-june-8-2025

Paywalled article: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-housing-prices-retirement-plan-middle-class/ Chael and Jason discuss the role of housing in contributing to financial well-being. 

Sorry for getting this one out late!  A tweet sets Jason off, but Chael talks him down. 

Chael gets glasses and some education about group benefits. 

Chael and Jason explore what concert ticket pricing teaches us about financial decision-making.  The article: https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/consumer-alert/article/toronto-concertgoers-say-ticket-prices-are-plummeting-after-presale/ The Alan Cross podcast series:  https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-weird-history-of-concert-tickets-part-1/id1201968027?i=1000603040047

Jason and Chael jump back 9 episodes to deal with listener feedback from Episode 1!

Paywalled link: https://insurance-portal.ca/article/regulation-the-life-insurance-industry-must-defend-its-distinct-identity/   Jason and Chael look at how the life insurance industry keeps effective regulation at bay.  Original version was uploaded with the 2nd Stephen Frank quote missing, but it's here now. 

Jason and Chael look at https://www.fpcanada.ca/get-certified/education/recognized-education-providers and try to figure out how to get professionally certified. 

Jason and Chael discuss the merits and downsides of professional certifications and designations. 

Chael and Jason continue to unpack the Income Tax Act, this time delving into charitable contributions. 

Chael and Jason dig into a boutique tax credit for middle to high net worth Albertans.

Chael and Jason look at how insurance sales are explained to consumers in Canada. 

Jason and Chael discuss a problematic tweet about investing. Brandolini's Law and the FIRE movement show up in a big way. 

Jason takes exception with some excerpts from a recent Globe article.  https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/personal-finance/article-trade-war-personal-finance-update-2-if-you-need-your-money-within-five/

Jason and Chael discuss Tax Shelter Donation Schemes.  https://dailyhive.com/canada/cra-lawsuit-tax-shelter-gifting-scheme https://equigenesis.com/about-us/