The Clear Money Mindset

EP 53 - The Business of Building a Business

To incorporate or not to incorporate is the question, a question with no definitive answer. In a world where starting a business has never been easier, choosing the right path can be overwhelming. A farmer or construction worker may have different considerations than a tech startup—but do they really? Today, we’re joined by the lively lawyer Sebastian Schmoranz from MSSH Lawyers. Sebastian will guide us through the intricacies of business structures, offering insights that can help protect both you and your future. 
Grab a seat and take a listen as your favorite neighborhood lawyer breaks down essential topics like: 
Should you incorporate? Key advantages and disadvantages 
Taxation and liability considerations 
Partnerships vs. sole proprietorships 
Transitioning between corporate structures 
Family business succession 
Share structure 
The role of a lawyer and accountant in business setup 
 

Ep 52 - RESP Breakdown

Want Free Money for Your Child's Education?
In today’s podcast, we’ll break down the powerful RESP (Registered Education Savings Plan). This savings tool is designed to help parents and guardians save for their child’s post-secondary education, offering some amazing perks.
We'll cover how the RESP works, the types of contributions you can make, and how the government boosts your savings through the CESG (Canadian Education Savings Grant) and CLB (Canadian Learning Bond). Plus, we'll dive into some lesser-known facts and share tips on how to maximize the value of this account.
Grab your notebooks—class is in session! We’re here to guide you on how to start, manage, and fully take advantage of this account, helping you set your child up for success in their post-secondary education.

Ep. 51 - Real Estate Round Table Pt. 2

Get ready for round 2. The back half of this real estate roundtable is now streaming.  
We've got mystery, excitement, and all things real estate! Ben is joined by Rob & Sandra Zanet from Team Zanet Mortgage Brokers, Alyssa Ismail from Century 21 Local Home Team Realty Inc., and Sebastian Schmoranz from MSSH Lawyers. Tune in as we dive into bridge financing, peak closing times, non-negotiable conditions, commercial vs. residential, quirky properties, and much more. This info packed conclusion is chock full of everything you need to know to purchase/sell a home in 2024.  

EP. 50 - Real Estate Round Table

What do you call it when you gather a financial advisor, a lawyer, a real estate agent, and two mortgage brokers in a room and give them a microphone? 
Answer: An informative podcast that can help empower you if you are buying or selling a home. 
Navigating the real estate market is no joke, especially with the ever-changing climate of interest rates, mortgage rules, affordability, inflation, and post-pandemic recovery. Luckily, we've assembled a dream team of real estate professionals to provide a comprehensive view from start to closing and beyond. 
The Roster Includes: 
Ben Davies – Your host and financial advisor, and the overall referee of the podcast. 
Rob and Sandra Zanet – A dynamic husband and wife mortgage broker team with Team Zanet, discussing mortgage rates and today's lending climate. 
Alyssa Ismail – A knowledgeable and caring real estate agent with Century 21, Local Home Team Realty Inc., sharing tips and experiences. 
Sebastian Schmoranz – A straightforward and honest lawyer with MSSH Lawyers, offering the legal advice you didn’t know you needed but will be happy to have. 
Expect laughter, banter, and plenty of “aha” moments as our experts share their real-life experiences, tips, and practical advice in this roundtable discussion. 
Grab your favorite beverage, sit back, and let’s talk real estate! 

EP 49 - 2024 Spring Housing Market Update - Sebastian Schmoranz

Spring has sprung and our latest podcast is in full bloom. 
Tune in to our latest episode of The Clear Money Mindset, where we provide a spring update on the ever-evolving real estate market of 2024. Joining Ben is special guest Sebastian Schmoranz, a seasoned lawyer from McGregor, Sims, Schmoranz, Hart Professional Corporation based in Kingsville, Ontario. 
In this episode we explore current trends in the real estate market. This year looks to be a game changer for real estate, from rates coming down to the return of purchasing conditions. Other things we are musing about include: 
Commercial & Private Real Estate 
Conditions you should include on your home offer 
How to protect yourself from a simple mistake that could cost you thousands 
Appraisals, Overbidding and multiple bidders 
Investment Property Market, rentals & flipping 
Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, a seasoned investor, or a real estate professional, this episode provides you with the latest information that you need to know to navigate the dynamic real estate landscape in 2024. 

EP 28 - 2023 Tax Update - Josie Hope

Get ready to dive into the latest and greatest tax updates. Josie Hope, CPA with LJ Business Solutions is talking 2023 taxes with Ben. Some changes that you should know about before you file (which now must be done digitally or else you can incur a hefty fee.) Some of the things we touch on this informative cast include: 
Multigenerational home renovation tax credit 
Property flipping changes 
Changes to the temporary flat rate method for home office expenses 
 Whether you're a seasoned investor or just trying to stay ahead of the tax game, this episode is packed with invaluable information to help you navigate your 2023 return.  

EP46 - Life, Health, Wealth - Balance - Andrew Hallam - Part 2

Continuing the theme of balancing your money so you can live the life you want to live. Part 2 of this inspiring podcast is now streaming. Join Ben and Andrew Hallam, the esteemed author behind the acclaimed personal finance book "Balance” as they continue their conversation about how to spend for happiness, how to invest effectively, how to boost life satisfaction and enhance longevity.  

EP46 - Life, Health, Wealth - Balance - Andrew Hallam

How do you define success? Is it lots of money, flashy cars, a dream job, exploring the world or spending time with family and friends? 
“Think of success as a four-legged table, with each leg representing a quadrant. Each quadrant depends on the other.  If they don’t all play their part equally, the table collapses. If one leg is spindly or cracked, it’s tough to maximize your life satisfaction, no matter how solid you might be in the other quadrants.” 
In our latest podcast Ben had the pleasure of chatting with Andrew Hallam, author of the personal Finance book Balance. Andrew is the first person to have a #1 selling finance book on Amazon USA, Amazon Canada and Amazon UAE. Balance is a book about finding the harmony between money management and living a fulfilling life.  
In this podcast Andrew talks in depth about the experiences in his life that have helped shape his attitude towards money. His focus and inspiration for this book is about recognizing the things you want in life, and redefining success, using money as a tool to help fund the things in your life that bring you joy and fulfillment.  
You will not want to miss this podcast that can help you learn how to master the art of balancing your financial health with your overall happiness. 

EP 45 - Stockin Around The Christmas Tree

Tune in to the most financially festive podcast of the season with your favourite financial five. The Team at Davies Financial is at it again for our annual Christmas podcast. Get ready for a sleigh ride of laughs, dad jokes, and all things merry and monetary. This year Ben is joined by the staff of Davies financial where Alicia, Victoria, Melissa, and Andrea tolerate Ben’s jokes on this company mandated Christmas podcast that have them questioning their career choice.  
Don’t miss out on the general merriment of: 
Dad Jokes 
Eggnogonomics 
Christmas Trivia 
Fun Festive Facts  
Grab a cup of Christmas cheer (and whatever you put in it to get it that way), throw your mistletoe outside & get ready to learn while you listen to a podcast that we hope is as fun to hear as it was to make. If it is not, don’t say we didn't warn you. 
The Clear Money Mindset & Davies Financial wish all of our listeners and clients a happy and safe holiday season. See you in 2024! 

EP 44 - Thinking Critically - Jeff Minaker

Episode Focus: Critical Illness Insurance—This episode provides critical information with expert insights from Jeff Minaker, Account Executive from Empire Life. A great chat on personal finance, as Jeff explains the strategic importance of this coverage.
- 🚀 Elevate your financial knowledge and make informed decisions for you and your family.- 📈 Learn why Critical Illness Insurance is a key player in your financial portfolio.- 🔒 Your greatest asset is yourself, and from a financial perspective, it's your capacity to generate income so you can provide for you and your family.