3 Things to Do Before You Invest a Single Dollar

In this episode of the Canadian Investor Podcast, we discuss a viral tweet about paying off a low-rate mortgage sparked a familiar debate — invest or kill the mortgage? For Canadians, the answer isn’t nearly as simple. With higher renewal rates, stretched market valuations, and taxes in the mix, the math has quietly shifted. We break down when investing still makes sense, when paying down a mortgage becomes a compelling risk-free return, and why today’s market environment looks very different from the last decade. We also dig into where value can still exist in an expensive market — including a deep dive into a Canadian apartment REIT that’s been hit hard despite strong fundamentals. Is this a classic “blood in the streets” setup, or a value trap? Tickers of stocks discussed: CAR-UN.TO Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Our New Youtube Channel! Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Canadian Investor Podcast, EQ Bank announced a major acquisition on the same day as earnings — buying PC Financial and locking in an exclusive partnership with PC Optimum. We break down what the deal really means, why Loblaw becoming a major shareholder matters, and how this positions EQ Bank against Canada’s much larger incumbents. We also dig into earnings from TD and Royal Bank, where strong capital markets are masking softer lending conditions — and why 2026 could look very different for Canadian banks. Are we nearing a reset year? Finally, we cover BRP’s latest results and what looks like a classic cyclical recovery: improving margins, inventory normalization, rising market share, and upgraded guidance — even as the broader consumer picture remains uneven. Tickers of stocks discussed: EQB.TO, TD.TO, RY.TO, DOO.TO  Our New Youtube Channel! Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Simon and Dan kick off this episode with a clear, beginner-friendly walkthrough of the main Canadian investment accounts. If you’re not sure which account to pick or you need a refresher, the first half of this episode is for you. TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, RESP, taxable and locked-in accounts, Simon and Dan go over how they work, when they make the most sense, and the biggest pitfalls to avoid (like TFSA over-contributions and RRSP withholding tax surprises). It’s a perfect primer to share with friends and family who want to start investing but aren’t sure which account to use.  If you’re already familiar with these accounts, in the 2nd half of the episode Simon and Dan go over 5 stocks on their radar. Tickers of stocks discussed: WSP.TO, TIH.TO, PD.TO, TECK-B.TO, TSM   Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Our New Youtube Channel! Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Canadian Investor Podcast, Simon and Dan cover a packed slate of major Canadian market moves — from dividend shocks to CEO shakeups and a long-awaited bank sale. We break down Telus’ dividend growth pause and DRIP phase-out, why the company says the payout is safe, and what 2026 free cash flow could mean for investors. Then we look at Goeasy, where CEO Dan Rees is stepping down amid rising provisions, a short report, and widespread management turnover. Simon also explains Allied Properties’ 60% distribution cut, highlighting the three warning signs that dividend investors should always watch for. Then we dive into Laurentian Bank’s split sale to Fairstone and National, and what this means for Quebec’s banking landscape. Finally, we review Scotiabank’s strong quarter and whether the bank is starting to pull off a real turnaround. Tickers Discussed: T, BCE, GSY, AP.UN, NA, LB, BNS Our New Youtube Channel! Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before you start investing, there are a few fundamentals every Canadian needs to get right — but most people skip straight past them. In this episode, Simon and Dan lay out a simple framework to follow before you consider investing a single dollar in the markets. Then, Simon sits down with Dan Broten, Senior Vice President and Head of EQ Bank, for a deep dive into the state of Canadian banking. They discuss EQ’s new survey on solopreneurs and micro-businesses, why small operators feel overlooked by traditional banks, and how outdated, branch-era systems still shape the experience for business owners today. Dan also shares insights on regulatory change, pro-competition momentum in Ottawa, and why Canada might finally be at a turning point in modernizing its financial infrastructure. Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Our New Youtube Channel! Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Couche-Tard may finally be showing early signs of a long-awaited turnaround with improving U.S. trends, stronger margins, and surprising strength in food and nicotine alternatives. Home Depot delivered solid operations but once again cut guidance as the renovation cycle continues to stall. And then there’s Nvidia another monster quarter… paired with a surprisingly cold market reaction. We dig into what’s driving the pullback, the emerging threat from in-house AI chips, and why Michael Burry believes Nvidia today mirrors Cisco in 2000. Tickers of Stocks Discussed: ATD, HD, NVDA, META, ORCL, MSFT, GOOGL, AMZN, CSCO Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Our New Youtube Channel! Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Braden and Simon sit down with Jan van Eck, CEO of VanEck, for a wide-ranging conversation on where capital should be going over the next decade. Jan explains why he sees gold re-emerging as a global reserve asset, how central bank and emerging-market demand could fuel a long bull market, and why a 20% drawdown wouldn’t change his thesis. They dig into the AI build-out and the semiconductor cycle through SMH and Nvidia’s eye-popping margins, the risks and opportunities around OpenAI and infrastructure constraints, and how private credit stress may show up first in publicly traded BDCs. Jan also makes the long-term case for India as a distinct structural growth story within emerging markets, and the trio wrap up by talking about how AI and structured data will change investment research. Tickers of Stocks and ETF Discussed: SMH, GPZ, NVDA, AMZN, V, MA, BTC, SHOP, WMT, INFY, HD, MCD, GS Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Our New Youtube Channel! Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Simon and Dan break down Canada’s latest CPI print and why inflation data doesn’t always match what you see at the grocery store. They dig into the recent drawdown in risk assets, from Bitcoin and Ethereum to the high-growth and AI names that have gone from “can’t miss” to painful drawdowns. They also look at Berkshire’s new stake in Alphabet, what it might signal for big tech, and wrap up with another strong quarter from Loblaw and what it says about food inflation, pricing power, and defensive compounding in a choppy market. Tickers of stocks discussed: QQQ, MSFT, AMZN, META, GOOGL, BRK.B, UNH, NVDA, ORCL, ADBE, DUOL, HIMS, IONQ, RGTI, CELH, GSY.TO, L.TO, DOL.TO, HD Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Our New Youtube Channel! Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Financial Literacy Month, Simon dives into one of the most overlooked parts of investing: freeing up cash flow. From understanding what your true inflation rate is to identifying high-impact savings in your budget, this episode is all about practical ways to improve your purchasing power and invest more even if your income hasn’t kept up with rising costs. Simon shares how he cut his own internet bill in half, how to negotiate with Canadian telcos, the smartest places to trim spending, and two simple questions he uses to avoid impulse purchases. Small changes can compound massively over time, and this episode shows exactly where to start. Personal inflation calculator Rent Report by rental.ca  Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Our New Youtube Channel! Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dan is back as we break down a busy week in Canadian markets. We look at Constellation Software's latest quarter and if the drawdown is a buying opportunity. Shopify delivers another strong quarter but the stock dips anyway. WSP Global’s record backlog signals sustained infrastructure strength, and we revisit GoEasy’s first results since the short report to assess the real risks behind its “secured” loans. Plus, a quick reflection on Warren Buffett’s farewell letter and Greg Abel’s transition at Berkshire Hathaway. Tickers of stocks discussed: CSU, TOI, SHOP, LSPD, WSP, BRK.B, AAPL, V, MA, GSY.TO Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Our New Youtube Channel! Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.