The McClelland Financial Group

07/17/2026

Some people measure a full life in years. Trish Lyle measures hers in the number of kids who called her house "home."

We're continuing our Client Stories series within the Think Smart Podcast, conversations with the people, experiences, and moments that shape a life.

In this episode, Mike sits down with longtime client Trish Lyle, who spent 22 years as a foster parent, opening her home to 135 children alongside her own seven kids, adopting two of them along the way.

This conversation goes beyond fostering. It's about what "family" really means, how you build a life around love instead of financial limits, and the lessons in patience, generosity, and letting go that only come from years of practice.

🎙️ Launching Tuesday July 21 at 5:00 PM EST
🔔 Follow the Think Smart Podcast for new episodes and special series like this one: https://linktr.ee/ThinkSmartwithTMFG
🎧 Available on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Music

Guest: Trish Lyle longtime client of The McClelland Financial Group of CI Assante Wealth Management Ltd.

07/15/2026

$3,500 a month from your RRSP sounds simple. 💰
But that number is your gross income, not what you actually get to spend.

Here's what most people don't realize until it's too late: 👇
✅ Every dollar out of your RRSP is fully taxable
✅ That $3,500/month could really only net you $2,700–$2,800
✅ That $700 - $800 gap isn't small, it's the difference between feeling comfortable and second-guessing every purchase
✅ Layer in CPP, Old Age Security, or a pension, and you could get pushed into a higher tax bracket

The real question isn't "how much do I have?"... it's "how much do I actually keep?"

Want to know what your real number looks like once taxes are factored in? Comment KEEP and we'll walk you through it.

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube: "$1M in RRSPs at 65… What Does That Actually Pay?" - link in the comments 👇

07/14/2026

You filled out a risk questionnaire once, when you opened your account, and probably never looked at it again. But do you actually know how you'll react if your portfolio drops 20%? In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we unpack risk tolerance vs. risk capacity: what a risk questionnaire is rea...

07/14/2026

Owning a business or leading a company changes what retirement actually looks like. 👇

Here's what most owners get wrong:
❌ Waiting to be forced into retirement instead of planning an exit
❌ Missing tax opportunities tied to timing
❌ Undervaluing the business at sale
❌ Stretching retirement income too thin

The fix? A plan that lines up:
💰 Your lifestyle budget
📊 Your income sources (registered accounts, corporate assets, pensions...)
🚪 Your business exit strategy (including timing and sale options)

If you're 50 to 70 with $1M+ in assets, generic advice won't cut it. You need a roadmap built around your business and your timeline.

💬 Comment "EXIT" if you want to chat about what this could look like for your business.

Speaker: Tyler Robertson, Financial Advisor at The McClelland Financial Group of CI Assante Wealth Management Ltd.

07/12/2026

5 things successful founders do differently with their money 👇

It's easy to build a business that runs well, has strong revenue, happy clients, and a great reputation.

It's a different thing entirely to turn that success into lasting personal wealth.

Swipe through for the 5 habits that separate founders who build wealth from founders whose entire net worth is just "however the business did this year". 👀

For a full breakdown of these strategies, check out Episode 364 of our Think Smart Podcast. - 🎧 link in bio.

📌 Recognize yourself in any of this? Let's talk: tmfg.ca / (905) 771-5200

07/08/2026

Most people think retirement is just about how much you've saved. 💰

But there's a level where the savings number stops being the main story, and how everything's structured takes over. Welcome to the Flexible Retiree stage. 👇

✅ Greater control over retirement timing and lifestyle
✅ Income typically supporting $70K–$100K+ in expenses
✅ Lower withdrawal pressure on your investments
✅ A stronger income base doing the heavy lifting, not just your portfolio

Here's what that actually leads to:

🔄 Retirement becomes proactive, not reactive
💡 More confidence in your financial decisions
👨‍👩‍👧 The ability to support family or lifestyle goals
🏡 Lower housing costs = even more flexibility
🎥 Full episode on our YouTube channel: link in bio.

Curious where you'd land on this scale? Comment FLEXIBLE, and we'll share a free retirement guide.👇

07/07/2026

💰 Tax-Free Funds with Capital Dividend Account

Most business owners have never heard of this, but if you own a corporation, it could be one of the most valuable accounts you didn't know you had.

The capital dividend account (CDA) lets you withdraw funds from your company tax-free, funded by sources such as the non-taxable half of capital gains and life insurance proceeds. Combine it with the right insurance strategy, and it becomes a powerful estate planning and tax-preferred way to move money out of your corporation.

This is one of 5 things we cover in this week's Think Smart with TMFG podcast episode on what successful founders do differently with their money 🎙️

🎧 Find the full episode link in the comments 👇
📌 Have questions about your own corporation? Let's talk 👉 (905) 771-5200

07/07/2026

Most founders can tell you their business's revenue down to the penny, but ask about their own net worth, and they draw a blank. In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, we unpack founder compensation and personal wealth-building: why so many successful business owners are asset-rich on paper but p...

07/07/2026

07/07/2026

Having $1M+ in assets doesn't mean it passes on smoothly. 👇

Here's what could eat into your legacy:

❌ High probate fees
❌ Unexpected taxes at death
❌ Beneficiaries who don't match your actual wishes
❌ Family tension over "who gets what".

The fix? A combination of:

🏛️ Trusts: control how and when assets are distributed
📝 Beneficiary designations: make sure the right people are named correctly
❤️ Charitable giving strategies, reduce tax and leave a legacy that reflects your values

If legacy and family matter to you, this belongs in your retirement conversation, not an afterthought.

💬 Comment "LEGACY" if you want to chat about what this could look like for your situation.

Speaker: Gabo Ron Lleras, Associate Financial Advisor at The McClelland Financial Group of CI Assante Wealth Management Ltd.