Think Smart with TMFG

Episode 334: Before You Invest, Ask Yourself These Questions

In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, Mike Connon and Carlo Cansino, Senior Financial Advisors at The McClelland Financial Group of Assante Capital Management, dive into practical strategies for Canadians who want to invest smarter without getting caught up in market hype. They emphasize that long-term success isn’t about chasing the latest hot stock or sector; it’s about having a clear, goal-based financial plan that guides every decision.

They break down why diversification across sectors, asset classes, and geographic regions is essential, and how regular portfolio rebalancing helps you stay on track and maintain your risk tolerance. Mike and Carlo also discuss common investor pitfalls, from fear of missing out to reacting emotionally to short-term market swings and explain how a disciplined plan helps you stay focused during volatile times.

Finally, they share insights from research showing that investors who adhere to written, goal-based plans are significantly more likely to achieve their long-term objectives.

For more in-depth guidance on how investor behaviour impacts wealth, check out Tyler Robertson’s Financial Advisor at TMFG, article on our website: Stay Out of Your Own Way To Be a Successful Investor

If you want help creating a plan that aligns with your goals and keeps you on track through market fluctuations, request a meeting here: https://tmfg.ca/schedule/

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Episode 333: Retiring Smarter - What’s New for Canadian Seniors in 2025

This Think Smart with TMFG episode, hosted by Mike Connon and John Iaconetti, Financial Advisors of The McClelland Financial Group at Assante Capital Management, explores why retirement feels more challenging today and how inflation is affecting Canadians’ long-term financial plans.

Key Takeaways:

• Inflation is making retirement more expensive, and many retirees are having to adjust their plans because everyday costs continue to rise.

• People now believe they need to save much more, close to $1 million, to feel comfortable in retirement.

• Government benefits help, but don’t keep up, which means planning, the right investment mix, and smart withdrawal strategies are more important than ever.

In today’s economy, rising costs are a constant reality, not a temporary hurdle. The key to a successful retirement is preparing for the uncertainties of inflation and ensuring your plan can adapt as life changes.

Episode 332: Trading Beyond Borders - What Tariffs Mean for Smart Investors

This Think Smart with TMFG episode, hosted by Mike Connon and Carlo Cansino, Financial Advisors at The McClelland Financial Group of Assante Capital Management, explores how rising tariffs and trade tensions are reshaping Canada’s economy and global markets.

Key Takeaways:

• Canada sends 75% of its exports to the U.S., making it vulnerable to trade disruptions.

• Emerging markets, such as China and India, are becoming major economic players and presenting new opportunities for investors.

• A balanced portfolio with a home bias helps reduce currency risk and stay tax-efficient.

This episode highlights why TMFG encourages diversification in both trade and investing to remain resilient in a changing global economy.

Episode 331: The Advisor-for-Life Myth - It Takes a Team to Build Lifelong Wealth

This Think Smart with TMFG episode, hosted by Mike Connon and Carlo Cansino, Financial Advisors at The McClelland Financial Group of Assante Capital Management, dives into what they call “The Advisor for Life Conundrum.” Many clients hope to work with one trusted advisor for their entire financial journey, but how realistic is that when an advisor’s career may last 30 years and a client’s financial plan can span 50 or more?

Key Takeaways:

• Building lifelong trust means creating a consistent client experience, not just a single relationship.

• A strong advisory team ensures continuity even as individual advisors retire or transition.

• Professionalism, motivation, curiosity, and likability are core to maintaining lasting client confidence.

This episode highlights how TMFG focuses on delivering a seamless, high-quality advisory experience that stands the test of time, ensuring clients and their families are supported for generations.

Episode 330: The ChatGPT Illusion - Why AI Confidence Can Be Dangerous

This Think Smart with TMFG episode, hosted by Mike Connon and Carlo Cansino, Financial Advisors at The McClelland Financial Group of Assante Capital Management, shares insights from a recent AI-focused conference. They explore how tools like ChatGPT can be incredibly powerful, but only when used by experts. Just as using a heavy concrete saw without experience can be risky, relying on AI without proper guidance can lead to mistakes.

Key Takeaways:

• AI boosts efficiency but doesn't replace human judgment.

• Quick answers from AI can mislead if used without expertise.

• Professional insight ensures AI is used safely and effectively.

AI is fascinating, powerful, and sometimes unpredictable. This episode reflects on how tools like ChatGPT can amaze us, while also reminding us that experience and context still matter.

Episode 329: Are we Too Dependent - The Secret Evolution of Smartphone Tech

This Think Smart with TMFG episode, hosted by Mike Connon and Carlo Cansino, Financial Advisors at The McClelland Financial Group of Assante Capital Management, explores the chaos of losing a cell phone on vacation and its surprising impact on modern life. From travel apps to reliance on technology, they explore the challenges and offer essential tips for parents and travellers alike.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Social Lifeline: For teenagers, a phone is their entire social network; losing it can cause panic.

• The Paid Data Trend: The incident revealed that apps like Snapchat are shifting to a paid model to let users keep their historical data.

• Navigation Struggles: The hosts noted the common reliance on GPS apps like Waze, with young adults struggling to navigate without digital guidance.

In the connected world, a phone is now essential for daily life, not just communication. The key to successful travel and parenting is planning for the uncertainties of technology failure and loss.

 

Episode 328: They Don’t Make ’Em Like They Used To

This Think Smart with TMFG episode, hosted by Mike Connon and John Iaconetti, Financial Advisors at The McClelland Financial Group of Assante Capital Management Ltd, explores how the lifespan of home products has changed, from old 40‑year lawnmowers to today’s modern appliances.

Key Insights:

• Modern products often last less but are more efficient.

• Knowing how long things last helps you plan for replacements.

• Budgeting ahead makes unexpected home costs easier to handle.

Planning and budgeting for home repairs and replacements is key to keeping your home running smoothly in today’s world.

Episode 327: Retirement Planning - The Real Story

Join Mike Connon and Carlo Cansino, Senior Financial Advisors at The McClelland Financial Group of Assante Capital Management Ltd., as they explore the psychology of retirement.

They explore the four common mindsets people have as they approach this major life transition: the countdown-to-retire, those accepting severance packages, the one-more-thing crowd, and those who never plan to stop working.

Discover how identity, family dynamics, and financial readiness shape retirement decisions, and why understanding your own mindset can make all the difference in creating a fulfilling next chapter.

Ep.326 The Biggest Concerns For Soon-To-Be Retirees.

This Think Smart with TMFG episode, hosted by Mike Connon and Carlo Cansino, Financial Advisors at The McClelland Financial Group of Assante Wealth Management, explores the top concerns Canadians face as they approach retirement. The hosts highlight the challenges of balancing financial security, health needs, and market uncertainty as retirement gets closer.

Key Takeaways

• Healthcare Costs: Many retirees worry about rising healthcare expenses and whether government benefits will be enough to cover long-term care needs.

• Outliving Savings: A major fear is running out of money, especially with longer lifespans and unpredictable expenses in retirement.

• Market Volatility: Concerns over potential market corrections can create uncertainty about whether investment portfolios will sustain income over time.

• Balancing Lifestyle & Security: Retirees struggle between enjoying their savings now and preserving enough for the future.

Final Insight
Retirement planning is not just about saving enough, but about preparing for uncertainties. With proper financial guidance and a long-term plan, retirees can navigate healthcare costs, market changes, and longevity risks with more confidence and peace of mind.

Episode 325: AI - Good or Evil?

This Think Smart with TMFG episode, hosted by Mike Connon and John Iaconetti, Financial Advisors at The McClelland Financial Group of Assante Wealth Management, explores the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI), especially ChatGPT. They discuss how AI has expanded far beyond its initial perception as a student tool into healthcare, business, finance, and everyday life. While AI offers major benefits - such as medical advancements, efficiency in business, and productivity tools - it also presents risks including misinformation, over-reliance, job displacement, and mental health concerns. The hosts conclude that AI is a powerful tool, but human judgment remains essential to ensure it is used responsibly.

Key Takeaways

1. AI’s Growth: From early confusion around ChatGPT to now having over 800 million users, AI adoption has been rapid and widespread.

2. Applications Across Industries: AI plays roles in healthcare (disease detection), business (inventory management, robotics), transportation (self-driving and park assist), and finance (portfolio monitoring and client tools).

3. Productivity Gains: AI assists with writing, research, meeting summaries, and routine business tasks, freeing time for higher-value work.

4. Risks & Concerns:

   • AI can reinforce harmful ideas rather than provide sound advice.

   • Potential misuse in misinformation, surveillance, or weaponization.

   • Risk of job loss if displaced workers aren’t transitioned into meaningful new roles.

   • Mental health concerns when individuals rely on AI for guidance.

5. Best vs. Worst Case Scenarios:

   • Best: AI enhances healthcare, education, science, climate solutions, and relieves humans from repetitive work.

   • Worst: AI fuels misinformation, job loss, inequality, and loss of reality through deepfakes and false content.

6. Final Insight: AI is a tool—its impact depends on how responsibly humans use it. Critical thinking and human oversight are irreplaceable.