Two Girls Investing Podcast

After an unplanned couple-month summer break due to busy schedules, the hosts return, share plans to improve their recording setup, release weekly episodes, seek sponsors, and eventually create courses and educational content for Canadian women. They discuss recent “frivolous” spending they don’t regret. They then outline what they would do if they were starting investing from scratch at 25 in Canada earning $65–70K with $5K saved, $15K student debt, and no investments. Each host shares what they would do and they highlight what they would do the same and what the differences are. They tease a next episode on investing mistakes. Sign up for our monthly newsletter and see our other resources Here Connect with us on: Tik Tok Instagram

In this TGIF (Two Girls Investing Friday) episode, Jess & Colleen catch up on Jess’s music studio recording process. They then explain private equity by contrasting private vs. public companies, using examples like Dragon’s Den and startup investors, and describe how everyday investors can access private equity indirectly by buying publicly traded private equity firms or ETFs that hold them, noting higher potential returns but higher risk and suggesting it as a small, advanced allocation. They answer a question about investing as a single mom by emphasizing a strong foundation including an emergency fund and paying off high-interest debt, and discuss budgeting and portfolio planning using percentages, plus using credit score tracking as a way to gamify debt payoff and motivation. 00:00 Welcome to TGIF 00:34 Studio Recording Recap 00:54 Click Track Check 03:28 Karaoke 04:58 Private Equity Basics 08:10 How You Can Invest 10:56 Returns and Risk Talk 14:47 Portfolio Percent Allocations 16:54 Single Income Listener Question 19:10 Budgeting in Percentages 21:36 Credit Score Motivation Game 23:33 Wrap Up and Next Week

Jess & Colleen discuss unexpected “hidden costs” in investing, homeownership, and business operations. Jess shares surprises from a newly purchased up/down duplex rental property, including an unfinished backyard, choosing gravel over grass to reduce tenant maintenance, and contractor quotes for wood privacy fence and gravel. Colleen shares hidden business costs, moving from manual Excel payroll calculations to scheduling/time-tracking and payroll platforms costing about $70–$80 per month to save time and reduce errors. The episode explains Canada’s First Home Savings Account (FHSA): contributions reduce taxable income like an RRSP, withdrawals are tax-free for a first-time primary home purchase without repayment, the annual limit is $8,000, and the lifetime limit is $40,000; they note investing choices should reflect a homebuying timeline and plan to discuss private equity next episode. 00:00 Welcome to TGIF 00:34 Weekly Catch Up 00:51 Rental Hidden Costs 01:55 Fence Quote Shock 05:43 Business Payroll Costs 07:56 FHSA Basics Explained 10:33 Investing Timeline Tips 12:18 FHSA Limits and CRA 14:43 Primary Home Rules 16:17 Landlords and Balance 17:17 Next Week Preview 17:34 Wrap Up and Follow

Jess and Colleen discuss balancing summer adventures with finances, praising Jess’s discipline after a big Africa trip and her plan to do mostly local activities in Yukon, with only a short, costly trip to Haines, Alaska, while saving vacation money for winter travel. They compare this delayed-gratification approach with the other host’s summer expenses for children, including costly camps ($400–$600 per child per week) and $1,500 in activity fees, noting the childcare challenges for working parents. They share listener comments about the podcast’s global reach and Canadian focus, then answer a question from Kelsey about what to do after maxing TFSA, RRSP, and FHSA: pay down high-interest debt, invest in a non-registered personal account (taxed on sale via capital gains), optionally adjust payroll taxes via TD1, consider real estate or REITs, RESPs for kids, and potentially private equity with higher minimums. They plan a future FHSA episode. 00:00 Welcome to TGIF 00:34 Summer Spending Choices 03:12 Kids and Camp Costs 06:33 Listener Love and Reach 08:12 Maxed Accounts Next Steps 09:14 Non Registered Investing Taxes 11:24 FHSA Explained Briefly 12:07 Real Estate and RESP Options 13:45 Private Equity Teaser 14:57 Wrap Up and Next Episode

Jess and Colleen, hosts of TGIF, Two Girls Investing Friday share a personal update about Jess recording original music in a studio for the first time, then continue their investing discussion from the prior episode by outlining what you can hold inside registered accounts like a TFSA, RRSP, and FHSA (and also non-registered accounts): stocks, bonds, ETFs (including all-in-one stock/bond ETFs), high-interest savings accounts, GICs, and REITs that can pay monthly distributions. Colleen explains ETFs using a fruit analogy to highlight diversification and reduced risk versus individual stocks. They also clarify how tickers work, including suffixes like “.U” for USD-traded versions, and how to search for Canadian options by looking for TSX listings in Wealthsimple to avoid currency exchange fees, while emphasizing research, readiness steps, and robo-advisor alternatives 00:00 Welcome to TGIF 00:30 Studio Recording Plans 01:42 CDs to Spotify 03:32 Wealthsimple Investing Options 04:29 Stocks vs ETFs Explained 05:42 Why Diversification Wins 07:27 REITs and Dividends 08:10 Ticker Symbols Demystified 09:47 Finding Canadian ETFs 12:23 TSX vs NYSE on Wealthsimple 15:26 Robo Advisors and Readiness 16:20 Wrap Up and Next Episode

In this episode of TGIF: Two Girls Investing Friday , Jess and Colleen catch up and share some massive weekly wins! One paid off a huge chunk of personal debt in about three months by focusing on lowering credit utilization and tackling higher-interest balances, while the other successfully claimed airfare compensation after an overnight delay (pro-tip: delays over three hours may qualify!). They then walk through setting up automated, recurring investments in a Wealthsimple RRSP to help reduce taxable income, explaining ETFs and key index concepts along the way. Using examples like VFV (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF), VDY (high dividend Canadian ETF), and adding XAW (global equities), they demonstrate exactly how to select “buy on a schedule,” choose your frequency and start date, and ensure your purchases occur inside an RRSP or TFSA rather than a non-registered account. Finally, they preview a future episode on investment options and portfolio considerations so you can keep building your confidence! Note: In the episode, we refer to a global ETF excluding North America as "VI"—the correct ticker symbol is VIU ! Connect with us on: TikTok: @twogirlsinvesting Instagram: @twogirlsinvesting 00:00 Welcome to TGIF 00:34 Sunny Catch Up 01:04 Debt Payoff Win 02:01 ADHD Debt Strategy 03:35 Investing for Taxes 04:08 Flight Delay Payout 05:55 Automation Setup Intro 06:47 VFV and Index Basics 08:23 VDY Dividends Explained 09:01 Recurring Buys Walkthrough 10:17 Add Global ETF XAW 12:13 Next Episode Teaser

Jess hosts TGIF solo while Colleen is away and answers a listener question from Pam about using Wealthsimple and whether to invest through a TFSA or RRSP. She explains Wealthsimple as a Canadian fintech offering chequing and investing accounts, and reviews three investing approaches: traditional financial advisors, robo-advisors, and self-directed investing, emphasizing how higher fees can significantly reduce long-term returns. Jess breaks down how TFSAs work and how RRSPs differ. She shares a common guideline of using $50,000 income to help decide, notes many people use a hybrid approach, clarifies RRSP withdrawal options including the Lifelong Learning Plan and First-Time Home Buyers Plan, and reminds listeners they can hold multiple TFSA/RRSP accounts without overcontributing. 00:00 Welcome to TGIF 00:34 Jess Solo Update 00:54 Listener Question Setup 01:17 What Is Wealthsimple 02:34 Ways to Invest 03:48 Why Fees Matter 06:36 TFSA Explained 09:29 RRSP Explained 12:14 TFSA vs RRSP Rules 14:19 RRSP Withdrawal Options 16:41 Multiple Accounts Limits 17:49 Wrap Up and Thanks

Jess and Colleen catch up on busy family schedules and rising costs, then discuss tax surprises when owning businesses, prompting plans to calculate and set aside amounts monthly and contribute more to RRSPs while balancing liquidity. They continue their “money myths” series, emphasizing that budgeting and saving are essential foundations but not enough for wealth and time freedom; investing to outpace inflation and increasing income through job changes, negotiating (especially for women), or side hustles are key accelerators. They also challenge the idea that all debt is bad, distinguishing high-interest consumer debt from productive debt like mortgages or business loans, and describe how wealthy people may borrow against assets to avoid selling and triggering taxes. Next episode addresses TFSA vs RRSP and Wealthsimple. 00:00 TGIF Podcast Intro 00:34 May Schedule Chaos 01:07 Kids Sports Costs 02:33 Tax Season Surprises 04:22 RRSP Planning Balance 06:24 Money Myth Budgeting 08:30 Boost Income Strategies 11:26 Money Myth Debt 13:38 Rich Use Leverage 15:19 Wrap Up Listener Qs

In this TGIF (Two Girls Investing Friday) episode, Jess and Colleen introduce a discussion on common money myths and share a preview of two major ones. First, they debunk the idea that you need to be rich to start investing, noting that fractional shares and dollar-cost averaging make it possible to begin with very small amounts, especially when investing is automated from each paycheck; they also mention the importance of a foundation like paying off high-interest debt, building an emergency fund, and understanding timelines, while warning that holding large cash balances can lose value to inflation and miss potential gains. Second, they challenge the belief that a higher income automatically makes someone wealthy, emphasizing lifestyle creep, debt-financed “looking rich,” and the need for money management skills at any income level. They tease more myths for the next episode and invite listeners to share their own. 00:00 Welcome to TGIF 00:34 Yukon Spring Catch Up 00:48 Money Myths Intro 01:09 Myth One Start Investing 02:05 Fractional Shares Explained 03:18 Automation and Inflation 05:09 Myth Two High Income 06:07 Lifestyle Creep Examples 06:55 Debt Versus Wealth 08:45 Wrap Up and Next Week

Jess and Colleen share that their podcast is about sharing their different financial journeys to normalize Canadian women talking about money, reduce isolation through community, and highlight how finances affect stress, mental health, and relationships, noting finances as a leading cause of divorce in Canada and that AI can’t replace real community support. They invite listeners to comment, share wins and stories, download free and paid resources, and suggest ideas for what the community should look like. The episode then returns to beginner investing mistakes: investing without a clear plan, goal, or time horizon; taking too much risk for short-term goals (where a high-interest savings account may be better); insufficient diversification across geographies and sectors; panic selling during market downturns; and ignoring fees, especially high mutual fund fees compared with lower-fee ETFs, including asking advisors to show long-term fee impacts. Next week’s topic is money myths and mindset. 00:00 Why We Podcast 00:22 Money Community Matters 01:01 Stress Mental Health Link 01:38 Beyond AI Support 02:18 You Are Not Alone 02:48 Join The Community 03:26 Beginner Investing Mistakes 03:45 Plan Goals Time Horizon 05:22 Diversification Basics 07:08 Learn Before You Invest 08:20 Avoid Panic Selling 10:25 How Often To Check 12:30 Fees Can Destroy Returns 14:30 Next Week Money Myths 14:51 Wrap Up And Share

Jess returns from a short hiatus with updates on her upcoming house purchase, complex tax preparations, and plans to record her music. The conversation shifts to credit card points strategies. Jess explains why she prefers a card with no foreign transaction fees and maximizes value by redeeming points for travel instead of statement credits. Jess and Colleen note the importance of paying off the balance every month. Finally, they tackle common beginner investing mistakes like emotional trading and chasing fast returns through individual stocks. They recommend replacing those mistakes with proven long-term habits: relying on diversified ETFs, dollar-cost averaging, automating investments, and prioritizing time in the market. 00:00 Jess Returns Update 00:42 Taxes And House Prep 01:26 Studio Plans Postponed 02:09 Songwriting Journey 03:08 Credit Card Points 05:20 Redeeming Points Smartly 07:25 Beginner Investing Mistakes 07:49 Stocks And ETFs 15:13 Time In Market DCA 16:50 Wrap Up And Next Episode

In this TGIF Two Girls Investing Friday episode, Colleen continues a conversation with guest Jaya while Jess is away, focusing on credit card points strategies. Jaya explains she never carries a credit card balance and emphasizes that welcome offers work best when you pay in full, since interest can erase rewards value. They discuss minimum-spend requirements, typical bonus ranges, and using planned expenses (not extra spending) to earn points, including having spouses apply separately to double welcome bonuses. Jaya shares how she booked a Bora Bora overwater bungalow for five nights for about $738, plus flights using points, and outlines using transferable points and timing transfers only when ready to book. She covers managing annual fees via a travel budget, leveraging first-year-free offers, and calling banks for product-change offers to earn additional bonuses while maintaining credit history. 00:00 Podcast Intro 00:34 Episode Setup With Jaya 01:03 No Balances Rule 02:11 Welcome Offers Strategy 03:28 Bora Bora Points Win 05:23 Earning Fast Without Overspending 07:03 Planning Future Trips 08:18 Europe Booking Tactics 10:00 Cancel Downgrade Credit Impact 11:00 Annual Fees And Product Changes 12:53 Beginner Tips And Takeaways 13:43 Guest Plug And Wrap Up

Colleen hosts TGIF Fridays without Jess and interviews Jaya, a Yukon-based traveler and mom of four, about using points and miles to reduce travel costs. Jaya emphasizes first understanding the value and redemption options of existing points (e.g., statement credits vs bank travel portals), then choosing cards with category multipliers, and eventually using transferable points via programs like RBC Avion and American Express. She discusses transferring points to airline partners, timing transfers only when ready to book, and using welcome offers by meeting minimum spend without carrying balances. Jaya shares booking a Bora Bora overwater bungalow for $738 for five nights (vs $2,000/night) using 271,000 Marriott points, plus flights using points (including 85,000 points per person). She covers annual-fee strategy, first-year-free offers, product changes, and keeping the oldest card open for credit history. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:29 Why Travel Points Matter 03:44 Maximizing Your Current Points 07:19 Transferable Points and Flight Strategy 09:50 Everyday Spend Multipliers 11:48 Ethical Amex Use and Transfers 14:18 Part One Wrap and Teaser 15:11 Part Two Welcome Back 15:56 No Balances and Welcome Offers 18:58 Bora Bora on Points Breakdown 23:02 Planning Future Trips and Europe 27:12 Managing Multiple Cards and Credit Score Tips 29:37 Annual Fees and Product Changes 33:12 Beginner Advice and Closing

In this TGIF Two Girls Investing Friday episode, Jess & Colleen chat about lingering winter weather and concerns about snowmelt flooding. They share embarrassing money stories, including late-night postpartum purchases, which leads into a discussion on how small app charges and forgotten subscriptions can add up. They recommend regularly reviewing phone subscriptions and note that companies may refund accidental renewals. They also discuss saving money through meal planning, highlighting the Mob app that builds grocery lists from selected recipes, and mention online grocery shopping for budget control. Finally, they address recent market volatility tied to disrupted oil supply during a war in Iran, emphasizing long-term investing, dollar-cost averaging, buying opportunities during corrections, mindset and language shifts ("down" vs. "lost"), risk tolerance, diversification, and teasing future episodes on starting with Wealthsimple, beginner mistakes, and money myths. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:34 Back After A Break 00:44 Cold Weather Catch Up 01:37 Embarrassing Money Story 04:52 App Spending Adds Up 07:15 Meal Planning App Hack 09:39 Grocery Shopping Strategies 10:41 Market Dip And Mindset 11:39 Stop Predicting Markets 12:31 Volatility Is Normal 13:48 Stay the Course 14:19 Headlines and Fear 15:16 Mindset and Language 17:21 Time Horizon and Diversification 19:43 Risk Tolerance Check 20:41 Market Manipulation Talk 24:22 Buy the Dip Mindset 25:03 Next Episodes and Wrap

In this TGIF Two Girls Investing Friday episode, the hosts discuss cold March weather before diving into mortgages and HELOCs as many Canadian mortgages come up for renewal. They review responsible HELOC uses like debt consolidation, and explain the Smith Maneuver concept of borrowing against growing home equity to invest, noting the risks of borrowing to invest if markets decline and the need to repay the HELOC. They also cover how investment-loan interest can be tax deductible in Canada when investing in a non-registered account, and mention rising (but still low) title/property fraud where having a HELOC lien may add protection. They describe an equity mortgage that automatically makes paid-down principal available via HELOC for uses like rental property down payments, then define MER (management expense ratio), contrasting high-fee mutual funds with lower-fee ETFs and how fees erode long-term returns. 00:00 Welcome to TGIF 00:34 March Weather Catchup 01:49 Mortgage Renewals and HELOCs 02:50 Smith Maneuver Explained 05:11 Risks of Borrowing to Invest 06:11 Tax Deductible HELOC Interest 07:16 Title Fraud and HELOC Protection 09:30 Equity Mortgage for Rentals 11:52 MER Investing Fees 101 16:04 Mutual Funds vs ETFs Fees 20:01 Next Episode and Wrap Up

In this TGIF Two Girls Investing Friday episode, Jess and Colleen discuss building wealth without jargon by focusing on diversification and how home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) fit into mortgage and debt strategy. They explain why a diversified portfolio helps manage risk, using a “stiletto vs. snowshoe” analogy, and Jess shares her own mix: mostly stock ETFs across the US, Canada, and global markets, plus some high-dividend ETFs, a small allocation to bonds and gold (via a gold ETF), and an emergency fund in a high-interest savings account, all held on Wealthsimple due to low fees. They define key terms like stocks, ETFs, bonds, and bond maturity dates, including all-in-one portfolio ETFs. They also cover HELOCs as secured credit with lower rates, best used for debt consolidation or value-adding renovations rather than depreciating purchases, and preview a future episode on debt payoff and credit score strategies. 00:00 Welcome to TGIF 00:34 Friday Money Mindset 01:58 Why Diversify 02:34 Snowshoe vs Stiletto 04:24 Jess Portfolio Breakdown 05:15 Platforms and Fees 06:37 ETFs Stocks Bonds Explained 09:15 All in One ETFs 11:30 Individual Stocks and Gold 13:08 Start Small Keep Learning 14:46 HELOC Basics 16:39 Using HELOCs Wisely 21:32 Debt Payoff Updates Next 22:50 Wrap Up and Follow

In this TGIF Two Girls Investing Friday episode, Colleen & Jess continue their real estate series by focusing on how to access a down payment for rental properties that typically require 20% down. They share personal money wins and lessons about resisting unnecessary purchases, including returning clothes and missing an electronics return window. Jess explains how profits from selling a renovated Calgary home became invested in her TFSA/RRSP, grew over about six years to $60,000 with continued monthly contributions, and helped fund a 20% down payment on an Airbnb rental alongside her husband. For a second property, she describes saving again and using refinancing to pull equity from the existing rental, outlining how lenders may allow borrowing up to 80% of an appraised value, how payments and interest rates affect the decision, and that proceeds are tax-free but accrue interest. They also discuss Whitehorse’s low vacancy rate, high rents, and choosing to rent below market to avoid gouging, then tease a future episode on portfolio diversification. 00:00 Welcome to TGIF 00:34 Real Estate Series Setup 01:10 Money Win Returns 02:41 Return Window Lessons 03:50 Mindset on New Outfits 05:42 Down Payment Story 08:15 Using Equity Refinance 09:11 Refinance Math Explained 11:06 Payments and Rate Risks 14:12 Rental Market Ethics 15:57 Impact and Money Mindset 18:33 Wrap Up and Next Episode

The hosts, Jess and Colleen, of TGIF Two Girls Investing Friday discuss actionable ways to start investing in real estate, focusing first on house hacking—buying a primary residence (including duplexes, triplexes, or suites) and renting part of it to help cover the mortgage—highlighting access to lower down payments (5% up to $500,000 and 10% up to $1,000,000), lower interest rates, and the rule to live in the home for a year. They share alternative strategies for saving a down payment, like house sitting or living with family, and cover renovations as “sweat equity.” They compare primary residences versus rentals, explaining capital gains tax on rental property sales, rules discouraging quick flips, and how taxes apply when a property is partly rented over time. They also discuss short-term rental restrictions in Whitehorse and using RRSP contributions and write-offs to reduce taxable rental income. Sign up for our monthly newsletter and see our other resources Here Connect with us on: Tik Tok Instagram 00:00 Welcome to TGIF 00:34 Real Estate Game Plan 00:58 House Hacking Basics 04:41 Saving for a Down Payment 06:47 Renovate and Flip Lessons 09:22 Rentals and Capital Gains 12:34 Airbnb Rules and Balance 15:36 Rental Income Tax Strategy 18:06 Wrap Up and Next Episode

In this TGIF episode of Two Girls Investing , Jess & Colleen draw parallels between Olympic progression and the investing mindset. Using their backgrounds as figure skaters, they highlight athletes like 42-year-old Deanna Stellato-Dudek to prove that it’s never too late to start, whether in sports or finance. Key Highlights: Celebrating Wins: The hosts share a listener's success in paying off a car and hitting financial milestones early, emphasizing the power of small victories. Credit & Debt: Expert tips on managing debt and improving credit utilization (aiming for under 50%) to prep for mortgage renewals and negotiations. Real Estate Basics: A guide to down payments (5% for primary vs. 20% for rentals) and a candid debate on whether a primary home is a "true" investment given taxes, maintenance, and interest. Market Insights: How real estate serves as a diversification tool, the impact of the 2008 financial crisis, and the roles of character and integrity in the financial world. The episode wraps with a look at real estate as a "next step" after maxing out TFSAs and RRSPs. For more, follow the show on Spotify, TikTok, and Instagram. 0:00 Welcome to TGIF: Investing Made Simple (Not Financial Advice) 00:34 Today’s Agenda: Olympics, Listener Win, and a Real Estate Series 01:08 How We Met: Competitive Figure Skating Rivals Turned Friends 01:29 Olympic Figure Skating Glow-Up: Quads, Quad Axels & New Scoring Tricks 03:18 Age Isn’t a Limit: The 42-Year-Old Olympian That Changed Our Mindset 07:35 From Athletic Longevity to Money Mindset: It’s Never Too Late to Invest 08:16 Listener Win of the Week: Paying Off a Car + Hitting a Big Goal Early 08:53 Celebrate the Small Money Wins: Debt Progress, Mindset & Accountability 10:47 Boosting Your Credit Score Before Mortgage Renewal 11:21 Debt Payoff Strategy Shift: Getting Balances Under 50% 12:06 Real Estate Basics: Personal Home vs. Rental Property Rules 13:14 Is Your Primary Residence Really an Investment? 14:40 Hidden Costs of Homeownership (Taxes, Insurance, Maintenance) 15:58 Jess’s Real Estate Path: Renting + Airbnb + New Build Rentals 16:30 Why Rental Properties Need 20% Down (and Higher Rates) 17:05 Real Estate as Portfolio Diversification After TFSA/RRSP 19:24 Do Real Estate and Stocks Crash Together 21:01 2008 Crisis Explained: Subprime Mortgages & Mortgage-Backed Securities 21:59 Money, Greed, and Character: The Ethics Behind Financial Decisions 23:31 Wrap-Up: Listener Qs, Where to Comment, and Next Episode Teaser

In this episode of 'TGIF Two Girls Investing Friday,' Jess and Colleen dive into personal finance strategies with a focus on the everyday choices that can impact financial health. They begin with a light-hearted chat about balancing life's small luxuries, like coffee outings, with broader financial goals. The conversation then transitions into detailed discussions on saving on taxes, the benefits and differences between RRSPs and TFSAs, and strategies for doing taxes either independently or with professional help. The episode wraps up with a teaser for their next discussion on real estate investing, inviting listeners to contribute their questions on the topic. 00:00 Welcome to TGIF: Two Girls Investing Friday 00:36 Personal Finance and Lifestyle Choices 00:54 Moments of Magic: Finding Joy in Everyday Expenses 03:49 Personal Finance is Personal 08:17 Diving into Taxes: Tips and Tools 13:04 Exploring TurboTax and Wealthsimpe for Taxes 13:36 Rental Income and Taxes 15:18 Tax-Saving Strategies and Credits 16:43 Understanding RRSPs and TFSAs for Tax Benefits 20:45 Claiming Work-Related Expenses and Union Fees 25:28 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Real Estate Episode