Stop Overthinking, Start Investing: A Guide for Young Canadians

In this episode, Lawrence Greenberg and Jackson Matthews break down how young Canadians in their 20’s and 30’s should approach investing and building a strong financial foundation.

They walk through the biggest challenges beginners face, from information overload to the fear of making mistakes, and explain how to simplify the process. The conversation covers the different ways to start investing, whether through traditional banks, robo-advisors, or DIY platforms, and how to choose the right approach based on your level of involvement.

They also explain how to prioritize accounts like the FHSA, TFSA, and RRSP, and why understanding their tax advantages can significantly impact long-term wealth. Beyond that, they highlight the importance of diversification, avoiding stock picking, and keeping fees low.

Throughout the episode, the focus remains on building good habits early, staying disciplined, and letting time and compounding do the heavy lifting.

Stop Waiting, Start Investing

• Why young investors struggle to get started (01:29)
• Investment options: banks, robo-advisors, and DIY platforms (02:12)
• How robo-advisors like Wealthsimple simplify investing (03:00)
• DIY investing and the role of ETFs (04:00)
• Introduction to the FHSA and how it works (06:28)
• Why the FHSA is a powerful “hybrid” account (06:38)
• Understanding the TFSA and its flexibility (08:39)
• Long-term power of tax-free growth in a TFSA (10:02)
• How RRSP contribution room works (11:16)
• Tax benefits and income optimization with RRSPs (12:38)
• Employer matching and why it’s free money (13:29)
• When to use a non-registered account (16:05)
• Why stock picking underperforms the market (18:15)
• What the SPIVA report reveals about active management (19:22)
• The power of starting early and compounding (21:46)
• How fees impact long-term returns (24:04)
• Final takeaway: build habits, stay disciplined, and think long term (25:59)

Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112. Follow Tulett, Matthews & Associates on social media on LinkedIn, Facebook, and more! Follow The Empowered Investor on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram