August 24, 2021
Episode #122 – Jonathan Chevreau – Flying the Findependence Flag
“I suddenly realized that people were not that financially literate, people find it boring for some reason… and that was one reason for the novel… sugar-coat the bitter pill of personal finance by having a story.“ – Jonathan Chevreau
- Connect with Jonathan Chevreau:
- Findependence Hub
- Selected links and people mentioned in this episode:
- Findependence Day by Jonathan Chevreau
- Money Sense
- Financial Post
- The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz
- Guerilla Frugality & Froogers by Jonathan Chevreau
- Harry Browne permanent portfolio concept in Fail-Safe Investing
- Jim Cramer
- Purpose Diversified Real Asset Fund
- The Wealthy Boomer by Jonathan Chevreau
- Victory Lap Retirement by Michael Drak and Jonathan Chevreau
- Younger Next Year 2021! Facebook group
- The Master Game by Robert S. de Ropp
- Connect with REIN Canada
- REIN Canada
- [email protected]
- REIN Channel
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- SHOW NOTES
- [02:08] Patrick introduces his next TEDM guest and fellow research aficionado: Jonathan Chevreau.
- [03:27] Jonathan and Patrick kick off their conversation to touch on Jonathan’s “Findependence Day” and the fun stuff he’s working on now in semi-retirement.
- [05:27] Jonathan recounts his story of getting started in the journalism business, and what brought him into the finance arena to become a leading authority on money and investing through his columns, blogs and books.
- [09:32] REIN talk: in the context of taking action towards one’s future financial security Jonathan includes REIN in that equation and the sound education they have been providing for members. Just one investment property can have a big impact on one’s bottom line…. so why didn’t Jonathan ever buy one?
- [13:38] Interest rates, housing prices, debt aversion, and maybe a regret or two.
- [19:02] Was it always about the writing for Jonathan or did he have a different motivation for the path he took? Jonathan dives a little further into his thought process, the influence of his father, writing, and the great Canadian novel.
- [23:46] An interesting start in tech writing at Globe and Mail, Jonathan explains his draw to that beat and some notable characters he interviewed in the early days of their business empires. Eventually his beat evolved into finance, and he soon learned that there were a lot of folks not only lacking financial literacy but averse to the conversation at all. He found a way to “sugar coat the bitter pill of finance.”
- [28:20] Jonathan speaks to the gap he sees between individuals who are behind the eight ball and perhaps living beyond their means and those who appear to be ahead of it and are creating a surplus with their finances.
- [32:00] Keeping up with Jones’. Jonathan and Patrick discuss the role of social media and consumerism, key differences between generations, side hustles, and social pressures the younger generations face.
- [39:11] Without a doubt multiple streams of income can alleviate some financial pressures and Jonathan further discusses the concept of diversity in wealth investment to mitigate unforeseen economic impacts.
- [43:05] Jonathan shares his experience in the stock market over this past year and a half, some of his best picks and his inclination toward conservative risk management.
- [46:57] Crypto conversation! Jonathan and Patrick speak to both their own experiences and feelings on crypto currency and what they’ve seen others experience with Bitcoin and Ethereum.
- [49:37] Clicks over bricks: whether you’re online trading, investing in precious metals or utilizing the power of leverage in real estate (ideally a mix of all styles) the key is to understand the game you’re in.
- [51:16] Jonathan shares his view of the current economic situation, and in his view, ways to mitigate the risks.
- [54:24] Patrick dives into a short rant on the issue of unemployment, economics, the strength of Canadian real
- estate but also the rocky position of supply and demand.
- [57:24] A bit more guidance from Jonathan around holding actual cash, a little tip about the Purpose Diversified Real Asset fund, rainy day assets, and his take on ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds).
- [63:38] Jonathan talks about his health regimes, lifestyle, a 3-hour workday, and being in the victory lap of retirement!
- [68:13] Time to roll out some rapid fire: the book that most influenced Jonathan; his is a purely Apple family; advice on doing something everyday you don’t like; keeping swear words at a distance; his current favourite group and tune (listen through to 73:25 for a revision to this!) and favourite movies.
- [72:08] Jonathan’s gratitude.
