In this special episode, join Simon alongside Mark McGrath, a certified financial planner from PWL, as they dive deep into the intricacies of financial planning and investment strategies. They begin by discussing the benefits of index investing as a cornerstone of sound financial planning including the pros and cons of home country bias. The conversation then pivots to debunking the myths surrounding dividend investing, providing a critical examination of the pursuit for high yields and the necessity for thorough research to avoid common traps. As the dialogue progresses, Simon and Mark explore the dynamic realm of cryptocurrency investments. With the advent of new Spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US, Mark provides insight if he has seen increased interest from clients as a result of the launch. The episode rounds off with a crucial conversation on pension plans, specifically the distinctions and misunderstandings between Defined Benefit (DB) and Defined Contribution (DC) plans. They underscore the essential need for investors to grasp the subtleties of their retirement savings options, challenging the prevailing notion that all DB plans are inherently superior. Mark’s twitter: @MarkMcGrathCFP Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Sign up for Finchat.io for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.