Co-Living Conversions, Real Financial Plans, Mini Retirements & a First-Time Homebuyer App

Housing costs keep climbing, but smart ideas (and smarter planning) can help you move forward. In this episode of Moolala: Money Made Simple with Bruce Sellery, we explore four timely topics: turning empty office towers into co-living spaces for young professionals, what a real financial plan actually includes, how to design mini retirements without derailing your future, and a first-time homebuyer app that helps you understand and grow buying power.

First, Robert Barnard of Toboggan Flats explains how co-living office conversions in Canada can deliver private rooms with shared amenities, stronger communities, and faster timelines by reusing office infrastructure. It’s an affordable housing approach that leverages existing buildings instead of starting from scratch.

Then, advice-only financial planner Sandi Martin walks through the seven pillars of a real financial plan—purpose & goals, cash flow, debt, risk/insurance, investments, retirement/financial independence, and estate & lifetime tax—plus how to stress-test assumptions and focus on the three actions that move the needle most.

Next, author Jillian Johnsrud shares how a mini retirement (a month or more) can fit real life. You’ll get practical budgeting rules of thumb, ideas for front-loading affordable adventures, and tips to offset costs by renting out or exchanging your home.

Finally, Andrew Peker introduces Homie, a first-time homebuyer app in Canada that models mortgage readiness like an underwriter. Learn how daily habits affect approval, why car leases can hurt more than you think, and how the app nudges you to build buying power over time.

Whether you’re chasing cheaper rent, real planning clarity, more meaningful breaks, or your first set of keys, this episode delivers practical steps you can act on today.

To find out more about the guests check out:

• Robert Barnard: tobogganflats.com | LinkedIn
• Sandi Martin: sandimartin.ca | Instagram | Bluesky
• Jillian Johnsrud: retireoften.com | Instagram
• Andrew Peker: meethomie.ca | LinkedIn

Bruce Sellery is a personal finance expert and best-selling author. As the founder of Moolala and the CEO of Credit Canada, Bruce is on a mission to help you get a better handle on your money so you can live the life you want. High energy & low B.S., this is Moolala: Money Made Simple.

Find Bruce Sellery at Moolala.ca | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn