Masaska With Cate Morris
Get on track with your finances tune in for Mazaska with Cate Morris. Cate, founder of Scout Financial Solutions, shares practical tips and expert advice to help you make positive money moves and build lasting financial wellness. Expect clear steps you can use the same day—no jargon, just real talk that fits your life.
From budgeting basics to smart saving and investing strategies, Cate breaks down essential money concepts in a relatable, engaging way—all from a uniquely Indigenous perspective. Whether you’re just starting out or leveling up your money game, Mazaska will help you set goals, stay accountable, and make your money work for you. Tune in Monday—your future self will thank you.
Listen Mondays at 9am and 3pm.
April 14 episode
March 24 episode
Agricultural Benefits Compensation : ABCs To Options & Opportunities
In this 2 part discussion, Cate dives into Agricultural Benefits Compensation; what to do before it hits your account, and how to invest and save for your financial future!
Financial Reset: Checking In, Setting Goals & Staying on Track
In this episode of Mazaska, Cate Morris breaks down the importance of a financial reset—when and how to check in on your finances, revise your budget, and set realistic goals for the year ahead. We also reflect on past financial decisions, celebrate progress, and discuss strategies to stay on track.
Whether you’re looking to build better habits or completely reset your approach, this episode is packed with practical insights!
Credit, Debt, Compound Interest, Creating Savings and Growing Investments
In this episode of Masaska, hosts Amanda Leader and Cate Morris explore the themes of seasonal transitions and Indigenous storytelling before focusing on financial literacy for the final week of Financial Literacy Month. Joined by co-host Lindell, they discuss key personal finance topics including credit, debt management, savings, and compound interest. They cover the differences between credit scores and credit reports, strategies for building credit, and the importance of managing debt responsibly. The conversation also touches on building an emergency fund, creating a budget, and saving for long-term goals like retirement. Through practical advice and cultural reflections, the episode empowers listeners, especially within Indigenous communities, to embrace financial education for long-term stability and empowerment.
Financial Literacy Month & Preparing for ‘What Ifs’ in Life
In this episode of Masaska, we explore financial literacy and planning within Indigenous communities. Through personal stories and practical advice, our guest offers guidance on building a healthier relationship with money while addressing cultural and systemic challenges.
The discussion highlights accessible resources, the value of intentional spending, and the importance of supporting Indigenous-owned businesses. It also tackles emotional aspects of money management, promoting a guilt-free approach to budgeting and mindful consumerism. By normalizing conversations about finances, this episode inspires listeners to see financial planning as a powerful tool for empowerment, resilience, and community care.
Book Review Of The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide To Personal Freedom
In this episode of Mazaska, Amanda Leader and Cate Morris explore Don Miguel Ruiz's The Four Agreements and relate each principle to financial wellness. They discuss how being mindful with commitments, avoiding financial FOMO, realistic planning, and striving for personal goals can foster a healthier relationship with money. She offers four practical tips to mitigate these "budget-breakers" and enhance financial resilience. Listeners will learn how intentional shifts can promote lasting financial stability and well-being.
Money & Mental Health: Understanding the Connection and Tips to Reduce Stress
In this episode, Amanda Leader and Cate Morris explore how financial wellness impacts mental health. They cover budgeting, saving, and financial health basics, while discussing the unique challenges faced by Indigenous communities. Cate shares her personal journey of overcoming financial struggles and the importance of community support.
Post Secondary Scholarships, Grants, & Student Loans
In this episode of Masaska, host Cate Morris and producer Amanda Leader dive into the world of post-secondary scholarships, grants, and student loans. Navigating financial aid can be overwhelming, but Cate and Amanda break down the key differences between scholarships, grants, and loans, helping you understand how to maximize your funding opportunities.
Post Secondary Funding & Budgeting
In this episode of Masaska, host Cate Morris dives into the essential topic of post-secondary budgeting and funding. Whether you're a student balancing school and life or someone preparing for the next phase of your career, Cate offers practical tips on how to take control of your finances. Learn how to create a meaningful budget that connects both personal and school-related expenses, and discover smart strategies for saving money throughout the academic year.
Financial Planning for Youth Sports & Activities
In this episode of Masaska, Cate Morris discusses the importance of supporting youth in sports and activities through smart financial planning. She introduces the idea of a "Medicine Wheel Budget" to help families manage expenses for sports and activities.
Cate also highlights various funding programs, as well as local initiatives that provide free training and resources, stressing the vital role of community support and financial literacy in fostering youth success. Tune in for practical advice on managing your finances while empowering the next generation.
Debt Management Made Easy: From Ratios to Savings Plans
In this episode of Masaska, Cate emphasizes the importance of financial wellness and community engagement. She discusses effective strategies for managing debt, including calculating your debt-to-income ratio using both gross and net incomes. Kate also highlights the benefits of creating savings and investment plans, such as establishing emergency funds, planned spending accounts, and long-term investments like RRSPs and TFSAs.
Crushing Debt: Tools and Tactics for Financial Success
In this episode of Masaska, Amanda and Cate Morris from Scout Financial Solutions emphasize the significance of setting financial goals and managing money intentionally. They discuss practical debt management strategies, including syncing payment dates with income, and introduce the Snowball and Avalanche repayment methods. The conversation also addresses more serious debt issues, such as debt consolidation, credit counseling, and consumer proposals, highlighting the importance of financial autonomy and proactive money management.
Facing Debt Head-On: Strategies for Financial Stability
In this episode of Masaska, Amanda Leader and Cate Morris from Scout Financial Solutions discuss financial wellness and decolonizing money. They introduce the "Financial Wellness Buffalo," covering six key areas: budgeting, understanding credit and debt, saving, protecting assets, and creating a legacy.
Cate emphasizes the importance of organizing financial information, understanding credit reports versus scores, and recognizing signs of debt trouble. They introduce two debt repayment strategies: the Snowball Method, which focuses on paying off smaller debts first, and the Avalanche Method, which targets high-interest debts. The episode highlights the need for informed financial choices to achieve stability and concludes with a light-hearted moment about family.
The Financial Wellness Buffalo: Mastering Credit and Debt
In this episode, we introduce the Financial Wellness Buffalo, a financial framework inspired by Indigenous culture, aimed at helping listeners achieve financial well-being. The discussion covers essential topics such as budgeting, asset protection, and understanding credit, including tips for accessing free credit reports from Canada's major bureaus, TransUnion and Equifax.
The episode also addresses debt management, highlighting the concept of "good debt" as a tool for building wealth. Practical steps for organizing bills, budgeting, and negotiating with creditors are provided. Listeners are encouraged to balance financial obligations with personal happiness as they prepare for a stronger financial future. Part two will continue the discussion on effective debt management.
A Four-Quadrant Approach to Budgeting: Essentials, Savings, Goals, and Flexibility
In this episode of "Masaska," Amanda Leader and Cate Morris from Scout Financial Solutions share a culturally grounded approach to budgeting and financial wellness rooted in Indigenous teachings. They introduce a four-quadrant budgeting model focusing on Essential Expenses, Short-term Savings, Long-term Goals, and Flexible Spending.
Listeners will discover strategies for building emergency funds and planning for major life goals. The hosts present the "Financial Wellness Buffalo," a six-part Indigenous-inspired plan covering budgeting, cash flow, credit and debt, savings, asset protection, and legacy planning.
Building Financial Security with Indigenous Principles
In this episode of "Mazaska," Amanda Leader and financial expert Cate Morris discuss practical financial empowerment strategies tailored for Indigenous communities.
She introduces a budgeting system based on four key financial quadrants: essentials, short-term savings, long-term savings, and discretionary spending. Listeners are encouraged to create a "budget binder" to clarify their financial situation, reinforcing that culturally relevant financial guidance can lead to greater security and independence for Indigenous communities.
From Struggle to Strength: A Journey in Financial Empowerment
In the inaugural episode of "Mazaska Monday," host Amanda Leader welcomes Cate Morris, founder of Scout Financial Solutions and a Dakota woman from the George Gordon First Nation. They discuss the need to decolonize money and improve financial literacy in Indigenous communities.
She emphasizes the importance of open conversations about budgeting, particularly for students and aspiring entrepreneurs. By incorporating traditional teachings, Cate advocates for personalized financial literacy to reclaim autonomy and foster community well-being, encouraging listeners to embrace financial education and entrepreneurship for a healthier economic future.
About Cate Morris
Cate Morris is a Dakota Winyan (woman), Ina (Mother), Kunsi (Grandmother) and registered band member of the George Gordon First Nation located in Treaty Four territory. She resides in Regina, Saskatchewan where she is an active community member, passionate Entrepreneur and Financial Literacy Advocate. She is the Founder of Scout Financial Solutions, a financial literacy education and consulting business that provides Personal Finance Life Skills. Vital Financial Wellness content is shared through engaging and memorable group workshops and individual consultations – all from an authentic, first hand Indigenous lived experience and in a culturally appreciative environment. Although her business primarily focuses on knowledge sharing in the Indigenous community, the information provided is relatable to all who seek financial peace and abundance.
Cate has been studying and sharing personal finances for more than 25 years. She considers herself a Money Scout, in honour of Indigenous Scouts who mapped new territories and ensured the safety of their nations. In much the same way, Cate provides experienced insight and knowledge about the vast and unknown territory of personal finances to support her beloved Indigenous people. Armed with direct and relatable life experiences and backed by extensive formal education, this “Money Scout” walks her talk. Cate holds a Business Administration degree, two Financial Educator certifications as well as numerous professional and personal development certificates that include economic development, entrepreneurship, public service, procurement and acquisitions and of course, personal finance. Cate and Scout’s goals are many but on the forefront are world peace, sharing knowledge to empower others and ending cyclical poverty in the Indigenous community one inspiring sharing at a time.
www.moneyscout.ca
Facebook @ Scout Financial Solutions
X @ #MoneyScout4U.