Shows / Unconventional Wisdom
Unconventional Wisdom
Welcome to the Unconventional Wisdom podcast. The show that helps you achieve financial security & freedom. Insights based on in-depth experience from Canada's #1 financial planner blogger. Find out what really works. Your host, fee-for-service financial planner & tax accountant, Ed Rempel.
Episodes
Unconventional WisdomRempel Maximum - The Story of Joe & Rich
How can your life really be different if you focus on maximum wealth-building principles? It's not about the money. It's about your life. This story is an…
Unconventional WisdomRempel Maximum: 5 Steps to Becoming a Multi-Millionaire
Remember the show "Who wants to be a millionaire?" Are you the kind of person that wants to build some serious wealth? Live an exceptional life? Be financially…
Unconventional WisdomThe Smith Manoeuvre – Is Your Mortgage Tax Deductible?
The Smith Manoeuvre is an efficient strategy to use equity in your home to invest for your future without using your cash flow. It converts your mortgage over…
Unconventional Wisdom3 Principles of Successful Investors (UPDATED)
Are you one of those investors for whom things just seem to always work out well? Getting superior long term returns seems to take little effort. Whatever…
Unconventional WisdomWhen Can I Retire With the Lifestyle I Want?
When can I retire with the lifestyle I want? That's the #1 priority for our clients—based on my experience creating thousands of financial plans over the last…
Unconventional WisdomSupport Top Charities with Ed & Ann's "Best Things First" Foundation
Have you ever wondered how much your donation really helps the poor? Or how much it really helps find cures? Which charities help the poor the most for each…
Unconventional WisdomCelebrating the Life of Ann Hetram
I am heartbroken. My wife, life partner & business partner Ann Hetram passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 30. Ann was truly one of a kind — wise…
Unconventional WisdomCan You Be Confident in the Stock Market (Updated)
Which is true? 1.The stock market is a gamble. Decent investment, but it may or may not make money for you. 2.The stock market is a reliable long-term…
Unconventional WisdomHow to Donate Effectively and Avoid Telemarketers - Interview with John Bromley, Founder & CEO of Charitable Impact
Last year, I did a video on How to Donate Effectively, where we explored the idea that one of the ultimate status symbols is creating your own charitable…
Unconventional WisdomWhat's New in Tax 2025
Every year, tax rules change. For 2025 there are six main tax changes that you'll want to know about. And there's good news: two major uncertainties are…
Unconventional WisdomRealizing You Somehow Became Wealthy
I often talk with people who realize—almost by surprise—that they've become wealthy. They never really thought of themselves as wealthy, but after years of…
Unconventional WisdomRetiring Right Before or During a Recession. Debunking "Sequence of Returns Risk" - Canadian Financial Summit 2024
Bloggers and advisors constantly warn about the "Sequence of Returns Risk"—the fear that retiring right before or during a market crash will drain your savings…
Unconventional WisdomNew Study Supports 100% Equity Investing for Life – The Debate
Recently, I posted a video "New Study Supports 100% Equity Investing for Life" that went semi-viral with 14,000 YouTube views & 1,000 podcast downloads. There…
Unconventional WisdomHow to Easily Outperform Financial Advisors, Robo-Advisors & Index Investors (Canadian Financial Summit 2024)
Why do so many Canadians struggle to achieve financial freedom, even with a solid financial plan? Why do they retire with less than they hoped for, despite…
Unconventional Wisdom7 Best Ideas to Optimize the Smith Manoeuvre (Canadian Financial Summit 2024)
With its quirky name, the Smith Manoeuvre might sound unconventional, but it's a strategy that truly works—when done by the right people, in the right way…
Unconventional WisdomNew Study Supports 100% Equity Investing for Life
For years, conventional wisdom has preached the benefits of diversifying between stocks & bonds and gradually shifting to safer investments as we age. But what…
Unconventional WisdomMonthly Fixed Pay ETFs & Funds Are a Brain Fart!
I talk with people all the time who have an ETF or mutual fund that pays a fixed monthly amount. In most cases, they misunderstand it. Most think they are…
Unconventional WisdomRRSP/RRIF Meltdown Strategies
Ever wondered how you can get the money out of your RRSP with a minimum of tax? RRSP/RRIF Meltdown Strategies can allow you to withdraw from your RRSP or RRIF…
Unconventional WisdomHow Did the Wealthy Get Wealthy? Can I Copy Them?
In a recent podcast episode, I talked about who the poor & wealthy are and how did they get there. Today, I'm diving deeper into one crucial aspect: how the…
Unconventional WisdomLifecycle Investing: The Ultimate Strategy for Younger People – An Example
I often get asked about Lifecycle Investing and how to implement it. If you're under 40 and saving to achieve financial independence, this might be the most…
Unconventional WisdomWho Are the Wealthy and How Did They Get Rich?
As a financial planner, I've had a unique view into the full financial picture of thousands of Canadians and have read countless studies. My experience spans…
Unconventional WisdomYour FREE passes: See my talks at the #1 online event – Canadian Financial Summit 2024
The online Canadian Financial Summit is coming up the week of October 25-27. It's the #1 personal finance event of the year. As a reader of the Unconventional…
Unconventional WisdomTax Brackets for Parents & Seniors Are Way Different Than You Think!
Tax brackets for parents and seniors are way different than you think. This might be a real eye opener for some people because I think a lot of people that do…
Unconventional WisdomDo You Need Savings in Addition to a Government Pension Like OMERS?
When planning for retirement, many Canadians rely on a government pension like OMERS (Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System) as their foundation. Do…
Unconventional WisdomDividend Investing Perfected with Self-Made Dividends (Canadian Financial Summit 2023)
In the vast landscape of personal finance, dividend investing has carved out a significant niche. Whether you're browsing through countless blogs or hearing…
Unconventional WisdomSmith Manoeuvre In A Financial Plan & The New OSFI Rules (Canadian Financial Summit 2023)
The Smith Manoeuvre is an efficient strategy to use your home equity to invest for your future without using your cash flow, while converting your mortgage…
Unconventional WisdomHow To Design Your Retirement Income: An Overview (Canadian Financial Summit 2023)
With the Canadian Financial Summit coming up at the end of October, I wanted to share over the next few weeks content that Summit attendees had access to last…
Unconventional WisdomTake Control of Your Finances in One Step
Most people struggle with money. It might feel like you're the only one who doesn't have it all figured out, but trust me, you're not alone. Over the last two…
Unconventional WisdomMid-Year Insights 2024
Here are three key insights that I believe are essential for navigating the rest of the year and beyond. These insights are grounded in the principles that…
Unconventional WisdomTop 5 Hacks To Maximize Your Child's RESP
Many people are saving for their kids' future education costs in an RESP. For some parents, it is a higher priority and they want to be able to maximize the…
Unconventional WisdomWhat Happens if the Liberals Attack the Smith Manoeuvre?
The Smith Manoeuvre has long been a popular strategy for Canadian homeowners seeking to convert their mortgage debt into tax-deductible investment debt…
Unconventional WisdomHow Long Will You Live?
Have you ever wondered how long you might live? Understanding life expectancy is crucial for planning a secure and fulfilling future. In my latest podcast…
Unconventional WisdomTFSA or RRSP? – The Right Answer for You (2024)
Deciding between a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) and a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) can be one of the most challenging financial decisions…
Unconventional WisdomHow To Have a Long Lifespan, Healthspan & Wealthspan With 3.0 Level Thinking
How long should you expect to be retired? You want your money to last the rest of your life. How long will you live? What quality of life will you have? What…
Unconventional WisdomHow To Create a Financial Plan That Is Your Life Plan - Interview with Kornel Szrejber
I recently worked with Kornel Szrejber, host of Canada's #1 financial podcast "Build Wealth Canada", on his family's financial plan, so he could feel confident…
Unconventional WisdomHow to Successfully Implement the Smith Manoeuvre (Ed Rempel interviewed by Sean Cooper from "Burn Your Mortgage")
You know the basics about the Smith Manoeuvre. It's one of the most effective wealth building strategies if done by the right people in the right way over the…
Unconventional WisdomHow to Avoid or Minimize Extra Tax from New Higher Capital Gains Tax
You may have heard that we just had a new budget here in Canada, and increased the taxes on capital gains. Canadians with a rental property, cottage or…
Unconventional WisdomHow to Donate Effectively
You may be thinking – what difference can I make in the world? As a financial planner I talk a lot about money, however, it's not really about the money…
Unconventional WisdomHow to EASILY Outperform Financial Advisors
It's easy to outperform financial advisors. Why? Conventional wisdom is they underperform because of fees, but there is a bigger reason. They don't even try to…
Unconventional WisdomFinancially Smart Divorce
Divorce is never financially smart! As a financial planner, I don't recommend divorce. It's bad for your finances! However, you can go through it in the most…
Unconventional WisdomTenant for Life by Choice: 5 Steps to "Tenant Freedom"
Many people today feel they have no choice but to be a tenant, however, what if you actually choose this? You can choose to be a tenant forever and it can be a…
Unconventional WisdomGold Goes DOWN on Inflation
Gold goes down on inflation. Why doesn't the industry know this? This is one of the most common and wrong conventional wisdoms. The conventional wisdom is that…
Unconventional WisdomWhat is a Hedge Fund? – Inside the Semi-Secret Hedge Fund World
20 years ago I took the most fascinating investment course, and by far the most in-depth. The course made me a "Certified Hedge Fund Specialist" (CHFS). I…
Unconventional Wisdom6 Key Lessons Learned as a Fee-For-Service Financial Planner - Talk with Ellen Roseman's Investment Club
I was honoured to be invited by Ellen Roseman to speak with her Investment Club about the 6 key lessons I have learned as a fee-for-service financial planner…
Unconventional WisdomYour Corporation - What You Need to Know (If You Don't Understand Your Accountant)
Do you own a business? If yes, then you'll love my latest podcast episode. I cover the few things that you really need to know about corporations. You'll…
Unconventional WisdomShould I Start My CPP Early?
The most common question I get asked about the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is: "Is it smart to take my CPP early?" And what I say is - it depends, as the answer…
Unconventional WisdomThe 6 Steps to Become Financially Independent
What will it take for you to become financially free? To have enough money that you never have to work again? This latest podcast episode is my insight into…
Unconventional WisdomHow to EASILY Outperform Robo-Advisors
It's easy to outperform robo-advisors. Why? Because they don't even try to outperform, they try for reasonable returns with less risk. You would think…
Unconventional Wisdom5-Year Fixed Mortgage Trap
The average Canadian wastes $22,000 after tax during their life for every $100,000 of their mortgage and takes 38 months longer to pay it off, according to a…
Unconventional WisdomSmith Manoeuvre or Smith Maneuver?
Smith Manoeuvre or Smith Maneuver? Why the two spellings and which is correct? This strategy (which I'm most known for), helps Canadian homeowners make their…
Unconventional WisdomAsset Allocation Loss Ratio (AALR) – What Is It & How Does It Help You?
Asset Allocation Loss Ratio (AALR) – What Is It & How Does It Help You? When you go to any investment firm in Canada, they require you to sign a risk tolerance…
Unconventional WisdomBiggest mistakes that could tarnish, or even tank, your credit rating: Interview with Bryn Griffiths from 630 CHED radio
I recently did an interview with Bryn Griffiths from 630 CHED radio in Edmonton about how different things can affect people's credit ratings and how to avoid…
Unconventional WisdomThe Rempel Maximum - 5 Steps to Becoming a Multi-Millionaire
Remember the show "Who wants to be a millionaire?" Are you the kind of person that wants to build some serious wealth? Live an exceptional life? Be financially…
Unconventional WisdomHow to EASILY Outperform Index Investors
It is easy to outperform index investors. Why? Because they don't really try to get index returns, they try for reasonable returns with less risk. This makes…
Unconventional WisdomGambling, Speculating, Saving & Investing - What's the Difference?
How should you invest your money? If you don't invest wisely, it will be hard to fund your future. There are always new areas you can put your money into, but…
Unconventional WisdomHow to Easily Outperform Financial Advisors, Robo-Advisors & Index Investors
Financial freedom is what we all want. We talk to people about their finances all the time and most people just want to know that their money is there, and…
Unconventional WisdomThe Quest To Find All Star Fund Managers
When you're planning for your future you need to have a sound investment strategy, that gives you confidence that you'll eventually have the retirement that…
Unconventional Wisdom2 Things You Must Focus On To Be Financially Secure
Do you feel financially secure? What would it take for you to build a huge nest egg to become financially secure? Conventional wisdom says it's mostly about…
Unconventional WisdomShort Overview: RRSP Gross-up Strategy - Easily Contribute 40-70% More to Your RRSP (2024)
The RRSP Gross-up Strategy is a relatively simple concept that can help you contribute 40-70% more to your RRSP, without using any more of your cash. Do this…
Unconventional WisdomRRSP Gross-up Strategy - Easily Contribute 40-70% More to Your RRSP
Wouldn't it be great if you could save a lot more for your future without affecting your day-to-day cash flow? One of the main things you learn from your…