Unconventional Wisdom YouTube Channel
Welcome to the Unconventional Wisdom YouTube Page. The show about the most effective methods to achieve financial security & freedom. Find out what really works. Insights are based on in-depth experience - from a fee-for-service financial planner, tax accountant, Canada’s #1 financial planner blogger & your host, Ed Rempel.
This channel is about achieving financial freedom & security in real life. It’s often very different from what most people talk about. Few financial planners actually write detailed Financial Plans. I have written more than 1,000 professional, custom Financial Plans, and worked with many clients to achieve their life goals. You can listen to everyone else – and then come here to find out what works in real life. Unconventional wisdom – based on experience.
This channel has unconventional wisdom insights on many topics. Some of my favourite topics are:
- How to set & achieve your financial goals and achieve what you really want in life.
- FIRE – How to achieve financial independence & retire early.
- The outlook & attitude you need for financial success.
- Many topics on how you can minimize tax over your lifetime.
- Effective strategies that can be a huge benefit for you, such as the Smith Manoeuvre, Rempel Maximum, Lifecycle Investing, RRSP Top-ups, RRSP Catch-up Strategy & the 8-year GIS Strategy.
- How to set up a reliable retirement income with the least tax & most government benefits.
- How to invest for returns above the indexes.
- How to easily outperform investment advisors & robo-advisors.
- Money myths that block your financial freedom.
- Any interesting financial planning topic. I take requests.
“Unconventional Wisdom YouTube Channel”
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See you next week!
Secure Your Future Together: The Power of Trust Planning for Couples
Beyond the Will: How Canadian Couples Can Use Trusts to Protect Each Other A guide to achieve continuity, clarity, tax efficiency, and family harmony. Beyond the Will: How Canadian Couples Can Use Trusts to Protect Each Other Most Canadian couples believe their estate plan is complete once they have wills, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations in place. Those documents matter, but they do not always solve the questions that create real stress later: This is where trust planning becomes powerful. A trust is not simply a legal structure. Used properly, it is a coordination tool—one that can bring investments, real estate,…
Stay Invested – Your “Behavioural Vitamin C” to Build Real Financial Freedom
As we hit the halfway point of 2026, it’s the perfect moment to step back and talk about what really builds lasting financial freedom: staying focused on your long-term plan amid all the noise. Think of your financial plan as the GPS for your life. It’s not a dusty document – it’s a dynamic, living tool that evolves with your goals, family changes, dreams, and circumstances. It guides decisions around retirement, education, major purchases, risk protection, legacy – and your financial freedom. It gives you clarity and confidence to enjoy the present while preparing for the future. Your Financial Plan is really…
Understanding Credit Without Fear or Confusion
A Practical Guide to Building Credit Confidence in Canada Based on a previous article framework by Sabiha Mukadam, CFP Credit can feel intimidating when no one has explained it clearly. Many people grow up hearing warnings like: · Do not ruin your credit. · Credit cards are dangerous. · You need credit to get credit. · Your score affects everything. Those warnings may be well-intentioned, but they often create fear instead of understanding. The truth is that credit is not something to fear. It is a financial tool. When used…
Starting Over Financially – When Life Changes and You Suddenly Have to Handle It All
Starting Over Financially After Loss or Divorce ________________________________________________________________________ When life changes and you suddenly have to handle it all Part 1: Finding Your Floor Before Making Big Decisions A note about this seriesThis is Part 1 of a practical series on rebuilding financial confidence after loss, divorce, or separation.Today is not about building a complete financial plan. It is about identifying what is coming in, what must be paid, and where the money currently lives. There is a moment many people do not talk about. It does not arrive with a clear signal. It is much quieter than that. It may hit…
The Smith Manoeuvre vs Cash Dam: How to Choose the Right Strategy and How Self-Employed Canadians Can Do Both
Can you use the Smith Manoeuvre and the Cash Dam together? Many Canadians have heard of the Smith Manoeuvre. Many are also self-employed and don’t realize they could be using the Cash Dam. How do they fit together in a real financial plan? I break down what each strategy is, why it works, when each strategy works, whether combining them can improve results, and what to watch out for. Learn how to think about these strategies in the context of your overall financial plan, including considerations for self-employed Canadians. In my latest blog post, video, and podcast episode, I cover: What is…
How Interest Affects Your Money: Why Small Decisions Matter More Than You Think
When most people hear the word interest, they think of one thing: “Interest is bad.” Credit cards. Loans. Debt stress. But interest isn’t a financial villain — it’s just leverage. The reality of today’s world is simple: you cannot build a massive future entirely on pocket change. Whether it’s funding an education, buying a car to get to a great job, or eventually investing in a home, borrowing is often the exact catalyst you need to scale your life. When you understand how interest works, you stop fearing debt and start using it intentionally. You can dodge the expensive traps, lean into…
Beyond the Basics: The Different Smith Manoeuvre Strategies
Are There Really 8 Smith Manoeuvre Strategies? In my previous article, we covered the fundamentals of the Smith Manoeuvre and how the strategy works at a high level. I also mentioned that the Smith Manoeuvre is not limited to just one approach—there are several different ways it can be implemented depending on your goals, financial situation, and comfort with risk. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common variations of the Smith Manoeuvre. We’ll look at how the strategy can be enhanced, when certain approaches may be more appropriate, and why not every version is suitable for everyone. The goal…
How to Build a Retirement Plan That Actually Works (and Grows Your Wealth)
Most people go through life and at some point wake up and realize they should be doing something smarter with their money. When you reach that inflection point, what should you do and what are the few fundamental basics that you need to know? Many retirement plans are designed to feel safe, instead of giving you freedom. Safety usually comes at the cost of long-term growth and may mean you never retire with the lifestyle you want. This is an overview of my philosophy, explains how a financial plan becomes the GPS for your life, how to determine the return you actually…
The Financial Future Isn’t Broken—But It Is Optional
Is the financial system failing Gen Z, or does it just depend on whether we choose to participate? If you’re Gen Z in Canada, economic pessimism doesn’t feel like a dramatic overreaction. It feels entirely earned. Rent in Toronto and Vancouver borders on the absurd. Homeownership has taken on the status of a myth. Student loans linger for years, and every few months, another headline asks whether markets, capitalism, or the economy itself still work for anyone under the age of 30. Against that backdrop, being financially optimistic can sound naïve—or worse, completely out of touch. But here is a claim worth…
Re-evaluating Canada’s Best Re-Advanceable Mortgages: The New Top 4 Post-OSFI Rankings
If you have been following my blog, you must have read about the Smith Manoeuvre strategy and its incredible uses and benefits. For those who are trying to build wealth in Canada, it is one of the most powerful financial manoeuvres available—essentially allowing you to legally convert your non-deductible mortgage interest into a tax-deductible investment loan. If you are new here, I highly suggest you go back and start from our foundational articles on the Smith Manoeuvre so you can fully understand the mechanics before diving into today’s discussion. Here is the link https://edrempel.com/smith-manoeuvre/ Back in 2023, I wrote an article breaking…
Unlocking Peace of Mind with the Smith Manoeuvre: Turning Your Home into a Wealth-Building Engine—Without Sacrificing Today
For many Canadians, homeownership is so much more than just a financial investment. It’s where our children grow up, where we host Sunday dinners, and where we build our lives. Because our homes mean so much to us, our natural instinct is to protect them. We work hard, make sacrifices, and commit to paying off our mortgages as quickly as possible—often directing every spare dollar toward that milestone. But it’s worth asking a gentle, yet important question: What if aggressively paying down your mortgage isn’t the only way to secure your family’s future? For decades, the traditional path has unintentionally left many…
Retirement Tax Shock: Why Many Canadians Pay More Tax Than Expected
Most Canadians expect to be in a lower tax bracket in retirement. But many end up paying more tax than they expect. How do tax brackets change after age 65 and why can common assumptions about RRSPs and retirement income lead to higher lifetime taxes? Here are practical strategies to reduce tax over time, including how to use RRSPs, TFSAs, income timing and how to plan for a tax-efficient retirement. This might be a real eye opener for some people because I think a lot of people that do some basic tax planning are doing it all wrong. In my latest video,…
How Banking Actually Works (And How to Set Up Your First Accounts)
Let’s make money make sense. Let’s be honest for a second… Nobody really cares about banking—until that first real paycheck hits. Whether it’s from a part-time job, tutoring, lifeguarding, or just money coming in more regularly, suddenly you’ve got cash. But just as quickly as it arrives, it’s gone. Between your phone bill, Spotify, Uber rides, and grabbing food with friends, it adds up fast. At some point, you catch yourself thinking: “Wait… where did all my money go?” That’s where banking comes in. Not to make life complicated, but to give you a system so your money doesn’t just disappear on…
The Longevity Revolution: Why We’re on the Brink of Living Decades Longer
The longevity movement is transforming how we think about aging—not as an inevitable decline, but as a challenge we can overcome with science, technology, and smart choices. Many experts believe we’re on the cusp of dramatically extending healthy lifespans. I’m on a longevity and healthspan journey. I’m not an expert in longevity, but I’m continuously learning, and it’s all exciting. I’m simply passing along some of what I’ve learned. I am, however, an expert in retirement planning. Living healthier for longer can have a huge impact on your retirement. What kind of life do you want if you remain healthy for decades…
Financial Planning Isn’t Optional—It’s Your Power Move
Financial Planning Myths and Why You Absolutely Need a Plan (and a Planner) Financial planning is one of those things most people know they should think about… yet many avoid it for years. Not because they’re irresponsible. Usually, it comes down to a few common beliefs: “I’m not wealthy enough yet.”“I can figure this out myself.”“Once I make a plan, I’m done.”“Planning will restrict my lifestyle.” After decades working in financial planning, I’ve realized that underneath many of these beliefs is often the same thing: a misunderstanding about what financial planning actually is, and who it’s really for. These myths can quietly…
Why Feeling Behind Is Normal (And What It Means for Your Money, Investing, and Financial Plan)
One of the most common things I hear from people (especially young adults) when they first sit down with me is some version of this: “I feel behind.” Behind financially. Behind in their career. Behind compared to friends, colleagues, or people they went to school with. Sometimes they don’t say those exact words, but the feeling is there. After more than thirty years working in financial planning, I’ve learned that this feeling is incredibly common. And most of the time, it has far more to do with comparison and expectations than with someone’s actual financial situation. Usually, when people say they feel…
National Post article: Does this 84-year-old suffer from the ‘Multimillionaire’s Dilemma?’
Louise (not her real name) has far more money than she is ever likely to spend. She has always invested in equities and is comfortable with them. However, now at age 84, she is wondering whether she should invest more conservatively. This is a case study about the “Multi-Millionaire’s Dilemma.” Louise says: “Many of my women friends have the same concern: Is my asset allocation suitable for me? Specifically, what proportion should I invest in GICs versus broad-market index ETFs? Tax efficiency is also a concern.” In my latest blog post, video and podcast episode you will learn: CLICK THE LINK BELOW…
What Does Money Mean to You?
Have you ever stopped and really asked yourself: “What does money mean to me?” As financial advisors/ planners, we spend so much time talking about returns, projections, and strategies that we sometimes forget the most important element in a financial plan — the client’s relationship with money. Over the years, I’ve learned that before we talk about investments or retirement, we need to talk about meaning. Because money isn’t just numbers — it’s emotions, values, fears, hopes, and identity. What Money Means to Me Personally, money represents comfort and care — the ability to make life smoother not only for my immediate…
A New Addition to Unconventional Wisdom: Meet Sabiha Mukadam
For more than 20 years, Unconventional Wisdom has been where I share financial planning ideas, strategies, and lessons I’ve learned from helping Canadians build better financial lives. Today, I’m excited to introduce someone who has been a key part of our team for the last 8 years: Sabiha Mukadam. Many of you may not know Sabiha, but she works closely with our full-service financial planning clients and has become an important part of helping them build and maintain their financial plans. Starting next week, Sabiha will be publishing new articles and videos every Tuesday, while my Thursday posts will continue just as…
Financial Independence, Retire Early: The Math Behind the Viral Money Movement
Every week, someone tells me they want to retire by 40. My first question is always the same: why? The FIRE movement promises freedom decades earlier than traditional retirement. Online, it’s often presented as a fairly simple formula: save aggressively, invest consistently, and escape the workforce early. But in Canada today, is FIRE actually realistic — or has it quietly become a strategy mostly for high earners, extreme savers, and people willing to take bigger risks than they admit? I recently sat down with Canadian Press reporter Kumutha Ramanathan to discuss what I’ve seen from real clients pursuing financial independence and early…
Don’t Let Today’s Headlines Wreck Your Retirement
Gas prices are up from about $1.30/litre to $1.75/litre across Canada this year. There is conflict in Iran. Markets are reacting to geopolitical uncertainty once again. So what should investors actually do during times like this? Should you move more conservative? Or is reacting emotionally what hurts investors most? In my latest video, podcast episode and blog post you’ll learn: If you go conservative, when do you buy back in? Does politics affect the markets much? When will a year not be an “uncertain time”? Does market timing work? What do studies say? What is the “Go Kart Strategy” of investing? The…
Multi-Millionaire’s Dilemma: Stay in Stocks or Go Conservative After Retiring?
You’ve worked hard, built up a few million dollars, and now you’re seventy-five, retired, and staring at your portfolio wondering — do I really need to keep riding the stock market rollercoaster? Or is it finally time to play it safe? That’s the multi-millionaire’s dilemma, and it’s a lot more common than you might think. We have seen it many times. Far more money than you will spend during your life. Continue investing for growth or switch to conservative? In my latest video, podcast episode and blog post you’ll learn: Multi-Millionaire’s Dilemma “Multi-Millionaire’s Dilemma”: You have far more money than you will…
A calm guide who takes you seriously—and remembers what it felt like not to know yet.
If you’re reading this because you feel uncertain about money, work, or what you’re supposed to have figured out by now, let’s start here: That feeling is normal—far more normal than most people admit. Early adulthood comes with a lot of quiet pressure. Pressure to know what you’re doing, to move quickly, to make the “right” decisions before it’s too late. What often gets missed is that very little is actually explained clearly at this stage, and almost nothing comes with context. That’s why this corner exists. What This Space Is Meant to Be The Youth Corner is a place to slow…
Living Healthy Past Age 100 – Will Your Retirement Plan Survive?
Last week, I revealed my longevity journey, introduced some of the explosive developments, and why we may be able to start living significantly longer within the next 10–20 years. Living with health and vitality past age 100 could become common. What happens to your money if that happens? If we live 20 more years, can we actually be retired for those 20 years? How much more would we need to save—or how much longer would we need to work? In my latest video and blog post, you’ll learn: Why would we want to live decades longer? Only 29% of people want to…