Investment Wisdom
100% Equities Through Retirement? What the Research Shows (Canadian Financial Summit 2025)
I recently presented at the Canadian Financial Summit on a topic that questions one of the foundations of conventional investment advice. Should investors really reduce their stock exposure as they age? The presentation was based on a newly published academic study titled: “Beyond the Status Quo: A Critical Assessment of Lifecycle Investment Advice.” The study…
Read MoreNational Post article: Should Ottawa couple defer CPP and OAS if they retire early next year?
The National Post asked me to look at the retirement plan for Arnold, 56, and Heather, 60, an Ottawa couple hoping to retire as early as next year. They both have strong, inflation-indexed defined benefit pensions, but they’re not sure they’ll actually have the retirement they want if they stop working now. They’re also not…
Read MoreRRSP/RRIF Meltdown Strategies Explained (Canadian Financial Summit 2025)
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 with little or no tax. However, there are some tricky complications, several options, and these strategies are not for everyone. In my latest video for…
Read MoreHow Did the Wealthy Get Wealthy — and Can I Copy Them? (Canadian Financial Summit 2025)
In a recent video for the Canadian Financial Summit I talk about who the poor and wealthy are and how they got there. Today, we’re diving deeper into one crucial aspect: how the wealthy became wealthy? Can their strategies work for you? Over the years, I’ve seen the full financial picture of thousands of Canadians…
Read MoreRandom Walk Theory Debunked: The Best Market Gains Follow the Worst Crashes – And One Easy Rule to Beat the Market
Imagine checking your investments after a brutal market crash like during Covid with the March 16-20, 2020: -18% week. Your balance is down 32%, and panic sets in. But what if I told you the biggest rebounds, like the +12% surge the very next week almost always follow? This isn’t luck; it’s a pattern that…
Read MoreThe Fake Stages of Retirement: Why ‘Slow-Go’ Is Really About Money — Not Age
You’ve probably heard the conventional wisdom about retirement stages: the “go-go” years right after you clock out, full of adventure and travel; then the “slow-go” phase where things wind down due to age and aches; and finally, the “no-go” period of quiet homebound days. It’s a neat little narrative, peddled by financial planners and lifestyle…
Read MoreWorthvieW article – Why Renting Could Be Your Secret to Smarter Wealth Building: Insights from Toronto-based Financial Planner Ed Rempel
Many Canadians believe homeownership is the only real path to building wealth. If you’re renting, it can feel like you’re falling behind or missing out. After decades of working with clients and studying long-term data, I don’t believe that’s true. Renting can be a deliberate and effective wealth-building strategy when it’s approached intentionally. This article…
Read MoreMONEY PIP article – How to Make Your Home a Good Investment: Financial Wisdom from Toronto-based Financial Planner Ed Rempel
Is Your Home Really a Good Investment? Most Canadians think so. My experience tells a different story. For decades, Canadians have been told that their home is their best investment. After preparing thousands of financial plans, I’ve found that this belief often leads people to rely too heavily on home equity for their retirement. The…
Read MoreWhy Monte Carlo Simulations Get Retirement Risk Wrong
Ever been terrified by those retirement calculators showing a scary chance of running out of money? That’s Monte Carlo simulations at work—spinning wild “what-if” scenarios that often paint a doom-and-gloom picture far worse than reality. In my latest video, blog post and podcast episode, we’ll debunk why most of these simulated failures could never happen…
Read MoreNational Post article: Couple wants to retire abroad in their 40s. Do their RRSPs, TFSAs and other investments add up to enough?
The National Post asked me to review the retirement and financial situation of Jason, 41, and Julia, 38, from Ottawa. It is an interesting story since they can retire so young at only ages 42 and 39. They have been strong savers, invest effectively, and plan to invest their entire house proceeds when they sell.…
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