Retirement Planning Wisdom
Business News This Week article: Toronto Financial Advisor Ed Rempel on Exponential Thinking – How Major Wealth Happens
Most people misunderstand how wealth is actually created. Most people think about wealth linearly. Save a bit each year. Earn a few percent return. Gradually build your nest egg. But most major wealth actually happens exponentially. For example: $100,000 growing at 4% for 30 years becomes about $324,000. The same $100,000 growing at 10% becomes…
Read More5 Best Things article – Challenging the Three Phases of Retirement Spending: Insights from Toronto-based Financial Planner Ed Rempel
For years, retirement planning has relied on the idea that spending naturally declines as we age. First the “go-go” years. Then the “slow-go.” Then the “no-go.” After decades of working with retirees, I believe this is not how retirement actually unfolds for many people, and planning for it locks retirees into declining travel, whether they…
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 MoreWhat Canadians Are Really Asking About Money Right Now
Today’s episode is a bit different from the usual format. I want to take some time to speak directly to you — to say thank you, to reflect on what you’ve been listening to most, and to ask for your input on what would be most helpful going forward. Recently, Unconventional Wisdom was listed near…
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 MoreNational Post article: Is $15,000 for cross-border tax help too much?
The National Post asked me to look at the retirement plan for Rita, 61, and Darcy, 60, a Quebec couple who spent half their careers in the U.S. and the other half in Canada. Most of their retirement money is still in U.S. employer plans, and they’ll both receive U.S. Social Security as well as…
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…
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