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

Links:   

I plan to post one every Thursday. Be the first to hear my new Unconventional Wisdom posts. Subscribe to my blog, YouTube channel or podcast.

My videos are purely educational & the only source for most of this unconventional wisdom. Please help me get the message out:

  • Subscribe to my blog, YouTube channel & podcast. Get my new videos sent directly to your email.
  • Give the videos a like (“thumbs up”)!
  • Share my YouTube channel & episodes with your friends.

Next Step:

My services & costs:                              edrempel.com/help

Request a free 30-minute consultation:   edrempel.com/talk

Ask your question or feedback:               edrempel.com/feedback

See you next week!

The Meaning of Life – Responsibility

By Ed Rempel | September 25, 2025

What is the meaning of life? What makes life worth living? How can having a meaningful life help you become financially independent? You will learn: What is the meaning of life? What makes life worth living? The classic book “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl showed that the people that survived many years in the German concentration camps were not necessarily the youngest, strongest or most fit. They were the ones that had a reason important to them to survive. It could be to see a lover or family, personal aspirations, creative or intellectual pursuits, belief in a higher power or…

Read More

Retirement Rookie: Worried about a Market Crash Right After Retiring?

By Ed Rempel | September 18, 2025

Being worried about a market crash right after retiring is a major fear for many people both before and after taking the plunge. I often hear these anxieties: “I’m scared to retire even though I have enough money in every projection. What happens if there is a market crash right after I retire?” “We just retired, but are hesitant to spend money in case we have a market crash.” You’re not alone—thousands of people have had the same worry. But does the data actually support this fear? In my latest video, podcast episode, and blog post you’ll learn: Do we need to…

Read More

Go Big or Go Slow: Why 10x Wealth Is Easier Than 2x

By Ed Rempel | September 11, 2025

This title may be hard to believe, but it is a common theme in coaching for small business entrepreneurs.  The concept is from the popular book “10x Is Easier Than 2x: How World-Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More by Doing Less” by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. Most of us think about incremental improvements in our lives, not dramatic life-changing improvements. That would require a completely different way of thinking. The 10X concept works for entrepreneurs. You can also use the 10X concept to dramatically improve your finances. In my latest video, podcast episode, and blog post you’ll learn: This is a unique…

Read More

Why Renting Could Be Your Secret to Smarter Wealth Building

By Ed Rempel | August 28, 2025

Owning a home is unaffordable for many people today. Here is some good news! If you rent, you can grow your wealth as fast or faster using the same 2 ideas that benefit homeowners. Tenants have several major advantages over homeowners for wealth building. Many homeowners think their home is their best investment. But that is unfortunate. It is easy to find better investments with dramatically higher long-term returns. Despite the lower returns, homeowners on average are wealthier for 2 non-investment reasons.  Tenants can use the same 2 ideas to grow as much or more wealth. In my latest video, podcast episode,…

Read More

How to Make Your Home a Good Investment

By Ed Rempel | August 14, 2025

Wait. Don’t people say, “Your home is your best investment? For many people, their home may be their only major investment. For them, that old conventional wisdom might be true. But that is unfortunate. It is easy to find better investments with dramatically higher long-term returns. Despite the lower returns, homeowners on average are wealthier for 2 non-investment reasons. In my latest video, podcast episode, and blog post you’ll learn: How do homes compare to other growth investments for rate of return? For many people, their home may be their only major investment. For them, that old conventional wisdom might be true.…

Read More

Navigating the Financial Advisor Title Trap: Why Fee-For-Service Planners Are the True Superheroes

By Ed Rempel | August 7, 2025

Are you ever confused by all the different titles that financial planners and advisors use?  What types of advice and services do they offer?  Which one offers what you are looking for? When you have real worries or questions about your money, “who you gonna call?” Who is the super-hero of advice? In my latest video, podcast episode, and blog post you’ll learn: First, let’s look at what advice and services you need to get real answers. Then, we’ll look at all the different types of advisors and what you can normally expect from them. Then we’ll look at where to look…

Read More

Should I Delay CPP & OAS Until Age 70? – Complete Answer with Real-Life Examples (Updated)

By Ed Rempel | July 31, 2025

Most seniors start their CPP and OAS when they retire or at age 65, without evaluating the options. The truth is that many seniors would benefit from delaying CPP until age 70. Here is how you can figure out what is best for you. The government pensions, CPP and OAS, are full of cool opportunities to increase after-tax income, because: –        Seniors often have flexibility in taking taxable or non-taxable income. –        OAS is subject to several “clawbacks” in addition to income tax. To see these opportunities, you need to think creatively about pensions, tax and…

Read More

Should I start my CPP early? – Real-Life Examples (UPDATED)

By Ed Rempel | July 17, 2025

The most common CPP question I am asked is: “Is it smart to take my CPP early?” The answer to this question is different for investors than non-investors, especially growth-focused investors like most of our clients. In my latest video, podcast episode, and blog post you’ll learn: This is an updated post based on 2025 CPP amounts and expectations, and my latest insights. Delaying from age 65 to age 70 is a different question with different answers. I discuss this in a separate post: Should I Delay CPP & OAS Until Age 70? – Complete Answer with Real-Life Examples A quick review…

Read More

Why Don’t Most Financial Planners Plan Finances?

By Ed Rempel | June 26, 2025

“If you don’t know where you are going, you will wind up somewhere else.” – Yogi Berra What do you call a financial planner that does not plan finances? I know that sounds funny. But it is an important topic to understand. Most people assume that when they hire a financial planner, they’re getting a personalized roadmap for their financial life. Yet surprisingly, that’s often not the case, and it can have a huge impact on your future. In my latest video, podcast episode, and blog post you’ll learn: Why don’t most financial planners plan finances? We went to a fascinating conference…

Read More

How to Reliably Maximize Your Retirement Income – Is the “4% Rule” Safe?

By Ed Rempel | June 19, 2025

You want to retire soon. What is the best way to setup your retirement income to give you the maximum cash flow that will reliably last the rest of your life? Many financial planners use the “4% Rule”, which says that you can, for example, withdraw $40,000/year rising by inflation for life from a $1 million portfolio. Is that safe? I studied 146 years of investment history. The conclusions are surprising: Prefer an overview? Like videos or podcasts? Check out our whiteboard video and podcast episode, or read the full post below! You will learn: “Conventional wisdom” Let’s look at the typical…

Read More

Financial Advice or Financial Quackery?

By Ed Rempel | June 12, 2025

“You gotta be careful if you don’t know where you’re going, otherwise you might not get there.” – Yogi Berra How can you tell whether financial advice you receive is real financial advice or financial quackery? Much of what happens in the financial industry is financial quackery, but because the common methods are familiar to most of us, they appear normal. You can’t really see how inadequate and funny many financial procedures are until you compare them to other fields. “Quackery” is a fun word that normally refers to medicine. It is a type of health fraud that promotes products and services…

Read More

Journey to Conquer Cancer Walk for Princess Margaret Research in Honour of Ann Hetram

By Ed Rempel | June 5, 2025

This is a personal post and my first post with a request. My wife, life partner and business partner, Ann Hetram, passed away unexpectedly from cancer 2 months ago. She received excellent care at Princess Margaret Hospital, which is the best cancer hospital in Canada. In her honour, I am co-captain of a team in the Journey to Conquer Cancer walk to support research at Princess Margaret Hospital. My team is the Harbour Square Team for my condo building. The walk is on Sunday, June 15 at 9 AM. It starts at the University of Toronto, Varsity Stadium, 299 Bloor Street West,…

Read More

Rempel Maximum – The Story of Joe & Rich

By Ed Rempel | May 29, 2025

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 extreme version of the life of an ordinary person managing his money exceptionally. The concepts are in my last post, “Rempel Maximum – 5 Steps to Becoming a Multi-Millionaire”. We often hear that building wealth is just about numbers. But here’s the truth: the numbers are just the tools. What really matters is what those numbers do for your life. In this article, you’ll see the stark contrast between two ordinary guys—Joe and Rich—who made…

Read More

Rempel Maximum – 5 Steps to Becoming a Multi-Millionaire

By Ed Rempel | May 22, 2025

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 free? I don’t mean just a comfortable amount. I mean a lot – like being a multi-millionaire. The truth is, average people can become very wealthy just by managing their money for maximum growth. Prefer an overview? Like videos? Check out our whiteboard video, podcast episode, or read the full post below! The chart is based on “The Story of Joe & Rich”. This story is an extreme version of the life of an…

Read More

Smith Manoeuvre

By Ed Rempel | May 8, 2025

The 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 time into a tax deductible investment credit line. Most Canadians are searching for a feeling of financial security, but all the bills & life expenses mean they never build up enough of a nest egg to be secure. The Smith Manoeuvre is a strategy that can help you build your nest egg and help you achieve the retirement you want without using your cash flow.…

Read More

3 Principles of Successful Investors (UPDATED)

By Ed Rempel | May 1, 2025

“There are some people who, if they don’t already know, you can’t tell ’em.” – Yogi Berra 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 strategy you use seems to eventually work. You don’t spend much time or effort, yet most of the time you are feeling quite confident about your investments. Or are you the type of investor who always seems to struggle?  It seems everything you buy goes down right after you buy. When you finally sell, they take off. And…

Read More

When Can I Retire With the Lifestyle I Want?

By Ed Rempel | April 24, 2025

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 25+ years. They want financial freedom. It’s what we all really want. But you need a retirement plan to get there. It won’t happen on its own. Creating your retirement plan is fun. It’s not about the money. It’s all about your life. Your retirement plan is the GPS for your life. It makes you wealthier, because it gets you to your goal the quickest and most effective way. In my latest video, podcast episode,…

Read More

Support Top Charities with Ed & Ann’s “Best Things First” Foundation

By Ed Rempel | April 17, 2025

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 dollar donated? You can now donate to the most cost-effective charities in the world with Ed & Ann’s charitable foundation “Best Things First”. In my latest video, podcast episode, and blog post you’ll learn: How did Ed & Ann get started looking for cost-effective charities? For many years, we donated like most people do. Small amounts to a few causes we could identify with and a few to get rid of a telemarketer.…

Read More

Celebrating the Life of Ann Hetram

By Ed Rempel | April 9, 2025

View the recording of Ann’s Celebration of Life with all the talks about her: I am heartbroken. My wife, life partner & business partner Ann Hetram passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 30. We will have a Celebration of Life in Ann’s honour to share stories on Thursday, April 17 at 3 PM, followed by a reception until 8 PM. Details at the end of this talk. I would like to share: Our Life Together and What She Means to Me Ann was truly my life partner in every way. She means much more to me than just being my wife. She…

Read More

Can You Be Confident in the Stock Market? (UPDATED)

By Ed Rempel | March 21, 2025

Which is true? To invest effectively for your future, it is vital to be confident in your investments. Here is the historical data to give you a clear picture of what long-term investors can expect. By the end, you’ll have a clearer answer to the big question: Is the stock market the best way to build wealth over time? This is an updated post with new insights. Prefer an overview? Like videos or podcasts? Check out our whiteboard video, podcast episode, or read the full post below! What you will learn: Key Question If you invested 100% in the stock market and…

Read More

How to Donate Effectively and Avoid Telemarketers – Interview with John Bromley, Founder & CEO of Charitable Impact

By Ed Rempel | March 13, 2025

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 foundation—and how to make a real impact with your giving. In my latest video I interview John Bromley, the Founder and CEO of Charitable Impact, the platform we personally use to make giving easier and more effective.  John has dedicated his career to helping Canadians maximize their impact through strategic giving.  His company has proudly facilitated over $1.5 billion in donations, empowering tens of thousands of people to tap into their generosity, pursue their…

Read More

What’s New in Tax 2025

By Ed Rempel | March 6, 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 finally gone! In my latest YouTube video, podcast episode, and blog post you’ll learn New reporting requirements for trusts  Capital gains inclusion  For this year, there are few new changes. This may be because parliament has been shut down since September. The main changes I see are: Charitable donations deadline – The deadline for making donations for the 2024 tax year was extended to February 28, 2025, given the disruption of the Canada Post strike.…

Read More

Realizing You Somehow Became Wealthy

By Ed Rempel | February 27, 2025

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 saving and investing effectively, it hits them: I’m actually wealthy.  And let me tell you—being wealthy feels different. In my latest YouTube video, podcast episode, and blog post I talk about: How do you become wealthy slowly? Save & invest effectively. Nearly all wealthy people are self-made. It’s a simple formula: Long-term compounding is the 8th wonder of the world. For example, investing from age 25-65 is 40 years. The last 40 years from 1985-2024, $10,000 grew to…

Read More

Retiring Right Before or During a Recession. Debunking “Sequence of Returns Risk”. (Canadian Financial Summit 2024)

By Ed Rempel | February 20, 2025

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 too quickly.  This fear often leads retirees to make poor investment choices, resulting in: But how real is this risk? And do the conventional solutions—like investing in bonds or following the 4% Rule—actually work? Is it true that “sequence of returns risk” has been debunked for long-term equity investors? In my latest YouTube video, podcast episode, and blog post you’ll learn

Read More