Ed Rempel

Fee-For-Service Financial Planner, tax accountant & popular blogger. Expert in Smith Manoeuvre, Lifecycle Investing & GIS Strategy. Read my blog. I follow back.

[Ed Rempel @edrempel]

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:

• What is the “Multi-Millionaire’s Dilemma”?
• How is Louise’s situation similar to the “Multi-Millionaire’s Dilemma”?
• What reasons might she have for investing more conservatively with GICs?
• What reasons might she have for staying invested in equities?
• How can understanding the odds of losing money and the potential for growth help her decide?
• What are the odds that her investments will be worth less at the end of her life?
• How much could they be down in a worst-case scenario?
• How much less is she likely to earn by switching from equities to GICs?
• How can she simplify her investments if she stays in equities?

Click the link to read, watch and listen: https://t.co/r3KDbRWHV8

Ed

[Ed Rempel @edrempel]

I'm pleased to introduce the first article in Sabiha Mukadam's new series, Advice from the Sage Owl.

Sabiha has worked alongside me for many years helping clients build and maintain comprehensive financial plans.

In this article, she explores an important question:

What does money mean to you?

Key takeaways:

• Understanding your relationship with money is the foundation of a strong financial plan
• Money can represent security, freedom, love, respect, opportunity, or something entirely different
• Your money values influence your goals, priorities, and financial decisions
• Money is a tool to help you create the life you want—not the destination itself

Click the link for more: https://t.co/PxO3FRcV0V

Enjoy,
Ed

[Ed Rempel @edrempel]

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 they always have.

Sabiha shares the same planning philosophy that has guided my practice for decades, and I'm confident the advice she provides is the same type and quality of advice I give.

You'll see many of the same concepts and ideas discussed on Unconventional Wisdom, but through her own perspective, voice, and areas of focus.

In my latest video, podcast episode and blog post, you'll learn:

• Why Sabiha decided to start writing for Unconventional Wisdom
• The role she plays with many of our full-service financial planning clients
• Why confidence with money rarely comes from waiting until you're "ready"
• What you'll find in her new Tuesday articles and videos, including Youth Corner and Advice from the Sage Owl
• How her practical approach helps people make better financial decisions without feeling overwhelmed

Help me welcome Sabiha to Unconventional Wisdom.

Click the link to meet Sabiha: https://t.co/usm5aEPKaR

Ed

[Ed Rempel @edrempel]

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 retirement.

No hype. No fantasy projections. Just the math, the psychology, and the tradeoffs people rarely talk about honestly.

Here’s what we covered:

• The income level where traditional FIRE actually starts becoming mathematically possible in Toronto
• Why one popular version of FIRE may actually be harder than the original approach
• The Canadian realities most FIRE discussions barely mention
• What early retirees often discover emotionally after leaving work decades early
• The five biggest mistakes FIRE communities consistently make
• Why disciplined savers can still end up with portfolios that are too small
• The difference between needing income and needing cash flow
• The first thing I ask anyone who says they want to retire at 40

In my latest video, podcast episode and blog post you’ll learn my full answers from the interview, including the parts most FIRE discussions tend to leave out.

Click the link for more: https://t.co/t3IFZvoWox

Enjoy!
Ed

[Ed Rempel @edrempel]

Many Canadians with $1 million or more saved for retirement still feel financially insecure.

I see this all the time.

People work hard, save consistently, invest for decades, and build substantial portfolios, yet still aren’t sure they can retire comfortably.

In many cases, the issue is not a lack of money. It’s a lack of clarity.

Most people have never defined what they actually want their retirement lifestyle to look like or created a proper financial plan that shows how their investments, taxes, income, and spending all work together over time.

A financial plan is really a life plan.

Once you connect the numbers to the lifestyle you want, retirement often becomes much clearer and less stressful.

In my latest article for Money PIP, I’ll explain:

• Why many Canadians still feel uncertain about retirement, even with significant savings
• The real question you should ask instead of “Do I have enough to retire?”
• Why retirement lifestyle matters more than generic savings targets
• How inflation, taxes, CPP, OAS, and withdrawal strategies affect your long-term income
• Why many people are financially independent earlier than they realize
• How a comprehensive financial plan can help give you confidence in your future

Click the link below to read: https://t.co/020V8yZzxU

Ed

[Ed Rempel @edrempel]

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 one way to time the market effectively.
• The good news and bad news of planning for retirement.
• What is the one thing most investors get wrong?
• Why you need to keep your foot on the gas to get the long-term market returns.
• What is Ed’s personal strategy?

Click the link for more: https://t.co/RxZDwBFJXO

Enjoy!
Ed

[Ed Rempel @edrempel]

Should you delay retirement… or are you closer than you think?

I was asked by the National Post to review the finances of a 62-year-old deciding whether to defer Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security to 70, and whether to keep working longer.

Some of the answers go directly against what most people assume.

In this article, you’ll learn:

• How she can retire with only $700K+ and her pension
• Why she should defer Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security because of her portfolio, and when the answer would be different
• Why she does not need cash for an emergency fund and can use a credit line instead
• Why she should not use investments to pay off her mortgage
• Why she should renew her mortgage as soon as she can
• Why an annuity can make her retirement less secure
• The difference between the yield of an annuity and the rate of return
• How she can provide reliable cash flow with minimal tax using self-made dividends

Click the link below to read: https://t.co/kbNpo8lNDm

Ed

[Ed Rempel @edrempel]

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:

• What is the “Multi-Millionaire’s Dilemma”?
• Why consider going conservative?
• Why consider continuing to invest for growth?
• What is the maximum that equities are likely to be down at the end of your life?
• What are the odds equities are down over periods of 5, 10, 15 or 20 years?
• How much growth are you likely giving up by switching from equities to GICs?
• Can the numbers make this clearer?
• What is your money for?
• Why Ed will be 100% equities his entire life.

Click the link for more: https://t.co/cJ6VJOAbO7

Enjoy!
Ed

[Ed Rempel @edrempel]

Most Canadian families with kids who have disabilities are missing out on the RDSP.

It’s one of the most generous programs we have — but a lot of people who qualify for it either don’t know about it or don’t use it properly.

In my latest article with Business News This Week, I break down:

• How $1,500 can get you $3,500 in grants (that’s $5,000 total)
• Why some families can get up to $1,000/year — even without contributing
• The key age rules (these matter more than you think)
• Why RDSPs are usually best invested for long-term growth
• The big withdrawal mistake that can cost you grants
How RDSPs fit with TFSAs and RESPs

If you qualify, this can make a big difference over time.

Read more here: https://t.co/Arp40CbEP5

Ed

[Ed Rempel @edrempel]

Planning for your own future is one thing.

Planning for a child who may never be able to manage their own finances is something else entirely.

That’s the situation one Ontario couple is facing.

They’ve done what most people would consider “all the right things” — a will, savings, insurance, and government benefits, but they’re still unsure if their plan will fully support their son over the long term.

When a child relies on programs like ODSP, even good planning decisions can have unintended consequences if they’re not structured properly.

In this case, I review their strategy and highlight what’s working, what needs adjustment, and where they may be leaving money or flexibility on the table.

In this article, you’ll learn:

• Why a common assumption about Henson Trusts is often misunderstood
• What happens to government benefits as other income sources begin
• The impact of conservative investing on long-term income
• Potential gaps in this couple’s current plan
• A key timing decision that could significantly impact taxes later on

If you’re planning for a family member with a disability, the structure of your plan matters just as much as the amount you save.

Click the link below to read:
https://t.co/Qri1fCKScB

Ed

[Ed Rempel @edrempel]

Today, March 30, marks one year since my wife, Ann Hetram, passed away—the love of my life and my business partner.

My heart is full of both sadness and gratitude.

For a few months, I kept thinking I don’t believe it.

Then for a few months, I went over the last days in detail, wondering if I could have talked with her doctors so they would not have missed her diagnosis.

Since then, I’ve been thinking how lucky I am to have spent 34 years with her.

She was instrumental in me building self-confidence, having close friendships, and a successful practice full of meaning. We have helped thousands of people live better lives.

I could not have done all that without her.

Her life was my life. We lived together and worked together, shared most of the same friends, and did client meetings together.

I feel her life continues, because I am continuing the life we lived together.

I can’t record a better tribute to Ann than the video from her Celebration of Life.

If you have a few minutes, I encourage you to watch it again and think of her.

https://t.co/aH2urpCSxI

Ed

[Ed Rempel @edrempel]

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?
• Would it be good for society?
• How much more would you have to save to be retired 20 more years?
• How many more years would you need to work?
• How are these different depending on the allocation of your portfolio?
• What is likely to happen to CPP, OAS, company pensions and annuities?
• What is likely to happen to life insurance?

Click the link for more: https://t.co/Vd4OLpn88U

Enjoy!
Ed

[Ed Rempel @edrempel]

Is it really possible to live with health & vitality past age 100?

I am on a longevity journey to try to achieve it.

In my latest video and blog post, I will explain what I have learned & experienced so far and why I believe humans routinely being healthy past 100 is in our near future.

You will learn:

• How did Ed’s journey get started?
• How did Ann passing away ignite it?
• What is Ed’s journey since then?
• What is the core focus of the longevity program Ed joined?
• What can we do today to be healthy longer?
• Why is it likely humans will live significantly longer in the future?
• When are we expected to start living much longer?
• What is an exceptional introduction to longevity video by longevity leaders?

Next week’s post is about what happens to your money if you are healthy decades longer.

Click the link for more: https://t.co/pfXoHHUmjL

Enjoy!
Ed

[Ed Rempel @edrempel]

“The stock market is random.”

That’s what Random Walk Theory suggests.

But when you look at market history, the evidence tells a very different story.

In periods of extreme market stress, something interesting often happens.

Large losses are usually followed immediately by large gains.

A few things investors often overlook:

• The biggest market losses and gains often happen close together.
• Severe declines create rare buying opportunities.
• Investor behaviour such as fear, panic, and herd thinking drives many market moves.
• Some of the strongest bull markets happen when sentiment is the worst.
• Stocks are less risky & more reliable over 20-year periods than random walk suggests.
• Bonds & cash are more risky and less reliable over 20-year periods than random walk suggests.
• A simple way to beat the markets.

Markets may feel unpredictable in the short term, but they often reflect something very consistent: human behaviour.

In this article I explain why market history challenges Random Walk Theory and what long-term investors can learn from it.

Click the link to read:
https://t.co/g7C7tF73eV

Ed

[Ed Rempel @edrempel]

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 about $1.7 million.

That’s the power of compounding.

When I work with wealthy clients, one thing I notice is that they didn’t get there by earning a slightly better return each year.

They invested for growth, stayed invested for decades, and let compounding do the heavy lifting.

In this article in Business News This Week, I explain exponential thinking and how it changes the way you think about investing.

We cover:

• The difference between linear growth and exponential growth
• Why compounding can create results most investors underestimate
• The simple Rule of 72 for understanding how quickly money can double
• Why growth investing (equities) has historically created far more wealth than income investing
• How strategies like borrowing to invest can increase long-term results
• Why most investors underestimate the power of long-term compounding

Major wealth is usually quite simple.

It’s just exponential thinking and patience.

Click the link to read: https://t.co/IkP08YTbBr

Ed

[Ed Rempel @edrempel]

Taxes are far more complex today than they were 10 years ago — and 2026 adds another layer.

There were not many headline changes this year, but several could meaningfully affect your retirement plan, home buying strategy, and long-term tax planning.

Complexity is becoming the real story.

In this post and video, you’ll learn:

• What’s new & relevant for you in tax for 2026?
• How will the changes affect your life?
• How will the changes affect your retirement plan?
• What is Ed’s advice on the FHSA vs Home Buyers’ Plan?
• What is the latest on ITF accounts & joint name principal residences?
• What is Ed’s view on these changes? Why were they done?

Click the link for more: https://t.co/qGmsZK4pJw

Enjoy!
Ed

[Ed Rempel @edrempel]

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 want to or not.

I have clients in their mid-80s who travel just as much as they did at 65.

In some cases, they spend more.

The difference isn’t whether they travel. It’s how they travel. More comfort. More convenience. Less physical strain.

What often limits people isn’t health. It’s money — or uncertainty about money.

In this article for “5 Best Things”, I explain:

• Why spending often stays surprisingly consistent throughout retirement
• Why many retirees scale back because of financial caution, not physical decline
• The risk of building plans around sharply falling spending
• Why assuming steady spending is usually the safer approach
• How a proper financial plan gives you the confidence to enjoy retirement without second-guessing

Retirement today looks very different than it did for previous generations. Planning assumptions need to catch up.

Instead of planning for decline, I believe we should plan to maintain the lifestyle you want for as long as you live.

Click the link to read: https://t.co/9KZlthdgK2

Ed

[Ed Rempel @edrempel]

What do you do with your RRSP tax refund?

Most people spend it.

If you reinvest it instead, the refund compounds along with your original contribution. Over time, that can make a meaningful difference.

However, an RRSP top-up strategy is even more powerful.

I was quoted this week in the Financial Post on RRSP and TFSA strategies.

We covered:

• RRSP top-up strategies
• Spousal RRSP income splitting
• When TFSA to RRSP transfers make sense
• Using an FHSA to effectively expand RRSP room

These are structural decisions that can reduce lifetime tax.

The full article is available to National Post subscribers here:

https://t.co/v7OMKzYFaS

Ed

[Ed Rempel @edrempel]

Should you really reduce stocks and increase bonds as you get older?

That’s been conventional wisdom for decades.

A new international study using long-term data from 39 developed countries challenges both of those assumptions.

The researchers found that a globally diversified all-equity strategy outperformed traditional stock-bond portfolios not only for growth, but even for retirement income reliability and capital preservation.

I presented this research at the Canadian Financial Summit because it directly questions the foundation of conventional wisdom on investing as you age.

In this post and video, you’ll learn:

• Is this new study a high-quality study?
• What does the study prove?
• What is the effective way to diversify?
• In what 2 ways is diversifying with international stocks better than with bonds?
• Why should investors keep the same allocation to stocks as they get older?
• Is the all-equity strategy safe?
• Should we actually invest 67% into international stocks?
• What studies already on my blog agree with this study?
• The debate: What questions did readers ask?

Click the link for more:
https://t.co/zVfaqWw4mK

Enjoy!
Ed

[Ed Rempel @edrempel]

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 confident their retirement cash-flow numbers are right, or whether their spending assumptions will hold for the next 30 years.

They want to know whether it makes sense to defer CPP and OAS to age 70, how to minimize tax if they retire early, and whether they can afford to help their three adult children with $100,000 each toward home down payments without putting their own retirement at risk.

Some of the key questions we explore in the article:

• Whether they can really retire now at ages 56 and 60 and still maintain their desired lifestyle
• How to tell if your retirement cash-flow numbers are realistic, or just assumptions based on current spending
• Why conservative, balanced investments often make deferring CPP to age 70 the better financial decision
• How to know whether helping your children financially is affordable — or creates risk later

Early retirement planning is not only about portfolio size. It’s about cash flow, tax brackets, and understanding when guaranteed income provides a better return than investments.

Click the link to read: https://t.co/rSeqjklL7L

Enjoy!
Ed