Unconventional Wisdom

Hosted by Ed Rempel

Business Investing Education

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Episodes

162

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-CA

About the show

Welcome to the Unconventional Wisdom podcast. The show that helps you achieve financial security & freedom. Insights based on in-depth experience from Canada's #1 financial planner blogger. Find out what really works. Your host, fee-for-service financial planner & tax accountant, Ed Rempel.

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60 recent

June 16, 2026Episode 1612 min

Financial Planning Isn't Optional, It's Your Power Move: Financial Planning Myths and Why You Absolutely Need a Plan (and a Planner)

Many people know they should think about financial planning, yet often put it off for years. Not because they're irresponsible. More often, it's because of common beliefs such as: "I'm not wealthy enough yet." "I can figure it out myself." "Once I make a plan, I'm done." "Planning will restrict my lifestyle." In this episode, Sabiha Mukadam, CFP®, MBA, explores four of the most common financial planning myths she hears from clients and explains why financial planning is about much more than investments. You'll learn: Why financial planning isn't just for wealthy people The hidden risks of the do-it-yourself approach Why your financial plan should evolve as your life changes How planning can create more freedom, not less The role a financial planner can play beyond managing investments Whether you're just getting started or reviewing an existing financial plan, this episode offers practical insights to help you build greater clarity, confidence, and long-term financial security.

June 9, 2026Episode 155 min

Why Feeling Behind Is Normal (And What It Means for Your Money, Investing, and Financial Plan)

In this episode of Youth Corner, Sabiha explores why so many people feel behind financially—and why comparison and expectations often have more influence on that feeling than reality. After more than 30 years in financial planning, she explains why this feeling is often driven by comparison and expectations rather than reality—and why financial confidence is something that can be built over time. Key takeaways: Why feeling behind financially is more common than most people realize How comparison can distort your perception of financial progress Why uncertainty is a normal part of investing and financial planning How financial confidence develops through learning, experience, and informed decision-making Why there is no single financial timeline you're required to follow

June 4, 2026Episode 1414 min

The Multi-Millionaire's Dilemma: Should an 84-Year-Old Stay Invested in Stocks?

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 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?

June 2, 2026Episode 136 min

What Does Money Mean to You?

I'm pleased to introduce the first podcast episode 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 podcast episode, 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

May 28, 2026Episode 124 min

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 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 podcast episode 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

May 21, 2026Episode 1115 min

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 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 podcast episode you'll learn my full answers from the interview, including the parts most FIRE discussions tend to leave out.

May 7, 2026Episode 1017 min

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 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?

April 23, 2026Episode 915 min

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: What is the "Multi-Millionaires' 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.

March 26, 2026Episode 817 min

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? 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?

March 19, 2026Episode 721 min

How to Live with Health & Vitality Past Age 100

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.