Unconventional Wisdom

Ed Rempel
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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.

  1. New Study Supports 100% Equity Investing for Life (Canadian Financial Summit 2025)

    18 HRS AGO

    New Study Supports 100% Equity Investing for Life (Canadian Financial Summit 2025)

    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?

    27 min
  2. What Canadians Are Really Asking About Money Right Now

    JAN 29

    What Canadians Are Really Asking About Money Right Now

    What Canadians Are Really Asking About Money Right Now In this one-off episode, I reflect on the topics listeners have engaged with most over time, and what that reveals about the financial decisions people are really grappling with. From retirement timing and government benefits to understanding risk, evidence-based investing, and long-term tax strategies, these themes point to a clear desire for clarity over hype. I also take a moment to say thank you to you the listeners and invite your input on what questions or challenges you'd like addressed in future episodes. This podcast works best when it reflects what people are actually dealing with, not just what sounds good in theory. Thank you for listening! Ed

    6 min
  3. RRSP/RRIF Meltdown Strategies Explained (Canadian Financial Summit 2025)

    JAN 22

    RRSP/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 the Canadian Financial Summit you'll learn: How does the RRSP/RRIF meltdown strategy help you withdraw from your RRSP with minimum tax? What does the traditional RRSP/RRIF Meltdown Strategy look like? Why should it be called the RRIF Meltdown Strategy, not the RRSP Meltdown Strategy? Why are self-made dividends the secret to an effective RRIF Meltdown Strategy? What are the 4 tricky complications? Why does the traditional RRIF Meltdown not melt your RRIF down? What is the problem with starting it before you retire? What is the problem with starting it when you retire? What are the 3 main RRIF Meltdown Strategies? What are the 4 issues for implementing the RRSP/RRIF Meltdown Strategy effectively? What are the 6 steps to implementing the RRSP/RRIF Meltdown Strategy effectively?

    30 min
  4. How Did the Wealthy Get Wealthy — and Can I Copy Them? (Canadian Financial Summit 2025)

    JAN 15

    How 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 and read countless studies on wealth building.  While my clients are generally higher-income, growth-focused individuals who work with a financial plan, I've also spoken to countless others—through my blog, in-person, and within my network of wealthy individuals.  These insights have given me a clear understanding of who achieves financial success and the steps they took to get there. You will learn: How much do you need to be "wealthy"? What types of people have high net worth? What is a "productive growth asset"? How much do you need to save to become wealthy? Do you have to borrow to invest to become wealthy? What does the Lifecycle Investing study tell us about growing wealth? How can you become wealthy?

    22 min
  5. Random Walk Theory Debunked: The Best Market Gains Follow the Worst Crashes – And One Easy Rule to Beat the Market

    JAN 1

    Random 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 makes stocks more predictable (and rewarding) than the 'random walk' myth suggests. For the average investor saving for retirement, understanding this could mean thousands more in your pocket annually—without switching to boring bonds. Just change your outlook and use a simple method to beat the market. In my latest podcast episode you will learn: What is the "Random Walk Theory"? Why is the stock market not a "random walk"? How can you use this to your advantage? An easy way to beat the market. This is for investors who prefer evidence, clarity, and disciplined strategy over speculation or hype.

    13 min
  6. The Fake Stages of Retirement: Why 'Slow-Go' Is Really About Money — Not Age

    2025-12-27

    The 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 gurus alike. But what if I told you it's mostly a myth? That "slow-go" isn't about creaky knees or fading energy - it's usually just code for "didn't save enough". Today, we're busting that myth wide open with hard data, real surveys, and some eye-opening figures. Stick around, because if you save like you mean it, your 80s could look more like Ibiza than a rocking chair. In my latest podcast episode you will learn: Why the traditional "Go-Go, Slow-Go, No-Go" retirement stages are largely a myth That retirees with strong finances and good health often keep travelling well into their 80s How average retirees see only a modest drop in travel spending between ages 75–84 Why wealthier retirees typically maintain high travel spending with little slowdown That many retirees don't save enough — making them vulnerable to even small cost increases Why reduced travel is usually caused by money concerns, not inevitable aging How financial stress shows up in every "stage" of retirement — including the so-called "No-Go" years Why overly conservative investing can reduce retirement income dramatically compared with growth portfolios How better financial planning can help you stay active, independent, and engaged longer

    17 min
  7. Why Monte Carlo Simulations Get Retirement Risk Wrong

    2025-12-04

    Why 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, we'll debunk why most of these simulated failures could never happen in real life, how they push you toward boring bond-heavy portfolios that slash your retirement lifestyle by an average of 15-35% in annual spending, and why simply planning flexible actions during market dips is a game-changer for staying wealthy without the fearmongering. Ignore Monte Carlo panic porn for empowered planning. Focus on adaptability over probabilities. Retirement isn't about avoiding every storm—it's about sailing through them smarter. You will learn: What are Monte Carlo Simulations? Why most simulated failures are myths that can't happen in real life. Why the stock market is not a "random walk". How the solution of more bonds can make your retirement miserable. Why action plans for market downturns are a better solution. Why failures are not catastrophic – just temporary lifestyle adjustments. Retirement isn't about avoiding every storm—it's about sailing through them smarter.

    14 min
  8. Exponential Thinking – How Major Wealth Happens

    2025-10-30

    Exponential Thinking – How Major Wealth Happens

    Your investments may grow a bit each year, but have you wondered about how some people grow major wealth? Instead of growing 10%, how can they be 10 times larger? Many ordinary people build up millions of dollars, without having a high income or inheritance. How does that happen? It's because real wealth doesn't grow linearly. It grows exponentially — through compounding, smart investing, and a different way of thinking about progress. In my latest video, podcast episode, and blog post you'll learn: What is exponential thinking? What are some real life examples? How does the "Rule of 72" help you? Why is exponential growth all around us today when it wasn't decades ago? Why does investing for growth give you many times more than investing for income? Why is borrowing to invest so effective? Why should you learn to think exponentially? Once you start thinking exponentially, you'll see opportunities for wealth and growth everywhere.

    14 min
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Ed Rempel
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    152
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    Unconventional Wisdom

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