Unconventional Wisdom

Ed Rempel

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Unconventional Wisdom

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.

4D AGO

What’s New in Tax 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! No more reporting requirements for "bare trusts"—saving many Canadians unnecessary paperwork and fees. The proposed capital gains tax hike? Likely off the table. In my latest podcast episode you’ll learn What are the 2 big uncertainties that are gone now? What are the 6 main tax changes for 2025? What is the new picture for saving for your first home? Enjoy! Ed

15 min
FEB 27

Realizing You Somehow Became Wealthy

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 podcast episode, I talk about: How do you become wealthy slowly? How do you know if you are financially independent? How do you know if you are “wealthy”? How does the mind shift feel? What mind shifts usually happen? What are typical mind shifts about how you spend your money? What are typical mind shifts about weekends & free time? What are typical mind shifts about vacations? What are typical mind shifts about friends & family? What negative feelings sometimes happen? Does the mind shift start when you realize you’ll be wealthy in retirement? Rethinking your values as a wealthy person. What is your legacy? How do you want to be remembered?

22 min
FEB 20

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

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: 🚨 Inferior portfolios 📉 Lower returns ❌ A less reliable retirement 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 podcast episode you’ll learn What is “Sequence of Returns Risk”? What solutions are typically recommended? What is the actual risk of running out of money with a bad sequence of returns? Why don’t the typical solutions work? How long did it take to recover from the biggest crashes? How can you get the maximum reliable retirement income? What should you do if your risk tolerance is lower? What is “Your Personal Rule” for you to use instead of the “4% Rule”? What solution to “Sequence of Returns Risk” actually works? What dynamic spending rules are suggested by actuaries & advisors? What is Ed’s dynamic spending rule? How is it customized for you?

24 min
FEB 13

New Study Supports 100% Equity Investing for Life – The Debate

Recently, I posted a video “New Study Supports 100% Equity Investing for Life” that went semi-viral with 14,000 YouTube views & 1,000 podcast downloads. There is an interesting active debate mainly on YouTube, and a bit on my blog with a lot of comments and questions. Let’s look at them and join the debate. The evidence from the study to invest 100% in equities for life is certainly unconventional, so the comments revealed interesting insights. This is an important topic. I have many posts on my blog over almost 20 years about how much better your Financial Plan and retirement income are with a high equity allocation. I have posts about other studies, including my own. I believe people with a high enough risk tolerance who will stay invested through market crashes should invest 100% in equities. This is unconventional wisdom – but studies show it works! In my latest podcast episode and blog post you'll discover: What did the study actually say? What did most of the comments agree on? Does the study support 100% equities right through retirement? Won’t many people panic and sell? How does the recommendation of 67% international look for US vs. non-US investors? Do international stocks provide good diversification? Would this work in some time periods but not others? Would it work for narrower equity indexes, such as the NASDAQ? Is this study new? Isn’t the risk of running out of money in retirement similar for 100%, 80% & 60% equities? Isn’t it better to keep some cash?

30 min
JAN 23

How to Easily Outperform Financial Advisors, Robo-Advisors & Index Investors (Canadian Financial Summit 2024)

Why do so many Canadians struggle to achieve financial freedom, even with a solid financial plan? Why do they retire with less than they hoped for, despite diligently saving and investing? The answer often boils down to two things: suboptimal investments and a misguided focus on risk. In my latest podcast episode, we’ll uncover why good investment performance is essential for your financial success and show you how to take control of your portfolio. We’ll also address common misconceptions about risk in the investment industry and uncover the secrets to thinking like a successful investor. You’ll learn: Why is good performance important for your life? What rate of return do you need to become financially independent? What are the 4 performance drags that reduce investment returns? What is the Asset Allocation Loss Ratio (AALR)? Why is it easy to outperform financial advisors? What is wrong with the investment industry definition of “risk”? Why is it easy to outperform robo-advisors? Why is it easy to outperform index investors? How can you learn to think properly about investing? What are the secrets to outperforming?

38 min
JAN 16

7 Best Ideas to Optimize the Smith Manoeuvre (Canadian Financial Summit 2024)

With its quirky name, the Smith Manoeuvre might sound unconventional, but it’s a strategy that truly works—when done by the right people, in the right way, over the long term. From crafting over 1,000 professional Financial Plans, I’ve seen firsthand how the Smith Manoeuvre can transform your finances, helping Canadians use their home equity to invest for their future without impacting their cash flow. When included as part of a comprehensive financial plan, this strategy can empower you to achieve the life you’ve always envisioned. But optimizing the Smith Manoeuvre requires more than just the basics—it’s about mastering the practical details and understanding how to maximize its benefits. In my latest podcast episode you’ll learn: What is the right reason to do the Smith Manoeuvre? How do you know if you are the right person for the Smith Manoeuvre? What is the right mortgage? How can you keep it 100% tax deductible? Which of the 8 Smith Manoeuvre strategies is right for you? Why is it critical that the Smith Manoeuvre is a long-term strategy? What is the right mindset to minimize the risk & maximize the benefits?

32 min
JAN 2

New Study Supports 100% Equity Investing for Life

For years, conventional wisdom has preached the benefits of diversifying between stocks & bonds and gradually shifting to safer investments as we age. But what if these widely accepted strategies are fundamentally flawed? A newly published, high-quality study is flipping the script on traditional investment advice, making a compelling case for a 100% equity strategy throughout life. This research, backed by robust data from 39 developed countries and spanning long-term investment horizons, challenges two key conventional wisdoms: That savers should diversify between stocks and bonds. That young people should invest more heavily in stocks than when they are older. Instead, the study reveals that an all-equity portfolio—with a notable tilt toward international stocks—outperforms traditional stock-bond strategies in building wealth, ensuring reliable retirement income, and preserving capital. In my latest podcast episode you'll discover: 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?

16 min
12/19/2024

Monthly Fixed Pay ETFs & Funds Are a Brain Fart!

I talk with people all the time who have an ETF or mutual fund that pays a fixed monthly amount. In most cases, they misunderstand it. Most think they are receiving regular income—but chances are, it’s usually a brain fart. Many investors misunderstand how these monthly pay investments work. From covered call ETFs and dividend funds to monthly income funds, mortgage funds, T8/T6 mutual funds, and REITs, the mechanics can be confusing—and the implications even more so. In my latest podcast episode you’ll learn: Why are monthly pay ETFs and funds a brain fart? How do fixed monthly pay ETFs or funds work? Why is a monthly distribution not part of your rate of return? What is the difference between a distribution and a dividend? Why is a monthly distribution not new money? Why does a monthly distribution = Selling shares? Why does a reinvested distribution = No distribution? Why do covered call funds usually have lower returns but higher tax? Why are monthly pay ETFs/funds a problem for retirement income? Why are monthly pay ETFs/funds a problem for leverage investors? How can we get out of the Brain Fart? How can you perfect monthly pay funds? What are self-made dividends? Why are self-made dividends a perfect fit for your life?

20 min

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.

Creator

Ed Rempel
Years Active

2023 - 2025
Episodes

123
Rating

Clean
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© 2023
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