Unconventional Wisdom

How to Live with Health & Vitality Past Age 100

19 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 pos...

2026 Tax Changes – How They Affect Your Life & Your Retirement Plan

26 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 seve...

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

12 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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...

What Canadians Are Really Asking About Money Right Now

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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, an...

RRSP/RRIF Meltdown Strategies Explained (Canadian Financial Summit 2025)

22 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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...

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

15 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

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

01 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 p...

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

27 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Why Monte Carlo Simulations Get Retirement Risk Wrong

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ever been terrified by those retirement calculators showing a scary chance of running out of money?  That's Monte Carlo simulations at work—spinnin...

Exponential Thinking – How Major Wealth Happens

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

The Meaning of Life - Responsibility

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What is the meaning of life? What truly makes it worth living? How can having a meaningful life help you become financially independent? It comes down...

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

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 an...

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

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

♦Go Big or Go Slow: Why 10x Wealth Is Easier Than 2x♦ This title may be hard to believe, but it is a common theme in coaching for small business e...

Why Renting Could Be Your Secret to Smarter Wealth Building

28 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

How To Make Your Home A Good Investment

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 convent...

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

07 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

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

31 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Most seniors start their CPP and OAS when they retire or at age 65, without evaluating the options. But many would benefit from delaying CPP until age...

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

17 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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-invest...

Why Don't Most Financial Planners Plan Finances?

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 as...

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

19 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You want to retire soon.  What is the best way to set up your retirement income to give you the maximum cash flow that will reliably last the rest of...

Financial Advice or Financial Quackery?

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How can you tell whether financial advice you receive is real financial advice or financial quackery? Much of what happens in the financial industry i...

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

05 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Rempel Maximum - The Story of Joe & Rich

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 i...

Rempel Maximum: 5 Steps to Becoming a Multi-Millionaire

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The Smith Manoeuvre – Is Your Mortgage Tax Deductible?

08 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 mortg...

3 Principles of Successful Investors (UPDATED)

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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. Wh...

When Can I Retire With the Lifestyle I Want?

24 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ove...

Support Top Charities with Ed & Ann's "Best Things First" Foundation

17 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 fo...

Celebrating the Life of Ann Hetram

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I am heartbroken. My wife, life partner & business partner Ann Hetram passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 30. Ann was truly one of a kind — wi...

Can You Be Confident in the Stock Market (Updated)

21 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Which is true? 1.The stock market is a gamble. Decent investment, but it may or may not make money for you. 2.The stock market is a reliable long-term...

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

13 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 charita...

What's New in Tax 2025

06 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 a...

Realizing You Somehow Became Wealthy

27 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I often talk with people who realize—almost by surprise—that they've become wealthy.  They never really thought of themselves as wealthy, but aft...

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

20 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Bloggers and advisors constantly warn about the "Sequence of Returns Risk"—the fear that retiring right before or during a market crash will drain y...

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

13 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 download...

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

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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, ...

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

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 rig...

New Study Supports 100% Equity Investing for Life

02 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For years, conventional wisdom has preached the benefits of diversifying between stocks & bonds and gradually shifting to safer investments as we age....

Monthly Fixed Pay ETFs & Funds Are a Brain Fart!

19 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

RRSP/RRIF Meltdown Strategies

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

How Did the Wealthy Get Wealthy? Can I Copy Them?

28 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In a recent podcast episode, I talked about who the poor & wealthy are and how did they get there.  Today, I'm diving deeper into one crucial aspect:...

Lifecycle Investing: The Ultimate Strategy for Younger People – An Example

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I often get asked about Lifecycle Investing and how to implement it.  If you're under 40 and saving to achieve financial independence, this might be ...

Who Are the Wealthy and How Did They Get Rich?

07 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As a financial planner, I've had a unique view into the full financial picture of thousands of Canadians and have read countless studies.  My experie...

Your FREE passes: See my talks at the #1 online event – Canadian Financial Summit 2024

17 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The online Canadian Financial Summit is coming up the week of October 25-27. It's the #1 personal finance event of the year. As a reader of the Unconv...

Tax Brackets for Parents & Seniors Are Way Different Than You Think!

10 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tax brackets for parents and seniors are way different than you think.  This might be a real eye opener for some people because I think a lot of peop...

Do You Need Savings in Addition to a Government Pension Like OMERS?

03 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When planning for retirement, many Canadians rely on a government pension like OMERS (Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System) as their foundati...

Dividend Investing Perfected with Self-Made Dividends (Canadian Financial Summit 2023)

26 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the vast landscape of personal finance, dividend investing has carved out a significant niche.  Whether you're browsing through countless blogs or...

Smith Manoeuvre In A Financial Plan & The New OSFI Rules (Canadian Financial Summit 2023)

19 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Smith Manoeuvre is an efficient strategy to use your home equity to invest for your future without using your cash flow, while converting your mor...

How To Design Your Retirement Income: An Overview (Canadian Financial Summit 2023)

12 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With the Canadian Financial Summit coming up at the end of October, I wanted to share over the next few weeks content that Summit attendees had access...

Take Control of Your Finances in One Step

05 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Most people struggle with money.  It might feel like you're the only one who doesn't have it all figured out, but trust me, you're not alone.  Over ...

Mid-Year Insights 2024

22 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Here are three key insights that I believe are essential for navigating the rest of the year and beyond.  These insights are grounded in the principl...

Top 5 Hacks To Maximize Your Child's RESP

08 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Many people are saving for their kids' future education costs in an RESP. For some parents, it is a higher priority and they want to be able to maximi...

What Happens if the Liberals Attack the Smith Manoeuvre?

01 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Smith Manoeuvre has long been a popular strategy for Canadian homeowners seeking to convert their mortgage debt into tax-deductible investment deb...

How Long Will You Live?

18 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered how long you might live?  Understanding life expectancy is crucial for planning a secure and fulfilling future.  In my latest...

TFSA or RRSP? – The Right Answer for You (2024)

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Deciding between a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) and a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) can be one of the most challenging financial decisi...

How To Have a Long Lifespan, Healthspan & Wealthspan With 3.0 Level Thinking

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How long should you expect to be retired? You want your money to last the rest of your life. How long will you live? What quality of life will you hav...

How To Create a Financial Plan That Is Your Life Plan - Interview with Kornel Szrejber

20 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I recently worked with Kornel Szrejber, host of Canada's #1 financial podcast "Build Wealth Canada", on his family's financial plan, so he could feel ...

How to Successfully Implement the Smith Manoeuvre (Ed Rempel interviewed by Sean Cooper from "Burn Your Mortgage")

04 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You know the basics about the Smith Manoeuvre.  It's one of the most effective wealth building strategies if done by the right people in the right wa...

How to Avoid or Minimize Extra Tax from New Higher Capital Gains Tax

10 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You may have heard that we just had a new budget here in Canada, and increased the taxes on capital gains.  Canadians with a rental property, cottage...

How to Donate Effectively

07 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You may be thinking – what difference can I make in the world? As a financial planner I talk a lot about money, however, it's not really about the m...

How to EASILY Outperform Financial Advisors

02 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's easy to outperform financial advisors. Why? Conventional wisdom is they underperform because of fees, but there is a bigger reason. They don't ev...

Financially Smart Divorce

30 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Divorce is never financially smart! As a financial planner, I don't recommend divorce. It's bad for your finances! However, you can go through it in t...

Tenant for Life by Choice: 5 Steps to "Tenant Freedom"

25 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Many people today feel they have no choice but to be a tenant, however, what if you actually choose this?  You can choose to be a tenant forever and ...

Gold Goes DOWN on Inflation

23 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Gold goes down on inflation.  Why doesn't the industry know this? This is one of the most common and wrong conventional wisdoms. The conventional wis...

What is a Hedge Fund? – Inside the Semi-Secret Hedge Fund World

16 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

20 years ago I took the most fascinating investment course, and by far the most in-depth. The course made me a "Certified Hedge Fund Specialist" (CHFS...

6 Key Lessons Learned as a Fee-For-Service Financial Planner - Talk with Ellen Roseman's Investment Club

11 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I was honoured to be invited by Ellen Roseman to speak with her Investment Club about the 6 key lessons I have learned as a fee-for-service financial ...

Your Corporation - What You Need to Know (If You Don't Understand Your Accountant)

09 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Do you own a business? If yes, then you'll love my latest podcast episode. I cover the few things that you really need to know about corporations. You...

Should I Start My CPP Early?

02 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The most common question I get asked about the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is: "Is it smart to take my CPP early?" And what I say is - it depends, as th...

The 6 Steps to Become Financially Independent

26 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What will it take for you to become financially free?  To have enough money that you never have to work again? This latest podcast episode is my insi...

How to EASILY Outperform Robo-Advisors

21 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's easy to outperform robo-advisors. Why? Because they don't even try to outperform, they try for reasonable returns with less risk. You would think...

5-Year Fixed Mortgage Trap

19 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The average Canadian wastes $22,000 after tax during their life for every $100,000 of their mortgage and takes 38 months longer to pay it off, accordi...

Smith Manoeuvre or Smith Maneuver?

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Smith Manoeuvre or Smith Maneuver? Why the two spellings and which is correct? This strategy (which I'm most known for), helps Canadian homeowners mak...

Asset Allocation Loss Ratio (AALR) – What Is It & How Does It Help You?

07 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Asset Allocation Loss Ratio (AALR) – What Is It & How Does It Help You? When you go to any investment firm in Canada, they require you to sign a ris...

Biggest mistakes that could tarnish, or even tank, your credit rating: Interview with Bryn Griffiths from 630 CHED radio

05 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I recently did an interview with Bryn Griffiths from 630 CHED radio in Edmonton about how different things can affect people's credit ratings and how ...

The Rempel Maximum - 5 Steps to Becoming a Multi-Millionaire

27 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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? B...

How to EASILY Outperform Index Investors

22 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It is easy to outperform index investors. Why? Because they don't really try to get index returns, they try for reasonable returns with less risk. Thi...

Gambling, Speculating, Saving & Investing - What's the Difference?

20 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How should you invest your money? If you don't invest wisely, it will be hard to fund your future. There are always new areas you can put your money i...

How to Easily Outperform Financial Advisors, Robo-Advisors & Index Investors

15 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Financial freedom is what we all want. We talk to people about their finances all the time and most people just want to know that their money is there...

The Quest To Find All Star Fund Managers

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When you're planning for your future you need to have a sound investment strategy, that gives you confidence that you'll eventually have the retiremen...

2 Things You Must Focus On To Be Financially Secure

06 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Do you feel financially secure?  What would it take for you to build a huge nest egg to become financially secure? Conventional wisdom says it's most...

Short Overview: RRSP Gross-up Strategy - Easily Contribute 40-70% More to Your RRSP (2024)

01 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The RRSP Gross-up Strategy is a relatively simple concept that can help you contribute 40-70% more to your RRSP, without using any more of your cash. ...

RRSP Gross-up Strategy - Easily Contribute 40-70% More to Your RRSP

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Wouldn't it be great if you could save a lot more for your future without affecting your day-to-day cash flow? One of the main things you learn from y...

Tax Planning for Parents

25 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are you a parent? If yes - you're probably paying a lot more tax. Parents are often in higher tax brackets than non parents. This means your planning ...

Why Simple Investment Stats Don't Give You Good Returns

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you're investing in equities, you may be using various investment data software like Morningstar. The problem? Investment data often gets misused. ...

5 Steps for You to Become Wealthy

18 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

5 Steps for You to Become Wealthy One of the really cool things about my job is that I get to meet a lot of wealthy people. I get to see what kind of ...

Smith Manoeuvre - Is Your Mortgage Tax-Deductible?

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is your mortgage tax-deductible? The Smith Manoeuvre is an elegant strategy to invest for your retirement without using your cash flow. You borrow aga...

TFSA vs RRSP - Cutting Through the Confusion

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You have probably seen many articles Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) vs. Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP). Here is the real answer specifical...

Dividend Investing Is a Brain Fart

04 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dividend investing is a brain fart! The entire concept is your brain playing tricks on you. I know that thousands of people like dividend investing. I...

What's Important About Money To You?

02 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What's important about money to you? Understanding how you feel about money is the first step in an effective financial plan to create the life you wa...

The World is Getting Better All the Time

21 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As we look forward to the holidays and 2024, one thing I know for sure is: "The World is Getting Better All the Time". Every generation of young peopl...

Small Print "Gotcha" in Credit Card Interest (Hint It Can Be 20,000%)!

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You probably think credit card interest is pretty high. It can be far higher than you think! If you or your kids ever do not pay your credit card bala...

Can You Be Confident in the Stock Market?

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Can You Be Confident in the Stock Market? There are two schools of thought on this question. The stock market is a decent investment, but it's a gam...

Why You Should Open an FHSA This Year

07 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You should open up an FHSA Account this year! This is for you if you don't own a home now or in the last four years and are age 18 - 71. You get contr...

When Can I Retire With the Lifestyle I Want?

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Financial freedom. It's what we all really want. The question is: how do we get there? One key component to achieving financial freedom is creating a ...

How To Live Off Your Investments and How Much Do You Need? Kornel Szrejber interviews Ed on the BuildWealthCanada Podcast

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How much do you need to be financially independent? That is just one of the many questions posed by Kornel Szrejber of Build Wealth Canada. He recentl...

Invest a Lump Sum or Bit-by-Bit. Which Is Smarter?

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Invest a Lump Sum or Bit-by-Bit. Which Is Smarter? You have a lump sum of cash and you're trying to figure out how to invest it. The stock market seem...

Beware of Nice Advisors

17 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I've talked with thousands of Canadians that will not have the life they want because their advisor gave them bad advice. Why do they stick with their...

Above Index Returns - How To Beat The Index

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How can you get above index returns? Index funds and ETFs deliver below index returns. With global equities, their returns are typically 0.5 or 1% bel...

Optimism Is the Only Realism

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Optimism is the Only Realism. You'll learn why in my latest podcast episode. I feel compelled to talk about optimism for two reasons: 1/ Optimism is a...

Using Your Corporation as Your Retirement Fund

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Can you fund your retirement from your corporation? That's the question I answer in my latest podcast episode specifically for business owners, where ...