Podcast
Unconventional Wisdom
Hosted by Ed Rempel · EN
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.
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Starting Over Financially - When Life Changes and You Suddenly Have to Handle It All
1w ago00:06:36Tap to summarizeWhen life changes after a loss, divorce, or separation, you may suddenly find yourself responsible for financial decisions that once belonged to two people, or that someone else handled entirely. The pressure to make immediate decisions can feel overwhelming. But you don't need to solve your entire financial life today. In Part 1 of this practical series on rebuilding financial confidence, Sabiha Mukadam explains how to "find your floor" by identifying: What money is currently coming in What essential expenses must be paid Where your accounts, debts, insurance policies, pensions, and benefits currently live Which major decisions can safely wait until you have a clearer picture Before making permanent financial changes, start by understanding what is true today. Stability comes first. Strategy can come later.
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The Smith Manoeuvre vs Cash Dam: How to Choose the Right Strategy and How Self-Employed Canadians Can Do Both
2w ago00:13:50Tap to summarizeMany Canadians have heard of the Smith Manoeuvre. Many are also self-employed and don't realize they could be using the Cash Dam. How do they fit together in a real financial plan? I break down what each strategy is, why it works, when each strategy works, whether combining them can improve results, and what to watch out for. Learn how to think about these strategies in the context of your overall financial plan, including considerations for self-employed Canadians. In my latest blog post, video, and podcast episode, I cover: What is the Smith Manoeuvre? Why is it so powerful? What is the Cash Dam? Who does it work for? Why do many self-employed people not know about this easy tax deduction? Can you do both strategies at once? Why is it complicated? Which strategy is better for you? What is the long-term plan when you are doing both strategies? How do these strategies fit into your retirement and tax plan?
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How Interest Affects Your Money: Why Small Decisions Matter More Than You Think
2w ago00:08:36Tap to summarizeMost Canadians are taught one simple lesson: "Debt is bad." But real life isn't that simple. Not all debt is created equal. Borrowing to finance a vacation is very different from borrowing to invest in your education. A credit card balance charging 20% interest behaves very differently from money compounding inside a TFSA. Understanding that difference can change your financial future. In Sabiha Mukadam's YouTube video, blog post and podcast episode for the Youth Corner she discuss: Good debt vs. bad debt The power of compound growth Why big decisions matter more than your daily coffee The question everyone should ask before borrowing money Credit cards and Buy Now Pay Later The difference between borrowing that builds wealth and borrowing that creates stress How TFSAs can help Canadians build tax-free wealth Practical steps you can take today
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Are There Really 8 Smith Manoeuvre Strategies?
3w ago00:07:30Tap to summarizeMany people think of the Smith Manoeuvre as a single strategy, but it's actually a flexible framework with several different approaches. In this episode of Advice from the Sage Owl, Sabiha Mukadam explores the eight most common Smith Manoeuvre strategies and explains how different approaches may suit different financial situations and long-term goals. In this episode, you'll learn: What the eight Smith Manoeuvre strategies are How each approach works at a high level Which strategies are generally suited to beginners Which approaches are intended for more experienced or high growth investors Why most people only ever use one or two strategies Why the simplest approach is often the most appropriate How the right strategy depends on your goals, cash flow, and risk tolerance The Smith Manoeuvre is not a one-size-fits-all strategy. Most people don't need the most advanced version to benefit. The key is understanding the different approaches and choosing the one that best fits your long-term financial plan. Advice from the Sage Owl is a regular series featuring Fee-For-Service Financial Planner Sabiha Mukadam, where she shares practical insights to help Canadians make informed financial decisions.
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How to Build a Retirement Plan That Actually Works (and Grows Your Wealth)
4w ago00:21:36Tap to summarizeMost people go through life and at some point wake up and realize they should be doing something smarter with their money. When you reach that inflection point, what should you do and what are the few fundamental basics that you need to know? Many retirement plans are designed to feel safe, instead of giving you freedom. Safety usually comes at the cost of long-term growth and may mean you never retire with the lifestyle you want. This is an overview of my philosophy, explains how a financial plan becomes the GPS for your life, how to determine the return you actually need for retirement, and why equities often need to play a larger role than most people expect. Learn how to think about risk, long-term investing, and when more advanced strategies may be appropriate. You will learn: When you get serious about your money, what is the first thing you should do? Why is your financial plan the GPS for your life? Why does thinking long-term completely change your life? How is an interactive financial plan fundamentally different? Why are most advisors' recommendations like driving with brakes but no gas pedal? Why do most people need a significant allocation to equities (stock markets)? What do equity investors need to know? Why can borrowing to invest be a relatively obvious way to grow wealth for many people? What do people who borrow to invest need to know? How important is tax planning and when should you do it? Why is financial freedom such an amazing time in your life?
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The Financial Future Isn't Broken. It's Optional | Gen Z Investing
4w ago00:05:46Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Sabiha explores a question many young Canadians are asking: Is the financial system broken for Gen Z, or does long-term success depend on choosing to participate anyway? With housing affordability out of reach for many, rising living costs, and growing economic uncertainty, financial pessimism can feel entirely justified. But what if the biggest financial risk isn't the system itself, but choosing to sit on the sidelines? Sabiha discusses: Why pessimism can quietly become a financial strategy What nearly 100 years of market history can teach us about long-term investing Why housing affordability and investing are different challenges How compounding works in your favour when you start early Why the TFSA and FHSA remain powerful tools for young Canadians A practical definition of financial optimism that doesn't ignore today's realities The future doesn't reward certainty. It rewards participation.
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Re-evaluating Canada's Best Re-Advanceable Mortgages: The New Top 4 Post-OSFI Rankings
Jul 200:12:13Tap to summarizeIf you're using the Smith Manoeuvre or considering a re-advanceable mortgage, this 2026 update is essential. Which readvanceable mortgage is best for you for the Smith Manoeuvre? The rules have changed. Following new OSFI regulations, Canada's major banks have implemented re-advanceable mortgages differently, changing which lenders now offer the best experience for building wealth. In this video, I'm interviewing our in-house mortgage expert, Sabiha Mukadam, as we re-rank Canada's best re-advanceable mortgages and explain how the new rules affect investors. We are Smith Manoeuvre mortgage experts because we have been working with these mortgages every month for the past 15 years, helping clients after their Smith Manoeuvre has been implemented. We see how these mortgages work in practice. Sabiha has been handling this work for the past six years. She doesn't just help our clients structure these mortgages every day—she also worked inside three of Canada's Big Five banks, managing mortgage underwriting. Together, we're giving you our new 2026 rankings and discussing the unique strengths and weaknesses of the Top 4 re-advanceable mortgages, as well as the one that ranks last. You'll learn: Why OSFI changed the rules for re-advanceable mortgages How the new regulations impact HELOCs and the Smith Manoeuvre The Top 4 re-advanceable mortgages in Canada (2026) Which lender offers the most flexibility today The most common pitfalls that can slow down your wealth-building strategy Which mortgage ranks last—and why Choosing the right mortgage today is about much more than getting the lowest interest rate. The structure of your mortgage can have a significant impact on your ability to invest efficiently and build long-term wealth.
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Unlocking Peace of Mind with the Smith Manoeuvre: Turning Your Home into a Wealth-Building Engine
Jun 3000:07:03Tap to summarizeFor many Canadians, homeownership is about much more than a financial investment. It's where we build our lives, raise our families, and create lasting memories. Most homeowners focus on paying off their mortgage as quickly as possible. But what if there was another way to strengthen your financial future at the same time? In this episode, Sabiha explores the Smith Manoeuvre—a strategy that may help some homeowners build wealth while paying down their mortgage. In this episode, you'll learn: What the Smith Manoeuvre is and how it works Why some Canadians become "house rich, cash poor" How a re-advanceable mortgage and HELOC work together How investing while paying down your mortgage may help build long-term wealth Who this strategy may be appropriate for—and who it may not be Why professional guidance is essential before implementing this approach The Smith Manoeuvre isn't the right strategy for everyone. But understanding your options is an important step toward making informed financial decisions and building long-term financial security. Learn more: https://edrempel.com/unlocking-peace-of-mind-with-the-smith-manoeuvre-turning-your-home-into-a-wealth-building-engine-without-sacrificing-today/
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Retirement Tax Shock: Why Many Canadians Pay More Tax Than Expected
Jun 2500:17:17Tap to summarize♦Retirement Tax Shock: Why Many Canadians Pay More Tax Than Expected♦ Most Canadians expect to be in a lower tax bracket in retirement. But many end up paying more tax than they expect. How do tax brackets change after age 65 and why can common assumptions about RRSPs and retirement income lead to higher lifetime taxes? Here are practical strategies to reduce tax over time, including how to use RRSPs, TFSAs, income timing and how to plan for a tax-efficient retirement. This might be a real eye opener for some people because I think a lot of people that do some basic tax planning are doing it all wrong. In my latest video, podcast episode, and blog post I'm going to give you tax planning made easy using tax brackets. Some basics of tax brackets, and briefly how tax planning is done, so you can get the concept. Then we're going to talk about why tax brackets for seniors are way different than you think – and how this completely changes tax planning. And how to plan for low tax through your retirement. You'll learn: Tax planning made easy using tax brackets. Why are tax brackets for seniors way different? What are the three main clawbacks on seniors? What are the actual effective tax brackets for seniors? How is tax planning very different with the actual effective tax brackets? Which is better for you - TFSA or RRSP? How can you plan for your retirement income to be taxed at only 22% or less? How does your financial plan become the GPS for your life?
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How Banking Actually Works (And How to Set Up Your First Accounts)
Jun 2300:06:25Tap to summarize🎓 Youth Corner with Sabiha Mukadam Most people don't think much about banking until that first real paycheck arrives. Suddenly, money is coming in, and just as quickly, it's going out. In this episode, Sabiha explains how banking actually works, the difference between chequing and savings accounts, debit cards versus credit cards, and the simple habits that can help young adults build financial confidence from the start. In this episode: What banks actually do How banks make money Why you need both a chequing and savings account How banking apps help you manage your money Debit cards vs. credit cards Common banking mistakes to avoid A simple plan for setting up your first accounts Whether you're a student, a young adult, or a parent helping someone navigate their financial journey, this episode provides practical banking fundamentals everyone should know. Learn more at Sage Collaborative Financial Planning.
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