Ed Rempel

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. Click the link for more: edrempel.com/how-to-live-wi… Enjoy! Ed

“The stock market is random.” That’s what Random Walk Theory suggests. But when you look at market history, the evidence tells a very different story. In periods of extreme market stress, something interesting often happens. Large losses are usually followed immediately by large gains. A few things investors often overlook: • The biggest market losses and gains often happen close together. • Severe declines create rare buying opportunities. • Investor behaviour such as fear, panic, and herd thinking drives many market moves. • Some of the strongest bull markets happen when sentiment is the worst. • Stocks are less risky & more reliable over 20-year periods than random walk suggests. • Bonds & cash are more risky and less reliable over 20-year periods than random walk suggests. • A simple way to beat the markets. Markets may feel unpredictable in the short term, but they often reflect something very consistent: human behaviour. In this article I explain why market history challenges Random Walk Theory and what long-term investors can learn from it. Click the link to read: edrempel.com/most-inside-ar… Ed

Most people misunderstand how wealth is actually created. Most people think about wealth linearly. Save a bit each year. Earn a few percent return. Gradually build your nest egg. But most major wealth actually happens exponentially. For example: $100,000 growing at 4% for 30 years becomes about $324,000. The same $100,000 growing at 10% becomes about $1.7 million. That’s the power of compounding. When I work with wealthy clients, one thing I notice is that they didn’t get there by earning a slightly better return each year. They invested for growth, stayed invested for decades, and let compounding do the heavy lifting. In this article in Business News This Week, I explain exponential thinking and how it changes the way you think about investing. We cover: • The difference between linear growth and exponential growth • Why compounding can create results most investors underestimate • The simple Rule of 72 for understanding how quickly money can double • Why growth investing (equities) has historically created far more wealth than income investing • How strategies like borrowing to invest can increase long-term results • Why most investors underestimate the power of long-term compounding Major wealth is usually quite simple. It’s just exponential thinking and patience. Click the link to read: edrempel.com/business-news-… Ed

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 several could meaningfully affect your retirement plan, home buying strategy, and long-term tax planning. Complexity is becoming the real story. In this post and video, you’ll learn: • What’s new & relevant for you in tax for 2026? • How will the changes affect your life? • How will the changes affect your retirement plan? • What is Ed’s advice on the FHSA vs Home Buyers’ Plan? • What is the latest on ITF accounts & joint name principal residences? • What is Ed’s view on these changes? Why were they done? Click the link for more: edrempel.com/2026-tax-chang… Enjoy! Ed

For years, retirement planning has relied on the idea that spending naturally declines as we age. First the “go-go” years. Then the “slow-go.” Then the “no-go.” After decades of working with retirees, I believe this is not how retirement actually unfolds for many people, and planning for it locks retirees into declining travel, whether they want to or not. I have clients in their mid-80s who travel just as much as they did at 65. In some cases, they spend more. The difference isn’t whether they travel. It’s how they travel. More comfort. More convenience. Less physical strain. What often limits people isn’t health. It’s money — or uncertainty about money. In this article for “5 Best Things”, I explain: • Why spending often stays surprisingly consistent throughout retirement • Why many retirees scale back because of financial caution, not physical decline • The risk of building plans around sharply falling spending • Why assuming steady spending is usually the safer approach • How a proper financial plan gives you the confidence to enjoy retirement without second-guessing Retirement today looks very different than it did for previous generations. Planning assumptions need to catch up. Instead of planning for decline, I believe we should plan to maintain the lifestyle you want for as long as you live. Click the link to read: edrempel.com/5-best-things-… Ed

What do you do with your RRSP tax refund? Most people spend it. If you reinvest it instead, the refund compounds along with your original contribution. Over time, that can make a meaningful difference. However, an RRSP top-up strategy is even more powerful. I was quoted this week in the Financial Post on RRSP and TFSA strategies. We covered: • RRSP top-up strategies • Spousal RRSP income splitting • When TFSA to RRSP transfers make sense • Using an FHSA to effectively expand RRSP room These are structural decisions that can reduce lifetime tax. The full article is available to National Post subscribers here: financialpost.com/personal-finan… Ed

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? Click the link for more: edrempel.com/100-equities-t… Enjoy! Ed

The National Post asked me to look at the retirement plan for Arnold, 56, and Heather, 60, an Ottawa couple hoping to retire as early as next year. They both have strong, inflation-indexed defined benefit pensions, but they’re not sure they’ll actually have the retirement they want if they stop working now. They’re also not confident their retirement cash-flow numbers are right, or whether their spending assumptions will hold for the next 30 years. They want to know whether it makes sense to defer CPP and OAS to age 70, how to minimize tax if they retire early, and whether they can afford to help their three adult children with $100,000 each toward home down payments without putting their own retirement at risk. Some of the key questions we explore in the article: • Whether they can really retire now at ages 56 and 60 and still maintain their desired lifestyle • How to tell if your retirement cash-flow numbers are realistic, or just assumptions based on current spending • Why conservative, balanced investments often make deferring CPP to age 70 the better financial decision • How to know whether helping your children financially is affordable — or creates risk later Early retirement planning is not only about portfolio size. It’s about cash flow, tax brackets, and understanding when guaranteed income provides a better return than investments. Click the link to read: bit.ly/deferocpp Enjoy! Ed

Recently, Unconventional Wisdom was listed near the top of several Canadian financial podcast rankings, including #4 of the Best 10 Canada Podcasts (all categories), #3 of the Best 10 Canada Financial Planning Podcasts in 2026 and #2 of the Best 10 Tax Podcasts in Canada in 2026 by Million Podcasts. Our podcast also just surpassed 100,000 unique downloads. I see this less as a personal milestone and more as a signal of what people are looking for right now: clear, evidence-based financial guidance without hype or fear-mongering. With so much financial content competing for attention, it can be hard to know what’s worth your time. In this short, one-off episode, I reflect on the topics people have engaged with most across the Unconventional Wisdom podcast and YouTube channel — from retirement timing and government benefits, to understanding risk, investing evidence, and long-term financial security. It’s also a simple thank-you to you the listeners, and an invitation to help shape what topics are covered next. If there’s a financial decision that feels unclear or stressful, or a topic you wish more financial planners would explain plainly, I’d like to hear from you. Thank you for listening to Unconventional Wisdom. And thank you to Million Podcasts for including the show as #3 in Canada for Financial Planning Podcasts. 🎧 Watch or listen here: bit.ly/45CEqcH Enjoy, Ed

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? Click the link for more: bit.ly/3Nr8lyi Enjoy! Ed

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? Click the link for more: bit.ly/howthewealthyg… Enjoy! Ed

The National Post asked me to look at the retirement plan for Rita, 61, and Darcy, 60, a Quebec couple who spent half their careers in the U.S. and the other half in Canada. Most of their retirement money is still in U.S. employer plans, and they’ll both receive U.S. Social Security as well as Quebec Pension Plan benefits. Darcy would like to retire within the next year, Rita plans to continue until 65, and they want to know whether their savings and pensions will comfortably support them. They’re also wondering about the best way to manage their U.S. accounts, how Social Security will affect their Canadian benefits, and whether the $15,000 fee they were quoted for cross-border tax planning is reasonable, or if they’re overpaying for advice. Some of the key questions we explore in the article: • When cross-border planning becomes essential, and when it doesn’t. • Whether or not it makes sense to transfer U.S. plans to Canada. • How Social Security affects QPP/CPP and OAS. • How much life insurance retirees actually need. • Whether $15,000 is typical for this type of planning. Cross-border retirement planning is complex, but once you know the rules, the right answer may be clear. This case shows how to simplify things so you can retire with confidence. Click the link to read: bit.ly/crossbordertax… Enjoy! Ed

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 blog post, video, and 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. Click the link for more: bit.ly/randomwalktheo… Enjoy, Ed

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 blog post, video, and 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 Click the link for more: bit.ly/fakestagesofre… Enjoy! Ed

@67Dodge Thanks, @67dodge It depends if your want cash flow or income. Sell a few shares to create "self-made dividends" with only some capital gains to get cash flow. Or get taxable dividends for income. It's mostly a tax planning question.

Forgot you @edrempel ...

Many Canadians believe homeownership is the only real path to building wealth. If you’re renting, it can feel like you’re falling behind or missing out. After decades of working with clients and studying long-term data, I don’t believe that’s true. Renting can be a deliberate and effective wealth-building strategy when it’s approached intentionally. This article isn’t about arguing against homeownership. It’s about understanding what actually builds wealth, and how renters can apply the same principles homeowners rely on, sometimes with better long-term results. In this article, I explain: • Why Canadian real estate returns are often misunderstood, and how they compare to long-term stock market growth. • The two key advantages homeowners benefit from (forced savings and leverage), and how renters can replicate both. • Why home equity often becomes “dead equity” later in life, even as net worth rises • How investing the money that would have gone into a down payment can significantly change long-term outcomes. • Real examples showing how disciplined renters can match or exceed the wealth of homeowners over time. Click the link to read the full article to see how the numbers actually play out: worthview.com/why-renting-co… Enjoy! Ed

@RightScopee Grok.

Which is the best AI ?

Grateful to see my podcast conversation with John Bromley recognized as one of Charitable Impact’s Top 3 podcasts of 2025. John is President of Charitable Impact, a Canadian organization focused on making giving more intentional and accessible through donor-advised funds. We talked about how philanthropy fits into long-term financial planning, and why thoughtful giving can be deeply rewarding. You can read more about the episode and listen here: charitableimpact.com/press/unconven…

Is Your Home Really a Good Investment? Most Canadians think so. My experience tells a different story. For decades, Canadians have been told that their home is their best investment. After preparing thousands of financial plans, I’ve found that this belief often leads people to rely too heavily on home equity for their retirement. The long-term data is clear: • Toronto real estate has grown about 6.3% per year for the last 50 years. • The Toronto stock market has grown nearly seven times more. • The U.S. market has grown 17 times more. • Most retirees need $2–5 million invested to support the lifestyle they want. This is much more than the average home is worth. A home with a large mortgage can produce strong returns because of leverage. A paid-off home, however, usually provides only moderate growth, and no retirement cash flow unless the equity is accessed. In this article, I outline why homeowners often appear wealthier than renters, the role of forced savings and leverage, and how strategies like longer amortizations or the Smith Manoeuvre can help keep your home working for you. If you want a clearer understanding of where your home actually fits in your long-term financial plan, this is a good place to start. Click the link to read: bit.ly/3My6QOa Enjoy! Ed

@StandUpForTrmp A

🚨BREAKING: Elon Musk has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for protecting Free Speech THIS IS MASSIVE 🔥 Simple poll. Please be honest! As of today, how much do you still trust this man? A. 100% B. 75% C. 50% D. 25% E. 0%