Unconventional Wisdom

Most 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...

In 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 its...

If 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,...

For 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 he...

♦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...

🎓 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 c...

The longevity movement is transforming how we think about aging—not as an inevitable decline, but as a challenge we can overcome with science, technology, and smart choices. Many experts believe we're on the cusp of dramatically extending healthy lifespans. I'm on a longevity and healthspan journey. I'm not an expert in longevity, but I'm continuously learning, and it's all exciting. I'm simply pa...

Many people know they should think about financial planning, yet often put it off for years. Not because they're irresponsible. More often, it's because of common beliefs such as: "I'm not wealthy enough yet." "I can figure it out myself." "Once I make a plan, I'm done." "Planning will restrict my lifestyle." In this episode, Sabiha Mukadam, CFP®, MBA, explores four of the most common financial pl...

In this episode of Youth Corner, Sabiha explores why so many people feel behind financially—and why comparison and expectations often have more influence on that feeling than reality. After more than 30 years in financial planning, she explains why this feeling is often driven by comparison and expectations rather than reality—and why financial confidence is something that can be built over time....

Louise (not her real name) has far more money than she is ever likely to spend. She has always invested in equities and is comfortable with them. However, now at age 84, she is wondering whether she should invest more conservatively. This is a case study about the "Multi-Millionaire's Dilemma." Louise says: "Many of my women friends have the same concern: Is my asset allocation suitable for me? Sp...

I'm pleased to introduce the first podcast episode in Sabiha Mukadam's new series, Advice from the Sage Owl. Sabiha has worked alongside me for many years helping clients build and maintain comprehensive financial plans. In this podcast episode, she explores an important question: What does money mean to you? Key takeaways: Understanding your relationship with money is the foundation of a strong f...

For more than 20 years, Unconventional Wisdom has been where I share financial planning ideas, strategies, and lessons I've learned from helping Canadians build better financial lives. Today, I'm excited to introduce someone who has been a key part of our team for the last 8 years: Sabiha Mukadam. Many of you may not know Sabiha, but she works closely with our full-service financial planning clien...

Every week, someone tells me they want to retire by 40. My first question is always the same: why? The FIRE movement promises freedom decades earlier than traditional retirement.  Online, it's often presented as a fairly simple formula: save aggressively, invest consistently, and escape the workforce early. But in Canada today, is FIRE actually realistic — or has it quietly become a strategy mostl...

Gas prices are up from about $1.30/litre to $1.75/litre across Canada this year.  There is conflict in Iran. Markets are reacting to geopolitical uncertainty once again. So what should investors actually do during times like this? Should you move more conservative? Or is reacting emotionally what hurts investors most? In my latest video, podcast episode and blog post you'll learn: If you go conser...

You've worked hard, built up a few million dollars, and now you're seventy-five, retired, and staring at your portfolio wondering — do I really need to keep riding the stock market rollercoaster?  Or is it finally time to play it safe? That's the multi-millionaire's dilemma, and it's a lot more common than you might think. We have seen it many times. Far more money than you will spend during your...

Last week, I revealed my longevity journey, introduced some of the explosive developments, and why we may be able to start living significantly longer within the next 10–20 years. Living with health and vitality past age 100 could become common. What happens to your money if that happens? If we live 20 more years, can we actually be retired for those 20 years? How much more would we need to save—o...

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 sinc...

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 affec...

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 rel...

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...

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...

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 high...

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...

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 myt...

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 tha...