Unconventional Wisdom

Credit can feel intimidating when no one has taken the time to explain it clearly.

In this podcast episode Sabiha Mukadam, breaks down how credit works in Canada and shares some simple habits that can help you use it with more confidence and less stress.

She covers:

The difference between a credit report and a credit score

Why credit is borrowed money—not extra income

How to build credit without carrying debt

Why paying on time matters so much

How credit utilization affects your score

When 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 p...

Many 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:

W...

Most 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

...

Many 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 o...

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 retire with the lifestyle you want.

This is an overview of my philosophy, explains how a financial plan becomes the GP...

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 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...

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, 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...

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 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

Wh...

♦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...

🎓 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 acc...

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 passing along some of what I've learned.

I am, however, an expert in retirement planning. Living healthier for longer can have a huge impact on your retirement.

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 planning myths she hears from clients and explains why financial planning is about much more than investments.

Y...

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.

Key takeaways:

Why feeling behind financially is more common than most people realize

How comparison can distort your perception of financial progress

Why uncertainty is a norm...

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? Specifically, what proportion should I invest in GICs versus broad-market index ETFs? Tax efficiency is also a concern."

In my latest podcast episode you...

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 financial plan

Money can represent security, freedom, love, respect, opportunity, or something entirely different

Your money values influence your goals, priorities, and financial...

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 clients and has become an important part of helping them build and maintain their financial plans.

Starting next week, Sabiha will be publishing new articles and videos every Tuesday, while...

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 mostly for high earners, extreme savers, and people willing to take bigger risks than they admit?

I recently sat down with Canadian Press reporter Kumutha Ramanathan to discuss wha...

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 conservative, when do you buy back in?

Does politics affect the markets much?

When will a year not be an "u...

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 life. 

Continue investing for growth or switch to conservative?

In my latest video, podcast episode and blog post you'll learn:

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—or how much longer would we need to work?

In my latest video and blog post, you'll learn:

Why would we w...

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 j...

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?

Wh...

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:

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 clarity over hype.

I also take a moment to say thank you to you the listeners and invite your input on what questions or challenges you'd like addressed in future episodes.

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?

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 weal...

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 simp...

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...

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 that slash your retirement lifestyle by an average of 15-35% in annual spending, and why simply planning flexible actions during market dips is a game-changer for staying wealthy without the fearmongering.

Ign...

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 times larger?

Many ordinary people build up millions of dollars, without having a high income or inheritance.

How does that happen?

It's because real wealth doesn't grow linearly.

It grows exponentially — through compounding, smart investing, and a different way of thinking about progress.

In my latest video, podcast episode, and blog post you'll learn:

What is exponential thinking?

What ar...

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 to responsibility. Choosing what you want to be responsible for gives your life structure, direction and purpose. It's also the same mindset that can help you become financially independent.

In my latest podcast episode you'll learn:

What is the meaning of life?

What makes life worth living?

How do many people avoid taking responsibility for their life?

How can...

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 anxieties:

"I'm scared to retire even though I have enough money in every projection. What happens if there is a market crash right after I retire?"

"We just retired, but are hesitant to spend money in case we have a market crash."

You're not alone—thousands of people have had the same worry. But does the data actually support this fear?

In my latest po...

♦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 entrepreneurs. 

The concept is from the popular book "10x Is Easier Than 2x: How World-Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More by Doing Less" by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy.

Most of us think about incremental improvements in our lives, not dramatic life-changing improvements. That would require a completely different way of thinking.

The 10X concept works for entrepreneurs. You can also use the 1...

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 ideas that benefit homeowners.

Tenants have several major advantages over homeowners for wealth building.

Many homeowners think their home is their best investment. But that is unfortunate.

It is easy to find better investments with dramatically higher long-term returns.

Despite the lower returns, homeowners on average are wealthier for 2 non-investment reasons. 

Tenants can use the same 2 ideas to grow as m...

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 conventional wisdom might be true. But that is unfortunate.

It is easy to find better investments with dramatically higher long-term returns.

Despite the lower returns, homeowners on average are wealthier for 2 non-investment reasons.

In my latest podcast episode you'll learn:

How do homes compare to other growth investments for rate of return?

Why is it unfortunate if your home is your largest...

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 one offers what you are looking for?

When you have real worries or questions about your money, "who you gonna call?" Who is the super-hero of advice?

In my podcast episode you'll learn:

When you want real advice, what are the most valuable types of advice to help you?

What are the main titles planners & advisors use?

What services and ad...

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 70.

Here's how to figure out what's best for you.

CPP and OAS offer cool opportunities to increase after-tax income, because seniors often have flexibility in choosing taxable vs. non-taxable income, and OAS comes with several "clawbacks" beyond regular tax.

To spot these opportunities, you need to think creatively about pensions, tax, and investments. 

After 65, the biggest factors in deciding whether to delay CPP are whether y...

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-investors, especially growth-focused investors like most of our clients.

In my latest podcast episode you'll learn:

Why should you ignore "CPP breakeven" calculations?

Why are life expectancy stats understated?

What is the best way to estimate your life expectancy?

What happens if you are still working?

How does your tax bracket each year affect your CPP?

...

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 assume that when they hire a financial planner, they're getting a personalized roadmap for their financial life. Yet surprisingly, that's often not the case, and it can have a huge impact on your future.

In my latest podcast episode you'll learn:

Why don't most financial planners plan finances?

What does Ed's team see with the public?

What is a financial...