Unconventional Wisdom

Have you thought about turning the doom off?

Every year, we're warned that another catastrophe is just around the corner. Population bomb, nuclear winter, Y2K and now an AI apocalypse.

Yet the world keeps moving forward. "Nothing went foom."

So what happens when that same fear drives your investment decisions?

Doomerism may feel like playing it safe, but it could be quietly costing you the retirement you want.

In my latest video and blog post, I explain:

Why fear of the next market crash could be...

Paying for Your Education in Canada: How Much Should You Actually Borrow?

Getting accepted into college or university is one thing. Figuring out how to pay for it is another.

Between tuition, rent, groceries, textbooks and everyday expenses, the cost of education can add up quickly. 

But just because you're approved for a student line of credit doesn't mean you should use it all.

In Part 2 of our Sage Money in Real Life series for ages 18–25, Sabiha Mukadam explores how to build a smarter education funding plan, including:

Scholarships, gra...

Are you making the most of your full compensation package?

Your salary is only part of what you earn.

Bonuses, employer RRSP matching, pensions, stock options, and insurance benefits can all contribute to your financial well-being. But are you making the most of what your employer offers?

Valuable benefits and financial opportunities can often be overlooked simply because the different parts of a compensation package aren't being considered together.

In her latest video, article, and podcast episode, "Understanding Your Full Compensation Package," Sabiha Mukadam explores:

Why your salary doesn't...

Borrowing money is often part of becoming financially independent. 

Whether you're applying for your first credit card, financing a car, paying for school or considering a line of credit, understanding how borrowing works can help you make more confident financial decisions.

The key isn't simply knowing whether debt is good or bad. 

It's understanding what you're borrowing for, what it will cost and how it fits into your everyday life.

In Part 1 of our Sage Money in Real Life | Ages 18–25 series, Sabiha Mukadam is breaking down the borrowing options young Canadians are...

On July 30, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. 

Just 19 days later, I had surgery. Today, I'm 100% cancer-free!

I'm sharing my story because early detection saved my life.

My cancer was classified as intermediate aggressive, with approximately 80% of my prostate affected. Not the slow growing kind that most men eventually get. Fortunately, it was caught at Stage 1, before it had spread.

This experience has reinforced something I've believed for years: Your health is your most valuable asset. We help people have money. When you have money and health, life can be great.

Want to start building wealth for your children or grandchildren — without creating an overly complicated estate structure?

Two options families may come across are bare trusts and informal "In-Trust For" (ITF) accounts. They are effective ways to invest for your kids or other family members often with little or no tax.

They can be relatively simple, but there are a few important things to understand first:

Who actually owns the money or asset?

Who pays the tax on the investment income?

When does the child gain control of the ac...

You don't need perfect confidence before making a financial decision.

But you do need a way to decide whether the decision actually works for your financial life.

Before making a big money move, ask yourself:

What problem am I trying to solve?

What happens if I'm wrong?

Can I afford the downside?

How easy—or expensive—is this decision to reverse?

What does waiting cost me?

Whether you're thinking about investing, buying your first home, accepting a new job or making another major comm...

When you're planning your estate, it's not just about who gets what.

For some families, the bigger question is: How do I make sure this money actually helps the person I'm leaving it to?

That can be especially important when you're planning for young children, a loved one with a disability, or someone who may need more structure around an inheritance.

In Sabiha Mukadam's latest article for the Sage Owl, she walks through a few trust strategies families may want to understand, including:

Children's Testamentary Trusts

Henson Trusts

If money is tight, should you focus on building an emergency fund — or keep investing for the future?

The answer does not have to be all or nothing.

In this article, video, and podcast episode for the Youth Corner Sabiha Mukadam looks at:

How to start an emergency fund without feeling overwhelmed

Why even a small cash buffer can make a real difference

How to build your fund in stages, from $250 to several months of expenses

Where a TFSA can fit into your emergency savings strategy

As your business grows, your financial structure may need to grow with it.

The structure that makes sense in the early stages of a business may look very different once the company becomes profitable, grows significantly in value, approaches a sale, or becomes part of a longer-term family legacy.

In Sabiha Mukadam's latest article, video, and podcast episode, she looks at how different planning strategies may become relevant at different stages, including:

Family trusts during the growth stage

Holdcos as profits and accumulated wealth increase

Estate freezes as business...

Is it risky to retire when the stock market is at an all-time high?

It's a question I get all the time, and the conventional wisdom is usually that you should worry about sequence of returns risk and protect part of your portfolio by moving money into cash or fixed income.

But what does the historical data actually show?

In my latest podcast episode I look at:

Why an all-time high does not necessarily mean markets are riskier

Why I don't believe sequence of returns risk is an issue...

You're earning a full-time income, paying your bills, and still wondering: where did all my money go?

That feeling is more common than you might think.

In Sabiha Mukadam's latest blog post, video and podcast for the Youth Corner she shares a simpler way to approach budgeting without making it feel restrictive.

She  covers:

A three-bucket system for your income

How to know what you can safely spend

Why automating your money can make budgeting easier

How sinking funds can help with future expenses

Sabiha Mukadam has a new podcast episode on debt after separation and how to regain control without panic.

Separation can create significant financial pressure through legal fees, moving costs, two households and debts that may still be shared.

She covers:

The 3 types of post-separation debt

Separating joint and individual liabilities

Financial blind spots to watch for

Debt snowball vs. debt avalanche

A practical 30-day reset plan

One of the key messages is that debt doesn't have to define what happens next. Getting clear...

Are free markets really responsible for inequality, poverty, financial crises and declining living standards?

I constantly read books, and The Triumph of Economic Freedom by Phil Gramm & Donald Boudreaux was a wonderful eye-opener. I believed a couple of these myths myself.

In my latest article, video and podcast, I look at 7 common myths about capitalism, free markets and economic freedom. I also look at what the numbers tell us.

You will learn:

Why economic freedom and free enterprise are essential for strong, long-term stock market returns and widespread prosperity.

...

What should you actually do with your first real paycheque?

In this podcast episode, Sabiha Mukadam shares a practical approach for young professionals who are starting to earn a full-time income and want to build good financial habits early.

She discusses:

Why automatically saving part of every paycheque can be so powerful

The impact of lifestyle creep

A simple way to organize short-, medium- and long-term savings

How to think about employer matching and registered accounts

Why raises are an opportunity to increase both your...

Estate planning is about more than having a will in place. 

For couples, it's also about making sure the financial pieces continue to work together if life changes unexpectedly.

In Sabiha Mukadam's latest article, video, and podcast episode she looks at how trusts can help Canadian couples create greater clarity and continuity around their wealth and estate plans, including:

Protecting a spouse if capacity changes

Reducing potential probate delays

Planning for blended families and future beneficiaries

Creating liquidity for future tax obligations

Using different trust s...

What does it really take to build lasting financial freedom?

It's not reacting to every headline, market swing or economic forecast. 

It's having a clear financial plan, and staying focused on it through the noise.

In this mid-year update, I discuss:

Why your financial plan is really a life plan

What the first half of 2026 means for long-term investors

Why we remain fully invested through both good and bad markets

The powerful trends creating opportunities for the future

How your "behavioural Vitamin C" c...

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...