Ed Rempel

Could paying off your mortgage early actually hurt your retirement? For many Canadians, becoming mortgage-free is the ultimate financial milestone. But what if eliminating your mortgage years before retirement actually leaves you with less wealth and financial freedom? I call this the “mortgage victory trap” — and it could be costing homeowners more than they realize. In my latest article, I explore: • The hidden cost of paying off your mortgage early — and why becoming debt-free isn't always the smartest financial move. • The one question every homeowner should ask before making extra mortgage payments. • Why timing your final mortgage payment matters — and how it could significantly impact your retirement lifestyle. A mortgage-free home may provide peace of mind, but does it necessarily mean you're financially prepared for retirement? The goal isn't simply to pay off your mortgage. It's to build enough wealth to enjoy the retirement lifestyle you've worked so hard for. Click the link to read the full article: edrempel.com/financial-news-… Enjoy! Ed

Student debt doesn't have to control your financial future. Whether you're still in school or preparing for life after graduation, managing student debt can feel overwhelming. But having a plan can make all the difference. Not all debt is created equal, and knowing where to focus your money is an important first step. In Part 3 of Sabiha Mukadam’s Sage Money in Real Life series, she explores: • Why your largest debt isn't always the one to pay off first. • How to prioritize student loans, lines of credit and credit-card balances. • Why keeping an emergency fund matters, even when you're paying off debt. • What to know about repayment options after graduation. • How to build a realistic repayment plan without putting the rest of your financial life on hold. The goal isn't just to become debt-free. It's to build a stronger financial future, one decision at a time. Read the article, watch the video or listen to the podcast here: edrempel.com/managing-studen… Enjoy, Ed

Should you buy a home, keep renting, or invest the difference? A couple in their 40s recently moved from Calgary to the GTA. They own three rental properties in Calgary and are trying to decide which path will give them the most comfortable retirement. In my latest National Post financial planning case study, I compare three scenarios: 🏠 Keep their Calgary properties and rent in the GTA. 🏠 Sell all three Calgary properties and buy a home in the GTA. 🏠 Sell one Calgary property and buy a home in the GTA. The results may surprise you. One scenario could leave them with a higher net worth, but less retirement income because so much of their wealth is tied up in their home. I also explain: • Why the size of your mortgage can dramatically affect a rental property's return • When it may make sense to sell real estate and invest in equities • How Calgary and Toronto real estate have performed over time. The key question isn't just how much wealth you can build. It's how much retirement income that wealth can provide. Read my full analysis here: edrempel.com/national-post-a… Ed

Are you making the most of your workplace retirement benefits? Your salary is only part of your compensation package. Group RRSPs, Deferred Profit Sharing Plans (DPSPs), and employer matching contributions can help you build long-term wealth. But are you taking full advantage of what's available? In this edition of the Workplace Compensation Series, Sabiha explores: • How Group RRSPs and DPSPs work • Why employer matching is an important part of your compensation • The differences between Group RRSPs and defined benefit pensions • What to consider when choosing investments within your workplace plan • How workplace savings fit alongside your TFSA, FHSA and other financial goals The takeaway? Make the most of your employer's contributions, understand your plan's rules, and ensure your workplace savings support your bigger financial picture. Read the article, watch the video or listen to the podcast here: edrempel.com/building-wealth… Enjoy, Ed

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 costing you more than the crash itself. • How investing in bonds and balanced portfolios could dramatically reduce your future lifestyle. • Why you may need to save nearly twice as much for retirement with a balanced portfolio. • What the research reveals about investing 100% in equities over your lifetime. • Why reacting to market predictions can derail your long-term financial plan. • How to stop doomerizing, stay invested, and give your money the opportunity to grow. The biggest risk to your retirement may not be a market crash. It may be the decades of growth you miss while trying to avoid one. The only thing exponential is the cost of slowing down. It's time to turn the doom off and focus on building the future you want. Watch the video or read the full blog post to learn more: edrempel.com/have-you-though… Enjoy! Ed

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, grants and RESPs • Government student loans vs. private lines of credit • How to calculate your actual funding gap • What to know about co-signers and repayment • How to avoid borrowing more than you really need The key takeaway? Don't start by asking, "How much will the bank lend me?" Start by asking, "How much do I actually need?" Your education is an investment in your future. The right financing plan can help you get there without taking on unnecessary debt. Read the article, watch the video or listen to the podcast here: edrempel.com/financing-your-… Enjoy, Ed

🎟️ LAST DAY of the 2026 Canadian Financial Summit! It's the final day of the Summit, but there's still time to catch my last two talks for FREE! 🎥 DAY 3 – October 24 The Smith Manoeuvre vs. Cash Dam: Which Strategy Is Right for You? Discover how these two strategies work, whether you can combine them, and how they could fit into your retirement and tax plan. 🎥 DAY 2 – October 23 How to Build a Retirement Plan That Actually Works – and Grows Your Wealth Never had a financial plan? Learn where to start and how to build a plan that helps you achieve the future you want. ⏰ Don't wait! Each talk is available FREE for 48 hours after its release, and the viewing windows are closing. My Day 1 talk, Retirement Tax Shock, has already expired from FREE access. 👉 Watch my remaining talks while they're still FREE! Day 3: canadianfinancialsummit.com/… Day 2: canadianfinancialsummit.com/… Simply scroll down on each Summit page to find my video! Enjoy! Ed #CanadianFinancialSummit #FinancialPlanning #RetirementPlanning #TaxPlanning #FinancialFreedom

The Smith Manoeuvre or Cash Dam: Which Strategy Is Right for You? My third and final talk at the 2026 Canadian Financial Summit is LIVE today! You've probably heard of the Smith Manoeuvre, but have you heard of the Cash Dam? If you're self-employed, you may be overlooking a strategy that could help make more of your interest tax-deductible! In today's talk, I'll explain: ✅ How the Smith Manoeuvre works and why it can be a powerful wealth-building strategy. ✅ What the Cash Dam is and who can benefit from it. ✅ Whether self-employed Canadians can use both strategies together. ✅ How these strategies fit into your overall retirement and tax plan. 🎟️ Watch my final Summit talk FREE for 48 hours! canadianfinancialsummit.com/… Enjoy, Ed

DAY 2 – My Second Canadian Financial Summit Talk Is LIVE! Never Had a Financial Plan? Start Here. You reach a point in life when you realize you need to start doing something smarter with your money. But where do you begin? My second talk at the 2026 Canadian Financial Summit is LIVE today! How to Build a Retirement Plan That Actually Works – and Grows Your Wealth In this FREE talk, I'll explain: ✅ Why your financial plan is the GPS for your life. ✅ How to determine how much to save and the investment returns you need. ✅ Why thinking long-term can change your financial decisions. ✅ How to build a plan that supports the future you really want. Whether you're just starting to take your finances seriously or wondering if you're on the right track, this talk will help you understand where to begin. 🎟️ Watch FREE for 48 hours! 👉 Get your FREE Summit ticket: canadianfinancialsummit.com/ Enjoy, Ed

My First Talk at the Canadian Financial Summit Is LIVE Today! Think you'll pay less tax in retirement? Many Canadians pay more after they retire. My first talk, Retirement Tax Shock: Why Many Canadians Pay More Tax Than Expected, is now available to watch FREE for 48 hours! I'll explain why many Canadians face higher taxes than expected in retirement and how strategies involving RRSPs, TFSAs, and income timing can help reduce your lifetime tax bill. 🎟️ Watch my talk FREE today! And don't miss my next two talks: 📅 Friday, October 23: How to Build a Retirement Plan That Actually Works – and Grows Your Wealth 📅 Saturday, October 24: The Smith Manoeuvre vs. Cash Dam – Which Strategy Is Right for You? The Summit features 40+ Canadian personal finance experts, and it's all online! 👉 Get your FREE ticket and watch my first talk: canadianfinancialsummit.com/ Enjoy! Ed

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 tell the whole story • Where valuable opportunities may be overlooked • How gaps in your compensation package could affect your financial future • Why looking at the bigger picture can make a meaningful difference Sometimes, improving your financial picture isn't about earning more. It's about making better use of what you're already receiving. Read the article, watch the video or listen to the podcast here: edrempel.com/understanding-y… Enjoy, Ed

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 most likely to encounter. Here's what you'll learn: • The differences between student loans, car loans, credit cards and lines of credit. • Why the monthly payment doesn't always tell you the true cost of borrowing. • How interest rates, repayment terms and fees can affect your finances. • What you should know about building credit and avoiding unnecessary debt. • The important questions to ask before signing a loan or credit agreement. Borrowing can open doors, but understanding the full financial picture helps you make choices that support your goals without limiting your future flexibility. Read the article, watch the video or listen to the podcast here: edrempel.com/understanding-y… Enjoy, Ed

It's that time of year again! I'm excited to be speaking at the 2026 Canadian Financial Summit, and you can watch my three talks for FREE! This year, I'll be covering: • Retirement Tax Shock: Why Many Canadians Pay More Tax Than Expected • How to Build a Retirement Plan That Actually Works – and Grows Your Wealth • The Smith Manoeuvre vs. Cash Dam: Which Strategy Is Right for You? The Summit runs October 21–24 and brings together more than 40 Canadian personal finance and investing experts. It's 100% online, and each talk is available to watch for FREE for 48 hours. Read my latest blog post to learn more about my talks and get your FREE tickets! edrempel.com/your-free-ticke… Ed

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. In my latest video, blog post, and podcast episode, I share: • How early detection made all the difference in my cancer diagnosis • Why I prioritize spending money on preventative healthcare • The four major categories of chronic disease and the importance of early detection • Where Canada's healthcare system falls short on prevention • How not to die from something stupid • Practical steps you can take to be proactive about your health My message is simple: Don't wait for symptoms to start paying attention to your health. Click the link for more: edrempel.com/early-diagnosis… Enjoy! Ed

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 account? • What happens if the trustee dies or becomes incapable? • Could trust reporting requirements apply? • When does a more formal trust make sense? The goal isn’t to create the most sophisticated structure. It’s to choose one that gives your family the ownership clarity, tax treatment, and control you actually want. In Sabiha Mukadam’s latest article, video, and podcast episode she breaks down how bare trusts and ITF accounts work in Canada, and the potential blind spots families should understand before setting one up. Read the article, watch the video or listen to the podcast here: edrempel.com/building-wealth… Enjoy, Ed

I was recently featured in EntrepreneursBreak discussing why I believe free markets and the stock market have been such powerful drivers of prosperity and long-term wealth. In the article, I look at: • Why economic freedom matters for rising living standards • Some of the biggest myths about capitalism and inequality • What history tells us about the Great Depression and industrialization • Why owning businesses and equities has been one of the most effective ways to build wealth One thing I’ve seen repeatedly after looking at the complete finances of thousands of Canadians: people who build significant wealth usually own productive assets — businesses and stock market investments. Click the link to read: edrempel.com/entrepreneursbr… Ed

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 commitment, the goal isn’t to eliminate uncertainty. It’s to make sure one imperfect decision doesn’t become a financial trap. In Sabiha Mukadam’s latest article, video, and podcast episode she walks through a practical framework for deciding when you’re ready enough to move forward, and when your numbers may actually be telling you to slow down. Read the article, watch the video or listen to the podcast here: edrempel.com/how-to-make-fin… Enjoy, Ed

Liam thinks he is in a 19% tax bracket. He isn’t. He is effectively in a 50% tax bracket because he pays 0% income tax, but loses 50% of additional taxable income through the GIS clawback. His situation is interesting because: • His cash income, taxable income and income for GIS purposes are three very different numbers, which is part of why his situation is so complex. • Most retirees simply take the minimum RRIF withdrawal. For Liam, that could be a poor strategy because he could lose 50% of those withdrawals through reduced GIS over the years. • He is considering an RRSP Meltdown Strategy. The traditional version involves borrowing to invest, which could work exceptionally well for him, but is probably too aggressive and complex. • Liam is thinking about withdrawing $30,000–$35,000/year from his RRSP, but the optimal amount is much higher — about $66,000/year. It means about 2/3 of his RRSP would be taxed about 21%, instead of the 50% clawback. • It’s unconventional, but after about four years of eliminating his RRSP, he could receive roughly $10,000/year in GIS for the rest of his life. • The $66,000/year RRSP meltdown also works beautifully with his plan to buy a new car in four years. • He only has somewhat more money than he needs for his lifestyle for the rest of his life, so he probably should not give much to his nieces and nephews. It is more important to stay financially independent and never have to ask family for money. In my latest article for the National Post, I look at why withdrawing more from an RRSP now can sometimes leave you better off later. Click the link to read: edrempel.com/national-post-a… Enjoy, Ed

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, video and podcast episode for the Sage Owl, she walks through a few trust strategies families may want to understand, including: • Children’s Testamentary Trusts • Henson Trusts • Qualified Disability Trusts • Spendthrift Trusts • Discretionary Family Trusts Each one is designed to solve a different problem — from protecting disability benefits, to delaying access to an inheritance, to giving a trustee more flexibility when family members have different needs. The goal isn’t to make your estate plan more complicated. It’s to make sure the structure actually fits the person you’re trying to protect. Read the article, watch the video or listen to the podcast here: edrempel.com/protecting-what… Enjoy, Ed

Paying off your mortgage early feels like the responsible thing to do. But is it actually helping you build more wealth? Before you accelerate your mortgage payments, ask yourself this: Once the mortgage is gone, how much of that freed-up payment will you actually invest? That question is at the heart of what I call the 95% test — and it can completely change how you think about paying off your mortgage before retirement. In my latest article and video you’ll learn why being mortgage-free early isn’t always the win it appears to be. Click the link for more: edrempel.com/should-you-pay-… Enjoy! Ed