In Episode 14 of the Rational Reminder podcast we were joined by Martin Parizeau, a retired banking executive with extensive knowledge of Canadian consumer debt, and a PWL client. We discussed the following:

• The start of the ETF boom
• When proponents of active management realize they should index
• Cutting wasteful expenses without sacrificing happiness
• Pulling off a successful downsizing
• Housing is not an investment
• The real cost of owning a home
• Defining the ideal lifestyle
• Digging into Canadian consumer debt levels
• The real debt to income ratio for debtors in Canada
• Is mortgage debt always "good" debt?
• The rising cost of debt and its effect on the economy
• Credit card rates are justified
• Choosing the right credit card
• Never pay an annual fee on a credit card
• The boom-bust lending cycle
• Bankers saw the financial crisis coming, but had to keep going
• Focusing on the things that you can control

Ottawa Citizen article from Sunday, March 3, 2002 mentioned in this podcast.

For more information or to contact Cameron and Ben, visit pwlcapital.com