Unconventional Wisdom

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 long-term investing

• Why housing affordability and investing are different challenges

• How compounding works in your favour when you start early

• Why the TFSA and FHSA remain powerful tools for young Canadians

• A practical definition of financial optimism that doesn't ignore today's realities

The future doesn't reward certainty. It rewards participation.

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 these mortgages every month for the past 15 years, helping clients after their Smith Manoeuvre has been implemented.

We see how these mortgages work in practice. Sabiha has been handling this work for the past six years.

She doesn't just help our clients structure these mortgages every day—she also worked inside three of Canada's Big Five banks, managing mortgage underwriting.

Together, we're giving you our new 2026 rankings and discussing the unique strengths and weaknesses of the Top 4 re-advanceable mortgages, as well as the one that ranks last.

You'll learn:

• Why OSFI changed the rules for re-advanceable mortgages

• How the new regulations impact HELOCs and the Smith Manoeuvre

• The Top 4 re-advanceable mortgages in Canada (2026)

• Which lender offers the most flexibility today

• The most common pitfalls that can slow down your wealth-building strategy

• Which mortgage ranks last—and why

Choosing the right mortgage today is about much more than getting the lowest interest rate.

The structure of your mortgage can have a significant impact on your ability to invest efficiently and build long-term wealth.

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

• Why some Canadians become "house rich, cash poor"

• How a re-advanceable mortgage and HELOC work together

• How investing while paying down your mortgage may help build long-term wealth

• Who this strategy may be appropriate for—and who it may not be

• Why professional guidance is essential before implementing this approach

The Smith Manoeuvre isn't the right strategy for everyone. But understanding your options is an important step toward making informed financial decisions and building long-term financial security.

Learn more: https://edrempel.com/unlocking-peace-of-mind-with-the-smith-manoeuvre-turning-your-home-into-a-wealth-building-engine-without-sacrificing-today/

♦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 because I think a lot of people that do some basic tax planning are doing it all wrong.

In my latest video, podcast episode, and blog post I'm going to give you tax planning made easy using tax brackets. Some basics of tax brackets, and briefly how tax planning is done, so you can get the concept.

Then we're going to talk about why tax brackets for seniors are way different than you think – and how this completely changes tax planning. And how to plan for low tax through your retirement.

You'll learn:

• Tax planning made easy using tax brackets.

• Why are tax brackets for seniors way different?

• What are the three main clawbacks on seniors?

• What are the actual effective tax brackets for seniors?

• How is tax planning very different with the actual effective tax brackets?

• Which is better for you - TFSA or RRSP?

• How can you plan for your retirement income to be taxed at only 22% or less?

• How does your financial plan become the GPS for your life?

🎓 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 account

• How banking apps help you manage your money

• Debit cards vs. credit cards

• Common banking mistakes to avoid

• A simple plan for setting up your first accounts

Whether you're a student, a young adult, or a parent helping someone navigate their financial journey, this episode provides practical banking fundamentals everyone should know.

Learn more at Sage Collaborative Financial Planning.

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.

What kind of life do you want if you remain healthy for decades longer?

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

• Why science suggests we could add healthy decades to our lives within the next 10–20 years.

• How Peter Diamandis and the $101 million XPRIZE Healthspan are accelerating breakthroughs.

• The 9 key hallmarks of aging, with clear explanations and promising solutions.

• A close-up look at Lake Nona, Florida—a purpose-built longevity hub—and what it could mean for all of us.

• What we can do today to stay healthier for longer.

• An optimistic vision for a future of vibrant, extended healthspan.

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.

You'll learn:

• Why financial planning isn't just for wealthy people

• The hidden risks of the do-it-yourself approach

• Why your financial plan should evolve as your life changes

• How planning can create more freedom, not less

• The role a financial planner can play beyond managing investments

Whether you're just getting started or reviewing an existing financial plan, this episode offers practical insights to help you build greater clarity, confidence, and long-term financial security.

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 normal part of investing and financial planning

• How financial confidence develops through learning, experience, and informed decision-making

• Why there is no single financial timeline you're required to follow

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 will learn:

• What is the "Multi-Millionaire's Dilemma"?

• How is Louise's situation similar to the "Multi-Millionaire's Dilemma"?

• What reasons might she have for investing more conservatively with GICs?

• What reasons might she have for staying invested in equities?

• How can understanding the odds of losing money and the potential for growth help her decide?

• What are the odds that her investments will be worth less at the end of her life?

• How much could they be down in a worst-case scenario?

• How much less is she likely to earn by switching from equities to GICs?

• How can she simplify her investments if she stays in equities?

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 decisions

• Money is a tool to help you create the life you want—not the destination itself