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

AN INSIDE LOOK AT CANADIAN CONSUMER DEBT (EP.14)