The guides and roadmap pages are the foundation of Sovereign Canadian. This page is where I publish new articles, research, commentary, and updates as they’re released. If you’re looking for the latest additions to the site, you’ll find them here.
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Bigger House or Finish the Basement? How I’m Actually Thinking About It
I’ve noticed something over the last few years as I’ve written more for Sovereign Canadian. Almost every major financial decision eventually disguises itself as something much smaller. Buying a cottage isn’t really about buying a cottage. Buying offshore real estate isn’t really about buying another property. Even deciding whether to acquire a business or continue investing in…
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FIRE, FIRE Light, and Coast FIRE: Three Doors Out of the 40-Year Grind
Most people hear “FIRE” and picture a 34-year-old in a hammock who will never touch a spreadsheet again. That version exists. But it’s one door out of three, and for a lot of higher-earning Canadians it’s the wrong one to walk through first. Financial independence isn’t a single finish line — it’s a spectrum of…
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The Smith Maneuver: A Deep Dive for Canadians Who’ve Already Read the Hype
The Smith Maneuver might be the most over-marketed strategy in Canadian personal finance. Search for it and you’ll find an ecosystem of certified specialists, courses, and books all selling the same dream: turn your mortgage into a tax deduction and retire rich on the spread. The pitch is seductive because the mechanics are real —…
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Canada Pension Plan: The 2026 Owner’s Manual
Most Canadians treat the Canada Pension Plan the way they treat the furnace in the basement — they assume it works, they resent the bill, and they never once read the manual. That’s a mistake. The CPP is one of the few pieces of your retirement that is inflation-indexed for life, backed by an $800-billion…
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Second Real Estate Investment: What Comes After the Cottage?
The cottage decision is behind me. If you followed along, you know how that analysis went — cottage vs. upsizing the primary residence, two mortgages vs. one, lifestyle purchase vs. an asset with optionality. The cottage won. And after one month of Airbnb hosting on Lake Huron, the numbers are pointing in the right direction — not cash-flow…
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Cottage vs. Upsizing Your Home: Which Mortgage Decision Actually Builds Wealth?
Many people with a growing family and some equity hits the same fork in the road. Do you upgrade and buy a bigger, better house? Or do you buy a cottage? Both moves can cost roughly the same. Both put you ~$500k deeper in debt. But they are definitely not the same decision.
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Book Review: The Backyard Homestead
The Backyard Homestead: Produce all the food you need on just a quarter acre! I recently purchased the book The Backyard Homestead by Carlene Madigan (ISBN-10 1603421386 / ISBN-13 978-1603421386). I found it to be a great introduction on the various fruits, nuts, vegetables, animals, and other items that you can have yourself; even in…
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In The News: Harper Prorogues Parliament Again
As a Canadian who is interested in personal sovereignty, you may be someone who votes for the Conservative Party by default. I suggest you rethink that because they stand just as much for the expansion of government as the Liberals and socialist NDPs. But perhaps with a bit more of an elitist and corporatist flavour…
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Components of Personal Sovereignty
There are many components of personal sovereignty that lead toward greater freedom and independence. To me, they can be grouped into four pillars. Thought Sovereignty You have to think for yourself. Almost everything you read contains a hidden agenda, marketing spin, or outright misdirection. The ability to research an issue, analyze the facts, and reach…
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Getting started with Hunting
My Plans for Getting Started with Hunting Even though I grew up in the country on a farm, raising and harvesting our own meat and poultry – I am slightly ashamed of saying that I have no experience with hunting. I have never had a problem with hunters, and always wished that I had those…
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In the News: Toronto Power Supply Vulnerable
Toronto, the jewel of Canada. Maybe this is an “In the News” category or a “Lessons Learned” Recent storms in Toronto broke the one day rainfall record there. Previously held by 1954 Hurricane Hazel at 121mm, the storms on Monday 08 July 2013 dropped 126mm of water. Flooding roadways and overwhelmed storm drains are one…
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Speed Kills Your Pocketbook
How speed kills your pocket book I live in the Vancouver area and recently viewed the video that takes a deep look at vehicle speeds, road safety, police ticketing, and how the media puts a spin on a story. A major conclusion that is reached is that people drive with a speed that is reasonable…
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In the News: Quebec banning religious garb
I am a minarchist and fully support personal freedom and liberty. The government has no place in regulating or banning our clothing: whether it is for religious, political, or ANY other reason. There should be no state supported religion – all countries and states should be completely secular. Recently, the provincial government of Quebec,…
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What Is a Self-Sufficient Canadian?
What is a self-sufficient Canadian? What does it actually mean to be self sufficient? To me, it means having the ability to take care of yourself and your family while accepting full responsibility for your own life. The life you’re living today is largely the result of your own choices, and only you can change…
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A Tour of Our Summer Garden
A quick tour video of our summer garden This is the type of garden I grew up with in southern Ontario, we could usually provide most of our vegetable requirements, and even put away a fair amount for the winter. So continuing that trend, this is our summer garden for 2013. I must say, this…