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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Federal Government Bans Incandescent Bulbs
The Canadian Federal Government Bans Incandescent Bulbs Starting 01 January 2014, there is a ban on standard incandescent light bulbs with an output of 75W and 100W. I had totally forgotten about this, since the discussions were seven years ago. But now I see that this is still set to take effect in the new year.…
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Question: What Are The Top Five Must Haves for your BOB (Bug-Out-Bag)?
The five items you need to have with you for bugging-out BOB or for emergencies My top 5 never change much – except for the time of year: #1 – Water filtration / purification tabs (summer #1 / winter #2) #2 – Fire Starter or Tinder & Striker Kit (winter #1 / summer #2) #3…
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Phil Robertson suspended from Duck Dynasty
Phil Robertson booted from his own show?!? “LOS ANGELES, Calif. – “Duck Dynasty” patriarch Phil Robertson — suspended from the series indefinitely after making disparaging remarks about gays — is getting some support from key followers. Sarah Palin posted a picture on her Facebook page of her with the reality show clan with the message,…
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Schools Teach Conformity Quote
Jack Spirko: “Schools Teach Conformity” “Schools teach conformity. Schools are not designed to educate. Education is about teaching people to learn. Schools are designed to breed conformity. Everybody sit in a desk in a nice straight line. Put your head down and take a nap when you’re told. Be on time or you’re in trouble.…
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High River Gun Grab
Updates to my thoughts on the High River gun grab I had previously published some softer thoughts on the flooding in Alberta and the High River gun grab. I still don’t want to make this into the usual cop-bashing “right to bear arms” rant, but I am more troubled by this than I was before.…
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Richard Marcinko Quote on Conventional Wisdom
Dick Marcinko is a former Navy SEAL and an author of many books. The most famous of them being the Rogue Warrior series of international military thriller type action novels. But he also wrote the “Leadership Secrets of the Rogue Warrior” and “A Commando’s Principle of Winning” It is from one of these two books…
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Christmas Gift Ideas
It’s that time of the year again where we are constantly looking for good Christmas gift ideas. But what should you the the loved ones in your life? Things that they will enjoy and will help promote self-sufficiency. They may not be a homesteader, prepare, modern survivalist, etc – and they don’t have to be…
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5.11 Tactical Rush MOAB 10 Unboxing & First Look
My first impressions of the Rush MOAB 10 Over the years I have tried a number of different bags for my everyday carry and laptop. Messenger style shoulder bags, backpacks, and laptop sleeves – I’ve tried a lot of different combinations. Things are more difficult because I have a 17″ MacBook Laptop – many packs…
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Shooting the Smith & Wesson 500 Magnum
Here is a short video I posted to YouTube of me Shooting the Smith & Wesson 500 Magnum. On my first trip to a shooting range, we finished up the session with a few shots of the big 500. It sure was a blast and I’m definitely looking forward to getting a shot at some of…
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Black Friday Sales
Black Friday Sales to take advantage of Black Friday is a national holiday to our American friends, but up here in Canada there are also deals to be had. Retailers noticed that Canadians cross the border each year to take part in the madness across the line. As much fun is it is to do…
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Tax Reduction: Donate to a Charity
You reduce your taxes If you donate to a charity Previously I discussed how you can reduce your taxes by making a political contribution. Well, most of us aren’t exactly enamoured by Canadian politics and political parties, so we need another way to reduce our taxes. The most noble way of reducing your taxes is…
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Time to get my PAL
It is time for me to get a PAL Yes I could use more friends, but that isn’t what I meant. No, the PAL is the Possession and Acquisition Licence and you require this to purchase firearms or ammunition in Canada. Formerly know as the FAC (Firearms Acquisition Certificate), obtaining a PAL is an involved…
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Podcasts 02 November
If you missed it, these are last week’s episodes Here are my recommendations for podcasts 02 November: Lew Rockwell Episode 371 – Street Smarts with Jim Rogers – Jim Rodgers KNOWS money and investing. We all should at least listen to what he has to say. In this podcast Jim & Lew discuss Roger’s book: Street…
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Shooting Range Visit
Thoughts from my second shooting range visit On Halloween I ended up with the evening free to myself. I could have gone to the gym, watched movies, or even eaten candy. But instead, I decided on an indoor shooting range visit since it was over a month since I had been there. Plus there was…
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Benefits of Vacation
The Numerous Benefits of Vacation We are always busy: working, family, running around, shopping, etc. But when we take time to ourselves we can experience the numerous benefits of vacation. Some of us travel and experience new cultures, others rest on the beach. Some visit family, and sometimes we have the opportunity to travel halfway…
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Music: Fred Bear
Ted Nugent – Fred Bear Ted Nugent is a great voice of freedom, liberty, hunting, guns, and music. He makes himself heard in the media and I really enjoy watching videos of him on YouTube. Here are some of my favourites. But he is also a musician and well know for some of his rock’n’roll…
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Ron Paul Videos
Collection of Ron Paul Videos As Canadians, we don’t usually look to the USA for political or economic advise – especially these days with the turmoil going on there. But there is an Exception: Dr. Ron Paul. Dr. Paul is a Republican, but not a big government Republican like the rest of them. He is…
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Podcast Episodes October 26
If you missed it, this is last week’s episodes Here are some podcast episodes october 26 for you to listen to this weekend: The Preparedness Podcast Episode 195 – Preparedness Questions Part 1 The Preparedness Podcast Episode 196 – Preparedness Questions Part 2 Modern Self Protection Episode 69 – Types of Attackers The Human Path –…
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Mossberg 500 vs Remington 870
For a first firearm, you must compare the Mossberg 500 vs Remington 870. In the USA it is easy for people to buy handguns, so they often do for their first gun. Plus they are able to carry it with them if they are in the right state and have the correct permit. But in…
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Music: Keep The Change
Hank Williams Jr. – Keep The Change This is another great video from Hank Williams Jr. He’s a great artist for homesteaders, country boys, and even survivalists. Check out the last song of his that I posted: A Country Boy Can Survive.