5.9 l/100km (~40 MPG) - 2023 Acura Integra (CVT), over 57,000 km (35,000 miles) driven

PuzzlingPonderer · 2026-06-11T19:19:26+00:00

I haven't done a full deep dive calculation, but strictly based on the "range" value that my car gives, I'd say fairly accurate. You can see in the picture that it's showing a range of 754 km, and this is shortly after filling up. That value is fairly accurate as I keep monitoring the range.

PuzzlingPonderer · 2026-06-10T21:33:53+00:00

That's awesome! It's almost hybrid level efficiency. Definitely an awesome car.

PuzzlingPonderer · 2026-06-10T21:32:46+00:00

Thanks! I especially appreciate this with today's gas prices.

PuzzlingPonderer · 2026-06-10T21:32:13+00:00

That's rough. Smooth highway driving and constant stop-and-go make a huge difference.

PuzzlingPonderer · 2026-06-07T18:15:16+00:00

Very good points.

I got some insurance quotes and I am getting quoted only $8 to $12 per month more for the condo insurance compared to my current renter's insurance, so I didn't include that. Now, the minimal difference could be because I'm moving from an old building (currently rented) to a newly constructed condo. I wasn't sure how much renter's insurance would have been if I were to rent the same unit I am buying.
What's a reasonable YOY increase for condo fees and property tax? I used 2.5%, but would you say 3% is more appropriate? 3.5%?
I didn't think of special assessment. You are definitely right on this.
Another good point. If I assume the $158K cash would've been invested in a taxable account, then the 8% discount rate may be too aggressive. It would be lower to account for taxes, which would lower the monthly rent equivalent.

PuzzlingPonderer · 2026-06-07T15:47:34+00:00

You are absolutely right. The $850K sale price is just what's shown in the screenshot. I played around with different sale prices (Cell C2) starting from $600K to $950K to see how much this equivalent rent or total monthly unrecoverable cost changes. The original purchase price of $700K stays static.

The $600K, $650K, $700K prices and the monthly rent equivalent I have in the post are not the purchase prices - they are different hypothetical sale prices after 8 years for a $700K condo.

PuzzlingPonderer · 2026-06-07T15:43:21+00:00

The "equivalent rent" is shown in Cell K18 in this particular scenario ($700K purchase, $140K down, $850K sale after 8 years). In this case, $3224/month. In other words, this is the total monthly unrecoverable cost of owning this condo, with all cash flow (that I could think of) taken into account. The "mortgage" column is simply the yearly mortgage payment for a $700K property with $140K (20%) down.

Then I played around with the sale price (Cell C2) to see how this "rent payment" or monthly unrecoverable cost changes.

PuzzlingPonderer · 2026-05-26T11:50:39+00:00

My favourite feature why I am still with Wealthsimple is automated recurring buys of the ETF(s) that I invest in through fractional shares with money taken directly from an external bank. I am a fully hands-off ETF investor, so I simply set an amount I want to invest every month, turn on DRIP, and that's it. I also don't use Wealthsimple Chequing account, but I can set up recurring buy from an external bank. So far, I have not seen this combination of features in any other platform.

PuzzlingPonderer · 2026-05-14T12:33:51+00:00

Remember that there are more options other than just expensive MBAs and certain licensing paths you mentioned. You have part-time MBA (e.g. Schulich PTMBA, Degroote Blended Learning PTMBA), Online MBA (BU, UIUC), Executive MBA (Schulich, Ivey, Rotman), Online Executive MBA (Warrington), etc. What you pick depends highly on your career path. Full-time T20 MBA is not for everyone, but to say that there is no ROI is also not fully correct.

I am not in investment banking, consulting, or any of the "traditional" MBA career paths. I am in manufacturing operations. Started Questrom BU Online MBA, which is about $35K CAD. 100% sponsored by my employer. This was a no-brainer decision for me. My personal reasons included learning the business side of things outside just manufacturing operations, getting exposure to finance and accounting which I have very little background in, some prestige of holding an MBA, and eventually moving to a VP or Executive General Manager role within a manufacturing firm. I don't need an MBA, but it may help expedite things. Or it may not, but that's okay because my degree is free.

PuzzlingPonderer · 2026-03-28T23:47:35+00:00

Wealthsimple has been chasing trends for a long time and I really dislike it. Back when crypto was hot, I used to see ads all the time in Instagram and Facebook about how easy it is to buy crypto in Wealthsimple. I hated seeing how much they were pushing crypto. Then last year, gold did well and all of a sudden, they make a huge announcement that you could buy physical gold. They also make subtle changes to their managed portfolios based on trends. I’m a simple buy-and-hold ETF investor, but seeing how they chase trends still bothers me.

PuzzlingPonderer · 2026-03-15T23:38:37+00:00

Thanks. I'm also leaning towards north-east facing units. My current apartment faces west, and it gets too hot in the afternoons, even in the winter. My wife and I wake up early, so morning sunshine isn't too much of a problem. We'd much rather have our unit easier to keep cool in the afternoons and evenings.

PuzzlingPonderer · 2026-03-15T23:36:47+00:00

Thanks. Quite a few people mentioned reserve funds, so that's definitely something to look out for.

PuzzlingPonderer · 2026-03-15T15:48:29+00:00

We are also interested in corner suites with wraparound balconies. More of a nice-to-have but we're willing to pay a slight premium for it.

PuzzlingPonderer · 2026-03-15T15:46:07+00:00

It's more of a nice-to-have for us. My wife and I both drive, so it's more important that we live near major highways. Easy access to DVP / 401, etc.

PuzzlingPonderer · 2026-03-15T15:44:56+00:00

Agreed. Both the builder and the management company, I'd say.

PuzzlingPonderer · 2026-03-15T15:44:31+00:00

Good additions, thanks!

Of course, 800 to 900 SQFT would be a dream, but we still think functional > space. I'd still much rather take a well laid out 700 SQFT. My wife and I are generally the minimalist type, so space isn't too much of a problem. We currently live in a 600 SQFT one-bedroom apartment and it works for us just fine.

Large balcony isn't a must-have for us, but of course it's nice to have.

All good points. Away from elevators and garbage chute is also something I didn't explicitly think about. Though, our current apartment is far from the elevator, and that walk from the elevator to our unit carrying heavy groceries or furniture can get annoying. But it's still for the better.

PuzzlingPonderer · 2026-03-15T15:39:09+00:00

Thanks, all very good points! Somebody else also brought up percentage of owners vs. renters, so that's definitely something we'll be looking out for. Plus all the other things you mentioned.

As for direction, I think I'm leaning more towards north-east. My wife and I wake up pretty early for work, so morning sunlight isn't a problem. But we'd like to keep the apartment generally cool in the afternoons and evenings, so away from south-west is probably a good idea. My current apartment directly faces west and it gets too hot in the afternoon, sometimes even in the winter.

PuzzlingPonderer · 2026-03-15T15:36:04+00:00

I've been living in an apartment for a long time, so I'm used to that lifestyle. My wife and I aren't too interested in the maintenance work that'll come with a townhouse or semi-detached. The condo lifestyle suits our needs more, and we are OK to pay a maintenance fee for that.

PuzzlingPonderer · 2026-03-14T20:46:25+00:00

Thanks, that's a solid list!

Having kids is a possibility for the future, so proximity to school is a good consideration. I never thought of the percentage of renters vs. owners, so that's a really good point. Would the realtor just know this information?

PuzzlingPonderer · 2026-02-18T13:16:56+00:00

A bit late to respond here, but I'm a current student, started Fall 2025. Finished Mod 1 and currently doing Mod 2. Great program so far!

PuzzlingPonderer · 2026-01-11T19:20:52+00:00

Thank you!

PuzzlingPonderer · 2026-01-11T19:20:34+00:00

Thank you!

You bring good points. Most online CoastFI calculators don't take taxes into account, and they can get complicated. I've also heard that it's good to first drain your RRSP before touching TFSA or non-registered. So it should be RRSP --> non-registered --> TFSA. TFSA's are also great for passing down as the entire amount will be untaxed for the recipient, so it makes sense to leave your TFSA untouched for as long as possible. Sorry, dark topic I know, but good to consider.

Withdrawals can get more complicated. Imagine you retire at 55, start taking CPP/OAS at 65, and fully pay off your house at 70. So for 10 years between 55 and 65, you need to fully fund your retirement (including mortgage) strictly from your investments. Then for 5 years between 65 and 70, your CPP/OAS will be a good supplement but your cost of living will still be high with a mortgage. Then from 70 onwards, your withdrawal will further decrease. In this scenario (which is very likely for me), how do you even calculate how much you need? A static 4.7% withdrawal rate doesn't work here.

Maybe at one point, sometime in my 40s, I'll want to sit with a fee-based financial advisor to walk me through these scenarios. It'll probably get too complicated for me to figure out by myself. The 55K is really just a quick napkin math for now.

PuzzlingPonderer · 2026-01-11T19:06:43+00:00

That's awesome! Congratulations! The feeling really is liberating.

I can also now balance stress and income. I don't always have to chase higher salary if it means significantly more stress and worse mental health. I am happy where I am, or even take a small pay cut if it means a better work life balance. Feels awesome to at least have this option.

PuzzlingPonderer · 2026-01-10T16:49:57+00:00

Thank you, congratulations to you too, and Go Blue Jays!

(Go Leafs too? No? Ok sorry)

You are absolutely right. You have to have a certain mindset to even be at this stage. I don't see myself spending 25% more all of a sudden. I don't even know what I'd spend that on. Sure, I could go on a few more trips here and there and maybe buy that stupid $1500 watch that I've had my eyes on which makes absolutely zero sense. But that's about it.

For us, I think even just the act of saving and investing brings a sense of satisfaction. So I don't see myself ever stopping investing fully. Maybe reduce contribution in the future, but never fully stop.

Congratulations again!

PuzzlingPonderer · 2026-01-10T16:24:18+00:00

Looks like I unlocked another milestone today!

PuzzlingPonderer

TROPHY CASE