
consumer finance tips


New year, new budget: A step-by-step guide on how to refresh your finances
A simple copy and paste of your 2024 budget isn’t enough to help you achieve your goals and maximize your finances for the new year, experts say.

Unwanted gift card in your stocking? Don’t let it go to waste
Gift cards can be a quick and easy present for those who don’t know what to buy and offer the recipient a chance to pick out something nice for themselves, but sometimes they can still miss the mark.

A First Home Savings Account should be on every first-time buyer’s holiday wish list
Introduced in April 2023, the First Home Savings Account (FHSA) is a game-changer for Canadians looking to save for their first home.

Retiring? Here’s how to switch from saving for your golden years to spending
The last paycheque from a decades-long career arrives next Friday and the nest egg you built during those working years will now turn into a main source of income. It can be a jarring switch from saving for retirement to spending in retirement.

Toronto and Vancouver mortgage arrears set to hit highest levels in 10 years, CMHC warns
Mortgage arrears in Toronto and Vancouver are on track to rise to levels not seen in over a decade, according to a new forecast from Canada’s housing agency.

What you need to know before helping your child with a home down payment
With the benchmark prices for a home in Toronto or Vancouver at over a million dollars, the prospect of saving enough for a down payment to enter the real estate market can be a daunting task for first-time buyers.

Boundaries, communication are key for parents running the Bank of Mom and Dad
In a world of sky-high home prices and rising cost of living, many parents are inclined to financially help their adult children. But experts say parents need to lay out clear guidelines before their children tap the Bank of Mom and Dad to ensure they don’t put their own retirements on the line.

‘Nothing to fall back on’: Money mistakes young people make and how to avoid them
Mistakes in our youth are normal and forgivable, but financial ones can be nasty to fix.

Preparing for your mortgage renewal: Tips to ease the stress of higher payments
Millions of Canadian homeowners are facing mortgage renewals in the coming years, with many feeling stressed as they prepare for higher payments amid persistently elevated interest rates.