Do’s and don’ts for the new investment environment By now, you’ve noticed that the prices of everyday essentials from groceries to gas to lumber have edged up, some quite significantly. No, you’re not dreaming, and it’s not a mistake. Consumer price indexes have...
Navigating stress tests and high-ratio mortgage insurance As if the real estate market weren’t already challenging enough, the government has decided to make it even tougher by tightening the qualification thresholds for certain mortgages. If you’re applying for a...
Managing your cash, from crunch to conservation Over the past year, the pandemic has put many people between a rock and a hard place financially. A recent survey by FP Canada indicated that nearly 60% of respondents said they had at least one negative financial...
Avoid surprises: talk about money before exchanging vows Couples caught up in the details of planning a wedding – especially during the pandemic lockdowns – often neglect to talk about money. That’s not surprising, since the Leger Discomfort Index, a survey of what...
Investing by stock market lore could be a money-losing strategy “Sell in May, go away, and don’t come back ’til Labour Day” is one of those bits of market lore that’s trotted out from time to time. Other instances of such supposed deep wisdom include, “Never try to...
What you need to know about TFSAs You may have a tax refund coming. Or you might have excess cash saved up because you’ve spent less during Covid. Or you’ve received an inheritance. Don’t let that cash sit around! Consider contributing to a Tax-Free Savings...
Last minute tax tips, and key federal budget proposals The April 30 tax filing deadline is just a few days away. But you still have time to ensure you get every tax break coming to you before you have to file. In addition, the April 19 federal budget made some...
Deducting pandemic-related home office expenses The Covid-19 pandemic and associated government-mandated lockdowns and “stay-at-home” orders have resulted in a great deal of financial stress for individuals, families, and small businesses. So this tax season, it’s...
The Home Buyers’ Plan and the stress test Shopping for a new home? Welcome to the crowd. The residential real estate market is hot in all of Canada’s major urban centres and surrounding areas, mostly because of the current environment of ultra-low interest rates....
The big difference between investing and speculating Cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin and Etherium, have been much in the news lately. That’s not surprising, because the quoted value of these esoteric assets has skyrocketed over the past year. So should you add...
Block these common swindles before they start March is fraud prevention month, and the bad guys have been busy. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reports that in January this year, more than $10 million has been lost to fraud, while scammers racked up theft of over...
Peace of mind with a financial backstop Unexpected events out of our control, such as job loss or health issues, can lead to serious disturbances in our financial situation. An emergency savings fund can mitigate some of the stress and bridge the financial gap...