It’s officially January – and while Christmas may be behind us, a local credit counsellor is advising not to be too quick to get out of that holiday spirit. Why? Because January is actually the perfect time to start planning your 2022 holiday budget. “The holidays are an expensive time of year, and while people […]
The Secret to Creating a Holiday Gift Budget That Works
It’s that time of year again. The holidays might be an exciting time, but it’s also stressful, especially for the wallet. We all want to save money during the holiday season, but it can be difficult when you’re feeling the pressure to buy fantastic gifts for everyone on your list. The good news is, there […]
What to Include in your Holiday Budget
With the holidays just around the corner, many Canadians will soon begin opening their wallets – and many plan to spend more than last year. According to the Retail Council of Canada’s (RCC) 2021 Holiday Shopping Survey, nearly 3 in 10 Canadians said that they will be spending more in 2021 than they did in […]
Why This Year Should be a Credit-Free Christmas
The past two years have hit all Canadians hard – whether it be physically, mentally, emotionally or financially. With the holidays around the corner, many families are looking forward to celebrating with loved ones and putting the year behind them. But despite the fact that Canadians may want to celebrate Christmas like they usually […]
Research shows Atlantic Canadians want to conquer their debt, but lack skills to do it
November marks Financial Literacy Month across Canada. After a difficult year for many Canadians, more and more people are facing financial hardship. Financial Literacy Month aims to help Canadians learn how to better manage their finances. “Atlantic Canadians across all income levels, all levels of education, and even all levels of concern for their financial […]
10 Budgeting Tips for Post-Secondary Students
With much of the country now vaccinated against COVID-19, students will soon be heading back to in-classroom learning. For post-secondary students, many will be living away from home as well, some for the first time ever. With tuition costs rising and many students having faced unemployment for the past year due to the pandemic, the […]
Do-it-Yourself Debt Reduction Strategies
The majority of Canadians will find themselves in debt at some point in their lives. While this may seem normal, it’s important to try and keep that debt to a minimum and not let it spiral out of control. Having a plan to pay down your debt is the best way to ensure your debt […]
How Much Mortgage Can I Afford in Canada?
Many Canadians dream of owning their own home but might think it’s out of reach for them. However, the reality is that many people can afford a mortgage, and oftentimes, a mortgage payment may even be lower than a rent payment. Once you’ve saved your down payment, you should start investigating how much mortgage you […]
5 Best Budgeting Tools You Should Start Using Today
Managing your personal finances is an issue that plagues just about everyone. Regardless of how much money you are making right now, you can always improve your financial situation by finding ways to save. You can make saving and tracking your expenses simple by using good budgeting tools that will help you along the way. Here are […]
How Much Money Should I Save for Emergencies?
If the last year has taught us anything, it’s that emergency funds are critical. Not only should we be prepared for unexpected expenses such as malfunctioning appliances, car repairs and medical conditions, but we also need to be prepared for possible job losses. Even those who are self-employed should prepare themselves for falling market conditions […]
