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Money Basics
Common Money Beliefs
How do you decide where to open your first bank account? Where did you learn to budget or pay bills? If you have a money question now, what do you do? Who do you turn to?
Know Your Chequing Account
Cheques hold an odd place in our personal finances; in many ways, cheques seem like relics from a previous era. We maybe write one or two cheques a month when electronic payment simply isn't an option. This is vastly different from only a few decades ago.
Saving on Groceries
The average Canadian spends $5,880 a year on groceries. While paper coupons are still a great way to save money on your grocery bill, there are plenty of other ways to lower your total by the time you check out!
Income Essentials
Your income is influenced by four interconnected factors: career, education, skills and trends. Let's learn more!
Let's Talk Taxes
Your pay stub is a source of valuable information. It shows you how your income is distributed, gives you a heads up on what to expect at tax time and allows you to set a realistic budget. Let's learn more!
Intro to Insurance
Insurance is a contract that offers full or partial financial compensation for loss or damage caused by an uncontrollable event. Learn all about insurance here and how to protect yourself.
Understanding Inflation
What's inflation? Great question! Simply put, inflation refers to the rate of change or increase in the average prices of goods and services typically purchased by consumers. When the price level rises, every dollar you have buys a smaller percentage of a good or service.
Common Money Beliefs
How do you decide where to open your first bank account? Where did you learn to budget or pay bills? If you have a money question now, what do you do? Who do you turn to?
Know Your Chequing Account
Cheques hold an odd place in our personal finances; in many ways, cheques seem like relics from a previous era. We maybe write one or two cheques a month when electronic payment simply isn't an option. This is vastly different from only a few decades ago.
Saving on Groceries
The average Canadian spends $5,880 a year on groceries. While paper coupons are still a great way to save money on your grocery bill, there are plenty of other ways to lower your total by the time you check out!
Income Essentials
Your income is influenced by four interconnected factors: career, education, skills and trends. Let's learn more!
Let's Talk Taxes
Your pay stub is a source of valuable information. It shows you how your income is distributed, gives you a heads up on what to expect at tax time and allows you to set a realistic budget. Let's learn more!
Intro to Insurance
Insurance is a contract that offers full or partial financial compensation for loss or damage caused by an uncontrollable event. Learn all about insurance here and how to protect yourself.
Understanding Inflation
What's inflation? Great question! Simply put, inflation refers to the rate of change or increase in the average prices of goods and services typically purchased by consumers. When the price level rises, every dollar you have buys a smaller percentage of a good or service.
Saving & Spending
Budgeting Basics
Whether you're planning your first budget or re-evaluating your current budget, these ground rules will set you up for success. It doesn't matter if you manage your budget on your smartphone or you prefer the old school way of pen and paper; these budgeting basics can be applied to every budgeting system!
Good Vs. Bad Spending
When you start looking for financial advice, experts will share their take on what's 'good' and what's 'bad'. In personal finance, there are some classifications that we can all agree on; debt is bad, emergency funds are good, overdrawing your account is bad and earning interest on your savings is good.
Emergency Fund Bootcamp
Having an emergency fund means having one less thing to worry about when the unexpected happens. If you find yourself in a situation like a medical emergency, a surprise home repair or losing a job, you don't want to be worrying about how you're doing to manage expenses or about going into debt to cover costs.
Saving for Retirement
Although savings goals vary from person to person and range in size and scope, it's likely that your longest-term savings goal will be for your retirement.
How to Save on Tuition
Successful scholarship applications take considerable time and effort. Before you start the application process, gather the information below in one place. It will save you time and spare you the hassle of scrambling for documents at the last minute.
Saving With New Skills
Learning a new skill has many potential benefits. It can entertain you, it can save you money, it can boost your self-confidence, and it can unlock new opportunities at school and at work.
Responding to Financial Emergencies
Although there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to financial emergencies, there are steps you can take that will minimize damage while you work on a recovery plan.
Budgeting Basics
Whether you're planning your first budget or re-evaluating your current budget, these ground rules will set you up for success. It doesn't matter if you manage your budget on your smartphone or you prefer the old school way of pen and paper; these budgeting basics can be applied to every budgeting system!
Good Vs. Bad Spending
When you start looking for financial advice, experts will share their take on what's 'good' and what's 'bad'. In personal finance, there are some classifications that we can all agree on; debt is bad, emergency funds are good, overdrawing your account is bad and earning interest on your savings is good.
Emergency Fund Bootcamp
Having an emergency fund means having one less thing to worry about when the unexpected happens. If you find yourself in a situation like a medical emergency, a surprise home repair or losing a job, you don't want to be worrying about how you're doing to manage expenses or about going into debt to cover costs.
Saving for Retirement
Although savings goals vary from person to person and range in size and scope, it's likely that your longest-term savings goal will be for your retirement.
How to Save on Tuition
Successful scholarship applications take considerable time and effort. Before you start the application process, gather the information below in one place. It will save you time and spare you the hassle of scrambling for documents at the last minute.
Saving With New Skills
Learning a new skill has many potential benefits. It can entertain you, it can save you money, it can boost your self-confidence, and it can unlock new opportunities at school and at work.
Responding to Financial Emergencies
Although there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to financial emergencies, there are steps you can take that will minimize damage while you work on a recovery plan.
Investing
Trends in the Stockmarket
What's with the bull and the bear?! The bull and the bear are the unofficial mascots of stock markets around the world and are used to describe market trends.
Rule of 72
Compound interest means earning interest on your interest. You can use the 'Rule of 72' to approximate how long it will take for an investment to double at a given interest rate!
Compound Interest Mind Bend
You may remember it as an equation you had to memorize for math class, but it's so much more than that. It's the concept that powers all sorts of savings and investment products and, over time, allows you to turn your money into, well more money!
Investment Vehicles
Looking to be a first-time investor? Do your homework before investing your hard-earned cash! Unless you can predict the future, investing is a risky business. Know your goals, your needs, and your tolerance for risk before you put your money at stake.
Trends in the Stockmarket
What's with the bull and the bear?! The bull and the bear are the unofficial mascots of stock markets around the world and are used to describe market trends.
Rule of 72
Compound interest means earning interest on your interest. You can use the 'Rule of 72' to approximate how long it will take for an investment to double at a given interest rate!
Compound Interest Mind Bend
You may remember it as an equation you had to memorize for math class, but it's so much more than that. It's the concept that powers all sorts of savings and investment products and, over time, allows you to turn your money into, well more money!
Investment Vehicles
Looking to be a first-time investor? Do your homework before investing your hard-earned cash! Unless you can predict the future, investing is a risky business. Know your goals, your needs, and your tolerance for risk before you put your money at stake.
The Working World
Working from Home
More people than ever are working from home because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you're new to working remotely or just looking to level up, it's important to understand when to work, where to work, and how to create boundaries between work and personal life.
Writing a Business Plan
Writing a business plan is an essential part of building a successful business. At its core, a business plan is a road map for your project: it establishes your purpose, it sets goals and expectations, and it forecasts the relationship between cost and revenue.
Navigating Income Loss
The stress of losing a job not only affects your finances—it can also take a toll on your mind and body. The path to recovery includes stops along the way to scrutinize your options, downsize your spending and energize your spirit.
Acing the Job Interview
Preparation is key when it comes to acing the job interview! From what to wear, what to bring, what to know and what to say - you'll learn it all here and more!
Earning Money Online
It's hard to ignore the appeal of making real money online - whether you're selling old stuff, starting a blog or running your own digital storefront, there are many tools and resources to help you every step along the way!
Working from Home
More people than ever are working from home because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you're new to working remotely or just looking to level up, it's important to understand when to work, where to work, and how to create boundaries between work and personal life.
Writing a Business Plan
Writing a business plan is an essential part of building a successful business. At its core, a business plan is a road map for your project: it establishes your purpose, it sets goals and expectations, and it forecasts the relationship between cost and revenue.
Navigating Income Loss
The stress of losing a job not only affects your finances—it can also take a toll on your mind and body. The path to recovery includes stops along the way to scrutinize your options, downsize your spending and energize your spirit.
Acing the Job Interview
Preparation is key when it comes to acing the job interview! From what to wear, what to bring, what to know and what to say - you'll learn it all here and more!
Earning Money Online
It's hard to ignore the appeal of making real money online - whether you're selling old stuff, starting a blog or running your own digital storefront, there are many tools and resources to help you every step along the way!
Understanding Credit
Breakdown of a Credit Score
You've likely heard about credit scores before - but what do you actually know about them? How long have they been around? And what's the deal with checking them? You've come to the right place!
Boosting Your Credit Score
Credit scores are an area of personal finance that seem a lot more mysterious than they actually are. Find out what's myth and what's fact when it comes to boosting your credit score!
Comparing Cards
It's a decision that comes into play for every bill you pay, every tank of gas you buy and every coffee you pick up on the way to class or work. Cash, check or card? Debit, credit or prepaid debit?
Using Your Credit Card
What kind of relationship do you have with your credit card? Are you maxed to the limit? Do you avoid using your card at all? Understanding what credit is and how to use it can go a long way when it finally comes time to take out your first card or starting building credit.
Breakdown of a Credit Score
You've likely heard about credit scores before - but what do you actually know about them? How long have they been around? And what's the deal with checking them? You've come to the right place!
Boosting Your Credit Score
Credit scores are an area of personal finance that seem a lot more mysterious than they actually are. Find out what's myth and what's fact when it comes to boosting your credit score!
Comparing Cards
It's a decision that comes into play for every bill you pay, every tank of gas you buy and every coffee you pick up on the way to class or work. Cash, check or card? Debit, credit or prepaid debit?
Using Your Credit Card
What kind of relationship do you have with your credit card? Are you maxed to the limit? Do you avoid using your card at all? Understanding what credit is and how to use it can go a long way when it finally comes time to take out your first card or starting building credit.
All About Loans
Loan Basics
Loans help finance some of our biggest goals in life. They can provide access to possibilities that we can't afford upfront - possibilities like going to school, buying a home or starting a new business (to just name a few).
Predatory Lending
By definition, predatory lending benefits the lender, and ignores or hinders the borrower's ability to repay the debt. These lending tactics often try to take advantage of a borrower's lack of understanding about loans, terms or finances.
Leasing Vs. Buying A Car
When it comes to buying a new car, you have three options: purchasing it with cash, purchasing it through a loan (also known as financing) or leasing it. For most shoppers, the decision comes down to buying or leasing. What's the right choice for you?
Student Loans
If you're considering financing your college education with the help of a student loan, the smartest thing you can do for yourself is to only borrow what you truly need.
Demystifying Mortgages
Buying a home is likely the biggest purchase of your life, and you'll usually need a loan to make it happen. Comparing mortgages can be confusing, so we're breaking it down for you!
Loan Basics
Loans help finance some of our biggest goals in life. They can provide access to possibilities that we can't afford upfront - possibilities like going to school, buying a home or starting a new business (to just name a few).
Predatory Lending
By definition, predatory lending benefits the lender, and ignores or hinders the borrower's ability to repay the debt. These lending tactics often try to take advantage of a borrower's lack of understanding about loans, terms or finances.
Leasing Vs. Buying A Car
When it comes to buying a new car, you have three options: purchasing it with cash, purchasing it through a loan (also known as financing) or leasing it. For most shoppers, the decision comes down to buying or leasing. What's the right choice for you?
Student Loans
If you're considering financing your college education with the help of a student loan, the smartest thing you can do for yourself is to only borrow what you truly need.
Demystifying Mortgages
Buying a home is likely the biggest purchase of your life, and you'll usually need a loan to make it happen. Comparing mortgages can be confusing, so we're breaking it down for you!
Adulting
After Grad: Work or College?
What should you do after high school? Work or college? How do you know which path will take you where you want to go? Sometimes, exploring the different career options that interest you can help you answer that. But how exactly do you decide what kind of career you're interested in?
How to Save on Tuition
School is important; it's also expensive! Offset the costs of post-secondary education the smart way by using free money, your money and borrowed money (in that order).
Living On Your Own
Living on your own for the first time can be empowering! It means having independence and all the things that come with it. Some of those things (like not having to share the TV remote) are great; other things (like killing spiders yourself) are not so fun. And the least fun: bills.
Owning Vs. Renting
There are key differences between owning and renting a home. Owning a home gives you the peace of mind of having a permanent place to live. As a renter, it's relatively easy to move around; you're not responsible for finding a tenant to take your place. There's no right answer for whether it's better to own or rent your home - look to your personal goals for guidance.
Building A Budget
Building a budget might seem like a daunting task if you aren't sure how to get started. Here's a step-by-step guide to breaking own your spending into needs, wants, and savings goals so you can build a better budget!
Pay Yourself First
If you're like most people, then feeding your savings account might not be at the top of your to-do list; it's on the list, but it falls below more important things like paying your rent or bills. Paying yourself first is a great way to improve your financial well-being while helping you reach your long term goals more easily.
Strategies for Debt Repayment
Most people have some sort of debt in their life. Whether it's a home loan or a credit card balance, repaying your debts can sometimes seem like climbing a tall, snowy mountain. Learn about different debt repayment strategies that you can use to help you shrink your debt more quickly.
Paying for Pets
A pet’s companionship is priceless, but its expenses add up fast. Like walking the dog or
scooping out the litter box, budgeting is a part of basic pet care.
scooping out the litter box, budgeting is a part of basic pet care.
Avoiding the Lifestyle Creep
Lifestyle creep is the tendency to spend more money as your income increases. Lifestyle upgrades can quickly become part of your routine spending, blurring the line between “luxury” and “necessity”.
Organizing Your Finances
Every year, it's nice to do a bit of 'financial spring cleaning' and go through all those loose papers in your filing cabinet or desk drawers. Find out what you should be saving and what's okay to shred.
After Grad: Work or College?
What should you do after high school? Work or college? How do you know which path will take you where you want to go? Sometimes, exploring the different career options that interest you can help you answer that. But how exactly do you decide what kind of career you're interested in?
How to Save on Tuition
School is important; it's also expensive! Offset the costs of post-secondary education the smart way by using free money, your money and borrowed money (in that order).
Living On Your Own
Living on your own for the first time can be empowering! It means having independence and all the things that come with it. Some of those things (like not having to share the TV remote) are great; other things (like killing spiders yourself) are not so fun. And the least fun: bills.
Owning Vs. Renting
There are key differences between owning and renting a home. Owning a home gives you the peace of mind of having a permanent place to live. As a renter, it's relatively easy to move around; you're not responsible for finding a tenant to take your place. There's no right answer for whether it's better to own or rent your home - look to your personal goals for guidance.
Building A Budget
Building a budget might seem like a daunting task if you aren't sure how to get started. Here's a step-by-step guide to breaking own your spending into needs, wants, and savings goals so you can build a better budget!
Pay Yourself First
If you're like most people, then feeding your savings account might not be at the top of your to-do list; it's on the list, but it falls below more important things like paying your rent or bills. Paying yourself first is a great way to improve your financial well-being while helping you reach your long term goals more easily.
Strategies for Debt Repayment
Most people have some sort of debt in their life. Whether it's a home loan or a credit card balance, repaying your debts can sometimes seem like climbing a tall, snowy mountain. Learn about different debt repayment strategies that you can use to help you shrink your debt more quickly.
Paying for Pets
A pet’s companionship is priceless, but its expenses add up fast. Like walking the dog or
scooping out the litter box, budgeting is a part of basic pet care.
scooping out the litter box, budgeting is a part of basic pet care.
Avoiding the Lifestyle Creep
Lifestyle creep is the tendency to spend more money as your income increases. Lifestyle upgrades can quickly become part of your routine spending, blurring the line between “luxury” and “necessity”.
Organizing Your Finances
Every year, it's nice to do a bit of 'financial spring cleaning' and go through all those loose papers in your filing cabinet or desk drawers. Find out what you should be saving and what's okay to shred.
Fraud & Security
Foiling Identity Theft
Identity theft is nothing new, and yet it still manages to cost its victims billions of dollars (yes, that’s billions with a “b”) globally each year—not to mention the time and hassle involved in recovering a stolen identity.
Spotting Scams
If you use a cellphone or have an email account, you've most likely been exposed to an attempted scam. Familiarizing yourself with common scams can help you spot them before they turn into costly mistakes.
Foiling Identity Theft
Identity theft is nothing new, and yet it still manages to cost its victims billions of dollars (yes, that’s billions with a “b”) globally each year—not to mention the time and hassle involved in recovering a stolen identity.
Spotting Scams
If you use a cellphone or have an email account, you've most likely been exposed to an attempted scam. Familiarizing yourself with common scams can help you spot them before they turn into costly mistakes.
About Credit Unions
Co-operative Principles
Credit unions put their values into practice by following the 7 co-operative principles. This sets credit unions apart from all other financial institutions, strengthens our communities and benefits you too!
Choosing Your Financial Institution
Banks and credit unions offer essentially the same products and services, but there are huge differences in the way they operate. Whether you're just starting out or rethinking your next financial step, here is what you need to know.
Growing Your Money Locally
Do you love where you live? Where you work? If so, a great way to show it is by contributing to your local economy! There are tons of ways to help your community thrive; it can be as simple as writing an online review or banking with a Credit Union!
Credit Union Myths
Separating fact from fiction - even though there are over 250 credit unions in Canada, misconceptions about their structure and services still exist. Some people mistakenly believe that credit unions are limited, compared to big banks.
Co-operative Principles
Credit unions put their values into practice by following the 7 co-operative principles. This sets credit unions apart from all other financial institutions, strengthens our communities and benefits you too!
Choosing Your Financial Institution
Banks and credit unions offer essentially the same products and services, but there are huge differences in the way they operate. Whether you're just starting out or rethinking your next financial step, here is what you need to know.
Growing Your Money Locally
Do you love where you live? Where you work? If so, a great way to show it is by contributing to your local economy! There are tons of ways to help your community thrive; it can be as simple as writing an online review or banking with a Credit Union!
Credit Union Myths
Separating fact from fiction - even though there are over 250 credit unions in Canada, misconceptions about their structure and services still exist. Some people mistakenly believe that credit unions are limited, compared to big banks.
For Juniors
Making Money
People earn an income when they are hired by an employer to work at a job. Income is earned as a wage, a salary or a sales commission. Let's learn more!
Spending Money
Wouldn't it be nice to have an unlimited money machine? Without one, all we have is making choices about how to spend your money wisely!
Saving Money
Imagine this: you're out for a walk and you find a stack of shiny gold bars. Where do you put your treasure to keep it safe? There are many places you can save your money to keep it safe!
Borrowing Money
Borrowing money comes at a cost. This extra cost is called interest. If borrowing money costs more, why do people still do it? Let's find out!
Giving Money
For most people, spending comes naturally. Saving up for something special is harder. And setting money aside for giving is really hard!
Growing Money
A savings account is a great place to store your money at first. It’s safe and it pays a little interest. But it won’t make you rich!
Making Money
People earn an income when they are hired by an employer to work at a job. Income is earned as a wage, a salary or a sales commission. Let's learn more!
Spending Money
Wouldn't it be nice to have an unlimited money machine? Without one, all we have is making choices about how to spend your money wisely!
Saving Money
Imagine this: you're out for a walk and you find a stack of shiny gold bars. Where do you put your treasure to keep it safe? There are many places you can save your money to keep it safe!
Borrowing Money
Borrowing money comes at a cost. This extra cost is called interest. If borrowing money costs more, why do people still do it? Let's find out!
Giving Money
For most people, spending comes naturally. Saving up for something special is harder. And setting money aside for giving is really hard!
Growing Money
A savings account is a great place to store your money at first. It’s safe and it pays a little interest. But it won’t make you rich!
