November 5th is National Donut Day, November 10th is International Accountants Day and November 19th is National Play Monopoly Day. There is a different “national day” for most days of the calendar year. In Canada, November is Financial Literacy Month (“FLM”) with the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (“FCAC”) coordinating efforts to strengthen the financial literacy of Canadians. So, what is financial literacy? Per Wikipedia, [...]
At the beginning of every new year, we typically make resolutions for personal improvement in the coming year. These resolutions tend to be focused on our physical health – lose weight, exercise more, or eat healthier. Resolutions should also be made to improve our financial well-being. Whether you have savings in your bank account or struggle month to month, work full time or are on [...]
Did you meet your financial goals for 2015? Or did you track your expenses for a couple of months and then fall back into old habits of spending without accountability? Have you already forgotten about your 2016 financial New Year’s resolutions? Media coverage on the high level of debt Canadians are carrying may make you feel better about your own situation – you are [...]
Finally, the weather is warmer and we can come out of our winter hibernation. We feel the urge to spring clean our residences and our yards. Spending time outside also allows you to avoid those never-ending phone calls from collection agencies. Now is not the time to avoid your debt – spring clean it – just as you would your house and gardens. Here [...]
It’s that time of year when we are all overwhelmed with seasonal events and Christmas shopping. What is the perfect gift for that person who has everything? A gift card or certificate seems like the ideal solution. A few ideas you may want to consider before spending your hard earned money: Purchase gift cards/certificates from a long standing, reputable business. Unfortunately, if the business [...]
Did you overspend in 2013? Did you purchase more than you can afford over the holidays? Those bills are likely piled up on your desk – or perhaps even unopened – and you’re wondering how everything is going to get paid. You are not alone. Paying down debt is a top priority for Canadians in 2014 according to a poll from CIBC. The results [...]
Sometimes it’s hard to manage your debt load – especially if there’s been a job loss or an illness and you have fallen behind on your payments. Once you have missed a few payments, your creditors will likely forward your debt to a collection agency. Your phone starts to ring and a collection agent pressures you to make payments. Some of the calls may [...]
Are you on an emotional roller coaster ride each time your child asks for something? Do you feel as if there’s too much of the month left when your money runs out? There are pizza lunches, school fundraisers music lessons, gymnastics – the list goes on. If your children are regularly in need of money, then it’s time that they learned the value of [...]
Using credit is an easy temptation if you’re short of cash. For many consumers, credit is readily available in the form of a credit card, making it too easy to overspend. If you are not physically handing over cash, it seems as if you’re not spending real money. Credit cards do offer flexibility and convenience and can help you manage your money, if you [...]
It seems like a quick, easy fix. You’ve found yourself short of cash until your next paycheque, so why not get a payday loan to carry you over? These loans provide short-term funds or payday advances in small amounts. Typically, this type of loan is $1,500 or less for a maximum term of 62 days. Money is advanced in exchange for a post-dated cheque [...]
