Posts by Robb Engen
Our Fast Track To Financial Freedom
I spent most of my twenties paying off student loans and credit card debt. When I reached my thirties, my financial priorities shifted from paying down debt to saving for the future, with an eye towards financial freedom. We want to find the right balance between saving, investing and paying down our mortgage. After our…
Read MorePros And Cons Of Waiting To Buy A Home
Home ownership is considered a rite of passage for most adults. Whether it’s a house or condo, people of all ages and stages in life want to own their own home. Currently, 2 out of every 3 Canadian households own the home they live in. The challenge for many Canadians is the cost of buying…
Read More10 Fees That Are Worth The Money
Some fees just can’t be avoided, but that doesn’t mean every fee is designed to rip you off. You can feel good about paying fees when they provide enough benefit to justify the cost. Whether it saves you time, gives you peace of mind, or actually saves you money in the long run – in…
Read MoreIs The Costco Executive Membership Worth Buying?
If you love shopping at Costco as much as I do, chances are you’ve been asked to upgrade to the Costco Executive Membership. I never thought we spent enough money at Costco to justify paying the additional membership fee. However, with a growing family to support, lately we’ve been spending a lot more money there.…
Read MoreDoes A Reverse Mortgage Make Sense For Seniors?
A reverse mortgage may sound like a good deal for cash strapped seniors. You can turn some of your home equity into cash without having to sell your house. The money you borrow is tax-free income, and you don’t need to make regular payments on the loan. Some financial experts advise seniors to avoid reverse…
Read MoreWhat Does Your Credit Score Really Mean?
Some people are obsessed with their credit score, especially when trying to get out of debt. Your credit score is important if you plan on borrowing – to get a car loan or to buy a home, for example. I’ve sent away for my free credit report a couple of times to check for errors,…
Read MoreAir Miles Cash Vs. Air Miles Dream: What You Need To Know
If you’ve been on the Air Miles website recently you may have noticed a few changes to how you earn and redeem your rewards. First, there’s a new feature called Air Miles Cash. Starting March 2012 Air Miles collectors can instantly redeem the reward miles in their Air Miles Cash balance towards purchases at participating…
Read MoreHow Not To Move Back In With Your Parents
Rob Carrick is the personal finance columnist for The Globe and Mail, and has been one of Canada’s most trusted and respected financial experts for over 15 years. Carrick’s new book, How Not To Move Back in With Your Parents, hits the shelves today. This personal finance book is aimed specifically at young adults graduating from university…
Read MoreAeroplan Rewards: What Is The Best Value For Your Miles?
The Aeroplan rewards program is arguably the most popular (and reviled) loyalty program in Canada. Aeroplan members can earn miles at over 75 sponsors in the travel, retail and financial sectors. Over two million Aeroplan rewards were issued to members last year alone, including more than 1.3 million flights on Air Canada and Star Alliance…
Read MoreWhy Leasing A Car Makes Sense For Young Families
The cheapest way to acquire a car is to pay cash for it up front. Unfortunately, paying for a car in its entirety is not an option for most young families. The choice then comes down to financing or leasing a car. Let me start off by saying that young families shouldn’t be fooled by…
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