Weekend Reading: Back To School Edition
Back-to-school season is doubly busy for me as our kids enter grade two and pre-school respectively while at my University day job we’re getting ready to welcome back thousands of students to campus this weekend. We all know the cost of post-secondary education has risen dramatically in the last decade and so students (and their…
Read MoreFrom The Boomer & Echo Mailbag: Funding Your Grandchild’s Education
Question: I would like to contribute to my grandchildren’s education. Their parents already contribute the maximum amount to their RESPs each year in order to receive the government grant. What are my options? Answer: The costs of post-secondary school are rising exponentially, so kudos to you for wanting to help your grandchildren with the gift…
Read MoreFinancial Planning For Couples: Starting A Family
Next to buying a house, raising children is a large ongoing expense for couples. Often both are experienced at the same time. If you’re renting a one-bedroom apartment, the upcoming birth of your child brings out the desire for a 3-bedroom house with a big yard. I understand that not everyone wants kids, of course,…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: Investing In Sport Edition
A decade ago Canada launched Own the Podium to prepare its amateur athletes to reach medal finishes at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. It later expanded to include a division for summer sports called Road to Excellence. The program has been incredibly successful, with Canada winning a record 14 gold medals at the Vancouver games,…
Read MoreThrowback Thursday: The Electronic Age
When I was a girl one of my favourite cartoons was The Jetsons about a futuristic space-age cartoon family. Advances in home technology were just beginning and the Jetsons’ high-tech lifestyle was amazing to me. Who knew how quickly many those fictional advances would come to pass. Related: Buying a home in 1974 vs. 2014…
Read MoreBecoming A Better Investor: Socially Responsible Investing
It isn’t what we say that makes a difference in the world. It’s what we do. There has been high interest and significant growth in socially responsible investing – also known as ethical investing – especially among younger investors and women. But, even though the trend is growing, it’s not new. Socially responsible investing has existed since…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: Early Retirement Backlash Edition
I consider my financial freedom 45 plan to be aggressive, yet attainable. Reaching financial independence at a relatively young age requires discipline, sacrifice, and a lot of savings mixed in with a dash of frugality. But my plan pales in comparison to certain members of the financial independence / early retirement crowd who aim to leave…
Read MoreShould University Students Get A Credit Card? Probably
As students head back to university this fall, one question is whether or not to get a credit card. They probably should. Credit cards are practical and useful and managing them is a fact of life. So the sooner young adults learn to use one responsibly and begin building a credit history, the better. There are…
Read MoreThe Dollar Store Boom
Once upon a time I would never have set foot in a dollar store. I thought, “Why would I waste my money on their cheap, shoddy merchandise when I can buy a better quality brand name?” Then about ten years ago dollar store giant Dollarama came to my Calgary neighbourhood. I don’t know what impulse…
Read MoreWhy I Chose A 2-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage
Our mortgage came up for renewal this month and, even though interest rates remain historically low, I knew we’d have to renew at a higher rate than our current 1.90 percent variable rate mortgage. Last week I met with an advisor at TD, where our mortgage is held, to see what options were available. I…
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