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How To Choose A Financial Advisor

It’s a sad fact that most Canadians are not very well educated in personal finance. Even if you know your ETFs from your TFSAs, though, it can sometimes be useful to have a second pair of eyes. This is where financial advisers come in. Whether you want to reduce your debt burden , invest your inheritance wisely , or get the best value for money in the property market, a …

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How to Build a College Fund for Your Child

How To Build a College Fund for your Child


This article is part of our Finance Hub.

In 2013 and 2014, the average cost of one year’s tuition at a Canadian college was almost $6000. Students also face high and rising costs for textbooks, study materials, accommodation, and other living expenses.

The cost of education is expected to rise every year for the foreseeable future, so it is more important than ever to make smart financial plans for …

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Cheaper Car Insurance

Now that you know the ins and outs of car insurance policies , it’s time to learn how to save money on your policy. Vehicle insurance policies can be quite expensive, especially if you’re young or if you live in certain areas. Luckily, there are some simple steps that you can take to lower your premiums and increase the amount you can put into savings every month. Who knows, you …

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How To Negotiate a Better Mortgage

The mortgage on your home is probably the largest piece of debt that you will ever take on. According to Canadian Real Estate Association data, the average Canadian house price in August 2014 was just under $400,000, and house prices are expected to continue to rise.

When you’re likely to spend decades paying off a loan, it makes sense to negotiate good terms to begin with. While you shouldn’t expect …

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Winter On A Budget

Winter on a budget

With snow coating the ground and winter’s icy grip taking hold, how do you plan to keep warm this winter? Heating your home in the Canadian winter can be expensive, particularly in unusually harsh winters like 2013-14.

Luckily there are ways to cut back on your heating and eating bill without getting frostbite, and this article will teach you a few of them.

Quick Fixes

Turning up the thermostat …

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How Does Credit Card Arbitrage Work?

We all know by now that credit cards are risky. Without good financial discipline, it is very easy to bury yourself under a mountain of debt, and very difficult to dig your way back out . But what if there was a way to make your credit card work for you?

Not with rewards, or free gift vouchers, but cold, hard cash. There are some who believe that credit card …

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Going Cardless

Going Cardless


Credit card debt casts a long shadow over Canada. According to a 2013 report by RBC Economics, Canadians owe a total of $73.7 billion to their credit card companies. For reference, that is more than a quarter of what the Canadian federal government spent that year. So, how can you avoid becoming a statistic? How can you prevent yourself from sinking deeper into debt ?

For some Canadians, the …

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Going Cashless

Imagine a world without coins or banknotes; a world where every transaction you make is carried out using your credit card, or even your smartphone. Around the world, cash is being used less and less compared to electronic transactions, and Canadians are among the leaders in this shift in the global economy. According to a 2013 study by MasterCard Canada , Canada is moving towards a cashless economy, behind only …

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Should You Declare Bankruptcy?

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When your other debt management options are exhausted, it might be time to declare bankruptcy. When the debt collectors are after you and you can’t make your payments, even with sensible financial planning, bankruptcy can wipe your slate clean. This is why you should pay great attention to understanding how to achieve your financial goals.

Your debts will be forgiven, your credit history would be completely wiped out, and …

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Eating On A Budget

Eating on a Budget

This article is part of our Finance Hub.

Food is almost always going to be one of the bigger expenses in your budget, especially if you have a large family to feed. This guide will teach you how to manage your food budget and make your dollar go further.

Budgeting

Knowledge is power. If you don't know how much you're spending on food, it will be difficult to …

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