More Canadians are taking advantage of FHSA — over 50% planning to use it to help purchase their first home
There are many types of useful savings accounts out there, but not every one has their exact purpose right there in the name, like the First Home Savings Account (FHSA). BMO’s 15th annual Investment Survey reveals 56% of potential first-time homebuyers are planning to use the FHSA to help purchase their first home, slightly up […]
The best loans for immigrants in Canada: From peer to peer lending to government programs
Despite recent changes to immigration policy, Canada is still a welcoming place for new immigrants: Whether it’s the well-known mosaic metaphor or incentives for skilled labour. Settling into a new life in Canada can be stressful. Besides the drive for citizenship, there’s also new, and sometimes unexpected, financial pressures. Building good credit is one of […]
Is peer to peer lending in Canada the way to go? Here’s what to watch out for
Whether it’s for home, business, or personal reasons, most Canadians will take out a loan during their lifetime. But traditional loans aren’t the only option for Canadians trying to achieve their dreams. Borrowers who don’t qualify for traditional loans can use peer to peer services to get money together or consolidate loans. Meanwhile, investors with […]
Can I invest in private real estate lending? While it can result in good returns, here is what you should be mindful of before starting
If you’re looking for an investment vehicle that generates solid short-term returns without the volatility of growth stocks, private lending may be for you. Becoming a private lender is not as complex as it might seem. All you really need is a comfortable amount of underutilized capital, a risk tolerance higher than zero and access […]
Canadian workers at high mental health risk reaches new peak, surpassing early COVID numbers — So, what’s the cause of so much stress?
Whether you’re struggling to keep up with the high cost of living, feeling burnt out at work or dealing with other internal pressures, the sting of mental exhaustion for working Canadians is reaching perplexing new heights. In fact, TELUS’ Mental Health Index report shows mental health challenges intensifying across all sectors and regions. Specifically, it […]
Ontario home builder must repay $1.1M to more than 100 homebuyers amid price-escalation scandal
Buying a home should be a happy milestone, but for more than 100 families in Richmond Hill, Ontario, the decision almost became a financial nightmare. Based on a recent legal decision, an Ontario builder must refund more than $1.1 million in funds to 110 new construction homebuyers. Considered a hard-fought win amid a turbulent housing […]
Stop blind spending! Here are 5 steps to create a simple budget that helps you spend with intention
Do you know how much you’re earning — and how much you’re spending? If you consistently look at your bank balance and wonder where the money goes then it’s time to take charge of your funds — and that starts with making a budget. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be scary […]
Thinking of buying a car? Here’s the credit score you need to do so
While there’s actually no minimum credit score to buy a car, don’t get too excited. Just because you can buy a car with no credit doesn’t mean you should. A lower score means less favourable loan terms. And in many cases, you’ll end up paying significantly more in interest. So, what is a good credit […]
Canadians staying home for the holidays: High cost of living is biggest block to holiday travel plans
The ongoing high cost of living continues to impact spending plans but this time the victim is holiday trip-planning. According to Allianz Global Assistance Canada’s (Allianz) annual Vacation Confidence Index Study the biggest barrier to holiday trip planning, this year, are limited funds and the higher cost of goods and services. "This year’s Vacation Confidence […]
‘Bigger for us than the Super Bowl’: Economic impact of the Taylor Swift Eras Tour significantly improved the bottom line for many businesses. Was this really the people’s tour?
All good things must come to an end – even record breaking tours. Spanning 149 shows over 21 months, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour wrapped up in Vancouver, British Columbia on December 8, 2024 and became the first ever concert tour to gross over USD$2 billion in ticket sales. That’s “double the gross ticket sales of […]