“Free” iPhone 17? Why that bank promo might cost you more than you think
Free iPhone 17 just for opening a bank account? Sounds like a no-brainer, right? Canadian banks and fintechs continually roll out flashy promotions to lure in new customers — offering everything from Apple gear to cold hard cash. While these perks are tempting, the fine print can turn that “free” iPhone into a surprisingly expensive […]
I’ve handed in my retirement notice and now the reality is hitting me. How can I prepare for the rest of my life, especially financially?
A record number of Americans hit retirement age this year — and are marking the occasion by handing in their retirement notices. But for many, their financial future is uncertain. In fact an estimated 4.1 million Americans will be retiring every year from now through 2027. It’s a phenomenon Jason Fichtner, executive director of Alliance […]
Made a mistake on your taxes? CRA is making it easier to come clean
There’s good news for Canadians who may have accidentally or unwillingly made a mistake on their taxes in the past. Starting October 1, 2025, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will roll out changes to its Voluntary Disclosures Program (VDP). This initiative is designed to help taxpayers correct past mistakes without facing the full brunt of […]
Toronto tenant says she was nearly evicted after paying rent — why advocates say it’s becoming common
Toronto resident Sara Basso had been living in the same low-rise for over a decade and ostensibly had a good arrangement with her landlord. That is, until she received what she believed was a “meritless” eviction application in January, she told CBC News (1). Basso received a copy of the application that was filed with […]
Federal Budget 2025 bets big on business — and why that matters to Canadian investors and workers
After 18 months without a federal budget, Ottawa is finally putting its money where its mouth is — and the focus is clearly on investing in Canadian business to help restart Canada’s stalled economy. Framed as an “investment budget,” Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first fiscal framework focuses mostly on big-ticket investment-driving items, rather than spending […]
Flat investment fees promise clarity — but could end up costing you more than you think
I recently received a letter from my financial advisor telling me that some of my accounts are moving from a tiered-fee rate to a flat-fee rate structure starting Jan. 1, 2026. I’m sure I’m not the only Canadian who received the notice, and it got me thinking about what this change really means for us […]
Health-care costs for Canadian families climb to $19,000 in 2025, Fraser Institute warns
A Canadian family of four will pay an estimated $19,060 in public health-care costs this year, according to a new report from the Fraser Institute. The think tank says the figure reflects the real burden households shoulder through taxes, even if Canadian health care services are ‘free’ at the point of use. The report, released […]
When grief meets taxes: The $660,000 mistake you don’t want your family to make
Ashley Galea never imagined that losing both parents in the same year would bring not just grief, but also a six-figure tax bill that swallowed nearly all of their retirement savings. “It made me more angry than anything,” Galea told CTV News (1). “We lost both our parents inside 11 months and (the Canada Revenue […]
After the 2025 market slump, is it finally save to buy stocks again?
We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links. Markets have steadied after a turbulent spring when President Trump’s sweeping tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China rattled global investors. The S&P 500 and TSX have since clawed back […]
Wills and estate plans delayed as more Canadians struggle to make financial progress
Even with inflation easing and interest rates starting to come down, many Canadians say it doesn’t feel any easier to get ahead financially. Instead, new cost pressures are making it harder to reach financial security. A new national survey from Willful’s Great Delay 2025 Report finds that just 46% of Canadians feel optimistic about their […]