Fixed rates are falling — but variable rates won’t budge. Don’t let confusion cost you thousands. Here’s what you need to know before locking in your next mortgage
In an unusual twist in Canada’s mortgage market, fixed mortgage rates are on a downward trajectory while variable-rate pricing is tightening. This divergence presents both opportunities and challenges for homeowners approaching mortgage renewal. If you’re shopping for a mortgage renewal, there’s some good news: Fixed rates are on the way down. Over the past few […]
I’m thinking about paying off a 2.5% loan of $5,000 so I can be debt-free — and wonder if that’s a horrible idea. How to weigh the financial pros and cons of paying off small debt fast
You want to get to debt-free status as soon as possible, and all that’s standing in your way is a $5,000 loan with a 2.5% interest rate. Paying it off and freeing up those monthly interest payments for other purposes is naturally appealing. What should you do? Don’t miss I’m 49 years old and have […]
How much cash do you plan to keep on hand after you retire? Here are 3 of the biggest reasons you’ll need a substantial stash of savings in retirement
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. During your working years, it’s important to have cash savings for unplanned expenses. These could run the gamut from home repairs to medical emergencies to a period of unemployment. […]
What you should know before you choose auto insurance in Canada
You’ve spent days researching and you think you’ve finally found the perfect car for you. You’re ready to drive it off the lot and into freedom. There’s just one slight snag: You can’t drive your dream car anywhere because you don’t have auto insurance. Auto insurance is one of those pesky financial necessities in life. […]
The 10 best neighbourhoods in Edmonton
With its affordable housing, outdoor recreation options and employment opportunities, over the last few years Edmonton, Alberta, has become one of Canada’s hottest (and still affordable) housing markets, with an average cost of a home (as of February 2025) sitting at $449,554. Though that price represents a 10% increase over homes for sale at the […]
Dazed and delinquent: 1 in 5 borrowers are late on their student loans during a confusing repayment rollout — and the cost of a mistake can be severe
Federal student loan borrowers have endured five years of chaotic changes as various relief programs started, stopped and shifted. But the return to “normal” may be the messiest change of all. Payments formally resumed in October 2023, though former President Joe Biden and his administration paused repayment for certain types of loans for most of […]
‘Just ghosted’: Boston homeowners say they’re left with unfinished ADU projects after contractor took tens of thousands of dollars and abruptly halted work — 5 home renovation rules to follow
When Jeff Klein and his wife, Rachel Shuler, envisioned their new basement accessory dwelling unit (ADU), they pictured a pace that could generate rental income or comfortably accommodate their aging parents during visits. They didn’t foresee living indefinitely with open framing, exposed pipes and a large pile of dirt Klein jokes would serve as a […]
‘It’s just sad’: This San Francisco restaurant is facing closing after 20 years — how high costs and shifting dining trends are impacting the restaurant industry
Rent prices in San Francisco’s Mission District have remained high above the national average for many years. On average, it costs $3,397 to rent a place to call home in San Francisco. And for business owners, rent prices have been a major strain for years. But for some businesses, a recent rash of rent hikes […]
My friend said a 3% advisor fee was nothing — but it could cost them hundreds of thousands. Here’s how to get it back
Last Thursday, standing in line for a coffee, a co-worker walked in behind me. With the recent stock market plummet, a quick discussion began around investments and returns. Half way through our conversation, he nonchalantly tells me that he pays 3% fees to his financial advisor. I honestly could not believe it, and my face […]
Edmonton property developer owes $75M to former retirement residents but one thing is holding the company back from paying: How to avoid a similar nightmare
An Edmonton property developer, Christenson Group of Companies, is facing mounting financial troubles, leaving more than 200 former residents in financial limbo. The company owes approximately $75 million to individuals who had invested in life-lease contracts at nine retirement homes, according to a CBC News story. “Hope has certainly been waning,” Jim Carey, president of […]