As Frank Sinatra had crooned, love and marriage go together like a horse and carriage. If finance were part of this picture, it would be driving the carriage. Disagreements over the management of household finances have long been known to be a source of major stress on a relationship and, not uncommonly, lead to divorce....Continue reading

From pre-natal preparations to preschool to post-secondary, raising a child in Canada is not for the financially faint of heart. The average annual cost for raising a child to the age of 18 has been estimated to be a cool $13,000 which, of course, will not necessarily decrease at that age if you plan to...Continue reading

  With the temperatures now dipping, winter is on its way and that means ‘tis soon the season for big cozy sweaters, holiday sweets and, for many of us, sunny trips down south to swap our snow suits for bathing suits. Whether you’re planning to head south to an all-inclusive resort or planning ahead for...Continue reading

At some time in our lives, most of us will need to borrow money. Whether to pursue higher education, purchase a home or a car, or start a business, there are times where you simply won’t have enough cash flow to fund a purchase without taking on debt.  When a loan helps you to better...Continue reading

Although Canadians are carrying fewer credit cards, they’re carrying increasingly higher balances, according to a survey conducted by TransUnion. More alarming, consumers seem to be more focused on the points they are earning rather than the interest they are racking up.  Credit cards are an important way to build credit history, they can be useful...Continue reading

As a parent, one of the things you are most likely to teach your child is that they shouldn’t touch a hot element on a stovetop because it will hurt them. However, it is just as important to teach them about other less obvious things that can hurt them as well, such as mismanaged finances....Continue reading

20-year financial veteran Paul Murphy shows you why the Rule of 72 is the most powerful (and dangerous) personal finance rule to master. It’s the most powerful rule in all of personal finance. A simple formula that has helped geniuses like Warren Buffett turn millions into billions. And a powerful weapon that Canadians can either...Continue reading

Good and Bad Debt – What’s the Difference?  There is an abundance of coverage in the news these days about how Canadian household debt has climbed steadily in recent years and hit record levels, fueled by mortgages and low interest rates. While debt is generally perceived as bad, some debt is necessary and if well...Continue reading

Emergency Funds—An Important Part of Financial Planning  How long would your current savings last in an emergency? What if you suddenly lose your job or face unexpected expenses, such as urgent home or car repairs? Maybe you want to make a career change, possibly to self-employment, and will experience a less stable financial situation for...Continue reading

Remember the surge of excitement that came with getting your first credit card? It felt like a rite of passage; that somehow you were finally an adult.  Over the years the thrill of getting your credit card statement has decreased. In fact, for a great many Canadians, just the thought of their credit card bill...Continue reading