This is the day that Canadians fell in love with Enriched Academy!

People. Let me get real with you for a second. Tax season is upon us, and there is this magical unicorn of an account in Canada called an RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan). It will help you reduce the amount of tax that you owe the government, and/or increase your tax return. Interested? I thought you'd be! I just maxed out my RRSP before the March 1, 2018, deadline. So get on it, open your account, and start contributing!

"BUT ALANNA, I DON'T KNOW WHAT AN RRSP IS?"
Funny you should say that out loud! I had an infographic created last year about the RRSP. Note that the date on the infographic is for 2017 and this year's deadline is March 1, 2018!) And if you're like, "Alanna, I don't want to look at this cool and helpful infographic you made for your readers", then read on Donkey Kong.

What is an RRSP and why should I have one?
A registered retirement savings plan is an account that will help you save for a happy and financially stress-free retirement. Want to live on a boat in the middle of the ocean, scuba diving all day, surrounded by Great White Sharks? Yes. Please. Mountain climb in the middle of Vancouver Island feeding freshly caught salmon to Grizzly bears every day? Fuck, yes - who wouldn't? The RRSP will help you achieve your dream retirement, but you need to start right NOW. There are two main reasons why:
1. The money that you contribute to your RRSP is deductible from your taxable income.
Um.... what?
Example time! Say you made $40,000 in 2017, and contributed $3000 to your RRSP. When it comes time to file your taxes, you can claim that $3,000 contribution as a deduction and can calculate your income as if you’ve made $37,000. This will likely put you in a lower tax bracket, saving you money and/or increasing your tax return. Cool, huh?
Yes. Yes, it is cool.
2. The savings in your RRSP are able to grow tax-free. Within your RRSP you can invest in stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, bonds, and other investments. If you make profits from these investments, they are not taxable until you withdraw the funds, which ideally occurs when you retire. And when you retire and have very little income, you will be in a lower tax bracket than you are now (hopefully) and will have to pay less tax on your withdrawals. Kapeesh?
YAS QUEEN.
sweet BOULDER HOLDERS. how do I start?
You can set up a managed RRSP through a Robo-Advisor like Wealthsimple (which helps to reduce your MER fees, rebalance your portfolio, and is just all around awesome), or you can open one up through your bank, credit union, trust, or insurance company. You can also have your RRSP self-directed, and manage it all on your own (that's what I do!) However, if you'd like to go that route, I'd suggest contacting me for more information on how to do this.
I'm sold! But I need some more facts.

• If you work and file an income tax return, are under 71 years old, and have a social insurance number, you should definitely consider opening up an RRSP. • Your RRSP contribution room changes every year, and is calculated based on the following: ◦ 18% of your earned income from the previous year, with a maximum of $26,230 for the 2017 tax year;
◦ Whatever remaining amount is available after any company contributes to your RRSP. If your company contributes 10% of your earned income from the previous year, you can only contribute the remaining 8%.
• You can withdraw up to $25,000 for a down payment on your first home, and not pay any tax under the Home Buyer’s Plan. However, you have up to 15 years to repay the full amount back into your RRSP. • Wanna go back and hit the books? You can withdraw up to $10,000/year, or up to $20,000 in total to help pay for your education using the Lifelong Learning Plan. All you have to do is repay at least 10%/year for up to ten years.
• It isn’t mandatory that you deduct your RRSP contribution on your tax return in the same year that you made the contribution. You can hold off and deduct it in a future year if you think you will be making more money down the road. So, if you have room in your RRSP and just want to generate some kind of income through an investment, you can just leave it in your RRSP and let that shit grow. Yay compound interest!
• You can set up a spousal/common-law RRSP, which you can contribute to, but your common-law partner/spouse owns. This reduces their taxable income with your help.

RRSP vs TFSA - CONCLUSION
The RRSP and TFSA are great accounts for all Canadians and you should definitely consider opening up one or both of them and start contributing ASAP. Depending on your financial situation and short/long-term goals, one account may be more beneficial than the other. If you are only making $25,000/year and are in a low tax bracket, you'd probably be better off with a TFSA. But let’s say you get a raise and go from making $25,000/year to $60,000/year, it would probably be worth contributing to your RRSP to put yourself into a lower tax bracket, saving you some money at the end of the year.

So there you have it! Everything you need to know about the RRSP. If you're still hella confused and need some more guidance, please contact me! I've helped over 100 millennials and Gen-Y'ers figure out what's best for them and how to get started - and I can help you too!

We scrimp and save to fund our RRSP and TFSA contributions and meet the goals of our retirement plan, so why is it that so few of us really understand the fees we are paying on our investments? Despite increased transparency and fee disclosure, many investors remain in the dark about fees and how much of a bite they take out of long-term returns.

“It’s only 2%, that’s just a couple of bucks out of a hundred!”

When it comes to investment fees, you are about to see these are very costly words!

Assume you are 25 years old and maximize your 2021 annual TFSA contribution limit of $6000. You are busy and don’t know much about investing, so you stop by your local bank and they recommend one of their “top-performing” mutual funds.

The bank gives you a glossy brochure highlighting the fund managers vast experience and dutifully informs you of the “management expense ratio” (MER) built into the fund. This 2.35% annual fee seems reasonable to you. Everybody has to get paid and you tip a restaurant server 15%, so this is a relative bargain! No one does any math; the whole matter is soon forgotten and becomes routine. In fact, you barely notice this built-in fee on your annual statement.

Fast forward 35 years and you are now 60 years old and ready for retirement. Your $6000 in that “top- performing” mutual fund has returned 5% annually (before fees) and grown into the tidy sum of $14,987.

Unfortunately, your lack of financial knowledge meant that you had no idea of an alternative investment; something called an index ETF. Buying an index ETF is dead easy and you could have done it yourself with an online brokerage account. Your annual fee would have been much lower at around 0.35%.

If we re-do the math with the same parameters ($6K for 35 years at 5%) and use a 0.35% annual fee, you can see that your investment in an index ETF would have grown into the much tidier sum of $29,446!

Doing some much simpler math ($29,446 minus $14,987) reveals that your retirement fund is $14,459 lower than what it could have been – half of your total gain has disappeared with that little 2.35% fee!

But wait…. How can a mostly set-and-forget index fund return the same as a highly managed “top performing” mutual fund? The answer is that index funds often match or outperform “managed funds” with much higher fees regardless of whether the market is stable or volatile. In our example, the mutual fund would have had to beat the index fund by at least 2% every year in order to return the same amount.

You can always find exceptions and some managed funds may have success over a couple of years. However, very few are consistently able to beat the returns of the index over the long term. When you factor in their low cost and ease of maintenance, the decision to rely heavily on index ETFs is a no-brainer for most investors.

Canadian DIY investment guru Larry Bates has created this online calculator to instantly show how fees can cut into your investment returns.

Our passion at Enriched Academy is to inspire everyone to improve their financial literacy and take control of managing their money. In this example, a little financial education would have done wonders for your retirement planning. The same can be said for many aspects of personal finance – saving, budgeting, passive income generation – so make sure to get the financial knowledge you need to make the right choices for today as well as build your plan for a secure financial future.

You don’t need a money coach or financial advisor to learn the basics of how to start saving money, Financial Literacy Month is all about educating yourself. This 3-minute DIY workout will help build your financial fitness and steer you around eight of the most common pitfalls we see every day.

1. Spending too much on a car.
   You should be aiming for 15% of your take-home pay for the car payment, insurance and gas. The monthly operating costs of a brand-new Hyundai Santa Fe (base-model $33,284 at 3.19%) would be minimum $800 month for 84 months. You would need to take home over $5K/month after tax ($90 to $100K in salary) to “afford” one. Slightly used cars are still very reliable and offer a lot more value.
    
2. Investing before paying off debt.
   Make sure you pay off the right debts first! If your only debt is a mortgage at 3%, relax and go ahead and invest. Any loans or lines of credit up around 7% or higher (credit cards are around 20%) should be on your hit list before you even think about investing.
    
3. Spending more than you have.
   It hurts to write something so obvious, but how can something so simple in theory be so difficult in practice? Too many “wants” is the root cause, but easy credit (not cheap, just easy!) and failure to track your spending and see just how big a hole you are digging every month with that credit card debt facilitates this downward spiral.
    
4. Putting off saving, investing and retirement planning.
   Maxing out your TFSA ($6000 year deposited to an index ETF) from the time you are in your early twenties to when you retire at 65 could easily make you a millionaire. Never underestimate the power of compound interest when it is working for you! And don’t forget, the TFSA and RRSP also offer huge tax sheltering benefits on top of the compound interest!
    
5. Not understanding your student loan agreement.
   Many students are not fully aware of their loan details and mistakenly assume their interest rate will be low. They also underestimate the future monthly payment and how long it will take to completely pay off student loans. Repayment of student loans will put a bigger dent in post-graduation lifestyle than most students ever imagine! Education has great value, just make sure you do the math, confirm that value, and know what to expect down the road.
    
6. Not creating and using a workable, realistic household budget.
   Have you ever failed at budgeting? Of course you have, everyone does! The problem is not budgeting itself, it’s your process for creating a budget and your system for tracking household expenses. Relying on guesswork and not your actual spending, ignoring an emergency fund, not leaving any "wiggle room", too time-consuming – these are all fatal flaws for a budget.
    
7. Getting caught up in "lifestyle creep".
   “The more you make, the more you spend”. It’s an old saying that rings true for most of us, but why not enjoy the fruits of your hard work? How much of your cash you can afford to use for enjoyment depends on your situation and you need to constantly re-assess your lifestyle. If you were just getting by before (and not saving for retirement) and get a $500 a month raise – do you get a shiny new car or a TFSA?
    
8. Failure to build credit and ignoring your credit score.
   Completely eschewing credit will keep you debt-free, but do nothing for your credit score. And make no mistake, a good credit score will save you a ton of money over the course of your life! You can easily learn how to improve your credit score — simply using your credit card and paying it off in full every month; or financing a car (IF the dealer offers a great rate) are two ways to send your score soaring.

If these tips sound familiar, your financial literacy may be better than you think, or maybe you have been attending our free webinars? We offer great webinars on all sorts of topics and there isn’t a better way to improve your financial literacy with so little time. We do the research, present the facts, answer your questions, and get you motivated to act – all in 60 minutes!

Why not subscribe to our Financial Friday newsletter— you get all the details on our upcoming webinars, and it’s also crammed with practical, need-to-know personal finance facts, tips and advice.

If you are trying to get your financial life in shipshape, one of the first tasks you should be focusing on is how to improve your credit score. Your credit score is a measure of your demonstrated ability to pay your loan commitments and other bills in a timely manner. It is derived from a credit report issued by either TransUnion or Equifax and ranges between 300 and 900. The Canadian average is 650.

Credit scores of 700+ are considered "good" and offer a higher chance of loan approval, greater borrowing limits, and lower interest rates and insurance premiums. If you want to get one of those super-low advertised mortgage rates you are going to need a top-notch credit score. Potential interest savings are huge on big-ticket items; qualifying for a preferential rate on your mortgage could easily save you tens of thousands of dollars. Vehicle loans are another area where a good credit score can let you keep a lot more money in your jeans every month.

However, credit scores are used for a lot more these days than just whether you qualify for a loan. Insurance companies, potential employers, and landlords are just a few of the people that will often request your credit score and use it for decision making. Understanding how to improve your credit score and ensuring you have the highest score possible is going to open doors to many opportunities and save you money. For a great overview of your credit score “must know” information, take 3 minutes of your time and watch ”How Does Your Credit Score Work” on our YouTube channel.

Five factors that affect your credit score:

• Length of credit history (15%) It takes time to build your credit score, so get a credit card when you turn 18, use it, and pay it off in full each month. A car loan or student loan will also help greatly — but only if you stay current with the payments!

• Credit utilization (30%) If all your credit cards are maxed out, your credit utilization rate is 100% and it indicates to potential creditors that you are overextended. Try to keep your balance under 30% of your credit limit at all times.

• Credit mix (10%) Using a mix of different types of credit will increase your score. When you are young the only credit available may be a credit card, but as you grow older adding a car loan, student loan, or line of credit to the mix will help improve your score.

• Credit application frequency (10%) Applying for a lot of new credit in a short timeframe will negatively affect your score. Potential lenders do what is called a “hard pull” on your credit history when you apply. You want to avoid having a number of hard credit pulls in succession as it may look like you are desperately seeking more credit. Please be mindful of this if you want to get more credit cards or are rate shopping for a mortgage.

• Payment history (35%) This is the largest determinant of your score and the most critical factor to manage. You need to always make the minimum payments and avoid anything ever getting to the “collections” stage – this includes parking tickets, mobile phone or other utility bills, student loans, and credit cards.

Credit scores are continuously evaluated and adjusted. If you have "errored" in the past, rest assured that the damage is not permanent! Your score can be raised/rebuilt over time by using credit responsibly, but it is much easier to avoid mistakes that lower your score in the first place.

Errors and omissions are not uncommon in credit reports and it is a good idea to confirm the details of your report. Both TransUnion and Equifax have a process to report mistakes and getting them corrected.

Monitoring your credit score regularly is a great financial habit that will allow you to track improvements, detect errors, and prevent identifying fraud. Please note that checking your own credit score is a "soft" inquiry and will not affect your score.

If you want to learn all the details about managing your credit score, make sure to check out How to Increase your Credit Score on the Enriched Academy YouTube Channel. Alanna Abramsky, our head of financial coaching and resident credit score expert, has packed everything you need to know into an easy-to-understand, informative session.

Rising inflation combined with a strengthening post-pandemic economy gives both reason and opportunity for the Bank of Canada (BOC) to raise interest rates aggressively in 2022. The 0.25% increase to its benchmark overnight rate in early March likely went unnoticed by most of us. However, it could be that interest rates are 1% or even 2% higher by this time next year, and that would definitely not go unnoticed! Don’t forget that the BOC dropped rates by a whopping 1% in just a few weeks at the height of the pandemic in March of 2020.
 
One common point of misunderstanding about variable rate loans is their basis on the prime rate. The prime rate is currently 2.2% higher than the BOC overnight rate and is determined by the major banks. Although the rates are much different, the key takeaway is the prime rate moves in lockstep with any changes to the BOC rate, usually within a few days. 
 
Now that we have the background knowledge out of the way, just how will future BOC rate hikes affect your debt? 
 
1. Variable rate mortgages 
The percentage of Canadians holding a variable rate mortgage surged in 2021 and now stands at about 50%. Any rise in the BOC rate is met by an equal rise in variable rate mortgages, so the impact is almost immediate. If rates rise 1% over the next year, a $500K mortgage payment will increase by over $200 month. 
 
2. Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) 
HELOCs usually have a variable interest rate that will rise in conjunction with any BOC rate hikes. A $100,000 balance carried on your HELOC will cost you about $20 more each month for every 0.25% increase by the BOC, so you could easily be looking at an extra $100 monthly a year from now. 
 
3. Credit card debt 
Credit cards have fixed interest rates, and you would have to dig into your card-holder agreement to see the details of how the rate can be changed. However, credit card rates are already so astronomically high that it is unlikely you would even notice a 1% increase! Our advice is to attack any outstanding credit card balance ASAP. Paying the minimum each month is futile and only keeps your creditors at bay. It requires over 10 years of minimum payments to eliminate a $1000 balance (at 20%) and will cost you another $1000 in interest charges! 
 
4. Personal lines of credit 
There are fixed and variable rate options out there. If you selected the lower variable rate when you signed the agreement, expect to pay more going forward on any outstanding balance. 
 
5. Car loans 
Car loans can be either fixed, variable, or sometimes have a combination where they change to a variable rate after a few years. You will need to check your loan agreement for any variable interest portion to see if your payment is going up…. in addition to those skyrocketing gas prices! 
 
6. Student loans 
The default choice for Government of Canada student loans is variable interest "at prime" with a fixed rate option at "prime + 2%". The point is mute right now as interest charges are currently suspended, but variable rate student loan holders will see a significantly higher payment when interest charges resume in April of 2023.

The bad news is that you will likely be paying more interest as we move through 2022, but the silver lining is that you will become more aware of just how much your debt is costing you. Not all debt is bad, but the cost of your debt can vary greatly, so make sure you understand your interest expense and adjust your repayment priorities accordingly.

It’s difficult to find timeless advice in the ever-changing world of personal finance but these five are about as close as you can get.

1. Start small and start early with investing

Starting small could be as little as $100 month and starting early means now! Invest what you can and don’t think a $100 monthly will never amount to anything. Only around 5% of Canadians under 25 have a TFSA, which means 95% have already missed out on 7 years of compounded returns! Investing that "measly" $100 month at 5% for 47 years (18-65) will give you $68,754 more than someone who did the same for 40 years starting from age 25. Time really is money when it comes to compounded returns, so get started as soon as possible.

2. Make more or spend less?

Our advice would be to do both, but there are limits on how much income you can generate and cutting back on expenses has a larger impact on your bottom line. You may even be able to cut back without a huge pain factor by first auditing your expenses and keeping track for a couple of months. You may find some expenses you could do without, like that "lightly used" gym membership or seldom watched 300-channel cable package. A part-time job or side hustle isn’t a bad idea, but it comes with its own pain factors. You will spend more time working and less time enjoying life, and any extra income is fully taxable — you might need to earn around $10 in order to get the same result as a $7 spending cut.

3. Re-evaluate your wants and needs

A 1200 square foot, 3-bedroom bungalow used to be the standard for many young Canadian families back in the early 1970’s. A lot of us grew up in a house like that with our parents, brothers, sisters, even the family cat managed to squeeze in! Houses are much bigger now (over 2000 square feet on average) and often come with a lot of high-end finishes. They call this trend lifestyle creep, and it is not limited to housing, it has inundated every part of our life. From what we drive to how often we eat out to where we go for vacation, we are constantly presented with a new norm as our wants slowly transition to needs. Being able to satisfy your wants later in life will only come from making smart spending decisions on your “needs” earlier in life and freeing up the cash to start saving and investing.

4. Understand credit and debt

131 months — that’s how long it takes to pay off a $1000 credit balance paying only the minimum amount — and it will cost you another $1000 in interest charges! Many people carry a credit card balance and are blissfully unaware of just how much it is costing them each month. Car loans are another area where the financing costs are often a lot more than most people realize. It is also important to realize that not all debt is bad, and mortgages are a great example. Even with recent increases in interest rates, 5-year variable mortgages are still a bargain at under 3%.

The key is to be knowledgeable about your debt. Track what you owe and what it is costing you as well as any alternatives that may lower that cost. For example, refinancing your mortgage or drawing on home equity to pay off higher interest loans or credit cards. If you struggle with debt, then it's time to bear down on expenses and draw up a strict repayment plan.  

5. Get financially literate

Managing your money has become more difficult as we have a lot more spending, saving, and investing options, but we also have access to a lot more information and tools to help us. Some things like a Registered Education Savings Plan (guaranteed 20% annual return for your child’s education) are a no brainer and can easily be understood with an hour or two spent online. Understanding the fees on your investments and how much they will cost you over the life of those investments is another need-to-know piece of information that can be easily confirmed.

Managing your retirement savings is more complicated because there are a lot of variables (lifespan, health, income, taxes, lifestyle) as well as options (TFSA, RRSP, investment properties, pensions) to consider. You may want some professional advice at some point but arming yourself with as much financial knowledge as you have the time and motivation to learn will help you better evaluate any advice you do get.

Enriched Academy offers complimentary, informative webinars every week on a wide variety of personal finance issues to help you become more financially literate. We don't sell or recommend financial products and we do our best to provide reliable advice and information that is easy to understand, practical and unbiased. Check out our events page to see the webinars coming your way over the next few weeks.

Household budgets are under siege across Canada as inflation spikes prices on gas, food, and almost everything else we need to record levels. In addition, rising interest rates have added hundreds of dollars to the mortgage if you have a variable rate or are looking at renewing a fixed mortgage. Many Canadians have been forced to cut back on their monthly spend to try and make ends meet but don’t have the financial education they need to get started.

Budgets have a reputation for being difficult to sustain and it isn’t unjust, almost everyone has tried and failed at budgeting at least once. There are a lot of reasons for this, your budget may have been too strict and not realistic or maybe it was simply because it took too much of your time.

A lot of people start the budgeting process with trying to figure out how much they think they spend or might need and then try to live within those amounts. The fact is, most people don’t really know (or vastly underestimate) how much they spend. So, the first step to creating a realistic, sustainable-over-the-long-term budget is to track your current spending. You can do this in a number of ways; a mobile app or a piece of paper both work fine. It doesn’t matter which method you choose, just make sure it is easy and convenient to do so you don't forget.

Once you start tracking expenses you will soon see some that a whole pile of them are quite stable and don’t vary much (if at all) from month-to-month. This list includes the mortgage or rent, car or student loan payments, most utilities (some like gas or electric do vary seasonally), car or life insurance, and childcare. A second class of expenses are necessary items that fluctuate a little from month-to-month, like food, gasoline, and (essential) clothing.

The final class of expenses fluctuate wildly and are items that are discretionary or nice-to-haves.... but you could survive without. These include eating out, vacations, concerts or sports events, recreation, and non-essential clothing.

You can determine a basic monthly spend by adding up all the items in the first two expense categories. Put that amount of money into a chequing account every month and pay all those bills from that account. You don’t have to bucket each purchase to a category if you don't want to, but if you are running short from month-to-month and you are not cheating and using that money for non-essentials, you may have to up the amount. If you use a credit card instead of cash, make sure to pay those charges by the payment deadline with money from this account — no cheating!

Any money leftover after filling your basic expense bucket is not what you can spend, because you haven't saved anything yet! You need to fill two more buckets — your savings bucket and your discretionary or fun-money bucket. This is where it all goes sideways for most people. Taking from one bucket obviously robs from the other, so you need to find a balance between short-term gratification and long-term financial security. You also need to stick to the plan and lock away these amounts every month to succeed.

It isn't reasonable to follow some guideline that says put away "xx" percentage of your discretionary income because saving 30% of $500 is a lot harder than saving 30% of $5000. You are going to have to come to a conclusion yourself on what is livable when choosing between what you save and what you spend and aligning that to other financial goals like funding your retirement. Our only advice is that even if what you can save at the moment seems negligible, make that commitment! Did you know that just $100 month invested at 5% for a period of 30 years will give you an extra $100K for your retirement?

If your expense tracking shows that you are running out of money just trying to cover the basics, you need to go back and dig into your spending on necessities. There are some low hanging fruits here…. cable packages and cell phone plans are much easier to eliminate or lower than the water bill, and food is a huge expense that offers a ton of savings opportunities.

Food prices fluctuate wildly from week-to-week and from store-to-store. There are also cheaper substitutes on everything from what you BBQ (rib steak vs. pork steak... or marinade a cheap cut!) to your morning coffee (a large tub of Folgers vs those pricey Starbucks beans). Make sure you know your food prices so you can recognize a bargain when you see one (big-ticket items like laundry soap can be up to $8 cheaper from week-to-week) and constantly assess alternatives – there are lots of options at the grocery store.

What you consider essential clothing is also a grey area, your kids grow out of winter boots and need new ones — mom and dad can likely get another season out of their still functional but not so stylish boots.

If you are seriously in the red each month before even getting to your discretionary spend, then you need to dig into your fixed expenses. Number one on the hit list and a primary source of overspending is the car. Ideally, you want to keep the car payment and the related expenses (gas, insurance, oil changes, tires parking, etc.) to around 15% of your take home. Most people can afford much less car than they currently drive and turn to the never-ending lease or monthly payment to make it happen.

The other option for some families is to go from two cars to one. Before you say impossible; at least look at how you might make it work and how much money you could save. Car prices are extremely high at the moment and there has never been a better time to unload a used car.

Finding a cheaper place to live is an option and you can easily look around at what’s available if you are renting. If you own a home, there may not be many alternatives unless you really went overboard on your current home and there are viable options that make sense given the costs and effort involved. An easier option than selling would be to try and rent some portion of your home (a basement suite?) or maybe offer a spare room through Airbnb or as a homestay to an international student.

If you are already struggling with the mortgage payment, keep in mind that it could get much worse depending on your current rate, whether it is fixed or variable, and when you have to renew. The Bank of Canada interest rate hike on July 13 is expected to add about $55 a month for every $100,000 held on a variable rate mortgage and more interest rates increases are expected.

Credit card debt is another expense that is often overlooked because most people don’t fully realize how much of their money goes out the window each month on potentially unnecessary interest payments. If you are tapped out and need to use your card just to get by then you need to dig into your fixed expenses. However, if a review of your credit card statement reveals a number of discretionary purchases over the past few months (or years!) that you are financing at 19.99% then you need to do two things.

The first is to get a budget in place and a system to keep your card purchases under control. Whether you give up on the card and switch to a monthly cash envelope is up to you, but you need to know exactly how much fun money you have at any given time and a system to keep that spending in check.

The second step is to reduce that card balance as soon as possible. Cutting spending is the first place to look for generating funds, but you may also be able to draw on the equity in your home or have some investments that you could liquidate. For reference, paying the minimum on a $1000 credit card bill will require more than 10 years and another $1000 in interest before you finally get it paid off.

Lines of credit are another area where discretionary spending may also go unchecked. Many LOCs are backed by home equity and have carried a very low variable interest rate over the past two years (especially compared to credit cards). The problem is that as interest rates spike higher, the interest on these loans will also start to bite more and more. At best, these loans will add years to your mortgage free date and at worst, you could lose your home entirely. A decline in home prices like we are seeing now may also cause lenders to look a lot more closely at equity-backed loans in the future.

If you are having trouble making ends meet and up until now have been getting by with fairly lose monitoring of your spending, it is time to dig in and put some controls in place. Tracking your monthly expenses and getting a handle on your monthly spend is a good idea even if you don’t have financial issues.

You don’t need to bucket every purchase into a complicated spreadsheet (unless that works for you!) but you do need to get a good idea of the total amount you absolutely have to spend each month. After that, you can figure out how to start saving money and how much you have left over to enjoy.

I was very fortunate that my career eventually evolved into a role that provides a sense of personal satisfaction while allowing me to help others in a very direct way. First, as a financial planner of 21 years with Investors Group and now as a financial coach with Enriched Academy.

I would like to offer my insights on financial advice based on my various career and life experiences over the past seven decades. By the end of this post, I hope you will be better educated and motivated to take the necessary steps to create your own lasting wealth.

If you want help to grow your wealth in Canada, you have a few options when it comes to getting financial advice.

Large Wealth Management Firms

The large wealth management firms and banks dominate the financial advice industry in Canada. They mostly deal in mutual funds but also have capability to help you invest in individual stocks and other types of funds as well. As a CFP with a large investment firm for over twenty years, I became quite familiar with the various services and products these types of wealth advisors can provide.

At the firm I worked at, the expectations were that every client should have a financial plan and retirement plan and that they should be updated on an annual basis. Financial consultants are required to pass the Mutual Fund License Course in order to join the company and are expected to study to become a Certified Financial Planner within three years.

The following list is what you can expect to receive in terms of service from the financial professionals at large wealth management firms:

• Initial discovery meeting.
• Annual financial plan and retirement plan updated on an annual basis.
• Risk tolerance assessment and corresponding investment strategy to achieve your financial goals.
• Rebalancing of portfolio on a regular basis.
• Goal setting for debt reduction and growing net worth.
• Estate needs analysis and planning.
• Insurance needs analysis.
• Encouragement to move ALL your investments to their firm.

What are the drawbacks of a financial advisor?

The main drawback of large wealth management firms is their advisors usually get paid on the sale of financial products under their management. This limits the investment advisor’s income options and lowers their motivation to work with lower net worth individuals, particularly those new to investing with smaller portfolios or those who may be struggling with debt. Don’t be surprised if one of their first questions is, how much money do you have to invest? This type of advisor is more suited for higher net worth clients who want a hands-off approach and do not mind paying higher financial advisor fees.

For individuals who want to become financially literate and get more involved with decision making or pursue alternative investing strategies (real estate, private lending etc.) they will find very little emphasis on education and training with the large wealth management firms. In fact, promoting alternate investing is not usually allowed.

Should you get a personal financial advisor?

The main advantage of a personal financial advisor is they provide comprehensive service with very little work required on your behalf.  Although they often rely heavily on mutual funds and you need to be wary of MER and other fees, they are financial experts with whom you can build a long-term, trusting relationship. Clients get a comfortable feeling that they are dealing with a professional and reliable advisor.

How about the financial advisors at my Bank?

The big Canadian Banks can offer a range of wealth management services that is similar to those offered by the large investment firms. They have the added advantage of offering a comprehensive range of banking products and services and conveniently integrating them with their investing services.

What are the drawbacks? Banks are in the business of taking in money and lending it back out for a profit, hence the same issue arises as with wealth management firms.  If you don’t have a lot of money, you may not get a lot of attention and nothing in the way of personalized service. Their financial advisor services are mostly provided for high-net-worth clients and their insurance offerings focus on critical insurance products that are primarily intended to pay off mortgages.

What is a fee-only financial advisor?

Fee-only financial advisors are just as their name implies, they charge a fee for handling the services you request, rather than trying to generate commissions by selling you financial products. Their list of services can be comprehensive — they may act as an investment planner or retirement advisor, or they may provide financial planning, debt consolidation, insurance analysis or many of the other services you can get from a full-service wealth management firm.

How much do fee-only financial advisors charge?

Paying only for the services and financial guidance you need and ask for sounds attractive. You will not have any ongoing management fee or bias toward a specific financial product. However, the quality and price of their financial planning advice may vary greatly. If you google “fee-for-service advisor”, you will see hourly rates from as low as $10/hour to over $200/hour. A typical service will advertise a generic review and recommendation for around $800 and a customized plan for around $1800.

The other issue is how to choose a good financial advisor? If you choose an advisor who isn’t very competent or doesn’t take the time to properly understand your situation or explain things, you may not fully understand the risk or lack confidence in their plan. In addition, every time you have a question or need a follow up, it may end up costing you more.  

Financial advisor vs financial Coach

There are several key reasons that I am passionate about the Enriched Academy financial coaching program. The first is that I am able to offer the same level of professional service to every individual who signs up, regardless of their financial situation. The program costs the same and offers the same high-quality financial advice for high net-worth individuals as it does for those who are in debt or living paycheque to paycheque.

The fees for our one-on-one coaching program are relatively low compared to the annual management fees of a wealth management firm or fee-only financial advisor. The Enriched Academy program also provides lifetime access to a continuously updated training portal with all sorts of analytical tools at no additional cost.

Financial coaching also covers the entire spectrum of your financial situation: cash flow and expense management, budgeting, saving strategies, all types of investing (RRSP, TFSA, income properties, other passive income investments), debt management, building credit, wills, insurance, and retirement planning. If we see a particular need, we can go into more detail on any particular area.

While cost and the scope of services are important differentiators, the biggest benefit of a having a financial coach is that you become financially literate. You will learn to understand and analyze your financial situation and the available options, so you can make highly informed decisions regarding your financial future. This knowledge is very valuable for your confidence and peace of mind, even if you do come to rely on a professional for at least some of your financial advice. Issues like estate planning can be very complex and seeking quality professional advice is never a bad idea.

A financial coach is both educator and advisor. A coach teaches you the facts and provides a structured plan, an impartial opinion, and plenty of motivation and inspiration – but the decisions are ultimately up to you. The focus is on equipping you with the confidence and knowledge to make solid financial decisions.  If you want to be 100% hands-off money management and leave the decision making up to someone else, coaching is not a good fit for you.

Aside from the education and financial guidance, there are also intangible benefits to a money coach. Many people have trouble shifting from the learning phase (like reading this blog) to the action phase (purchasing an index fund online for example). A coach provides the motivation, structure and accountability to boost confidence and helps  turn complacency into actions that build a robust financial plan.

In Summary

Becoming successful financially starts with the knowledge that to earn more, you must learn more. The journey to financial freedom is not a get-rich-quick scheme. As evidence, a high percentage of people who win the lottery end up having less money three years later than what they had before they hit the jackpot. Professional athletes make millions of dollars but are disproportionately likely to end up bankrupt compared to your average citizen.

The missing factor in both cases is poor knowledge and a lack of learned financial responsibility that would have equipped them to protect and grow their wealth. It is precisely this financial knowledge and literacy that Enriched Academy is focused on providing to their clients.

Financial wellness is fast becoming the latest buzzword as soaring inflation and interest rates pile the financial pressure on Canadians. There is also a strong connection between mental health and finances and financial stress is taking a heavy toll.... so, what exactly does it mean to be “financially well”?

Financial wellness is described as a state of well-being where an individual or a household has achieved financial stability and is able to meet their current and future financial obligations without undue stress.

Financial wellness is not about being rich, having a certain amount of net worth, or achieving a specific financial goal. Rather, it is about having a sense of security and confidence in your financial capability and being able to manage financial issues, challenges and opportunities as they arise over time.

Financial wellbeing is a function of many different factors. Income is obviously a critical element, but it also depends heavily on how well we are able to manage our money. These tasks include budgeting, managing debt, and investing and planning our retirement. The degree to which we are able to handle these tasks successfully depends on our level of personal financial literacy and our ability to make informed decisions, solve financial problems, and manage financial risk.

What is making Canadians so financially unwell?

Lack of financial literacy: Many Canadians lack the financial knowledge and skills to manage expenses and cashflow, save money, and invest and grow their savings for a secure financial future. This makes it difficult to effectively manage their financial life and can lead to financial instability and plenty of financial stress.

Better financial understanding by itself will not solve your money issues, but the importance of financial literacy cannot be overstated. We have seen over and over again at Enriched Academy how just a little pre-emptive knowledge can make a huge difference. For example, understanding the benefits of a TFSA and starting from a younger age.... or investing in an index fund instead of letting cash pile up for years in an RRSP.

High levels of debt: Canadians struggle with credit literacy and have some of the highest levels of household debt in the world. This debt is primarily driven by mortgage debt, but Canadians also carry significant amounts of credit card debt, car loans, lines of credit (often secured by home equity) and student loan debt. The average non-mortgage debt in 2020 was around $23,000. Rising interest rates have seriously exacerbated this problem and there is spiking demand for credit counseling and debt consolidation services.

Income inequality: Income inequality is a significant issue in Canada, with a widening gap between the richest and poorest Canadians. This can make it more difficult for lower-income Canadians to achieve financial stability and security.

Housing affordability: Housing affordability is a major concern in many Canadian cities, with rising housing costs making it difficult for many Canadians to purchase homes or afford rental housing.

What are the costs of poor financial wellness?
Poor financial wellness can have significant costs, both for individuals and for society as a whole.

• Stress and anxiety: Financial health and mental health go hand-in hand and financial stress can lead to depression, insomnia, and other health problems.
• Poor performance in the workplace: Financial stress can also affect an individual's job performance and productivity. It can lead to absenteeism, reduced work quality, and lower job satisfaction.

• Relationship problems: Financial problems can cause tension and conflict in personal relationships. It can lead to arguments, breakups, and divorce.
• Increased debt: Poor financial wellness can lead to increased debt, which can be difficult to repay and can lead to financial instability.
• Higher interest rates: Individuals with poor credit scores may face higher interest rates on loans and credit cards, which can make it more difficult to manage debt and improve their financial situation.
• Limited opportunities: Poor financial wellness can limit an individual's opportunities for education, career advancement, and other life goals.
• Economic costs: Poor financial wellness can have broader economic costs, such as reduced economic growth, increased demand for social services, and higher rates of poverty.

Overall, poor financial wellness can have far-reaching consequences for individuals and society, underscoring the importance of promoting education and financial literacy to support individuals in achieving financial stability and well-being.

Workplace financial stress in Canada
Financial stress in the workplace is a significant issue in Canada and according to one survey, Canadians worrying about their finances while on the job could have cost as much as $40 Billion dollars in 2022! Employee productivity, employee performance, and employee mental health are all being negatively impacted by financial stress at home and are common reasons for poor performance at work.

Some employers are starting to recognize the effects of poor financial health in the workplace and are implementing programs to support employee financial wellness. Financial wellness benefits may include free financial literacy courses, counseling, employee benefits such as retirement savings plans, and flexible work arrangements to help employees balance work and personal financial responsibilities.

Overall, workplace financial stress is a growing concern in Canada, and employers and policymakers are increasingly looking for financial stress help to support employees in achieving financial wellness.

How do you measure financial wellness?
Financial wellness can be measured in a number of ways, but it is often a feeling rather than some sort of tangible number. While we can easily take some steps to improve our credit score, improving financial wellness is much more complex.

A financial health assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of an individual's or household's financial situation. It typically involves reviewing income, expenses, debt, savings, investments, insurance coverage, and other financial assets and liabilities. A financial health assessment can help identify areas of strength and weakness and provide insights into how to improve overall financial well-being. Enriched Academy offers a complimentary financial assessment call for anyone looking for advice on how to better their financial situation.

A financial stress tests involve evaluating an individual's or household's ability to withstand financial shocks or unexpected events, such as a job loss or medical emergency. Financial stress tests can help identify potential vulnerabilities in one's financial situation and provide insights into how to build financial resilience.

Financial behavior analysis involves examining an individual's or household's financial behavior and decision-making processes. It can help identify patterns of behavior that may be contributing to financial stress or instability, such as overspending or not saving enough.

Surveys and self-assessments can be used to measure an individual's or household's financial wellness. These tools often include questions about financial knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, and can provide insights into areas where individuals may need additional education or support.

Overall, measuring financial wellness is a complex process that requires taking into account multiple factors and indicators. Different methods may be appropriate for different individuals or households, depending on their specific financial circumstances and goals.

How can I improve my financial wellness?
There are plenty of options for improving your financial wellness and most of them revolve around bettering your financial literacy skills.

Budgeting: Creating a household or personal budget is an important first step towards achieving financial wellness. A budget can help individuals track their income and expenses, prioritize their spending, and identify areas where they can cut back. Most of us are already have the financial knowledge and skills to create a simple budget — the real issue is having the commitment and making the hard choices that are often required to stick to a budget.

Debt management: Developing a plan to manage debt, such as creating a debt repayment plan or debt consolidation and interest rate reduction can help individuals reduce their debt load and improve their financial stability.

Savings: Building an emergency fund and setting savings goals can help individuals prepare for unexpected expenses and achieve long-term financial goals, such as saving for retirement or a down payment on a home.

Financial literacy education: Improving financial literacy can help individuals make informed financial decisions and better understand the impact of their financial choices. Enriched Academy offers free financial literacy in our weekly webinar series, and we also provide learning resources to support financial literacy for young adults to educational institutions across the country.

Seeking professional help: Working with a financial coach, financial planner or financial advisor can provide individuals with personalized guidance and support in achieving their financial goals.

In addition to individual action, there are also broader solutions that can support financial wellness at the societal level. These may include policies that promote income equality, affordable housing, and access to financial services, as well as employee financial wellness programs and education initiatives.

2023 is shaping up to be another tough year financially for Canadians and financial wellness will continue to be elusive, especially if your financial literacy is lacking. The good news is there are a lot of resources available and many of them are free or low-cost. The largest hurdle for most of us is willpower and maintaining our motivation — achieving financial wellness is not a sprint. It can be a time-consuming, slow process and you may not see the results from your efforts until many months or many years down the road!

Saving up the down payment for your first home in Canada can be a daunting task. At the very minimum, you are going to need 5% and even in a comparatively inexpensive city like Edmonton with an average price of $400K, you are looking at $20,000. There are lots of tips and tricks on how to save for your first house, but this article isn’t about personal budgeting, it’s about where to park your savings along the way to purchasing your new home.

The good news is there are several home buyer incentives and a few savings options when saving for your first house! You could put your money under the mattress, in a savings account at your local bank, or take advantage of one of the government’s “registered” savings accounts. These include the Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), the Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA), and the new kid on the block, the First Home Savings Account (FHSA). The main advantage of these three accounts is the option to invest and grow your savings while cashing in on some serious tax advantages, allowing you to reach your home ownership goal even faster. It is also possible to use a combination of these accounts, but that may require a lot more income than you have at your disposal.

My retirement plan has a home buying option?

RRSPs are quite well known for punishing early withdrawals — ideally you would keep your money in your RRSP account until you retire and can then draw out the money you need at a nice, low tax rate during your retirement years. However, the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) is an exception to the rule. Under this plan, you can withdraw up to $35,000 from your RRSP to buy a home. Although you won’t be taxed on that withdrawal and have avoided one caveat, the catch is that you have to begin paying that money back to your RRSP starting a couple of years down the road. If you don’t pay it back on schedule over the next 15 years, the tax man will come calling as that withdrawal becomes fully taxable! It’s a good benefit, but you need to follow the rules and make sure the repayment schedule fits your budget.

To be eligible for the HBP, you must be a first-time home buyer, which means you or your spouse/common-law partner cannot have owned a home in the four years before the withdrawal. You must also have a written agreement to buy or build a qualifying home. If you're buying a home with your spouse or common-law partner, you can both withdraw up to $35,000 for a total of $70,000.

The home you purchase, or build must be a qualifying home, which includes most types of housing, including single-family homes, semi-detached homes, townhouses, condos, and mobile homes. It must also be located in Canada and must be used as your principal place of residence within one year of buying or building it.

In many cases, using your RRSP for a down payment under the Home Buyers' Plan is a good option. However, it's important to understand the rules and requirements of the program before making a withdrawal from your RRSP.

How can I use a TFSA to buy a home?

In case you missed the memo, Canadians 18 and over can deposit up to $6500 annually into a TFSA. You contribution limit also caries over from year-to-year, so you already have a sizeable contribution limit if you are in you are in your mid-twenties and have never had a TFSA before! The advantage here is that you could invest your down payment savings and would not be taxed on those returns. As the name says, after growing your portfolio for a few years, you could take those tax-free savings and head right down to the bank and put it down on a new home. The only real consideration is that you will have to wait until next year if you want to put that money back into your TFSA account. However, if you just bought a house, you are likely to be tapped for a couple of years anyways, so it may be a non-issue. A TFSA can also be used by anyone who fails to meet the criteria for a first-time homebuyer as required by the HBP and the FHSA.

Although this all sounds straightforward so far, the issue gets complicated when you start to think about using both an RRSP and TFSA. The most you could take out of your RRSP to buy a home is $35K, so once you hit that mark should you start putting your money into a TFSA? If you are looking to get into a home sooner rather than later, the immediate tax savings from an RRSP will help you reach your down payment goal faster than a TFSA providing they were invested the same way (and you reinvest those RRSP tax savings instead of spending a week in Cancun!). Beyond that, you might want to consult a financial coach for some expert advice and do an in-depth analysis of your TFSA/RRSP contribution strategy.

FHSA: The new kid on the block!

As of April 1, 2023, there is a new contender for your down payment savings dollars — the tax-free First Home Savings Account (FHSA or sometimes TFHSA). This is yet another tax-advantaged account from the federal government that takes a stab at combining the best of both the TFSA and RRSP. Although it is not 100% confirmed and the rules could still be tweaked, it basically allows you to do this:

• Make a tax-deductible contribution of up to $8000 annually (maximum $40,000 lifetime).
• Invest the contributions in stocks, various funds, fixed income securities, etc.
• Withdraw the money anytime within 15 years of opening your FHSA to buy a qualifying home with no need to pay back the funds.
• Carry forward unused contribution room, and also carry forward tax deductions and apply them in future years (if suspect your income is on the way up).
• Transfer funds to an RRSP or withdraw the funds anytime and pay the tax if you don’t buy a home with in 15 years.

Just like the HBP, the home must be your principal residence within one year of purchase and be located in Canada.

If you have been piling up your money in an RRSP or TFSA and think the FHSA suits you better, it looks like you will also be able to transfer RRSP and TFSA funds into an FHSA. In the case of a TFSA, you would also get a tax deduction on the amount transferred (subject to the rule of course!). Moreover, at this time it is also possible to take advantage of both the FHSA and the HBP allowing a couple to withdraw up to $150,000 of combined RRSP/FHSA funds for a down payment. There are still a few other details to be worked out, but at this point, the FHSA looks like a great down payment option for first-time home buyers.

Which down payment savings account is right for me?

At Enriched Academy we are all about financial education and helping you make the best decision. We equip you with the knowledge and facts you need, but at the end of the day you are in charge of your financial life. Our goal is to always encourage our clients to make an informed decision. There is no clear winner in the RRSP vs TFSA vs FHSA debate as it depends on a myriad of other factors which only you are privy to.

One thing we do know is that when it comes to investing, procrastination is your biggest enemy and saving for a home is no exception. Buying your first home is increasingly difficult right across Canada as prices and interest rates are at record levels and there appears to be no relief in sight. There are programs in place to make it easier to save for a home, and the sooner you start taking advantage of one, two or all three of these plans the better!

The other factor that comes into play is risk and investment planning. Some people see their down payment savings as untouchable and may limit their holdings to low-risk investments or fixed income securities. On the other hand, some folks may have a shorter buying timeline or be naturally less risk-averse and try to fast track saving for a down payment with a more aggressive investment strategy.

Homebuying in Canada has become increasingly difficult in many regions. Sound financial planning and a good credit score will help you save money and obtain financing, but don’t neglect the tax advantages and investing options of the RRSP, TFSA and FHSA.

As we near the end of another school year, your kids are another step closer to graduation. For many, that will lead to some form of post-secondary education and whether it is a far-away university campus or a nearby vocational school, it isn’t likely to be cheap. Education is usually a wise investment, and it would be nice to be able to help your kids out with the cost.... but what is the best way to go about saving for your child’s education?

What are the benefits of opening a RESP?

Worried parents can take some relief in that Canada’s Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) is extremely helpful. It offers annual grants of 20% of your annual contributions for 14 years and allows you to invest all the funds in the account, so you can grow that education nest egg... at least until your kids head off to further their education. Just like the RRSP and TFSA, it is a registered account so there are rules and regulations on contributions and withdrawals, but they aren’t that onerous and are pretty easy to abide by.

Are there any contribution limits for a RESP?

There is no RESP maximum contribution per year, but there is a RESP lifetime contribution limit of $50,000 per child (beneficiary). It’s also important to note that unlike an RRSP, there is no RESP tax deduction. The primary benefit is that regardless of income, annual contributions up to $2500 receive a 20% Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) from the federal government. The government deposits these CESG grants into your RESP every year so you can invest it along with the other funds.  You may also qualify for additional education savings programs depending on your household income or province of residence.

The CESG age limit is 18 and there is a lifetime maximum of $7200. It’s best to start early if you want to max out the benefits, although there is a carry forward rule. This allows you to catch up on unused grant room of up to $1,000 per year, for previous years in which you were eligible but did not receive the full grant. There are no official RESP deadlines for annual contributions, but CESG grants are awarded on a calendar basis, so you need to get the money in by December 31^st each year to take full advantage of that offer.

What type of education can I use my RESP for?

It isn’t just for university, eligible post-secondary educational institutions also include colleges, trade schools, vocational schools, and other educational institutions that are recognized by the Canadian government.

RESP money can be used to support apprenticeship programs approved by the provincial or territorial apprenticeship authority. These programs typically involve a combination of on-the-job training and classroom instruction. RESP funds can also be used for eligible distance education programs offered by recognized educational institutions. These programs allow students to study remotely without being physically present on campus. In some cases, RESP funds can even be used for educational programs offered outside of Canada. However, specific requirements and restrictions may apply, and it's important to consult with your RESP provider and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to ensure eligibility.

How to save for a RESP

Learning the ins and outs of how the program works is a critical first step, but it won’t help you with the $2500 required (per child) to maximize your grant opportunities. Start by determining how much you would like to save for the child's education. Consider factors such as the estimated cost of tuition, books, accommodation, and other expenses. Tuition fees for Canadian universities now runs $5000 to $10,000 per year. You could be looking at $40,000 and your child would still needs books and supplies, not to mention food and a place to live if they are heading out of town to pursue that education.

As we mentioned, there are provisions to catch up with your RESP contributions and claim the associated grants if you fail to max them out in a given year. However, playing catch up is hard and it will also shorten your investment timeframe.

The key is to contribute regularly. Many providers offer automatic contribution plans, allowing you to set up automatic transfers from your bank account to the RESP. One source of funds is your monthly CCB payment — taking $100 monthly from that would get you $250 in annual CESG grants. Keep track of your RESP's performance and make adjustments to your investment strategy periodically to ensure it aligns with your goals and risk tolerance. Stay updated on any changes to RESP rules, government grants, or regulations that may impact your savings plan.

RESP Investment?

Just like an RRSP or TFSA, the funds in a RESP can be invested and could grow substantially by the time your kids head off to school. Money management options may include individual stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, GICs, cash, bonds, etc.  Consider your risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial goals when doing your RESP investment planning. RESP investments can range from conservative options with lower potential returns to more aggressive options with higher potential returns but also higher risk. RESP providers offer a range of investment options, although it is limited with some providers.

Consider the time until the beneficiary will need the funds for their education. A longer time horizon allows for a potentially higher-risk investment strategy, as there is more time to recover from market downturns. As the beneficiary approaches the start of their post-secondary education, it may be prudent to shift to more conservative investments to protect the principal.

Make sure to also take into account the fees and expenses associated with the investment options offered by your RESP provider. These costs can seriously impact your overall returns, so it's important to understand and compare the investment options and fees across providers. It is possible to change providers along the way, so if you find you are unhappy with your initial decision or see a better option it isn’t a big problem — many providers will help you facilitate the swap.

If you are not into self-directed financial planning, an investments advisor could also be consulted to help you with your RESP.

Are there any restrictions on using RESP funds?

Eligible expenses for a RESP are typically related to a beneficiary's post-secondary education. Here are some common expenses:

Tuition fees: The cost of tuition for a post-secondary educational institution, including universities, colleges, trade schools, and vocational schools.

Books and educational materials: Expenses for textbooks, workbooks, study guides, and other educational materials required for the beneficiary's program of study.

Accommodation and living expenses: If the beneficiary is enrolled as a full-time student and living away from home, a portion of their living expenses, such as rent, utilities, and groceries, may be considered eligible.

Transportation costs: Expenses for commuting between the beneficiary's residence and the educational institution, such as public transportation fares, gasoline, parking fees, and vehicle maintenance.

Computer and related equipment: The cost of purchasing a computer, laptop, tablet, or other electronic devices that are required for the beneficiary's education.

Special needs services: Expenses related to special needs services that support the beneficiary's education, such as tutoring, specialized educational programs, and equipment for students with disabilities.

How do I withdraw funds from a RESP and how are RESPs taxed?

RESP withdrawal rules basically divide your money into two amounts. Post-secondary education amounts (PSE) are made up of the money contributed and can be withdrawn by the subscriber (mom & dad) and sent to your kids (the beneficiary) anytime for any reason with no tax implications. Any funds arising from government grants or investment income are taxable to the beneficiary and are paid out in the form of an Education Assistance Payment (EAP). Most plans let you control the amount and timing of EAP, but your RESP provider may have some limitations. Although there is no direct RESP tax benefit, students normally have a low income with a low marginal tax rate and may also qualify for student tax credits, so the tax burden is often minimal.

What happens to the money if you don't use a RESP for school?

The RESP age limit is 35, so you don’t have to move quickly. However, the funds are a mixture of contributions, grants and investment growth and there are tax implications when withdrawn depending on their source. Grants like the CESG must be repaid. There are provisions to transfer up to $50,000 of RESP contributions to an RRSP if you have the contribution room. You may simply withdraw your contributions tax-free, but any investment earnings withdrawn will be taxed at your marginal rate plus a 20% penalty. Your RESP provider may also tack on additional fees to close out an RESP.

An investment in education or job training usually turns out to be wise decision and pays a lifetime of great returns, and a RESP is a great tool to make that happen. By understanding the key aspects of a RESP and following the right strategies, you can make the most of this savings plan. The earlier you get going with one the better it will work out, and the more relief you will feel with every passing school year.

Are you an optimist when it comes to your financial outlook? Soaring prices, rising interest rates, and a possible recession are making it increasingly difficult to keep a positive money mindset and believe that things will get better for the remainder of 2023 and beyond.

In addition to economic conditions, common money myths can also affect your mindset by perpetuating misinformation or misconceptions about personal finance, investment strategies, and wealth management techniques. Negative money myths can significantly inhibit personal financial growth and wealth building by creating limiting beliefs and behaviors.

On the other end of the money mindset spectrum is the belief in financial abundance and that there is enough money and financial resources available to achieve your goals and live a comfortable life. People with this view tend to focus on solutions rather than problems and see opportunities for growth and abundance in every situation.

The problem is that circumstantial factors weigh heavily on our money mindset. If you were raised in an environment of scarcity or when times are tough like they are now, you can easily feel defeated when it comes to improving your financial situation. Overcoming this mindset is a huge roadblock and the starting point for improving your financial life.

What are money myths?

Money myths often perpetuate a scarcity mindset, where individuals believe that money is limited and hard to come by. This mindset can lead to fear, anxiety, and an inability to see and seize opportunities for financial growth. Believing in these myths can lead to poor financial decisions, such as relying solely on how to save money without considering investing, neglecting to diversify one's income streams, or falling prey to get-rich-quick schemes. Lack of financial literacy can further enhance the negative impact of financial myths.

To overcome these limitations, it is crucial to challenge money myths, seek financial education, and develop a mindset that focuses on abundance, growth, and informed decision-making. By adopting a realistic and empowered perspective towards money, individuals can overcome these inhibiting factors and create a foundation for personal financial growth and wealth building.

What are some common money myths that people believe?

• You need money to make money. It’s true that $10,000 invested the exact same way as $1000 will give you proportionally larger returns, but the power of compound investment returns is very strong and often overlooked. The sooner you get started investing with whatever spare funds you have, the closer you will be to achieving your long-term financial goals.

• Money is too complicated. Managing money is actually a lot less complicated than many other day-to-day tasks. We spend hours learning how to use the hundreds of functions in a mobile phone or researching online to find the perfect hotel for our vacation, but we don’t prioritize learning about money management.

• Investing is too risky. Investing can definitely be risky, but that risk can be managed according to your needs and risk tolerance. Investing all your money in cryptocurrency is risky, investing in an S&P 500 index fund and holding it for 5 years.... not so much. You need to learn to evaluate and manage risk, not avoid it altogether.

• It’s someone else’s job to figure my finances out for me. You could rely 100% on a financial advisor, but it’s expensive and a leap of faith that many of us are not comfortable with, despite their fiduciary duty to serve in your best interest. Even if you do rely heavily on professional advice, teaching yourself the basics of personal finance will help you to make informed decisions and give you much better peace of mind.

• It’s too late for me. A lot of Canadians are way behind on their retirement planning, and this is an often-heard money problem. The reality is that it is never is too late to get good with money. Trying to pick stocks and get rich quick when you are in your late 50’s could easily put you in trouble, but investing in an index ETF will usually give a nice boost to your retirement fund, even if you are only 5 or 10 years from retirement.

How can money myths impact our financial decisions and mindset?

Money myths can reinforce the fear of failure and the belief that taking financial risks is inherently dangerous. This fear can discourage individuals from pursuing entrepreneurial ventures, investing in stocks or real estate, or even negotiating for better salaries or promotions. By avoiding risks, individuals may miss out on the best ways to manage money.

Money myths often instill limiting beliefs about wealth and success. For example, the belief that "rich people are greedy" or "money corrupts" can create subconscious resistance to wealth accumulation. These beliefs can lead to self-sabotaging behaviors, such as avoiding financial success or subconsciously sabotaging efforts to make money.

Money myths often promote unrealistic expectations and comparisons with others' financial situations. Believing that everyone else is financially better off can lead to discontentment and poor financial choices, such as overspending or accumulating debt to maintain a certain lifestyle. These comparisons can also contribute to feelings of inadequacy and a sense of being trapped in a cycle of financial struggle.

How can I change my money mindset and overcome money myths?

A positive financial mindset is a powerful tool that can shape our financial reality, allowing us to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build a secure and prosperous future. It involves developing money beliefs that promotes abundance, wise financial decision-making, and a healthy relationship with money. To create a positive financial mindset, it's essential to examine and reshape your beliefs about money. Start by identifying any negative thoughts or limiting beliefs you hold regarding money, such as "money is scarce" or "rich people are greedy." Challenge these beliefs and replace them with positive affirmations that align with abundance and prosperity.

• Embrace gratitude and abundance. Practicing gratitude for your current financial situation is a powerful way to shift your mindset. Take time each day to reflect on the things money has provided for you, such as shelter, food, and opportunities.  Additionally, cultivate an abundance mindset by focusing on opportunities rather than limitations. Recognize that the world is full of possibilities, and wealth and success are not limited resources.

• Set clear financial goals. Establishing clear and specific financial goals is crucial for developing a wealth mindset. Whether it's saving for a down payment on a house, starting a business, or paying off debt, clearly defined goals give you a sense of purpose and direction. Break down your goals into smaller milestones and celebrate each achievement along the way. This process will motivate and inspire you to continue making progress.

• Focus on solutions instead of problems when it comes to your finances. When faced with a financial challenge, look for ways to overcome it rather than dwell on not being able to get what you want. Reframe negative thoughts and beliefs about money into positive ones. Instead of thinking "I can't afford it," try thinking "How can I afford it?"

• Educate yourself and seek knowledge. Knowledge is power when it comes to financial matters. Take the time to educate yourself the facts about money management, investing, budgeting, and other relevant topics. By becoming financially literate, you'll gain confidence in making informed decisions and seizing opportunities that align with your goals. The more you know, the more empowered you will feel to take control of your finances.

• Practice Mindful Spending and Saving. Before making any purchase, consider if it's a need or a want, and if it will truly bring long-term satisfaction. Implement money saving tips and focus on ways to save money that reflect your financial goals. Don’t neglect tracking your expenses. Prioritize saving money over spending money and automate your saving process as much as possible. By being mindful of your financial choices and having strategies to save money in place, you will enhance your sense of financial well-being.

• Surround yourself with people who have a positive attitude towards money and who have achieved financial success — a relative? co-worker? celebrity? YouTuber?

• Be open to new opportunities and ways to make more money. Keep your eyes open for ways to increase your income.

Can changing my money mindset lead to greater financial success?

It’s easy to focus too much on the facts of personal finance and overlook the importance of your mindset. For example, self-directed investing requires you to learn about risk management, diversification, fees and ROI, and many other factors. However, if you can’t overcome your initial mindset that investing is too risky, you will never invest in the stock market. Changing that mindset is a critical first step, and it can be pretty hard to do!

Creating a positive financial mindset is a transformative journey that requires dedication, self-awareness, and consistent effort. Changing your mindset is not an overnight process, but a lifelong commitment. Stay persistent, surround yourself with positive influences, and celebrate each step forward. With a positive financial mindset as your foundation, you can navigate challenges, embrace opportunities, and become financially free.

Traditional real estate investing for most small investors means investing in a property (home, condo, etc.) outright and becoming a landlord. Whether you choose to manage the day-to-day duties or farm them out to a property management company is up to you. Either way, you have to come up with the funds/financing to purchase the home and that may be more money than you can get your hands on or more risk than you are willing to take. This approach may still be viable and suit some investors, but there are several options when it comes to real estate investment opportunities.

Can you still make money from a rental property?

Until the sharp rise in interest rates, low mortgage rates combined with escalating home prices (and an increasing pool of equity to borrow from) made buying a rental property in Canada a viable and profitable investment for homeowners. Even if you failed to generate positive cash flow based on your rental income and expenses, the increase in the value of the home would have likely made up for your miscalculations and made it a good investment. Fast forward to the present and we now see a very different situation. Variable rate mortgages that were around 2% are now closer to 7% and investment property mortgage rates may be even higher. Although home prices have rebounded sharply in many areas since the lows of early 2023, rising interest rates may once again slow down demand and there is a lot of uncertainty on which way home prices may go.

On the other hand, rents continue to rise in almost every market and over the last two years have increased by around 20% according to Rentals.ca. The housing shortage in many Canadian markets may put continued upward pressure on both rent and home valuations going forward. Investors will have to contend with higher financing costs and a lot of short-term uncertainty around which way home prices will go, but things may be looking up if you are thinking of entering the rental property market. Your financing costs, home valuations and rent trends/prices in your targeted market all need to go into your calculations.

What are some potential risks or challenges associated with real estate investments?

Don’t be swayed by those reality TV programs that show how you can't miss at buying a fixer-upper and after a few renos, start raking in “easy money”. It can be done for sure, but there is a lot more that goes into evaluating an investment property than simply comparing the monthly rent cheque to the mortgage payment.

For example, property taxes can rise 5% (or more) annually in many municipalities and repairs and maintenance costs can be hard to estimate. If you have had any work done on your house lately, you already know the cost for both labour and materials has gone through the roof!

Managing rental homes is time consuming and you will also have to consider whether you have the skills to find great tenants, collect the rent, and take care of the maintenance. Relying on the convenience of a property management company is an option, but how do you find a reliable one and how much of your profits will that drain away?

Although the demand for rental housing is super strong in most markets, major repairs or delays with finding/vetting tenants could leave you with no rental income for a few months and some hefty bills to cover. Investing in homes is no guarantee of a steady stream of payments.

It is more important than ever to crunch the numbers and ensure your projected cash flow remains positive because those enviable gains in equity of the past few years may not be there to bail you out. You should hedge that bet by remaining cashflow positive every month and taking a long-term view when it comes to cashing in on any potential increase in the value of the property.

Can I participate in real estate investment without owning property?

A lot of money and time goes into owning a rental property and that represents a significant barrier to entry. You will need a 20% down payment to get a mortgage if you don't plan on living in the property and that that may be more than you can get (or want to risk), especially if you are leveraging the value in your current home to source the funds. Being a landlord can also be time consuming and stressful. Fortunately, if you would like to dabble without going “all-in” there are few non-ownership real estate investment options.

What is a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) and what are the benefits?

A REIT is a company that owns and/or manages a portfolio of properties that could include commercial buildings, apartments, shopping centers, residential homes, offices, and other types of real estate. The diversity and mix of properties vary from one REIT to the next and there are currently around 35 REITS trading on the TSX. A REIT can be held in your RRSP or TFSA.

REITS are unlike stocks in that investors are usually paid a monthly distribution (dividend) based on the performance of the properties. There is also the chance for gains through appreciation of the share price. REITs are a convenient option to add more diversity to your stock portfolio. Unlike owning a property, REITs are completely liquid and can be easily bought and sold — you could start investing with a few shares purchased through an online brokerage.

The disadvantages are that you may not be able to find a REIT with a mix of properties you like, and your investment is only going to be as good as the REIT management. There are also Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) that hold a pool of REITs to help diversify exposure and lower the risk compared to owning an individual REIT.

How does real estate crowdfunding work?

Fractional property ownership or crowd-funded ownership is a relatively new real estate investment strategy where investors join together to collectively own a particular real estate asset — it could be an apartment building, commercial property, or even a residential home. It is different from a REIT in that you invest and own a share of a specific asset.

The property is sold in individual units and there are terms and conditions specific to each offer. Investors gain from sharing of rental revenues and the eventual sale of the property. Although you can get started with a very small investment, the maximum investment may also be capped, so you may have to find several opportunities.

The disadvantage of fractional ownership is that individual real estate assets can fluctuate greatly in value, and you can only sell and cash out your shares after the date prescribed in the ownership offer – they are not liquid.

Are there other alternatives to owning property for real estate investment in Canada?

Another alternative real estate investment which can offer exceptionally good returns is "playing the role of banker" and lending money to a private party, usually with your loan backed by the value of real estate. There are various reasons why some people have trouble getting a real estate loan or mortgage from a bank — they may be self employed or newly employed for example. Others may need some kind of bridge financing to tide them over for a few months and the situation doesn’t fit the bank’s rigid requirements. They will pay a premium to any lenders willing to help them out.

While due diligence is extremely important and you have to do your homework (and get expert advice), these types of opportunities do allow you to manage risk to a large degree and offer exceptional returns, especially as mortgage rates climb higher and banks get increasingly strict with their lending requirements. It’s a flexible real estate investment option that allows you to select opportunities that match your investing amount and timeline. For example, you may be able to find a short-term deal for $20,000 if that is what you need to match your investing situation.

Which of the above options will provide the best real estate investment depends completely on your situation. Property investment in Canada can be done a number of different ways and your first task should be to get some real estate investment education and grow your knowledge.

As adults, we all know the critical importance of managing money wisely and the impact our financial situation has on our overall well-being. By equipping our children with financial literacy from an early age, we empower them to make informed decisions, set financial goals, and build financial independence.

As parents we do our best, but there are lots of life lessons we need to teach, and teaching about money doesn’t always top the list. We may also not be the best person for the job since around 50% of adult Canadians live paycheque-to-paycheque! Case in point, many well-meaning parents set their kids up with a bank account, but they should actually open two accounts, one for spending and another for saving (just like adults should be doing!). So how do we choose what financial lessons, habits, and tactics to teach our children, especially if our own money management skills may be lacking?

For many years, Enriched Academy has been working with provincial governments, education boards, colleges, and universities across Canada to support students and teachers with an informative and entertaining package of learning resources to help youth get money smart. We are continuously refining our school programs based on student and teacher feedback, changes in the economy or legislation, and the latest trends in personal finance. We know that learning about money management from an early age will set them up for a lifetime of good financial habits. Financial education for kids is what we do, and we have compiled the following list of lessons, techniques, and the factors you should be considering when it comes to teaching your kids about money.

What are some age-appropriate money lessons for young children?
Give your child a regular allowance, just don’t call it an allowance! Weekly ‘pay’ starting around age seven is a good idea but be careful — it’s not something that’s received, it’s earned — and children need to know the difference.  A checklist of weekly tasks and some amount of pay attached to each one is a great way to instill this idea. Reinforce the concept by designating a regular ‘payday’ each week. This allows children to learn from a young age that that work is the basis for earning money. When they get a little older, encourage them to allocate a portion of their ‘pay’ for spending, saving, and giving to others or charitable causes.

Wants vs needs & cost vs value
Teach children to differentiate between needs and wants and how to prioritize what they spend their money on. Value and cost are two more important concepts to differentiate. A top-of-the-line iPhone or a carbon-fiber mountain bike will really impress their teenage friends, but a cheaper version may perform very similarly and provide a lot more value, especially given the limited amount of funds they have. Kids are bombarded by marketing messages, and they need to learn how to avoid hype and be objective, so they can make smart financial decisions. There is a reason plenty of rich folks (even billionaires like Warren Buffett) drive basic cars – it’s all they really need.   If your teen or tween wants the latest and greatest must-have item, challenge them to explain the value beyond being new, trendy, or fashionable. When they want to buy something, encourage them to research the product, read reviews, and compare prices to make informed decisions.

For younger children, don’t always limit them to buying things that meet your threshold for play value or quality – let them buy some junk once in a while and use the opportunity to turn it into a lesson about quality and value. A mood ring is usually interesting for about a day-and-a-half, and $5 won’t break the bank. If someone learns to better evaluate their purchases in the future, it was a cheap lesson.

Introduce basic investing concepts
As kids get older, introduce them to basic investing and the concept of how to make money with money. Explain how investments can grow over time and the power of compound interest. Should you buy a stock (or an ETF, GIC, mutual fund or some other financial product) for a 12-year-old… absolutely!  There are lots of kids out there with parents who invested the time to explain shareholding and how it works at a level they can understand. Kids are very familiar with many publicly traded companies like Disney, Roblox, Mattel and McDonalds. Holding a few shares (in an informal trust account or simply in your name) may not return enough to put them through college, but it will teach them the basics of investing, risk and return for managing their finances in the future. 

It sounds so cliched to say, “make savings a habit” and it really is only half the picture — your teenagers should be saving and INVESTING a portion of their income regardless of how insignificant it may seem. Developing a saving mindset early in life will pay back over the course of a lifetime, but developing an investing mindset will pay back HUGE over the course of a lifetime and set your kids up for long-term financial security and wealth building. As soon as your kids turn 18, have them open a tax-free savings account (TFSA) even if they can only muster $50 or $100 monthly to contribute.

Teach about credit and debt:
Introduce the concept of credit and debt in age-appropriate terms. Explain how credit cards work, the importance of responsible credit card use, and the consequences of accumulating debt. Don’t give an advance on their allowance! The number one financial problem in Canada from young adults to retirees is spending money they don’t have – usually with a high-interest credit card. The need for instant gratification is an ongoing battle but developing resistance at an early age will help keep the urge under control in adulthood. Practice delayed gratification and help your kids understand that they cannot always get what they want immediately.

Why is it important to teach kids about money management?
Credit is very easy to access these days and even first-year post-secondary students are often able to get a credit card. Easy access to credit cards (with generous spending limits and 20% or more interest!) and a few spontaneous/poorly thought-out spending decisions can derail a future before it even gets started. Failing to understand the impact and obligations of a student loan can also lead to a nasty surprise when it comes time to repay that money or get a car loan or mortgage down the road. Although federally issued Canada Student Loans are now interest-free, provincial loans may still carry interest. Either way, your kids need to realize that a student loan isn’t free money and that paying it back will definitely crimp their post-graduation lifestyle. Many parents are quite literally paying the price for their kid’s financial mistakes, and it can continue long after they are no longer children!

How can I explain the concept of saving money to my kids?
Help your kids set short-term and long-term financial goals. Whether it's saving for a new toy or saving for college, having goals encourages discipline and delayed gratification. For large-ticket items, set up a savings goal and create a tracking chart together with your kids so they can visualize their progress. Celebrate financial milestones and acknowledge their financial achievements, such as reaching savings goals or making smart financial choices. Positive reinforcement encourages good financial habits.

Should I involve my child in family financial discussions?
While you may not want them balancing the cheque book, involving your kids in family financial discussions is a great way to see what they know (and don’t know!) and provide a few timely lessons. It will also encourage them to come to you when they have money questions and need some guidance. Planning a family vacation together is great for teaching teens about budgeting and balancing wants versus needs. They will learn a lot about tradeoffs and how a nicer hotel with an amazing pool may come at the cost of eliminating a particular excursion.... or find other solutions such as grabbing lunch at a supermarket or convenience store instead of a sit-down restaurant.

Open one bank account for spending and one for saving
Bank accounts are free and easy to get online, and having two accounts is one of the best ways to manage money. It’s a very effective and easy way to control spending and ensure your offspring are hitting their savings goals. Whether it’s a birthday cheque from grandma or earnings from a part-time job, make an agreement with your kids to ‘pay themselves first” and put 15% (or more) into a high-interest savings account. The balance of the funds can go into a daily chequing account with a debit card, and they can spend that as they like. Don’t let them dip into their savings account (unless they are parking cash there for a pre-determined, ‘big-ticket’ item).

Teach teens about financial scams
Education and awareness about common financial scams and how to protect themselves from fraud and identity theft is a critical aspect of money management for teens. Our seemingly computer savvy youth often take for granted the importance of safeguarding their financial information. Passwords and PIN numbers need to be protected, never shared, and changed on a regular basis. Young adults also need to be able to detect the proliferation of increasingly sophisticated telephone and online scams.

Conclusion
Remember that financial education is an ongoing process, and it's essential to tailor your approach to your child's age and level of understanding as they learn about money. The key is to make financial education practical, relatable, and enjoyable, so they can build a strong foundation for their financial future. Encourage openness about money and create an environment where youth feel comfortable discussing money matters with you. Starting to instill good money habits from an early age and being a supportive resource as they develop their financial skills will help your money-savvy kids grow into financially responsible, money-savvy adults.

Managing your finances as a student requires discipline, planning, and smart decision-making. Avoiding common budgeting and spending mistakes and developing responsible money habits will help you make the most of your student years.  Graduation will be a lot more promising if you are financially stable and ready to take on your new career. Here's some advice, information, and financial tips for students you can use right now to get your finances in order.

What is the first step to effective money management for students?
While student life may seem temporary, it's important to consider your long-term financial goals and how the total cost, and any debts you take on to fund your education, will affect your lifestyle and long-term financial goals post-graduation. For example, if you are planning to buy a home or even finance a car after your studies, you should at least do some basic calculations on what your student loan repayments will be. You have to start repaying them six months after graduation and although Canada Student Loans now carry no interest, repayment of the principal can still be substantial.

Focusing on the present and loading up on student debt while counting on a high-paying job after graduation to bail you out is a recipe for disaster. That job may not materialize and even if it does, you may find that salary doesn’t go near as far as you thought it would once you start living in the real-world. While financial aid is helpful, relying too heavily on it can lead to overspending and financial strain after graduation. If you need to take out student loans, borrow only what you truly need and understand the terms and interest rates associated with them.

How can I handle my student loans responsibly?
The average Canadian student loan (not just the federal portion) for a 2-year college is around $15,000 and $28,000 for a 4-year degree. Student loan repayment terms are flexible and you can adjust the amount and frequency of payments along the way as long as you meet the minimum requirements. If you are thinking bankruptcy might be a way out, keep in mind that this will have very serious repercussions on your credit availability and lifestyle for many years. Student loans are not forgiven if bankruptcy is declared within 7 years of graduation.

While too much debt is a danger, there is no need to completely avoid debt to fund your education. It is often the only option to pay for our studies and education usually provides an excellent, lifetime return on your investment. However, your income as a student is very low and keeping costs to a minimum will put you in a much better position to save, invest, and reach your financial goals once you graduate and enter the work world. It should go without saying, but one of the most common money management tips for students is to continuously search for scholarships, grants, or financial aid opportunities to help limit your student debt.

What are some common budgeting mistakes students should avoid?
The biggest mistake is not having a budget at all. Without a budget, it's easy to overspend and lose track of your finances. A lot of students start out the year in September with a big pile of cash either from a loan, a summer job, or maybe the bank of mom and dad. Ideally, you should pay for your big-ticket necessities right away – tuition or other school fees, dorm fees and meal plan if in student housing, and textbooks or other school supplies. You should also consider some travel costs at this point, are you planning to fly home for the holidays or go on a ski trip at spring break? After you have the big items taken care of, then you can look at how to allocate what’s left on a monthly (or weekly) basis. You don’t want to be out of cash in late February when final exams aren’t until mid-April!

What should I prioritize in my student budget?
The problem with budgets is sticking to them and knowing exactly where and when your spending has gone off the rails. It isn’t that difficult to set up a student budget and assign certain amounts on a weekly or monthly basis. Some expenses like rent, a transit pass, or your cell phone plan are the same every month and you can easily slot in the amount. Other expenses like groceries vary more but you can probably dial in the amount after a couple of months. The real problem is entertainment, dining out, travel, hobbies, or other leisure time activities — spending on these can quickly spiral out of control and leave your budget in pieces.

How do I create a realistic student budget?
The key to effective money management is to track all your expenses and categorize them according to your budget, so you can always see a running total of where you are at. Small, frequent purchases can add up quickly. There are lots of apps to manage finances, or you can use a Google sheet or Excel file... even paper will work! Just makes sure your expense tracking system is quick and easy and get in the habit of updating it at least every few days.

After a few months, your monthly budget planner may need some adjustments.  Your expense tracking may show your original cost estimates are not realistic or maybe you got a part-time job. Your budget is not written in stone and needs to be achievable, so feel free to make changes — as long as you are living within your means and not racking up any additional, unplanned debt.

Impulse buying can easily sink your budget, so take some time to consider if a purchase is really necessary. Be strict with yourself when differentiating between essential and non-essential items and stick to your budget. Take advantage of discounts available to students. Many campus events and activities are free or low-cost. They provide entertainment and opportunities to socialize without straining your budget. Many businesses offer reduced rates for students on transportation, technology, software, entertainment, and more. One of the best way to save money is to cook meals at home or eat in your dormitory cafeteria and limit your restaurant budget to a few special occasions.  If you do split household expenses with roommates, make sure the division of shared bills is fair and worked out beforehand, and that everyone pays on time.

How can I build and maintain a good credit score as a student?
That shiny new student visa card you got from the bank is a great thing to have, but you need to pay it off every month by the due date. In fact, using your credit card for a few purchases each month and paying it off on time will help to establish your credit rating. Paying back your student loans after graduation will also help greatly with your credit rating. On the other hand, not paying off your credit card balance in full is a lot more costly than most people (especially those new to credit cards) realize. If you splashed out $1000 for a spring break trip to Florida and can now only cover the minimum monthly payments, you are going to be paying for that trip for the next 131 months and be on the hook for almost another $1000 in interest charges!

What are some practical ways to save money as a student?
Saving may seem like a luxury as a student, but contributing even a small amount to a tax-free savings account each month from age 18 could be a life-changing habit. They are free and easy to open at an online brokerage and the annual contribution limit of $6500 is the same for everyone and not dependant on employment income. If you ever need the money down the road a few years it can easily be withdrawn and even $100/monthly over the course of your working life from age 18 will compound into hundreds of thousands of dollars by retirement age.

If your schedule allows, consider getting a part-time job or freelancing gig to supplement your income. Just be careful not to overload yourself to the detriment of your studies. Be conservative when estimating your income to avoid budget shortfalls and try to set aside a portion of your income for an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses and reduce the need to rely on credit cards or additional debt.

Failure to manage your money as a student doesn’t bode well to manage your finances as an adult. Remember, the habits you develop as a student are hard to change and will shape your financial future. Self-discipline and making informed decisions are key to effectively managing your money. Financial education pays and improving your financial literacy will only become more important and more valuable as you grow older. Developing good money management skills as a student will benefit you long after you graduate.

You don’t have to look very hard to find a survey that highlights the poor state of retirement preparedness many Canadians are feeling. An April 2023 survey from tax specialists H&R block found that 53% claim to be behind on their retirement savings, and that they are planning on working part-time to make up the difference when they do retire. BMO didn’t find much better news — their February 2023 study found only 44% of respondents reporting they’re “confident” they’ll have enough money to retire. This was 10% lower than their 2020 survey!

The fact is that most of us don’t need a survey to tell us we are behind on our retirement savings plan. With the rapidly rising cost of food, gas and other necessities combined with drastically higher interest rates on mortgages, we know there isn’t much left to put towards retirement savings at the end of the month. If you find yourself behind on your retirement planning, it's important not to panic. While starting early is ideal, there are steps you can take to catch up and improve your retirement outlook regardless of where you are at right now.

What is retirement planning?

Retirement planning refers to the process of setting and achieving financial goals to ensure a comfortable and secure retirement. It involves making strategic decisions about saving, investing, and managing your finances throughout your working years so that you can maintain your desired lifestyle and cover your expenses after you stop working. Retirement planning takes into consideration factors such as your age, current financial situation, expected retirement age, desired standard of living, life expectancy, and potential sources of income during retirement.

How to plan for retirement in Canada?

Financial planning for retirement starts with carefully evaluating your current situation, including your savings, investments, debts, expenses.... even your tax bracket! Understanding where you stand is the first step toward making a realistic plan. Increasing our savings is where most of us focus, but it is just one of many considerations. For example, do you invest those savings in a tax-advantaged account like an RRSP or TFSA and are you taking full advantage of these accounts? Do you take the time to review the type of investments you hold and analyze your returns, the fees you pay to hold/manage those investments, and adjust the asset allocation/risk of those investments based on your life situation? If you are 35 years old, the type of investments you hold and the associated level of risk is a lot different than someone who is 62 and expecting to retire in 3 years.

Debt is another key consideration. House prices have risen dramatically over the past 10 years and it is getting increasingly difficult to burn the mortgage before retirement. If you have tapped into your equity with a line of credit, what is your plan for eliminating that debt? If you are carrying debt into retirement just make sure you will have the income to service that debt. For example, if your house has a basement suite and renting could cover a substantial part of the mortgage, then maybe you have solved the problem!

How much money do you need to retire?

It sounds painfully obvious, but most of us haven’t actually determined how much money we will need in retirement. All of us have retirement dreams (or at least expectations) and it’s time to start assigning some costs to those dreams. A lot of major expenses like your home or the kid’s education may be paid, but there are still lots of other things to eat up your income. Are you planning to travel more, and is that five-star resorts or your favourite campground?  Are you staying in your home or downsizing? Will you carry any debt into retirement? Stats Canada found in 2019 that the average over 65 household spent just under $50,000 annually. Things are a lot more expensive now and that figure could easily be $60,000 in 2023, but the point is that there is no average. Retirement spending varies wildly between households and the only way to gain clarity is to sit down and start figuring out a budget that matches your retirement situation and needs.

Consider what age you plan to retire?

As you near retirement you may find your savings rate going up quickly as your monthly expenses diminish. You may want to consider working for a few more years than originally planned and bolster your retirement savings. Delaying the age you start receiving a pension usually means a higher monthly payout (CPP for example) and gives you a chance to max-out tax-sheltered/deferred investment options like an RRSP or TFSA. Working during retirement is another option and although it seems easy enough, keep in mind that you may not have the health, motivation, or be able to find a suitable employment opportunity.

When should you start saving for retirement?

Anyone who is asking this question needs a quick lesson in the power of compound interest over time. Putting $500 in your RRSP every month from age 25 to 65 with a 5% return would yield $725,000 — starting at age 40 would leave you with only $287,000. Sure, you would have contributed a lot more money ($90,000) but the difference at age 65 is shocking! The answer to when to start saving for retirement will always be as early as possible. The second key point about compound interest is that small differences in your rate of return can really add up over the years. If you increased the rate of return in our above example from 5% to 7%, your nest egg would be $1.2 million instead of $725,000! Any retirement financial advisor will tell you that piling up cash in a savings account is not the best way to grow your money. You should consider a mix of investments based on your risk tolerance, timeline to retirement, and financial objectives. You can take the time to educate yourself and manage your own personal savings and investments or check out our  financial coaching program for expert guidance and education.

Can I contribute to both an RRSP and a TFSA?

Both the TFSA and RRSP offer great opportunity for retirement tax savings and you can certainly have both. The issue of course is that it may be difficult to set aside 18% of your annual income to maximize your RRSP, and another $6500 every year to maximize your TFSA (especially when you are younger). The choice can be difficult and the optimal solution for tax efficiency will vary based on your income over your working (and retired) life, whether you are saving for a home, whether you may need to withdraw the funds early, and other factors. Understanding the differences between an RRSP and TFSA is the starting point and a little knowledge will go a long way. For example, early withdrawal from an RRSP can be quite punitive compared to a TFSA, so make sure you do your homework and improve your financial literacy to make an informed decision. The same goes for investing the funds in your RRSP and TFSA — your retirement investment plan and the associated fees will play a huge role in determining the size of your retirement fund.

Preparing for retirement is an overwhelming task, so it’s no surprise that so many of us kick it down the road.  Remember that every small effort you make today will add up over time. Start by defining your long-term goals and current financial situation, then list up a few simple action items you can start right away. It could be something basic like digging into your monthly expenses to find more retirement savings, to something much more involved like digging into your mutual funds and ensuring the risk, return, and investment fees meet your expectations and support your retirement goals. Make sure to revisit your retirement plan regularly, it’s not a static process and it’s critical to make adjustments to keep you on track.