Learn the rules
Canadian money guides
Simple language guides explaining major Canadian financial concepts.
Basics · 14 min read
So what is a Mortgage, LOC, RRSP, TFSA and all these other things!
A plain-English glossary of Canadian money terms: mortgage, line of credit, RRSP, TFSA, FHSA, RESP, GIC, ETF, CPP, OAS, taxes, insurance and more.
Read the guideNewcomers · 12 min read
New to Canada: how money, credit and taxes work here
A simple guide for newcomers to Canada: how credit and credit scores work, banks vs. credit unions, account types, cheques, direct deposit, e-transfers, loans, income tax, sales tax, and how to avoid being taken advantage of.
Read the guideHousing · 8 min read
How much mortgage can you actually afford in Canada?
A plain-English walkthrough of Canadian mortgage affordability: GDS and TDS ratios, the mortgage stress test, minimum down payments, CMHC insurance and the costs lenders ignore.
Read the guideHousing · 7 min read
FHSA vs. the RRSP Home Buyers' Plan for your first home
How the First Home Savings Account and the RRSP Home Buyers' Plan compare, how to use both together, and the deadlines that quietly cost first-time buyers money.
Read the guideInvesting · 6 min read
TFSA or RRSP: which one first?
A decision framework for choosing between a TFSA and an RRSP based on your marginal tax rate today versus in retirement, plus how each account affects OAS, GIS and the Canada Child Benefit.
Read the guideDebt · 6 min read
Getting out of credit card debt in Canada
Why minimum payments never end, how avalanche and snowball ordering compare, and when a line of credit, balance transfer or consolidation loan is genuinely cheaper.
Read the guideRetirement · 9 min read
Where your retirement income will actually come from
How CPP, OAS, workplace pensions, RRSP/RRIF withdrawals and TFSA savings fit together, when to start each, and how the OAS clawback and GIS shape the order you draw them.
Read the guideRetirement · 11 min read
When to convert your RRSP to a RRIF — and how to sequence pensions, CPP and RRSPs
When to convert an RRSP to a RRIF in Canada, how the minimum withdrawal schedule works, and how to sequence a corporate pension, CPP, OAS, RRIF and TFSA withdrawals to pay the least lifetime tax.
Read the guideSecurity · 9 min read
How not to get scammed: protecting your money in Canada
Practical protection against financial fraud in Canada: the scams that actually work, why no bank or police force will ever ask you to send money, and how multi-factor authentication and strong passwords stop most account takeovers.
Read the guideInvesting · 9 min read
Wealthsimple vs. Questrade: which is better for your investing
A plain-English comparison of Wealthsimple and Questrade for Canadian investors: fees, account types, managed vs. self-directed investing, US dollar accounts, and which platform suits which kind of investor.
Read the guideBanking · 8 min read
Tangerine vs. EQ Bank vs. Simplii: which online-only bank is right for you
Compare Canada's three main online-only banks: everyday chequing, savings rates, GICs, mortgages, ATM access, US dollar accounts and deposit insurance — with a clear recommendation for each type of customer.
Read the guideBanking · 8 min read
Big banks vs. local credit unions: which one is right for you
How Canada's big five banks compare with local credit unions on fees, lending flexibility, deposit insurance, technology, branch access and service — and which type of institution suits which kind of customer.
Read the guideNewcomers · 9 min read
New to Canada or moving abroad: what to consider with credit cards
How to build Canadian credit as a newcomer with a secured card, and how to protect your credit history when leaving Canada — including why opening an American Express in Canada before you move gives you a head start abroad.
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