How to go about securing the best savings strategy in Canada.
Latest News
Tess, 31, is a dentist making $140,000 a year. Now she wants to buy a house to start a family — during a pandemic. Is it the right time? + MORE Jul 11th
“Last year my husband, Jin, moved to the U.S. to complete a one-year medical fellowship,” Tess says. This means for now, she’s on her own to make concrete savings plans for her future, which includes buying a home where they can settle and start a family soon..... More »
Looking for a mortgage in B.C.? Don’t limit your options to the big banks + MORE May 28th
At last, interest rates are coming down again. For Canadians who are in the market for a new home, facing renewal of their mortgage in the foreseeable future, or feeling unsatisfied with their current home loan, this poses two choices: do you pounce now, or stay on the sidelines in the hope that rat.... More »
4 Low Risk Alternatives to Chequing Accounts + MORE Feb 1st
Investments like stocks, mutual funds, or cryptocurrencies carry some level of risk which you might shy away from for a variety of reasons. Whether you’re saving for college, getting ready to buy a house, or nearing retirement, if you’re looking for safer investment options, here are some o.... More »
2025 tax credits, due dates, and when you can file: Your 2025 income tax return guide + MORE Jan 28th
Tax season is once again nigh. The Canada Revenue Agency’s deadline (for most of us) is fast approaching on April 30. Bookmark this page for easy access to key dates and deadlines, tax rates, tips, and links to help you prepare your 2025 personal income tax return. We will be updating it as new in.... More »
How to save and invest smarter: What Canadians need to know Dec 31st
The current economy is impacting how Canadians save and invest. According to a recent survey by TD, 65% of Canadians reported that the high cost of living is impacting their ability to meet their financial goals.
Many Canadians are turning to their savings accounts to manage growing financial pre.... More »
What the Bank of Canada Rate Increase to 1.5% Means for Canadian Home Owners and Home Buyers
– ratesupermarket.ca
From personal loans to mortgages, simply put, it’s now more expensive and more difficult for Canadians to borrow money.
At the beginning of 2018, new mortgage rules raised the bar for qualification. Under federal law, all financial institutions are now required to put any new applicants under a strict “stress test”, regardless of their down payment amount. Borrowers have to prove they can still make payments at the greater of two options: either the five-year benchmark rate published by the Bank of Canada (currently 5.34 per cent), or the contractual mortgage rate plus two percentage points. Otherwise, those borrowers will not qualify for a mortgage.
And in recent news, the Bank of Canada raised its overnight lending rate to the highest level in almost ten years; the target is now 1.5 per cent. Commercial banks responded right away by raising their prime rate to 3.7 per cent. This means if you have a variable rate mortgage or have borrowed money from a line of credit, it is going to get more expensive to service…
