Know your TFSA contribution limit + MORE Dec 19th

Almost every adult Canadian has a bank account, according to the Canadian Bankers Association. And there are practical reasons for that: most of us need a bank account to cover rent or mortgage payments, receive paycheques and to maintain our lifestyles. 
But what if you’re looking for a bank account with more perks? With 88 banks in the country, there’s enough choice out there for those who want to switch. But the process is time-consuming and, frankly, confusing. Where to start? If you’re looking to change banks, here’s how to switch without disruptions to your paycheque or recurring bill payments—and without a lot of stress for you.  
Decide where to move your money
First step: Figure out what you want from your new bank. It could be a more flexible chequing account with no fees on everyday transactions, a decent interest rate on savings, a rewards program or better customer service. (Scotiabank’s Ultimate Package*, for instance, offers all of the above, and waives up to $139 credit card fees each year…

For Canadian investors and savers, it’s always some of the best news to come each year: the annual increase in the contribution limit for Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSA). And for 2021 the TFSA contribution limit is $6,000.
The actual TFSA yearly limit was set at $5,000 back in 2009 when the investment account was first created but is indexed to inflation each year and rounded to the nearest $500 to simplify things for investors. The exception was 2015 when the TFSA limit was hiked up to $10,000 for that one year.
This current limit means someone who has never contributed to a TFSA and was old enough to have one since its inception will have a cumulative contribution room of $75,500 as of Jan. 1, 2021.
TFSA contribution limit – 2009 to 2019

Year
TFSA Annual Limit
TFSA Cumulative Limit

2009
$5,000
$5,000

2010
$5,000
$10,000

2011
$5,000
$15,000

2012
$5,000
$20,000

2013
$5,500
$25,500

2014
$5,500
$31,000

2015
$10,000
$41,000

2016
$5,500
$46,500

2017
$5,500
$52,000

2018
$5,500
$57,500

2019
$6,000
$63,500

2020
$6,000
$69,500

2021
$6,000
$75,500

Investing ideas for your TFSA
TFSAs are not just for savings…

Unlike your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), which must start winding down the end of the year you turn 71, you can keep contributing to your tax-free savings account (TFSA) for as long as you live. Even if you make it past age 100, you can keep adding $6,000 (plus any future inflation adjustments) every year.
Also unlike RRSPs, contributions to tax-free savings accounts are not calculated based on previous (or current) year’s earned income, says Adrian Mastracci, portfolio manager for Vancouver-based Lycos Asset Management Inc. Any Canadian age 18 or older with a Social Insurance Number (SIN) can contribute to TFSAs. 
Most near-retirees will have more investible wealth in RRSPs, since they’ve been around since 1957, while TFSAs started much more recently, in 2009. Once you turn 71, there are three options for collapsing an RRSP, although most people think only of the one offering the most continuity with an RRSP: the registered retirement income fund, or RRIF (more on this below)…