Obtaining a mortgage or secured line of credit in Canada at the best rates is often a daunting task. We can help! Read the articles below for more info.
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The best 5-year fixed mortgage rates in Canada + MORE Jul 12th
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The best 5-year fixed mortgage rates in Canada
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Winding down self-employment and planning for retirement Aug 18th
Q. I am a 60-year-old female, working full-time employed/self employed on a 100% commission basis and averaging between $107,000 and $140,000 gross annual income.
I own my home, with a $70,000 balance left on my mortgage. My mortgage payment (not including property taxes) is $457 biweekly. The curre.... More »
Should You Accept That Pre-Approved Credit Limit Increase?
– ratesupermarket.ca
If you faithfully pay your loans, mortgage and credit cards each month, then you’ve probably received a call or letter from your bank with the news that you were pre-approved for a credit increase or a line of credit.
You might be thinking, I don’t even use all the credit I currently have. I don’t need an increase.
But guess what? Turning down a pre-approved credit increase may actually hurt your credit score.
Why you were offered an increase
If you already have an account with a bank, and it pre-approves you for a credit increase or new line of credit, it’s typically because you are being recognized for being a good customer. By diligently paying off your card every month and staying on top of your current loans, your bank now trusts that you will pay them back if they increased your limit.
Exclusive offer from RateSupermarket.ca: For a limited time, apply for a President’s Choice Financial® Mastercard® through RateSupermarket.ca and get a $150 e-gift card & up to 20,000 PC® points when you activate your card…
The next time someone comes calling with a spiel about can using your home equity to diversify your investment portfolio and make lots of money, ask some questions.Should you use RRSPs to pay down the mortgage?
– moneysense.ca
Q: My husband and I will have good pensions.
He is thinking that we should cash out our RRSPs to pay down our mortgage.
He thinks that we will be taxed the same amount either way. Your thoughts?
—Linda
A: Some people struggle with whether they should invest or pay down debt. I think there are good arguments for debt repayment over investing in some cases.
For one, Linda, I’m not a fan of having a big emergency fund in cash earning 1%, while your mortgage or other debt is at 3% or more. It’s a guaranteed losing proposition. Some people like the safety net of an emergency fund. I’d rather someone have a modest cash balance and a secured line of credit as an additional emergency fund which you hopefully never use.
If you forever have $10,000, $20,000 or more sitting idle in cash, you could be missing out on RRSP, RESP or TFSA contributions or have debt that continues to accrue interest at a higher rate in the meantime.
Ask a Planner: Leave your question for Jason Heath »
RRSPs can be a bit different, Linda…
