Not sure how to make a savings plan? Read on…
Latest News
House rich: How to access the equity in your home + MORE Nov 21st
With the national average home price up a record 18.5% in August 2020 compared to the same time last year, more Canadians than ever have a significant portion of their wealth tied up in their homes.
Who are these “house rich” homeowners? They range widely—from retirees on a fixed income, to ba.... More »
A wish list for Carney’s fall budget + MORE Oct 22nd
Statistics Canada’s midsummer report on Canadians’ disposable income showed an increase across all income quintiles in the first quarter of 2025, by a healthy average of 6% to 7% for the highest earners and 3.2% for the lowest. That was good news; the increases were above the inflation rate of 2.... More »
The real cost of going back to the office + MORE Jul 10th
If your daily commute currently involves a sweatpants-clad walk from the coffee maker to your home office, you may have seen significant benefits, including a rise in your bank account balance. A 2022 survey from CISCO found that Canadians saved an average of $11,530 per year while working remotely.... More »
FHSA withdrawal rules and rental property advice for a first-time home buyer + MORE Oct 16th
Ask MoneySense
Would it be beneficial to open a first-time home buyer’s savings account if I was planning on buying a property soon, say, in 2023 or 2024?
If I purchase a house and live in the basement but rent out the main floor, would that still be taxed as capital gains?
Are there any inv.... More »
How to invest with spousal loans for Canadians—and how to pay it back Sep 5th
During my working life, I transferred non-registered investment shares through a spousal loan to my wife (a stay-at-home mother). At the time of transfer, I declared the capital gain and paid the corresponding tax on the gain on the difference between the FMV (fair market value) and the ACB (adjuste.... More »
Planning for retirement with little or no savings to draw on
– moneysense.ca
Despite their best intentions some Canadians, facing a variety of financial challenges throughout their working lives, may not be able to save much towards retirement. Yet it’s difficult to know how to manage in those circumstances, as so much of the financial planning advice that’s shared widely is catered to wealthier people.
Retiring with little to no savings can be difficult, but it is not impossible.
Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
For a retiree who has worked most of their life, the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) will replace a portion of their historical earnings. The CPP retirement pension is meant to replace 25% of what you earned, on average, over your career, up to a certain limit. A CPP enhancement began in 2019 that will gradually increase that replacement rate to 33% over time.
In 2020, the maximum CPP retirement pension payment at age 65 is $1,176 per month—that’s $14,112 per year. However, not all retirees have made enough CPP contributions during their careers to receive the maximum…
Retiring with little to no savings can be difficult, but it is not impossible.
Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
For a retiree who has worked most of their life, the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) will replace a portion of their historical earnings. The CPP retirement pension is meant to replace 25% of what you earned, on average, over your career, up to a certain limit. A CPP enhancement began in 2019 that will gradually increase that replacement rate to 33% over time.
In 2020, the maximum CPP retirement pension payment at age 65 is $1,176 per month—that’s $14,112 per year. However, not all retirees have made enough CPP contributions during their careers to receive the maximum…
A guide to the best robo-advisors in Canada for 2020
– moneysense.ca
The robos are everywhere. What was once a little-known investing tool for tech-savvy investors is now commonplace, with everyone from newbie savers to retired boomers using robo-advisors to help manage their money.
While advisors and traditional fund companies still manage the majority of money in Canada, with people paying more attention to fees and with interest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) increasing, robo-advisors will only see their assets under management rise from here. According to the research aggregator Statista, Canadian robos will hold an estimated US$8.1 billion in assets under management in 2020, which, it predicts, will rise to US$16.6 billion by 2023, for a 26.7% compound annual growth rate.
As time goes on, these companies are also getting more sophisticated in their offerings. Some robos now offer chequing accounts, others let you pick stocks or buy insurance or offer real-life financial advice. You can invest in all kinds of accounts too, including Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs), Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSPs), Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIFs), Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs) and more…
While advisors and traditional fund companies still manage the majority of money in Canada, with people paying more attention to fees and with interest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) increasing, robo-advisors will only see their assets under management rise from here. According to the research aggregator Statista, Canadian robos will hold an estimated US$8.1 billion in assets under management in 2020, which, it predicts, will rise to US$16.6 billion by 2023, for a 26.7% compound annual growth rate.
As time goes on, these companies are also getting more sophisticated in their offerings. Some robos now offer chequing accounts, others let you pick stocks or buy insurance or offer real-life financial advice. You can invest in all kinds of accounts too, including Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs), Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSPs), Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIFs), Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs) and more…
“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.
“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.

