Keeping within budget can be tricky and is an art. Here are some ideas: Food Cost – One of the highest monthly expenses. Minimize waste with a plan, reduce the number of times you purchase meals out with a menu plan and leftovers for lunch. • Plan a weekly menu • Include meals for dinner […]

The variable and short term rates look so attractive! The question is – Can you sleep at night? How long do you plan to stay in your home? Answering these questions will help you decide what term to choose. Mortgage rates don’t always change when lending rates go up or down but often they do. […]

It’s a simple question, but there isn’t always a  simple answer. It really depends on 2 things: How much of a down payment do you have? What mortgage payments can you afford? A bank will use additional criteria to evaluate whether they will lend you money to buy a home including calculating your net worth, checking your […]

Almost everyone has access to credit these days. Teenagers and adults use credit cards, lines of credits, vehicle leases, loans and mortgages. They may be different in how they work but at the end of the day, it’s borrowed money. There are various associated fees including: Interest Cardholder fees Legal fees Transactions fees Currency exchange […]

Emergency savings, contingency fund? Who has one? How much do you have? I suspect the answers are along the lines of: What? How do I get one? How much do I need? Without any warning, an emergency such as a sick family member, job loss or car repairs can throw a wicked curve ball. Few […]

Most of us face a cash crunch every now and again and this can cause anxiety. Many of us receive a steady pay check however those who don’t have a stable source of income often wonder whether there will be enough in the account to pay the bills at the end of the month. Cash […]

The key to cash flow is knowing what’s coming in and what’s going out! For many of us, what’s coming in is fairly steady. We’ll take a look at managing cash flow for self-employed, contract or part time income next time. That leaves us with what’s going out … expenses. The most important piece of […]

Why isn’t there enough money in the bank account at the end of the month? In today’s age of debit and credit cards, it’s easy to access money to pay for things. When cash was it, there were either dollars in your wallet or not! This means that it is doubly important to have a […]

I’m wrapping up a week of single parenting while my other half traipses around China visiting Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. While I don’t envy the 15 hour flights and managing the 12 hour time change, he is staying in some lovely hotels and is without the regular ‘routine’. I’ve had a great week with […]

How do you live on a tight budget? A tight budget means there isn’t much to spare at the end of the month. Expenses may equal or be very close to household income. There are varying degrees of a tight budget. Necessary expenses take up the majority of or all of your disposable income You […]