Here are some tips to keep your financial world in order:

How do you budget for the school year? What do things cost? Some expenses may be familiar and others might be totally new. The main categories are: Living (Housing & Food) Tuition & Books Transportation Entertainment Other Within each of these categories is a list of expenses many of which we all pay, some of […]

Not everyone is ‘good’ at math but all of us should be able to do our 1,2,3’s. The post secondary school year or a trade, technical or diploma program face similar challenges in that the money flows in and outs in an abnormal pattern. This makes it difficult to budget. The traditional monthly budget doesn’t […]

If you finished the ‘Building a Budget in 3 Simple Steps’, you’re ready to take it to the next level! A budget is the best place to start but don’t leave your plan behind. Adding a plan to your budget is straightforward.Planning is the fun part because most of us know what we want and […]

Finally, Step #3. Use your budget A budget is only valuable if you use it. It is a guideline to ensure that your monthly income covers your monthly expenses. The simplest way to use your budget is to monitor your actual income and expenses against your planned/budgeted income and expenses. At the beginning, it may […]

It’s common sense that you pay extra for convenience but sometimes buying quality doesn’t cost more. A few shopping experiences over the last week has given rise to some gems. Here are some smart shopping tips: High-end salon promotion: Buy $100 of products (I bought bulk shampoo & conditioner – lasts the year) and receive […]

It’s common sense that you pay extra for convenience but sometimes buying quality or local doesn’t cost more. A few shopping experiences over the last week has given rise to some gems. Here are some smart shopping tips: High-end salon promotion: Buy $100 of products (I bought bulk shampoo & conditioner – lasts the year) […]

It’s never fun to get the credit card bill especially if it shows a huge balance, more than you can pay. A feeling of dread. If you’ve had enough of feeling this way, it’s time to take action and deal with it. There’s no easy solution but small steps can make a big difference. Here […]

The short answer is anything between a few hundred (think City Hall, you and your spouse-to-be and a bouquet) and tens of thousands. The range is huge and the costs are driven by the number of guests and your vision. Here are some examples of typical wedding expenses: Meal & Drinks: $100 per person ($50 […]

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 […]