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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

If you’re interested in simplifying your finances, it’s worth taking a look at what’s in your wallet. How many different cards and pieces of paper do you keep handy? Most things fall into 1 of 4 categories: Cards – Bank, credit, loyalty and identification Receipts Cash Reminders

The flowers are beginning to bloom in Vancouver which makes me want to be outside and not at work. It also means lighter clothing, lighter evenings and holiday plans. All this fun can lead to a lighter wallet. The trick is to plan and budget for it.

Here are some quick tips to get you started with your 2010 taxes: Gather all your paperwork – 2009 taxes, notice of assessment, CRA access code, tax slips. Will you do them or will you use a tax preparer? Software or paper return? You can use the software to prepare your taxes and then print […]

It’s tax time……do you procrastinate? I don’t think anyone likes doing their taxes, particularly if you think you owe money. For most of us, it’s never as painful as imagine. Tax software makes completing taxes very simple and straightforward….essentially data entry. If your income taxes are basic, it may take no more than 1 hour to […]

A couple things to think about when it comes to keeping your personal information and money safe.   The number of fraudulent transactions occurring each day is staggering. Although many of us have been the victim at one time or another, this doesn’t give a good sense of the magnitude of theft through fraud.

I thought we might finish the holiday season under budget this year. Realistically we will be $200 over budget. We can deal with that. Especially since January is generally more low key. It can be a challenge repaying the holiday bills at the same time as your paycheck decreases (those pesky EI and CPP deductions […]

Dear Piggy Bank has been in the limelight. Yoyomama: Family Financial Planning Basics – An interview http://www.yoyomama.ca/2011/01/new-years-financial-resolutions/ and case study http://blog.yoyomama.ca/2011/01/dear-piggybank/. Yoyomama – keeping mums on-the-go in the know. 24H Daily Paper – Vancouver: Household Money Management Plan – A snapshot article January 11, 2011 under Yoyomama’s column. http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/PDF/2007/10/10/daily0111web.pdf Enterprising Mom’s Network (EMN) Monthly Newsletter: […]