My girls are always asking ‘why?’ and much of the time I’m not able to provide a good answer. The question this morning was about the colour of planets, specifically Neptune. I was able to pin it on gases but couldn’t be any more scientific than that. However when they ask ‘why’ about finances, I […]

Between our recent vacation, new snow tires, dental surgery and some holiday gifts the big bill has arrived early this year. I always assume that it will come after the holidays and although that one might be big too, this feels a bit of a shock.   In one way, it’s a good thing because […]

Not an easy task! There are so many sparkly and shiny things in the stores. I could suggest that you avoid stores and shopping altogether and advise you to make all your gifts however, unless you’re very crafty, it’s not a realistic suggestion.   Here are some ideas: Write down your holiday giving budget number […]

November is flying by but there are two weeks left to earn an ‘A’ in Financial Literacy. How do I do that you may ask? Definitions of literate include ‘to be knowledgeable’ or ‘to be well-read on a topic’. I don’t have a whole lot of time to read these days but thanks to the […]

I can thank my parents for teaching me and my brother valuable first lessons when it comes to finances. Save for what you want before you buy it Always pay the full balance owing on your credit card by the due date Save for retirement Spend wisely – if it’s something you really, really like, […]

I think most of us enjoy the little thrill that comes from a Halloween scare. My kids like to be surprised by just the right amount of ‘boo’ or mechanical spider lunging toward their feet as they cross the threshold. What really frightens them though is the unknown, the uncertain and the down-right scary – […]

It may seem like months away but yet it always seems to sneak up so quickly, settle in like a tornado and then depart leaving us a little heavier in body and lighter in the wallet. Here’s how to get a jump on the holiday season to make for less of a dénouement in the […]

It gets back to the old question of needs versus wants. Layer on the ease of obtaining credit and the complexity of today’s world, and we collide with this simple question. We are often able to buy the things we want such as cars, homes and furniture on credit without saving for them first. Which […]

For many of us back to school marks a fresh start milestone – similar to the New Year. There’s a flurry of organization in terms of new routines, registrations and shopping. I feel a bit like a squirrel with all the effort going into restocking our cupboards, fridge and freezer after a summer of coming […]

It’s a year away and going to be a big one so best we start saving our money now. How much to save? And how to save?    We are planning a trip to the UK to visit family and see the sights over 3 to 4 weeks. The biggest expenses will be transportation and […]