One more week of summer means a last scramble to get organized for back to school. Now that you’re on your own, are you looking after yourself? It’s easy to work through the checklist of registering for courses, gathering supplies and packing your bags but have you taken the opportunity to work through the dollars […]

Dear Piggy Bank, I am expecting my first child and just about to go on maternity leave but I’ve been so excited about the baby I haven’t really thought past getting ready for the baby to arrive. I finish work in a couple weeks and realize we haven’t thought much (ok, at all) about how […]

How much do you spend on transportation? It can easily add up to a chunk of your budget when you add it all up. Do you… Own your own vehicle Use public transit  Bike or walk Have the use of a work vehicle Use a car co-op Cab it Rent Each mode of transportation comes […]

The tortoise and the hare can teach us a lesson on this subject too! Whether you are saving for retirement, a big trip, a home or something special, slow and steady does it. Here are a few reasons why: If the amount is built into your budget, it is part of the plan Automatic monthly […]

The 80/20 rule can apply to most anything. Even financial planning! If you’ve been meaning get your financial house in order, don’t wait for the perfect plan. You might be surprised how many steps forward you can take once you’ve got the majority of the thinking done. Details can always be added or refined as […]

As the weather improves and the temperature warms up, so does the fun. Weekends away, barbecues, weddings and summer holidays start to fill the calendar. It’s easy to accept many invitations and deal with the bills later. Save yourself some spender’s remorse and check whether your budget can handle all the holidays. Take a look […]

Are you expecting a tax refund? If so, do you have a plan? The best way to get the most out of your tax refund is to have a plan. It’s your money after all – coming back to you! Before you dip into it (even a little bit), take a moment to think about […]

I’m not sure where she got the idea from but she’s been asking for an allowance. Thinking back to the days of when I got an allowance I very clearly recollect 25 cents and 50 cents. The reason I remember is because 25 cents bought either a bag of chips or a chocolate bar but […]

After Retirement Savings Plan (RSP) season there is a lull. RSP’s are in the news a lot early in the new year because of the deadline to invest to deduct against past years! Sixty days after January 1st to be precise. 2011 Tax Time – You’ve probably started received most of your tax information in […]

Have you started receiving tax info in the mail? Don’t ignore it, the faster you get it done, the faster you will receive any return you are owed. As the tax slips arrive in the mail, put them all into one envelope. Write a quick checklist of the tax information you expect to receive and […]