Personal finance pros reveal one thing they wish they knew when they were younger

Kelley Keehn recalls a financial mistake she made in her 20s, when she bought a Mercedes sports car that was out of her budget. 

Life, disability coverage confusingly diverse ecosystem for most Canadians

Life insurance is like going to the dentist, without the physical discomfort.

It raises uncomfortable thoughts; it’s costly, and yet most people are much better off with it than without.

Certainly, life insurance (and disability and even critical illness) is a “lifesaver” for families when the unthinkable happens, says Jason Evans, fee-for-service certified financial planner at Evans Retirement Planning.

The Winnipeg adviser (who does not sell insurance) speaks from experience. His father died when Evans was young and life insurance kept the family solvent.

You’ve been scammed. Now what? Start with ‘a big cry.’ Then get to work

With scamming now entrenched as a lucrative form of organized crime worldwide, experts say those who fall victim should follow several concrete steps to limit the fallout — including emotional damage — whether they’re down a few hundred dollars or a few hundred thousand.

Quebec courts foreign investors at summit to finance major projects

OTTAWA - Quebec is making its pitch to some of the world’s biggest investors, arguing its clean energy, manufacturing base and critical minerals put the province at the heart of Canada’s push to attract more private capital.

Finance Minister Eric Girard says “Quebec is at the centre of the transformation of the Canadian economy” as he represents the province at the Canada Investment Summit in Toronto.

“We have a significant manufacturing sector. We have clean energy, we have expertise in defence. We have critical and strategic minerals,” Girard said in a phone interview with The Canadian Press.

The summit has brought together hundreds of business leaders, financial institutions, governments, project proponents and foreign investors.

Bond yields are rising, reflecting fear, loathing about state of world

It can seem counter-intuitive, but rising bond yields reflect investor worry. (After all, aren’t higher yields attractive?)

At the same time, investors’ bagful of anxieties is running headlong into greater demand for borrowing than at any time in human history.

It’s a full-course meal of mayhem: trade wars, unending real wars, accelerating government budgets and big tech companies borrowing as much as they can to achieve artificial intelligence supremacy.

Don’t forget the orange zest of economic unrest: an unpredictable, often incomprehensible president of the United States.

How to build a maternity wardrobe that fits your baby bump — and your budget

If you have a little one on the way and are trying to be budget conscious, stylists agree it's worth borrowing cothing from recently pregnant friends, among other budget-friendly approaches.

RESP growth opportunities are well worth it, even if you start late

Earlier is always better, but even a late start in RESPs has benefits.

“I think they’re a very valuable tool, and the biggest pro of all is that by using them, you get free money,” said Matthew Kempton, portfolio manager at Verecan Capital Management in Halifax.

“The government’s going to give you a grant — a percentage of your contribution — and there’s even more free money that would come along if you’re a lower-earning household.”

A Registered Education Savings Plan is a saving tool for education after high school, which includes trade schools and apprenticeship programs, not just college or university. In addition to tuition, the funds can be used for rent, transportation and other expenses.

Back to school means increased costs for parents, post-secondary students

In the words of advice for students from Thornton Melon: “It’s rough out there. Move back in with your parents.”

As comedian Rodney Dangerfield’s character alluded to in the 1986 comedy Back to School, it is indeed a tough financial environment as students head back to the classroom in 2026.

A Capital One Canada survey found families are struggling with costs, with nearly six in 10 parents surveyed stating back-to-school expenses are higher than expected.

It’s not just tuition, new clothes and supplies. Extracurricular activities — like hockey, figure skating, ringette, soccer, dance, etc. — also ramp up, involving tuition-sized payments.

Do you need a tariff emergency fund? Here’s how experts advise to plan for the worst

As a trade war escalates with their closest neighbour, it appears Canadians should anticipate shaky economic times ahead, at least in the near term.

The wave of new tariffs washing over from the United States, some totalling as much as 50 per cent on certain Canadian goods, has been met with a suite of counter-tariffs that will take effect next Tuesday, along with a $7.5-billion package meant to help local workers and businesses stay afloat.

Personal finance experts say the uncertainties surrounding the situation — including how long the levies last, whether they increase or if more sectors get hit — underscore why it's important for Canadians to prepare in case their wallets or livelihoods suffer.

One of the best ways to plan for that is by building up an emergency reserve fund, said Kristy Rachkowski, chief member experience officer at Your Neighbourhood Credit Union.

Thinking of leaving your desk job and entering the trades? Here’s your guide

For many Canadians, skilled trades have started to become more attractive as a career option, partly as various levels of government invest heavily in these professions while a boom in artificial intelligence creates fear over the future of many desk jobs.

Thinking of a used laptop to save on costs? What to look for before you buy

For parents and students navigating the high cost of computers on a tight budget, experts say a little bit of time and research can help them find a reliable device to get students through the school year.

Sports, entertainment prediction markets shouldn’t fall to securities law: CSA

If Canada ever wants to allow entertainment and sports prediction market trading, the country's securities regulators are signalling someone else should police it.

The Canadian Securities Administrators said Thursday that prediction market contracts based on sports and entertainment events should not be regulated within securities and derivatives legislation.

Prediction markets currently let customers make wagers of $1 or less on the outcome of real-world events, like what will happen at the Bank of Canada's next interest rate announcement or how many major Atlantic hurricanes there will be this year.

Wealthsimple and Interactive Brokers are the only Canadian platforms approved to offer prediction market trading, which is limited in Canada to economic, financial or climate matters.

You’ve fled a fire or flood — and then the financial hit comes

CALGARY - You've driven through a flurry of embers to safety. You've found high ground as floodwaters rushed in.

You've dodged the immediate danger to life and limb, and then the financial reality hits.

For those forced from their homes due to fire or flood — in many cases with little more than the clothes on their backs — there are few things more daunting than having to then navigate unexpected costs, insurance claims and bills that still need to be paid.

"The impacts of these natural disasters are much broader than just that physical damage. It can disrupt virtually every aspect of someone's financial life," said Ali Harris-Saunders, with the non-profit Credit Counselling Society.

Ontario students brace for ‘vast amount’ of debt amid OSAP changes, tuition increases

As Aidan Jeffers begins his graduate studies at the University of Toronto, he says he will have to work more hours and possibly rely on food banks due to drastic changes to student financial aid in Ontario – and the resulting debt he expects to rack up.

Jeffers said he's been working two jobs over the summer as large student loans weigh on his mind. He also plans to work 25 or 30 hours a week during the school year.

"I might have to go to the food bank a couple of times," said Jeffers, an incoming master's student in library and information science. "I'll be working during my master's instead of completely locking in." 

Earlier this year, Premier Doug Ford's government announced it would sharply cut student assistance grants, citing "unsustainable" costs. As of Aug. 1, the proportion of non-repayable grants a student can receive through the Ontario Student Assistance Program has been reduced from 85 per cent to a maximum of 25 per cent, with the rest given in loans.

Safety deposit boxes can offer peace of mind, but headaches if no one else has access

Most of us haven't set foot in a bank vault, but many of us still have the instinct: important documents and prized possessions belong somewhere locked away.