It seemed like every utility bill I received lately—whether for electricity, water, gas, etc.—was higher than the last. My utility bills were absolutely killing my budget, eating into the allocations I had set for other expenses. I realized this couldn’t continue. Something had to change. I started by gathering my last six bills from each…
This is arguably the quickest and easiest money-saving activity you can do. It literally takes just one second to check the ‘FGPNow!’ app on my iPhone to see where gas prices are heading for the next day. If you often find yourself asking, “Where are gas prices heading tomorrow?” or “Should I fill up today…
We all face unexpected expenses from time to time—whether it’s treating out-of-town friends to dinner or indulging in a spontaneous shopping spree. Such splurges can quickly blow your ‘personal and pleasure’ budget for the week, leaving you financially strained before your next paycheck. But don’t panic. Here’s how you can manage and regain control when…
When creating your first budget, remember it’s not the final version—revisions will be necessary as you go along. One crucial aspect often overlooked initially is donations. Donations not only support others but also offer tax benefits, lowering your taxable income or increasing your tax refund. It’s essential to include them in your budget. Beyond RRSPs,…
Inflation? what inflation? It’s surprising to see people still paying full price for items like electronics, cars, clothing, and books. In many cases, individuals are not only paying full price but also premium rates. With intense competition from businesses today, especially for non-essential items (excluding gas and electricity), there’s no need to pay full price…
The ultimate goal of your budget is to have money left over after covering all your expenses. To achieve this, you need to maximize your income and minimize your expenses. Here’s how: Minimizing Your Expenses Maximizing Your Income These are just a few examples of how to minimize expenses and maximize your income. While it…
The ongoing uprisings in the Middle East, with the most recent and dangerous conflict now raging in Libya, have caused gas prices to surge by approximately 7 cents per liter in just a few days. This translates to an additional $5 or so for each fill-up. While this increase may not be life-changing for some,…
Tax filing season officially kicks off in mid-February, but how many times have you found yourself scrambling to gather your documents at the last minute? Being well-prepared for income tax filing can be the difference between receiving a substantial tax return or facing a surprise bill from the government. Here’s how you can get organized…
Did you know you can use nickels, dimes, quarters, loonies, and toonies to pay for significant expenses? I did exactly that by using change saved in a piggy bank to cover over $800 of my dental treatment for braces. It took less than 18 months to save this amount, and it didn’t feel like a…
In your budget, a ‘savings’ category is essential for emergencies or general savings. But what if you want to purchase something pricey, like a vacation or new furniture? Instead of dipping into savings, create a new category dedicated to the specific item…