There is one extremely simple strategy you can use to get you up and running early in the new year, while giving your financial confidence and momentum a huge boost. The strategy is to commit to saving for something new, even if the saving goal is simple. For example, you can commit to a new…
Having no hangover to start a new year is always a good thing, but then again I hardly drink, so that has never been an issue for me. As the new year begins and we reflect on the swift passage of 2023, it’s time to set our sights on 2024 and make the most of…
We covered a lot in 2023 – from budgeting and paying down debt to forming good financial habits, addressing inflation, discovering new ways to save, and much more. With so much valuable information throughout the year, it might be a lot to digest. If you missed our posts or prefer a quick crash course, we’ve…
Have you experienced the exhilarating emotion of saving money, discovering that it’s not just joyous but can become borderline addictive? The journey begins with the initial thrill of saving, and as your consistency grows, witnessing your savings increase becomes an addictive delight, pushing you to strive for even greater financial milestones. Interestingly, as your savings…
Whoosh! That sure went by so fast! With just over two weeks to go in this year, it is time to do a self-review to see how you did this year, how your managed your money and whether you came ahead or not? How do you do this? One easy way to start is to…
Was my app glitching when the price shown on the screen was just over $12? It wasn’t unfortunately, as a McDonald’s 10 chicken nuggets meal does indeed cost that much, effectively what two burger meals would have cost a few years ago. Or how about my shock when a chicken sandwich combo for my son…
Salary increases are indeed a blessing that I never take for granted, especially in today’s uncertain economic times where job security is a luxury. Receiving a salary increase feels like a bonus, and even though there’s no assurance of it, I’ve already planned how to utilize any potential increase. Firstly, I won’t be frivolously spending…
We’ve all encountered the idea of sleeping on a decision before making a purchase or committing to a significant financial investment. Many of us have found ourselves caught in the ‘buyer’s remorse’ conundrum, regretting a decision shortly after making a purchase. But how about going out of your way to find a reason not to…
Transforming my life, one step at a time – my decision to create a home gym has been a financial and time-saving revelation. Beyond the obvious benefits of cost-cutting and time efficiency, the home gym has become my sanctuary, offering health and fitness on demand. No more excuses, just a few steps away from stress relief or a quick workout. While not perfect, it does the job for my needs, making it a convenient and indispensable addition to my routine
When life throws you a fast curveball, having a strong “why” will help you stay focused and resilient, enabling you to adapt and keep moving forward with determination and purpose.
Your life or someone’s life may just be one advise or lesson away from being completely different. When it comes to financial management and freedom, never shy away from advising others, or accepting advise from someone else, as obvious as the advise may be
How do you talk a baby? You talk nicely and gently but also make sure your language is clear and repeated at times. That is how money works. We need to be careful with our language and approach it so we can establish a pattern and a relationship with money. In the long term, this…
the fascinating link between personal development and wealth building goes beyond mere coincidence; it’s a well-documented connection backed by research and a myriad of studies. At its core, it all begins with the right mindset—a mindset shift that accompanies personal development
navigating financial differences is a common challenge in relationships, and addressing them is vital for long-term success. Regular communication, compromise, and a unified financial plan are key elements in ensuring a harmonious financial partnership. Couples must proactively discuss and resolve any issues, as financial conflicts can pose a significant threat to the fabric of a relationship
In our household, we proudly own two cars. The first, a 2008 model, has clocked in at a whopping 250,000+ KMs. The second, a 2012 model, boasts an impressive total mileage of over 327,000 KMs. Now, if you’re struggling to wrap your head around just how substantial those mileage numbers are, let’s dive into the…
Deciding whether to reinvest your dividend returns or spend them entirely depends on various factors such as your age, lifestyle, and financial goals. On one hand, reinvesting dividends can be a prudent choice, especially for those looking to build wealth steadily over time. On the other hand, spending all dividend returns may be suitable for individuals who have already attained financial independence or have specific yearly return objectives in mind
We often associate frugality with individuals on mid to lower incomes, specifically those on tight budgets or who have lost their jobs, and so on. But what if I told you that even the super rich – those in the top 0.1% of income and wealth – practice it and are not ashamed about it?…
The current financial landscape offers a unique blend of opportunities and challenges. While soaring interest rates may pose concerns for mortgage holders, they also bring a silver lining in the form of historically high savings account rates.
Relying on traditional methods to find a job may not always be reliable, and that is where nontraditional methods may come in handy, such as looking for relevant hashtags, cold outreach, looking for desperate companies and more.
In this challenging financial landscape, it’s clear that Canadians are feeling the heat of unprecedented interest rate hikes. of the last 18 months. From adjusting budgets to exploring alternative mortgage solutions, there are ways to weather this storm. By making informed decisions, seeking professional advice, and taking advantage of high-interest savings options, individuals and families can navigate these turbulent times with resilience and hope for a brighter financial future
In the realm of personal finance, being proactive holds the key to mastering your credit card journey. By anticipating and allocating for unexpected charges, you’re not just safeguarding your budget but also taking charge of your financial destiny
Guiding children to comprehend the value of money is a vital parental responsibility. Despite the challenges that arise, the journey is a significant investment in their future financial well-being. Starting early, using practical examples, teaching the significance of priorities, involving them in household tasks for earnings, and introducing the concept of a piggy bank all contribute to their financial education.
Embracing a lifestyle of cost-effective home practices and strategic outsourcing can yield significant financial and time savings. From establishing a home gym for convenient and affordable fitness routines to brewing your own coffee, these small changes accumulate into substantial annual savings.
Amidst the constant talk from the media about an impending recession, it is crucial to maintain a reality check and foster hope. More fear can potentially accelerate the occurrence of a recession. It’s essential to strike a balance between hope and financial vigilance.
When it comes to making substantial investments in big ticket items, a thoughtful and informed approach can make all the difference. Balancing cost considerations with the long-term value, warranties, and reviews can help you find the perfect fit for your needs and budget.
So you have laid out your financial plan, whether it involves chipping away at debt, save a large sum of money for a down payment, or pursuing another substantial financial milestone. Unfortunately, given the enormity of your plan, some big sacrifices are needed. Truth be told, this isn’t a walk in the park. You are…
Decluttering your home and selling unwanted stuff can be a win-win situation. Not only will you make some extra cash, but you will also create valuable space and eliminate the accumulation of unused junk
Being trapped in a “debt cycle” or “interest treadmill” occurs when payments towards credit card debt mainly cover the interest, preventing progress in reducing the principal balance. To overcome this situation, strategies such as increasing payments, prioritizing high-interest debt, considering balance transfers or debt consolidation, adjusting spending habits, seeking professional help, and increasing income can be effective in breaking free from the cycle and regaining control of your financial situation.
Budgeting is the process of creating and managing a plan for your income and expenses. It involves tracking your financial inflows and outflows to ensure that you are allocating your money effectively and in line with your financial goals. Budgeting helps you prioritise your spending, control your expenses, and make informed decisions about how to allocate your resources.
We all have goals, whether small ones like making it to the weekend without quitting our job, or big ones like graduating college. But what sets true goal setters from those who end up quitting and not achieving their goals? Simply putting it on paper! And yes this is backed by science , so why…
Credit card rewards are often associated with travel benefits, but it’s important to recognize that they can also be used strategically to improve your financial situation. Depending on the reward system, cashback can be utilized to save money, pay off debts, or purchase registered products.
Often times, we make mistakes in life but fail to learn from them or take any lessons. While making mistakes is not the end of the world, the bigger mistake is when we don’t take any lessons or learn from these mistakes. For example, financially speaking, if you took a credit card in your younger…
You’re cruising along with your trusty car, and everything seems fine. But let’s face it: in 5 years, you’ll eventually need to replace it. It may seem daunting to start saving for such a big purchase so far in advance, but here’s where you’re mistaken. Now is actually the best time to kickstart your savings…
Inflation has become a reality in every facet of life in the last 12 months or more, but it is nowhere as evident than at the grocery store. It is almost depressing to know that for the same budget, you are getting much less than what you used to do back in 2021 or beyond….
The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the way we live our lives, forcing us to stay at home and rely on technology more than ever before. While platforms like UberEats, Amazon, and TikTok were already popular, they have become ubiquitous during the lockdowns, to the point where they are now virtually synonymous with the pandemic…
The power of habit is a powerful tool when it comes to building wealth and be financially independent. By developing good financial habits, such as saving, tracking our spending, and investing, we can set ourselves up for financial success.
Imagine how banking used to be done just 10 years ago, never mind 20 or 30 years ago: If you wanted to send money to someone or pay a bill, you would usually have to go to a bank, thus wasting time and even gas driving there to do your banking. Yes online banking has…
When new money comes to you or is freed up from your budget, you are free to spend it as you like, since it is your money after all. But there are better uses for it than to just spend it. Think of this as money you never had, hence it doesn’t make sense to just blow it on useless purchases
Reading books is great but how much do you remember from them after you are done and what can you do to get more of out them, days, months and even years after you finish them? Read these tips to find out!
Getting an income tax refund is great, but deciding what to do with that refund is even more important. What to do with it and how to save it, depends on personal cirmrutances, but some combination of saving for RRSP, paying down debt, general savings, would be preferable.
It is safe to say, no billionaire – and most millionaires – would have reached their level of financial success, without some form of investment. Investment doesn’t have to be about stocks or mutual funds, and may include buying land, investing in a business, real estate etc.
Albert Einstein once said “Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it; he who doesn’t, pays it” . If something has the backing of arguably one of the smartest people in history, you can surely trust it! Compounding is the process whereby interest is addedto an existing principal…
We have all heard of popular sayings and expressions like “Win Win”, “Two birds with one Stone” and other similar ones. The idea here being that we should be more efficient in life, careers, finances, by doing more with less. In other words, use one hand to do two different things and 2 hands to…
As it should be clear by now, our personal budget is a way of controlling our unlimited wants to match our limited incomes. We only have so much money to spend, save and enjoy. But what if your budget just can’t accommodate your excessive spending? So much so that your paycheck doesn’t cover your spending,…
What do the following 3 have in common? -eating your fruits and vegetables, and avoiding junk food-reading books and enriching your mind with positive thoughts-socializing and connecting with educated and knowledgeable friends If done holistically and on a consistent basis, these three will ensure the future version of you is a super one. One that…
Having spare change handy is not just about convenience, it can also help with saving money and limiting the potential of over-spending. Learn how this simple psychological trip can go a long wy
Financial efficiency is key to achieving financial freedom and climbing the wealth ladder, but it seems to be lost on many on what it means.
Finding good deals on vacation packages, flights and cruises can be time-consuming and stressful, but by following some easy tips, it’s possible to have the perfect vacation at the most affordable price possible.
In 2022, I implemented a resolution to cut down on junk food spending and save that money instead. I succeeded in sticking to my goal of only buying fast food once a week, resulting in 24.5 lbs weight loss and $625 savings. Better yet, I continued this success in 2023. This resolution proves that one effective decision can have a positive impact on multiple areas of life.
There are many powerful concepts in the personal finance literature to get you to financial freedom, but none are as important as that of paying yourself first (PYF)
Cryptocurrency and Bitcoin have become increasingly popular investment options for investors in the last few years. While some see them as a high-risk gamble, others may see them differently, as a potential opportunity for significant returns. So, should you consider cryptocurrency and Bitcoin when investing or as a way of diversifying your investment? First and…
Setting new year resolutions can be fun and complicated for some at the same time. Make it simple by setting one main goal and stick to it no matter what.