A recent CGA-Canada survey revealed that more than half of the respondents had no idea how much interest they were paying on their credit card balances, with many mistakenly believing it to be around 3-4%, similar to the prime rate. This is a startling revelation. While not everyone may know the exact percentage, it’s concerning…
As gas prices continue to rise, the more we find ourselves searching for ways to save money at the pump. Unless you have an endless supply of cash or a car that runs on futuristic solar energy, saving on gas is a necessity. There are countless websites offering tips on how to save gas and…
Oil is in an ever-declining supply, and as a result, gas prices will only go up. So why do we wait for hurricanes, Middle East unrest, or other unforeseen events to realize that gas is too expensive and we just can’t afford it anymore? It’s time to face the reality: the general future trend for…
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,…