Simple, evidence-based personal finance for Canadians

Start with simple, evidence-based personal finance for Canadians. Follow clear guides to budgeting, investing and making better financial decisions.

An ETF document contains more than a recent return and a fee. Learn which documents to open, how to interpret their figures and footnotes, and how to compare similar funds using consistent dates and definitions.

Which savings should you use for a first home? Compare the FHSA, RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan and TFSA, with a practical funding example that accounts for closing costs, a cash reserve and future repayments.

Moving from mutual funds to ETFs involves more than choosing a cheaper fund. Learn how to plan your portfolio, compare costs, check taxes and account rules, arrange transfers and establish your new investing routine.

An unexpected income loss calls for a practical plan. Learn how to identify replacement income, check benefits and insurance, protect essential payments and calculate how long your available cash can cover the gap.

A higher advertised rate does not always leave you with more money. Learn how to compare savings accounts by interest, fees, access and the protection that applies to your deposits.

Comparing rent with a mortgage payment misses much of the picture. Learn how to compare the complete costs, future equity, invested savings and lifestyle tradeoffs of renting or buying in Canada.

Renewing your mortgage? Compare more than the interest rate. Use a practical checklist and two hypothetical offers to review payments, fees, prepayment flexibility and the cost of switching lenders in Canada.

CPP and OAS can provide important retirement income, but they follow different rules. Learn how benefits, start dates, taxes and the OAS recovery tax work.

Estimate how much money you need to retire in Canada using your spending, CPP, OAS, pensions, taxes and a realistic withdrawal range.

Learn how to calculate adjusted cost base in Canada for stocks and ETFs, including commissions, reinvested distributions and return of capital.