Budgeting

15 articles
A man and woman hugging and smiling outside surrounded by trees

Mastering the "money talk" as a couple

As dating evolves into a partnership, it’s crucial to tackle meaningful—and sometimes difficult—conversations. One of the most important—yet often avoided—conversations is the “money talk.”
Person holding a yellow umbrella while walking down the street on a rainy day.

Saving for a rainy day: How to start an emergency fund

We've all been told to save for a "rainy day", but many Canadians won’t have money left over at the end of today. In 2024, 66% of Canadians had to cut back on saving to cover the high cost of living. So, if that’s the reality, why should Canadian's set money aside for a rainy day when they’re still in the middle of the storm?
Man with a beard and wearing a yellow shirt holds a megaphone and raises one arm in the air.

Do I get paid while on strike? And other financial concerns

From negotiations to the picket line, a strike makes your day-to-day schedule—and your finances—unpredictable. Whether you’re part of a public service, private, or trade union, we’ve addressed four common financial concerns you might have while on strike.
Medical student reviewing his student line of credit

What is a student line of credit?

Student loans don't always cover the entire cost of advanced degrees like law school, medical school, or veterinary college. While student lines of credit may provide students with the financial support required to complete thes professional degrees, this type of debt has unique risks compared to government student loans.
Wooden house representing more Canadians homeowners facing mortgage delinquency

Six ways to make your mortgage payment more affordable

Are you worried about an upcoming mortgage renewal? You’re not alone. Interest rates in Canada are significantly higher than 2020 and expected to remain so, meaning homeowners with mortgage renewals could see their monthly payments increase by $400+. If you’re struggling to afford your mortgage payments, you should look into the following six options:
Two houses with yellow doors and mortgages up for renewal

My mortgage is coming up for renewal–what should I do?

The Bank of Canada predicts that Canadians with existing mortgages could see a 20-40% increase in their monthly payments when it comes time to renew. See our five tips to help manage your mortgage when it's up for renewal.
Senior couple living on a fixed income sitting on a bench overlooking mountains

I tried living on a senior's budget for a month. Here’s what I learned

One of our trustee’s put herself in the shoes of Canadian seniors to understand the financial challenges they face living on a fixed income. Here’s how it went.
Two small paper bags filled with groceries representing the rising cost of living in Canada

Price shock: How Canadians are coping with the rising cost of living

Rising costs are taking a toll on nearly all Canadians. However, the impact is felt more acutely by low-income households and those carrying debt. See our insights on how Canadians are coping. 
Newly unemployed man sitting on sofa stressed about his financial situation

A guide to managing your finances for the newly unemployed

If you've recently experienced unemployment and are wondering what’s next for you financially, we’ve created a guide to managing your finances as newly unemployed.
Couple walking outdoors and pushing a stroller after preparing for parental leave with a baby budget

Budgeting for baby: How to financially prepare for parental leave

We’ve created three simple steps to help you feel prepared and flexible as you plan for your child’s arrival and create your baby budget.
Smiling woman sitting outdoors holding a dog wearing a yellow hat

The real cost of pet parenthood: How to avoid the financial doghouse

Consider these four pet-related expenses ahead of time so you can focus on bringing home your new pet and not new debt.
Woman on a budget friendly vacation seated on the hood of a car looking at a map

How to plan a vacation on a budget

Going on vacation is fun, arriving home with a large credit card bill isn’t. To help you avoid overspending and going into debt, check out our complete guide to budgeting for your next vacation.
Father and two kids lying down and smiling after family financial meeting

Family finance 101: A simple way to talk to your kids about money 

The benefits of holding a family finance meeting—finding new budgeting strategies, ways to cut unnecessary expenses, reducing financial stress—are countless and the results might surprise you.
Retired man and woman sitting outside with two pet dogs

Retiring with debt: How to pay off debt as a senior 

Just because you’re carrying debt into retirement doesn’t mean it’s too late to regain control and find financial freedom.
Person holding calculator while creating a basic budget

How to make a basic budget—and stick to it

When it comes to making a budget, many people don’t know where to begin. We’ve outlined three simple steps to create a basic budget that will help get your finances in order.

Take the first step to debt freedom

Speak to one of our debt solutions professionals during a free, no-obligation consultation.

Loading