How and Why to Calculate Your Savings Rate

In late October I had the opportunity speak about how early retirement is more achievable than you might think, provided you take appropriate actions and make wise financial choices. Specifically, on slide 28, I provided a simple example of how healthy spending and savings patterns can open up many life choices. You could stop work […]

How to Choose a Cell Phone Plan

My wife and I have been hanging on to our $6/mo* cellphone plans for many, many years. Until this week. We recently received notice that our cell phone provider was forcing us into a $10/mo plan, but one that didn’t align with our usage at all. *Ok, I lied. It’s actually only $5.75/mo, but plus […]

Should I Buy or Rent a Water Heater?

A recent CBC article and a reader request have got me thinking about water heaters. Water heaters are just the kind of thing that you never seem to think about unless there’s a problem. And then it can range from an annoying First World Problem (no hot water) to a serious issue (lots of water […]

Why and How to Check Your Credit Report for Free

It can be pretty scary how much information “they” know about you, but that you don’t know that they know; so why not level the playing field? I’m talking about checking your credit report. Or more specifically, your credit reports, plural. Did you know that there are two “credit bureaus” in Canada that track your […]