Economic Insights from Dr. Sherry Cooper

The impact on the economy of higher interest rates has a long lag. The full effects of the tightening will not be evident for a few more years. Given that most Canadian mortgage borrowers renew their mortgages every five years, the largest impact is yet to come. Nevertheless, higher interest rates have slowed the most interest-sensitive sectors.
Teaching Kids About Money

Not only does financial literacy help your children have more success in life, but it allows them to move out sooner and it avoids delaying your retirement with additional expenses to support them.
Beware of Condition-Free Real Estate Offers

When it comes to purchasing a home, most offers include “conditions” (or “subjects” if you are in the provinces of British Columbia or Manitoba), which are requirements or criteria to be met before the sale can be finalized and the property is transferred. Some of the most common conditions include: The purpose of these conditions […]
Planning to buy your first home in Canada?

The Canadian government has recently launched an incentive to assist with the down payment of your first home.
A tax-free registered account to help first-home buyers

From April 1, 2023, as a first-home buyer in Canada you are eligible to register for a tax-free First Home Savings Account (FHSA).
Bank of Canada increases policy interest rate by 50 basis points, continues quantitative tightening

The Bank of Canada today increased its target for the overnight rate to 4¼%, with the Bank Rate at 4½% and the deposit rate at 4¼%. The Bank is also continuing its policy of quantitative tightening.
Should You Refinance Your Mortgage?

There are a multitude of reasons why a homeowner may be considering refinancing their mortgage. However, before any final decisions are made it is always a good idea to consider carefully whether refinancing is a good idea for you.
Bank of Canada increases policy interest rate by 25 basis points, continues quantitative tightening

The Bank of Canada today increased its target for the overnight rate to 4½%, with the Bank Rate at 4¾% and the deposit rate at 4½%. The Bank is also continuing its policy of quantitative tightening. Global inflation remains high and broad-based. Inflation is coming down in many countries, largely reflecting lower energy prices as […]
Strategies to Dig Yourself Out of the Debt Hole

Debt. It’s something almost everyone will have at some point in their life. But what happens when your debt begins to get the better of you? What options are available? Some simple strategies can help you get your debt out of a seemingly unmanageable situation; it’s just a matter of choosing the right one for you.
Why You Need an Emergency Fund And How to Get One

Building an emergency fund is something most people know they should do but few actually get around to doing. A recent study found that nearly two-thirds of Americans did not have an emergency fund, and more than half would have trouble coming up with $1,000 on short notice. That lack of savings puts them at risk and makes achieving long-term financial goals much more difficult.