News Archive
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| Auto loans |
| Should you buy or lease your next car? -- Buying a new car with cash is always the best choice. But if you don't have the money on hand (and who does, really?), here are both sides to the loan vs. lease debate that you should consider. Story |
| Switching auto insurance can be a smooth ride -- While it may be easy to keep renewing your auto insurance policy, it may not be the best thing for your wallet. Knowing what to look for can make switching insurance policies a better experience than you might expect. Story |
| 10 rules of thumb for dealing with the dealer -- Before you go car shopping, be sure to read through these 10 tips for dealing with the dealer. Better yet, print it out and bring it with you to ensure you get the best deal you can. Story |
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| Credit cards |
| The best credit card reward programs -- Every credit card seems to offer some kind of rewards program these days, but how can you tell which ones are worth it? We've scoured the market for the best deals. Story |
| Dangers of debt consolidation -- Are you tempted to take out one big loan to pay off your various debts? Look closely before jumping into debt consolidation. It could cause as many, or more, problems than it cures. Story |
| Disputing purchases on your credit card -- When a suspicious charge shows up on your credit card statement, you need to act quickly. Here's how to dispute charges on your credit card. Story |
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| Home equity and personal loans |
| Do your homework when shopping for a contractor -- While it may take more time to dig around for dirt on potential contractors, in the long run it's worth it. Better to do your homework now than to get stuck with expensive contractor problems later. Story |
| Uses for home equity loans -- If you own your home and have a need for cash -- whether it's for debt consolidation, to cover education expenses, or to make some desired home improvements -- a home equity loan may be just the thing. Story |
| How Home Equity Loans Work -- Your home can be a good source of low-interest cash, especially when you compare home equity loan rates to credit card and personal loan rates. Story |
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| Mortgages |
| Refinancing your mortgage -- The average Canadian household can save $4,000 by taking advantage of low rates and refinancing its mortgage. Here's how to figure out when the timing is right. Story |
| Timing the purchase of your new home -- When timing the purchase of your new home, you want to ensure there is no gap or overlap in owning one home and buying another. Otherwise, you’ll need to find temporary accommodations or secure bridge financing. Find out how to avoid the mess and time your purchase properly. Story |
| How much house can you afford? -- When looking to buy a home, it seems to make sense that you could afford a monthly mortgage payment equal to whatever you've been paying in rent. Wrong. There's much more to consider when figuring out how much house you can afford. Story |
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| Real estate |
| It's real estate season -- or is it? -- There's a distinct home buying season. Whether you're a buyer or a seller, knowing what the season is can help you plot your strategy. Story |
| Top 5 home-buying mistakes -- Buyer beware! Watch out for these common mistakes that can cost home buyers money and peace of mind. Story |
| How to assess the value of a home -- Putting a price on a home, whether you're buying or selling, can be tough. Here are some tools to help figure out fair market value. Story |
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| Savings |
| How to cash out your RESP -- Accessing the money in your Registered Education Savings Plan is not as easy as withdrawing it from a savings account at a bank. It requires some pre-planning to make it as smooth and tax-free as possible. Here are some pointers. Story |
| How to save for your child's education -- An education is probably the most expensive gift you'll ever give your children, with experts predicting a university degree will cost $96,000 by 2020. The good news is there are some great savings programs out there to help you save enough cash to see your children through college or university. Story |
| Savings products 101 -- Don’t know a bond from a T-bill? Here’s a no-nonsense list of savings terms and definitions. Story |
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