It’s a confusing time to be a homeowner. Rates are up, and everyone has an opinion on what will happen next. It’s easy to get sucked into social media rabbit holes and make decisions motivated by fear. But at times like these, it’s crucial to block out the noise and do what’s right for you.
To that end, here are three common scenarios along with my recommendations on how to save money and hang onto some peace of mind.
Continue reading “How To Navigate Three Common Mortgage Scenarios”
The last few months have been tough to say the least. Variable rates are at their highest levels in 20 years. The prime rate has gone up 4.25% in less than 12 months. Every Bank of Canada announcement feels like it could be another 50 point jump. If you’re a homeowner, it’s seemingly never ending. The news certainly doesn’t help you feel otherwise. But if you take a look at what’s happened in the past, you’ll see that the time we’re in isn’t so unprecedented. We’ve been here before and we’ve gotten out of it – and I believe we’re doing it all over again.
Continue reading “Is This the End of Rate Hikes?”
There are some things in life you can’t avoid, but only two things you can’t avoid paying for: taxes and interest payments. In Part 1 of this series, we looked at owning a rental property as a great way to build your net worth while reducing your taxes. Now, in Part 2, we’ll be turning to interest payments.
Interest payments are a pain to deal with but a necessary evil nonetheless. Here are a few ways to make them a little less painful.
Continue reading “Death, Taxes, and Interest Payments: Part 2”
“Nothing in this world is certain except death and taxes.”
Benjamin Franklin said this in 1789, and it’s just as true now as it was then. There’s just one thing I’d add given that the world has changed quite a bit since the 18th century: interest payments. Maybe not as certain, but just as stressful. If I could revise the quote now, I’d make it:
“Paying interest and taxes will be the death of us.”
Continue reading “Death, Taxes, and Interest Payments: Part 1”
I know it might seem strange to look at what financial literacy means in the second post of a financial series and not the first, but sometimes, with every step forward we need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. This is more true in finance than anywhere. So what better way to do that than to break it down now.
Continue reading “Finance Series – Part Two: Financial Literacy”