Have you heard of the 28/36 rule? This is a guideline used in personal finance to determine how much of your income should go toward housing and debt expenses. Here’s how it works: 28% for Housing Costs No more than 28% of your gross monthly income should be spent on housing costs, typically mortgage payments,…

Mastering Money Management with a Mortgage! Buying a home is a huge milestone, but managing your money with a mortgage can feel challenging. Here are some tips to help you stay on top of your finances: Create a Budget  List out all your monthly income and expenses. Include your mortgage payment, utilities, insurance, groceries, and…

The Benefits of Paying Down Debt Before Buying a Home Becoming a homeowner is a significant milestone for many people. However, navigating the financial responsibilities that come with homeownership can be daunting, especially for those carrying existing debt. While it may be tempting to rush into purchasing a home, paying down debt before taking that…

In Canada, the majority of people who buy property do so by taking out a mortgage, which is typically repaid over a specific period of time through a process called amortization. However, most mortgage contracts only last for a period of one to five years. Once the contract comes to an end, the homeowner is…

Managing debts with high interest can feel like an uphill battle. If you’re only making the minimum payments, it’s very difficult to get ahead. A simple example… If you have a balance on your credit cards, you could typically be paying 19.99% in interest. If you owed $5,000 on a high-interest credit card, the annual…

It’s important to note that although rates may be higher now than before, we are starting to see them decrease. Additionally, property values have stabilized. If your rate is lower and is maturing in the next year or two, you may want to consider blending the interest rate to capitalize on the lower rate you…

Inflation is a natural part of a healthy economy, but if it rises too quickly, it can become problematic. When inflation increases rapidly, everyone tries to raise their prices to keep up, which can cause the value of the currency to plummet. This can lead to a recession and, in some extreme cases, currencies have…

Managing your finances does not need to be complicated! It just needs to be simple, consistent and effective. 1- If you’re finding that everything is expensive and you’re having a hard time prioritizing your spending every month, create a budget and a plan. 2- With current interest rates, paying down your debt needs to be a…

Did you know that the average Canadian has a mortgage debt of over $350,000? On top of that, many have other debts such as auto loans and lines of credit, which can add up to over $30,000 and $35,000 respectively. If you’re struggling to keep up with multiple payments and high-interest rates, debt consolidation might…