What caught my eye this week. While I’ve previously argued that running a large interest-only mortgage can make sense for some, I remain a strong opponent of consumer debt in general. The first piece of advice I give almost everyone who asks about their finances is simple: clear non-mortgage debt first. It still surprises me … Read more

Should you invest in an RRSP or a non-registered account after maxing your TFSA? Question: I’m a teacher with 11 years of service. My TFSA is topped up and I plan to keep contributing each year. I like the TFSA because its growth and withdrawals are tax-free, which gives me flexibility later on. I’m hesitant … Read more

What caught my eye this week. You can make a strong case that pursuing financial independence is sensible while chasing early retirement can feel like a wild goose chase — I’ve written about that before. But ask anyone who’s been sent to rummage through dusty filing cabinets in a locked office basement, hunting for 1970s … Read more

Record National Home Sales in March; Toronto and Vancouver See Monthly Pullback The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) reported a record number of homes were sold nationwide in March, even as the two largest and most expensive markets — Toronto and Vancouver — experienced modest declines from the previous month. CREA’s national snapshot shows a … Read more

Aaron Wudrick is the federal director of the Canadian Taxpayers’ Federation. Are you paying all the tax you are legally required to pay—and if not, is that acceptable? This question lies at the core of the public debate over offshore tax havens, where mostly wealthy individuals arrange their financial affairs to reduce their tax liabilities. … Read more

This article on the equity risk premium is by former hedge fund manager turned author Lars Kroijer, an occasional contributor to Monevator. He is the author of Investing Demystified. We’ve previously calculated the historical equity risk premium as roughly 4.3% for the period 1900–2014. That number is useful, but the practical question for most investors … Read more

Harsh winter weather cooled Canada’s labour market in February as employers prepared for potential fallout from an escalating trade dispute with the United States. Statistics Canada reported on Friday that the Canadian economy added only 1,100 jobs in February, well below expectations and far shy of the 76,000 positions added in January. The modest gain … Read more

Important: What follows is not a recommendation to buy or sell The Edinburgh Investment Trust. I’m a private investor sharing notes. Read my disclaimer. Name: The Edinburgh Investment Trust Ticker: EDIN Business: Investment trust More: Trustnet / Morningstar Official site: Invesco Perpetual One of the UK’s most prominent fund managers, Neil Woodford, announced in October … Read more

Quality of Life Cost of Living Job Opportunities Schools and Education Healthcare and Safety Transportation and Walkability Housing Market and Affordability Community and Amenities Best Places to Live: How to Evaluate Quality of Life and Find the Right Community (urbancow/Getty Images) Choosing the best place to live depends on many practical and personal factors. Whether … Read more

I hated school. So as a 12-year-old I took the rumours about a stern new headmaster seriously: “He’s going to make us wear bright blue blazers, bow ties and caps.” “Girls will be separated from boys except at break and lunchtime.” “At his last school they held extra classes on Saturday mornings.” “He’s into caning, … Read more