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It’s hard to believe it now, but your child will eventually become an independent grown-up with their own career, hobbies, and bills. Why not give them a running start into financial adulthood? Planning for your child’s financial future might feel overwhelming, but even small steps today can make a big difference tomorrow. Whether you’re dreaming of funding their education, helping with a wedding, or giving them a leg up in the housing market, now is the time to get started. Any amount you set aside for major milestones will make their life easier later on, but they’ll really thank you down the road if you take a little time now to figure out the specifics of what, where and how to save for them. Below are four smart strategies Canadian parents can use to build long-term financial security for their children — without sacrificing their own retirement goals.

By Bridget Casey | 06.20.25

According to Statistics Canada, the current inflation rate is 1.7% and BMO as well as other bank analysts are predicting the nation’s inflation rate will continue to hover around the 2% target rate throughout 2025. While these rates are lower than some we’ve seen in recent years, it’s certainly not negligible, especially if you’re still trying to catch up from the impact higher inflation rates had on your monthly budget — rising costs that started to climb in 2020 and continued until late 2024. What can you do? A good strategy for fighting back is to take advantage of some simple ways to stretch your money, and make more of it. Here are seven ideas for putting some padding in your budget, so you can show inflation who's boss.

By Ethan Rotberg | 06.20.25

Imagine a city where walking your dog doesn’t feel like an obstacle course. Where parks welcome pets, sidewalks have shade and grabbing a coffee doesn’t mean leaving your furry friend tied up outside. That’s the kind of city Mars Inc. — the chocolate and pet food giant — hopes to help build through its expanded Better Cities for Pets program. Launched globally this week with the help of C40 Cities (a major network of mayors committed to climate action), the program is looking to make cities more pet-friendly — and greener — by 2030. At the crux of the idea is to create healthier, more welcoming places for pets and people.

By Romana King | 06.20.25

It’s natural to worry about your car – it’s an expensive, personal and depreciating asset. In some areas of Canada, that concern may be doubly justified. New data from the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) confirms Ontario remains in the midst of an auto theft crisis, with the number of insurance claims up 165% since 2017 and the costs to service those claims up a staggering 538%. As well, according to a new Pollara Strategic Insights poll commissioned by IBC, 63% of GTA residents live in fear of their vehicle being stolen and more than half (56%) reporting that the crisis is affecting their community. "We still have a long way to go to effectively curb auto theft in the province," Amanda Dean, IBC vice-president, Atlantic and Ontario, said in a statement. "The Ontario and federal government's efforts to tackle auto theft are both commendable and were reflected in the decline in claims costs in 2024. But the crisis persists and requires continued leadership and focus."

By Nicholas Sokic | 06.20.25

In a move hailed as a win for consumer choice and market fairness, Loblaw Companies Ltd. (TSX:L) has announced it will eliminate restrictive property controls that have limited grocery competition in Canada. The Competition Bureau welcomed the decision, calling it a “key milestone” that could help drive down food prices by allowing more retailers to enter local markets.

By Romana King | 06.20.25

Real estate mogul and YouTube personality, Ben Mallah, epitomizes a classic rags-to-riches story. Raised in the projects of Queens, New York, he defied the odds to build a US$500 million real estate empire. Mallah’s journey began with a sharp eye for overlooked opportunities, starting in “the tough neighborhoods of Oakland,, California, ” where he invested in properties “nobody else wanted.” Today, Mallah’s empire has evolved far beyond those humble beginnings. During an appearance on The Iced Coffee Hour podcast with Graham Stephan and Jack Selby, Mallah described the backbone of his current portfolio: “Today, we’re sitting on a very large portfolio of what I like to call ‘necessity real estate,’ or ‘essential real estate.’” He elaborated further, explaining, “I like retail, but I like retail that the internet can't hurt, Amazon can't hurt. I like food. I like necessity services like hair, nails, food, good, strong restaurants, dentists, medical… things that people can't go online and accomplish.” As e-commerce continues to disrupt traditional retail, Mallah’s focus on essential, in-person services offers a blueprint for resilience. By investing in businesses tied to basic needs, he’s built a portfolio that stands strong against the forces reshaping the consumer landscape. And the best part? You don’t need $500 million to start adopting Mallah’s proven strategy.

By Jing Pan | 06.20.25

The 39th annual Forbes billionaire list is out, and it’s a jaw-dropper. The number of billionaires has surged to 3,028, a record. Together, these individuals hold a staggering US$16.1 trillion in wealth, up US$2 trillion from last year. More than 100 Forbes reporters dove deep into financial data to assemble this list, including stocks, investments and cash flows, along with more eccentric billionaire purchases such as yachts, art collections and even dinosaur bones. The U.S. holds first place with 902 billionaires, followed by China and Hong Kong (516), and India (205). The wealthiest are led by Elon Musk, with US$342 billion, followed by Mark Zuckerberg at US$216 billion, and Jeff Bezos at US$215 billion. Rounding out the top 10 are heavyweights including Warren Buffett, Larry Ellison and LVMH's Bernard Arnault. In short, the billionaire game is booming. Want in on the action? You may want to take notes from the world’s richest.

By Jessica Wong | 06.20.25

A credit card grace period is the amount of time between when the credit card company tallies your purchases each month and the date your payment is due. If used responsibly, your credit cards are a valuable tool to build credit and earn rewards. But most cards have a lesser-known benefit that is a big help for large purchases. The trick is taking control of your billing cycle. Most cards have what’s called a grace period. It’s not like the extra days some mortgage lenders offer to get your monthly payment in. It’s simply the amount of time your card issuer gives you to pay your balance after the company tallies your purchases each month. If you understand this cycle, then you’ll have an advantage when you’re shopping for big-ticket items (a widescreen TV, new car tires) or making a large payment with your card (your child’s tuition, a car down payment). And if you don’t master your card’s grace period, your new but super-necessary refrigerator can easily cost you punishing interest charges.

By Cory Santos | 06.19.25

What’s the story, morning glory? It turns out, a highly anticipated auction is set to take place at Sotheby's London this month, featuring a remarkable portrait of Oasis frontmen Liam and Noel Gallagher. The painting, created by Elizabeth Peyton in 1996, carries an estimated value between £1.5m and £2m (that’s C$2.7m to C$3.6m).

By Amy Tokic | 06.19.25

A Canada Post strike is most definitely a labour and distribution issue, but for smart investors this strike is also a chance to spot early trends, test company resilience and even uncover hidden opportunities in the investing market. Whether you're new to investing or already building a portfolio, here’s what to watch — and how to position yourself during a postal disruption.

By Romana King | 06.19.25

The 4% rule in retirement has been a widely accepted retirement standard for over 30 years. The rule states that you should draw 4% of your assets from your investments each year in retirement. This should, in theory, allow you to maintain a comfortable standard of living while continuing to let your investments appreciate in value. However, it seems this longstanding rule could be poised to fall. A recently retired caller to The Ramsey Show asked host and finance personality, Dave Ramsey, if it would be safe to go up to a 5% withdrawal rate in order to pay for trips he and his wife wanted to take in early retirement. Ramsey has said he believes that retirees can earn up to a 12% annual return from mutual funds, and will therefore be safe to withdraw more than the standard 4% per year without jeopardizing their nest egg. He calls the standard rule “absolutely wrong” and “ridiculous.” But another finance celeb has a very different opinion. Suze Orman has called the classic 4% rule “very dangerous.” Orman, a fellow best-selling author and expert, has once called for a tweak to the 4% rule — saying that retirees should only withdraw a maximum of 3% yearly if they are retiring in their 60s. Who’s right? Here’s what to consider.

By Rebecca Holland | 06.19.25

The financial strain on Canadians has reached unprecedented levels recently, with metropolitan centres such as Toronto and Vancouver experiencing dramatic increases in living costs. These elevated expenses continue to burden residents across the country. Toronto's Greater Area (GTA) residents are particularly impacted, with new research from Oxford Economics revealing that they dedicate a larger portion of their income to housing costs, more than almost any other major city globally. This sobering statistic highlights the severity of the region's affordability crisis. As a direct consequence of these financial pressures, Ontario has witnessed a concerning rise in mortgage delinquencies and missed bill payments, signaling growing economic distress among its residents.

By Amy Tokic | 06.18.25

With digital banking a ubiquitous norm for almost all Canadians, we can access our finances at the click of a button. Unfortunately, so can thieves and bad actors — if they have the right information. On May 15, Diane and Michael Betts found their Manulife line of credit missing $30,000 and a $500 charge on their Mastercard, both of which they were not aware of. Upon finding the money missing, Diane immediately called Manulife, who informed her that their account was accessed the day before by someone claiming to be her with all the relevant information on hand. They were stupefied. “We were in absolute shock,” Diane told CTV News, adding, “We’ve never been in debt — and suddenly we owe $30,000. It wasn’t our mistake.” They had no idea how the money had left their account, until they received a letter from Nova Scotia Power — their utility company — that gave them new information.

By Brett Surbey | 06.17.25

Summertime is upon us, and with that comes the season of spending on new bathing suits, cottage getaways and drinks on the patio — at least for some. A recent poll by CIBC found that 67% of Canadians are focused on saving money rather than spending this summer, allocating most of their cash to everyday expenses like gas and groceries. Additionally, 46% said they are actively trying to reduce their daily spending.

By Em Norton | 06.17.25

The days of digging through your wallet for cash or cards are quickly disappearing. In a world dominated by smartphones and digital convenience, mobile payment apps are now at the forefront of how Canadians spend. In 2023, over 36% of Canadians used a mobile payment method at least once a week — nearly double the rate from five years ago — and more than 1 in 10 (13%) of Canadians no longer use cash. With tap-to-pay terminals now nearly universal and digital wallets integrated into almost every new phone, it’s clear that mobile payments are no longer just a trend — they’re the norm.

By Sandra MacGregor | 06.16.25

It can be hard to prioritize the hobbies and activities you love amidst the rising cost of living. But, doing these things is also an important part of maintaining your wellbeing. That being said, people are finding their way around paying for activities, especially in fitness facilities like pilates and yoga studios. TikTok user @genevivelaurenn posted a video explaining how “Toronto girls afford pilates in this economy” sharing that some studios have programs where you can exchange your energy for free classes. Essentially, you “work” for the studio — tasks like checking in clients and cleaning— for a few hours every week, and your pay comes in the form of free classes at said studio. “I was like, I’m about to spend $300 a month on pilates and that is a lot of money to be going toward pilates” @genevivelaurenn said, explaining why she takes part in an energy exchange. Sounds like a pretty good way to do one of your favourite activities, right? Well it could be, but it might not work for everyone.

By Em Norton | 06.16.25

Darlene Wesley was by all means a good tenant. The senior from Hamilton, Ontario had never missed a rent payment to her landlord for over two decades. But, despite her virtues, she lost her residence due to an illegal renovation. In February of 2023, Wesley and three other tenants were evicted out of their residences so owner Kevin Moniz could complete renovations — a legal process known as renoviction. Wesley notified Moniz in writing she would be returning to her residence as per Ontario’s Residential Tenancy Act (ORTA), but found out that the residencies previously occupied by her and the three other tenants were being rented out to other people. Prior to the renovations, Wesley and the other affected tenants were paying $700 a month in rent, while the new tenants are paying $1,500 each month, one of them told the courts. Because Moniz clearly violated the ORTA, Ontario’s Rental Housing Enforcement Unit — created to uphold the rights of tenants — charged the landlord with four counts of “knowingly failing to give the tenants the right of first refusal for their units,” CBC News reported. Justice of the Peace, Linda Crawford, found Moniz guilty on all four counts and fined him $100,000 to be paid in two weeks’ time. "In my view, there was quite a bit of foresight to renovate apartments and he made a decision to essentially flip them and rent them out for more than double what he had been getting before," Crawford stated.

By Brett Surbey | 06.16.25

Vince Vaughn made a name for himself in Hollywood by starring in some of the biggest comedies of the 2000s. But instead of squandering his success, Vaughn took a different path: protecting his earnings through smart investments. “I was fortunate to make money at my profession, and I didn't want to lose it,” he explained in an interview with business coach JT Foxx. Unlike many of his colleagues, Vaughn took an active interest in managing his finances, noting, “There were so many actors I knew who were intimidated and didn't deal with it.” Vaughn took the initiative, making his first major investment in gold. “So I thought, I want tangible assets. First, I bought some gold, but there's no passive income off of it,” he recalled. Gold is indeed a tangible asset and a well-known hedge against inflation. The reason is simple: unlike fiat currencies, the precious metals, can’t be printed in unlimited quantities by central banks. However, as Vaughn discovered, gold doesn’t generate income on its own. To create that steady income stream he was after, Vaughn turned to real estate. “So I just started to buy some small buildings that I could rent out,” he said. “And I knew that the buildings would go up in price [and] I'd have some money coming in passively from it.”

By Jing Pan | 06.15.25

The Canadian Competition Bureau has launched legal action against DoorDash for what it calls "deceptive marketing practices" — specifically for luring customers with low prices that don’t reflect the real cost at checkout. The central issue? Something known as drip pricing, a tactic the Bureau says misleads customers and undermines fair competition.

By Romana King | 06.15.25

Many Canadians pride themselves on the natural beauty of the country, and a lot of work goes into maintaining that, whether that means being more conscientious of the environment or literally managing the amount of people in any site of natural wonder. It makes sense then that that attitude extends to tourism. A new survey from Flight Centre revealed 71% of Canadians are concerned about the impacts of overtourism. “Canadians are curious by nature, but they’re also conscientious,” Nate Mosher, travel expert at Flight Centre Canada, said in a statement. “They want to see the world without overwhelming it, and that often means taking the road less travelled.”

By Nicholas Sokic | 06.15.25