Great tools, websites, and web pages to help with all aspects of improving your finances.
Helpful Resources
Below you'll find great resources to help you or someone you know find the financial help or information that may be needed.
Credit Counselling Society
If you're struggling with your debt or need help to get your finances back on track, the Credit Counselling Society offers free one-on-one counselling and coaching. They can also help you create a realistic budget, create a plan to get out of debt, and explore debt relief options if that's something you'd like to look into. They offer appointments in person at offices across the country or over the phone, whichever option is most convenient for you. Visit their website, call them, or chat with them online to learn more.
MyMoneyCoach
If you want to learn how to save money and make smart financial choices, MyMoneyCoach.ca is the place for you. It's an educational, self-help, non-profit website. Whether you're looking to improve your credit, figure out how to actually save some money, create a budget or learn the smartest ways to handle your money, they offer it all. Expert Canadian advice for free. Check it out.
Savings
Here are some savings calculators to help you make a plan to reach a savings goal, and if you're struggling to manage to find money to save, we've also included a great resource with tons of ideas to help you find money to save on a regular basis.
How to save money if you're struggling
Budgeting
The first tool below will help you create a budget, guide you through the process, and then help you optimize your budget. The other tools can help in different ways, but generally speaking, they can help you avoid common spending pitfalls and maximize your money.
Credit
The links below can help you get a free copy of your credit report, figure out your credit score, find a credit card that meets your needs, and contact either one of Canada's two credit reporting agencies if you have a need to.
How to get your credit report and check your credit score
Equifax - Credit Reporting Agency
Trans Union - Credit Reporting Agency
Debt
These calculators will help you figure out how much debt you owe, how much your debt is costing you, and how to pay it off as quickly as possible. If you're struggling with the decision to either lease or buy a vehicle, we've included a calculator for that, and for anyone who has any questions about insolvency, we've included a link to the federal government office that oversees that.
Vehicle lease or buy calculator
Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada
Kids and Money
Here's a great resource to help teach your kids about money and how to use it wisely.
Make It Count - A parent's resource to help young people with money management
Home Ownership
Find out how big of a mortgage you can afford and how to pay off your mortgage more quickly.
Retirement
Discover how much money you can expect to receive once you retire and what you can do to better prepare for retirement.
Understanding reverse mortgages
Retiring Soon? - Canada Life and Health Insurance Association Inc.
Insurance
Insurance is meant to protect you, your family and your stuff. Here are some resources to help you.
Estate Planning
Estate planning includes Power of Attorney, Living Wills/Healthcare Directives, Wills, Funeral plans, and Executorship.
Taxes
Below you'll find Canadian income tax rates by income level and province. You'll also find links to access your CRA account and some possible help if you have a problem with the CRA.
Canadian income tax rates for individuals - Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Office of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsman
Fraud
Here we've listed a host of resources for you to educate yourself about scams and fraud to hopefully protect yourself from these threats both online and in the real world.
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre - Government of Canada
Identity Theft Action Plan - Peel Region Police
Equifax - Credit Reporting Agency
Trans Union - Credit Reporting Agency
Identity Theft Hotline - International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network
Get Cyber Safe - Government of Canada
The Anti-Spam Quiz - Government of Canada