Financial Facelift

Renegotiating their mortgage and tax savings are how a young couple can finance a vacation and their basement renovation

The Smart Cookies

No matter what you’re saving for, there are tangible ways to make reaching your financial and life goals easier, says Angela Self

Me and My Money

He won't play market against 'the Kasparovs'

 Sacha Peter

Self-taught investor takes heed of risks and rewards

New to direct investing?

Ways you can invest in mortgages

Gail Bebee is a Personal Finance Author and Speaker.

It can be a way to get a solid return; but don't leap without a careful look. Part nine of a 12-part series by Gail Bebee

Personal Finance Reader

Bonds: A quantum of solace

Wimp investors, this one's for you. Rob Carrick' s round-up of the best of what the online world has to offer on money-related subjects

Savings Rate & GIC Comparison Tool

Bank or Trust Interest Rate Minimum Deposit Features
Ally 1.75% $1 No-Penalty option, no fees, daily compounded interest.
Home Trust Company 1.55% $5,000  
General Bank of Canada 1.50% $5,000  
ResMor Trust 1.46% $1,000  
Community Trust 1.40% $5,000  

Rates are provided by Cannex as of Nov 07, 2009. They reflect the top rates from the institutions selected, however specific features may vary, so see each institution for product details. Features are sponsored. Projected earnings are calculated by Globe Investor to reflect the payments over the whole term of the GIC.

See full listings for all financial institutions
Bank or Trust Interest Rate Minimum Deposit Interest Earned
Ally 1.75% $1 $88.27
Home Trust Company 1.55% $5,000 $77.50
General Bank of Canada 1.50% $5,000 $75.00
ResMor Trust 1.46% $1,000 $73.00
Community Trust 1.40% $5,000 $70.00

Rates are provided by Cannex as of Nov 07, 2009. They reflect the top rates from the institutions selected, however specific features may vary, so see each institution for product details. Features are sponsored. Projected earnings are calculated by Globe Investor to reflect the payments over the whole term of the GIC.

See full listings for all financial institutions

Commentary

Personal Finance

Put Money 101 on the curriculum

The kids aren't all right until they learn a few basics about the financial realities of life

The rankings

The 11th annual online broker survey

Independent Qtrade retains the crown for the fourth consecutive year, showing Bay Street that the little outfit from out west can be the best

Tax Matters

Keep tax savings all in the family

Matt Bonsall and Stephanie Small of Ottawa sit down for dinner with their daughters, Nettie, 7, and Daisy, 10.

Consider income splitting, the home renovation and child fitness tax credits for year-end tax-planning, says Tim Cestnick

Home Cents

Want to get your hands on some gold?

Gold bars

Personal finance blogger Chaya Cooperberg gives us top online destinations for gold bars, coins and wafers

Special Series


Our new Building Blocks series will take a young family through the A to Z's of handling their money.

Personal Finance

Baby's birth prompts estate planning

Michelle and Jeffrey Levine had to update their legal will when three months ago they had baby Robyn. They are seen in their Toronto home on October 23, 2009. JENNIFER ROBERTS FOR THE GLOBE AND MAIL

Having a will becomes even more essential for parents, who need to make sure their children and their inheritance are protected

Building Blocks video

Without a will, what happens to your kids?

Michelle and Jeffrey Levine had to update their legal will when three months ago they had baby Robyn. They are seen in their Toronto home on October 23, 2009. JENNIFER ROBERTS FOR THE GLOBE AND MAIL

BMO's Sara Plant talks about why it is essential for parents to choose a guardian for their children

Household Finances

Personal Finance

They get a bum rap, but life policies can ease tax bite

As you near retirement, some kinds of insurance are no longer needed. Income preservation becomes a big focus, so some people consider buying annuities or long-term care insurance.

You still can't beat death, but you may be able to beat the taxman with life insurance payouts

Estate planning

You won't live forever, so read this

Changes in family arrangements have complicated the estate-planning process, but a family's assets can still keep on giving if they are organized properly

Personal finance

Men who lost jobs in recession help at home

Peter Worden fixes dinner for his family at their home in Chatham, N.J., using a magazine that he discovered offers recipes for a month's worth of varied meals. After being laid off, Mr. Worden began carrying more of the load at home. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

An estimated two million wives are now the sole breadwinners in families across America

Ontario proposes auto insurance cuts to offset rising premiums

Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan. The Canadian Press

Finance Minister Dwight Duncan is proposing a series of updates to auto insurance regulations to give consumers options to lower their costs

Mortgages & Retirement

Personal Finance

Hot chocolate and hot tubs

Tips for property owners on how to make their vacation homes more attractive during the winter, a traditionally slow season for rentals

Real Estate

Is a condo a good investment?

vancouver green buildings

Beware of steep maintenance costs that can erode cash flow and limit your lifestyle

Real Estate

Home listings to undergo overhaul

Real estate for sale in Toronto

Changes planned in order to satisfy concerns that real estate association discouraging competition

Real Estate

Housing activity seen reviving

An Alberta home under construction.

Activity and prices will improve in the second half of this year and grow further in 2010, CMHC says

Advanced investing

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