Personal finance

Don't blow your paycheque on a slew of useless purchases and you'll reap the rewards later in life

Number of Canadians filing for bankruptcy increased 44.8 per cent in September from a year earlier

Home Cents

The many ways to give

A old Chevrolet truck stands for sale in a lot in Detroit

Getting rid of an old car? It can help fund a charity of your choice

Let's Talk Investing video

How will the real estate boom end -- and how will it affect you?

Financial journalist Garth Turner takes a look in our Let’s Talk Investing video series

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.
Community Trust 1.60% $5,000  
Home Trust Company 1.55% $5,000  
ResMor Trust 1.46% $5,000  
Pacific & Western Bank 1.45% $1,000  

Rates are provided by Cannex as of Nov 23, 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
Community Trust 1.60% $5,000 $80.00
Home Trust Company 1.55% $5,000 $77.50
ResMor Trust 1.46% $5,000 $73.00
Pacific & Western Bank 1.45% $1,000 $72.50

Rates are provided by Cannex as of Nov 23, 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
The stock brokers

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

Commentary

Personal Finance Reader

Break out the bubbly. No, wait, don't

One problem with the flute is that bubbles at the surface are much larger because they’ve had more distance to travel vertically and thus more time to grow in size.

Rob Carrick's guide to the best reading on personal finance from around the web this week

Savings

Canadians sock cash away in TFSAs

Tiana Mah and her partner Mark Pattersson used the money in their TFSA for bathroom, flooring and other renos in their home in Vancouver.

The Tax-Free Savings Account has quickly become a popular way to save money. But are Canadians who use them making the right choice?

Strategy

Web generation out to conquer the market

Laura Sullivan, 22, contributes to a money market fund and a North American growth fund. With her is adviser Jeanette Brox, of the Investors Group in Toronto.

Younger investors tend to be more aggressive and expect greater returns. And the recession hasn't taken the wind out of their sails

Tax Matters

Got heirs in the U.S.? Establish your own dynasty

The right way to leave assets to heirs who may be U.S. citizens or residents

Special Series


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

Building Blocks video

Insurance: Keeping you afloat

With so many demands on a young family’s money, where does insurance fit it?

Earlier discussion

Do you need a will?

Sara Plant, from BMO for Building Blocks. Credit: Rosa Park

BMO's Sara Plant took your questions writing a will and estate planning

Household Finances

Investor Clinic

Do your homework to find adviser best for you

Mutual funds

A checklist of seven things to look for, from John Heinzl

Money trouble

Canadians would rather take on debt than take a handout

Canadians are twice as likely as those in other nations to borrow from a bank than from Mom, a new global survey finds. It's all about our need to not look like losers

Home Cents

Giving, even when giving is hard

How much of your household budget should you set aside for charity?

Insurance

We avoid it, hate paying for it, but need it

Step One: Make a list of your assets. Ensure you know what you are distributing, as well as the total value of your estate. Make a list of all your assets, including a home, cottage, any family heirlooms, all bank accounts, investment portfolios, RSPs and life insurance. A list of your debts will help provide a comprehensive financial picture. If you own a business, you need to also include directions on that asset.

Advisers say most people are under-insured in case something happens to the main breadwinner in the family

Mortgages & Retirement

Financial Facelift

Paying down this mortgage can wait

facelift for Saturday November 23, 2009.

RRSP or mortgage? Our adviser looks at this age-old question

Interest rates

Ready for higher mortgage rates?

A house for sale in Montreal

The mortgage that might look affordable now very likely won't be when the inevitable rate climb kicks in

Retirement

Seven counterintuitive retirement strategies that work

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.

Major misconceptions that people commonly harbor when it comes to retirement planning -- and how to overcome them

Financial Facelift

Meagre income leaves retiree few options

facelift

Adviser suggests client focuses on part-time work to boost cash flow

Advanced investing

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