For years, lost or stolen debit cards have been a source of frustration, and especially when fraudsters have been able to steal your PIN to access your accounts. Card fraud is on the decline, especially when you have a service like Lock ‘n’ Block from Encompass Credit Union. In this new normal, we’re also using…
Category: Products & Services
Top 7 Ways to Save Money This Spring
This last winter was a brutal one for the prairies, but while there may still be snow in nooks and crannies, the sunny season is here, and although we’re still coming out of pandemic isolation, perhaps it’s time to start saving for that destination trip when things are safe to do so! Here are our…
How will the pandemic affect my savings and loans?
The coronavirus pandemic has hurt the economy bad, sending interest rates down. What does that mean to you, your mortgage or your investments? Canada’s central bank lowered its key interest rate three times in the past month to a current level of just 0.25%. While that’s not the rate of interest you will earn on…
The scariest thing about mobile banking
Let’s face it, people are scared of a lot of things. I guess they should be, you can see it every day on TV, or in your social media feeds. Everything is out to destroy your lives, take your jobs and eat your lunch, or that you’re going to catch the virus. The hackers are…
What Can You Claim for Personal Expenses on Your Taxes?
As a small business owner, you might be wondering what you can claim as personal expenses on your taxes this year. Here’s what you need to know when it comes to doing your taxes for your business or side hustle. Expenses You Can Claim The CRA defines business expenses as certain reasonable costs that are…
Estate Planning Make the most of your funds with a budget
Estate planning You don’t have to be an eccentric billionaire to need to organize your estate. An estate plan is important to ensure that financial matters are resolved quickly, and family and loved ones don’t end up losing much of what you’ve acquired through taxation. Talking about oneself or aging parents passing away isn’t exactly…
When RRSPs are the best choice
While the decision to use a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) has been made more complicated over the last ten years by the popularity of the Tax-Free Savings Plan (TFSA), it is still an important savings tool. The TFSA allows an individual to contribute after-tax dollars into an investment and withdraw funds with no tax…
TFSA vs. RSP: What’s Best for You?
As a new generation of Canadians begins dealing with the tricky field of finances, a common question we hear is “What kind of account should I have”? At Encompass Credit Union, we have a wide array of plans and programs for money-savvy Canadians and the most popular for retirement or tax deferral are TFSA and…
How to Pay off Your Debt After Christmas
As joyful as the holidays may be, it can be easy to rack up credit card charges and debt. If you’re unsure about how to pay off your holiday debt, follow our tips below to get started! Set Your Goals Set realistic goals for yourself and focus on paying down your credit card with the…
When a Term Deposit (GIC) is a smart investment choice
Investing your money is important. Some people are more risk tolerant than others, depending on how they view investing, or perhaps even due to the stage of life that they are in. If you’re planning on going into a long term investment with a mutual fund, or RSP, the ups and downs of the market…
