You may be feeling like the rest of us and just waiting for this very long year to be over, but it’s only halfway through. Barring giant zombie cockroaches or alien invasion, 2020 can only get better, right? Woof, kiss of death. Regardless of what has happened with COVID-19 and all the economic issues in…
Category: Savings & Investments
Quick tips for saving in this economy
Right now we know that money is tight, and there are certainly some unknowns going forward as Alberta enters Phase 2 of the re-opening of the province. So here are money-saving tips that might help you just keep a few extra hard-earned dollars in your wallet, during this umm, ‘downturned’ economy. Yeah, let’s call it…
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…
Is a mortgage deferral right for you?
The COVID-19 pandemic has sent many people into positions of financial stress, from lost jobs, to general financial uncertainty. One of your biggest expenses each month is likely your mortgage. Most Canadian financial institutions understand those worries, so many have implemented relief programs, such as payment deferrals on mortgages. Deferring your mortgage payment may reduce…
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…
Investing on Your Own vs. through a Financial Advisor
When it comes to investing in the stock market, many people debate whether it’s worth doing the investing themselves or through a financial advisor. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons to these methods of investing to determine which one is best for you. Before You Begin Before you begin considering how you’ll…
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…
