It should come as no surprise to anyone that some people like to pray on the vulnerable. Perhaps it is in our caveman DNA, or perhaps it’s just that we have some really awful people in this world that take something like the pandemic as an opportunity to fleece people out of their money. A…
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…
Could we be on the road to recovery?
As Canada and Alberta make their way through this pandemic, moving into new stages of whatever the future normalcy looks like, we are seeing positive trends in the Canadian economy, and maybe for some areas, some of the worst is behind us. That being said, if you have your 2020 bingo card handy, the chances…
The pandemic making us an even more cashless society
During the pandemic, how often have you reached into to your wallet or purse and instead of paying with cash, you reached for your contactless or “tap” debit card or credit card so you didn’t have to touch anything? If you used cash then you’d have to accept change, from someone else. Everywhere you go,…
After COVID, what is the New Normal?
As Alberta and Canada start to return back to the “new normal” things have definitely changed since COVID-19. Economically, physically, and even how we shop for groceries or enjoy sporting events will likely be different. What does that mean for you and your banking? Since early March, when the spread of the virus became a…
What’s Lock’N’Block?
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…
Don’t let your passwords expire
In many circumstances, some online banking passwords, sunscreen and in most cases, potatoes expire at some point. No one likes when you reach into that bag and your ‘spuds are mushy and full of sprouts, or when that sunscreen you had to remortgage your house to purchase turns into a runny mess. Passwords are like…
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…
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…
