Our phones have been ringing off the hook with media requests for comments on the market turmoil. Our website traffic has increased about 40% between August and September. Many people are searching for information about how to handle the current financial crisis on a personal level. Here are some of our suggestions:1. It is time for all of us to …

Do you know your credit score? According to a recent poll, 80 percent of people don’t. Peter Exner of Credit Counselling Services of Alberta says there are two main credit reporting agencies in Canada where you can find out your credit score. Exner explains how credit scores work, and how to get yours. …

We think so.  If the debt appreciates in value like a house, or has some income producing potential then it’s considered good debt.  If you go into debt to purchase cars, recreational toys, furniture or vacations, that’s considered bad debt.  The trick on any debt is to obtain the lowest interest rates available.

Do you know what interest rate you are …

Christmas talk already? Well today is the 29th of September and that means Christmas is only three months away. But why talk about Christmas already? Well with a little bit of planning, you can ensure that Christmas bills of the past don’t haunt your finances of 2009.

Here are some tips to get you started:

•    Keep your eye on flyers. If …

Do you know about the new Tax – Free Savings Account (TFSA) plan which will be introduced to Canadians in January 2009?

A recent bank survey revealed that most Canadians are still very unclear about the new savings vehicle outlined in Budget 2008.

If you are in the minority and …

Well, certainly to teach our children how to budget. Children need to learn that there are almost unlimited wants but limited income. They need to learn how to make that balance work for themselves. 

There are three other very good reasons to give our children an allowance: 

1. Their decision making skills
Money decisions are safe places to learn to make decisions …

Your credit rating determines whether you get credit, can open a bank account the rates you will be charged and so much more. This seminar presents the essential knowledge on the Canadian Credit Rating and Scoring System that will help you understand how it works, what’s reported, who uses it and how it impacts you. You’ll find out how to …

Have you been watching “Pass or Fail”, the CBC series on Canadian schools?

Did you see the results of an Environics poll conducted Aug. 1 to 13, 2008, for CBC News: Pass or Fail? Questions were asked of 803 parents of current and former public school students, and people who completed high school within the past decade.

Question 4 asked
“Thinking about the …

We facilitated a seminar today for a group of teachers, and one of them commented that we should be teaching money management in schools. (..a frequent comment!). We are delighted to let you know that some post-secondary settings are offering financial education opportunities for their students this fall.
- SAIT students can attend a free seminar, courtesy of their Student Association. …