Use our handy Budget Worksheet Some of you have never made a household budget, some of you may have made one a long time ago and need a refresher to get back on track. So, we are going to walk you through creating a budget. Get out all of your documents, a pencil and a…
Today’s article in the Vancouver Sun about thousands of low-income families in BC losing federal co-op housing subsidies raises the topic of affordable housing once again. I say it’s time to get a bit more specific. What exactly does government mean by affordable housing? Is it rental accommodation or home ownership? Is it emergency shelters,…
Lots of good coverage has been happening lately about the many dimensions to money and debt in the modern cellular-cybernetic world. From the Vancouver Sun comes an article supported by the Investor Education Fund Canada group that suggests half of all Canadian students aged 17 to 22 feel they should be better educated on how…
This morning one of the headings in the Vancouver Sun jumped right off the page: When Love Ends Family Law Takes Over . The notion that ‘when love ends’ rather than if love ends paints a sad if not tragic picture of relationships today.
Be aware of the high cost of anger in a divorce (both financial and emotional). At Women and Money we have helped our Clients to deal with it all when it comes to money and divorce. We have seen tears of anger, rage, sadness and grief as couples separate and divorce. This is a very frightening…
What is a payday loan? A payday loan, or payday advance, is a short-term loan of usually 14 days, which you promise to pay back, plus fees, after you receive your next paycheque. The loan is often between 30-50% of the amount of your paycheque. To qualify for a payday loan, you must provide proof…
Back in the day, people would often spend their entire career working for one company, and retire with the company’s pension plan. These days, only government employees and those who work for large corporations generally receive a pension, while the rest who work for smaller companies or are self-employed must rely on their own savings…
I don’t know why we’re soooo afraid or worried about doing our taxes. Many of my friends wait, wait, wait, worry, worry, worry, worry, and then, once getting into crunching a few numbers, they begin to feel better. It really is a moment of truth. We stare our expenses right in the face, especially if…
Friday March 8th 2013 is International Women’s Day ~ Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures, Improving Lives The United Nations theme for International Women’s Day 2013 is: “A promise is a promise – Time for action to end violence against women,” and International Women’s Day 2013 has also been declared as “The Gender Agenda – Gaining Momentum”.
There are many advantages that couples enjoy by sharing their finances – shared expenses, tax benefits, security, etc – which unfortunately single people cannot. However, sharing your finances with a partner is a very complicated issue, which often leads to conflict and even ending the relationship. Marriages, cohabitating couples and other shared finance relationships require…
Valentine’s day is another one of those occasions during the year that lack detailed planning. I have never seen Valentine’s Day identified as a separate expenditure on a family budget. It’s a bit like birthdays. We wait until the event arrives and make a quick decision. Sometimes this shrug of the shoulders at the last…
Lots and lots of stuff happening last week. The high point was my community workshop on budgeting. Wow. What a great group!!! When I arrived Thursday night, January 31, there were only two women there. The one lady said, “Are we the only two broke women in Maple Ridge?” We all laughed. Soon the room…
Financial independence is a hot topic these days, especially for women, but what does it really mean? Financial independence for women is something that could have a different meaning for each of us, but how should we define it, in order to gauge whether or not we have actually reached this vague status?
Do you find that you are becoming an avid online shopper, bordering on addicted? While there are many benefits to shopping online, the ease of the process can lead you to shop more than you would otherwise, and spend more money than perhaps you should.
I just heard on the radio today someone wonder about what it is stay at home moms do all day. I was surprised because the less than dignified remark came from another mom. However, this mom works, shuttles her kids around after work and still finds time to send friends emails. Wow!
As the Christmas-spending credit card bills start to roll in, are you asking yourself how you’re going to pay them off in a reasonable time? Pay off your Christmas bills with these 6 tips. 1. Did you receive any money for Christmas gifts? If so, we recommend putting that money on your credit cards now, and…
If Santa has been watching the news around the world, then he might be thinking more about falling off a fiscal cliff than splurging blindly on everyone this holiday season. And this has nothing to do with Scrooge. There is a big difference between sensible shopping and Grinch-like cheapness.
Now that Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday has past, is there any money left for a budget? Oh oh. I think it’s supposed to be the other way around. Aren’t we supposed to organize a budget first before we spend money? To answer the very first question, it’s never too late for a…
Before you start: If your children are still too young to understand handling money (probably under 4 years, but you know your own child best), begin by teaching them that they won’t be rewarded with “wants” by nagging, whining and crying. Say no, and only reward good behaviour with treats, when it fits in your…
The Canadian Pension Plan pays to all Canadian seniors over 65 who have made a CPP contribution, however the payments are below the poverty line in most cities in terms of the cost of living. Do you want to work all your life only to be impoverished when you are old, and unable to do anything about it?…
