Canadian money, one note at a time.
Practical, sourced, plain-English. Mortgage math, tax changes, investing decisions — written for Canadians.
Every Canadian government benefit payment date in 2026
CPP, OAS, the Canada Child Benefit, the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, ACWB, provincial top-ups — here's the full 2026 payment calendar for every major federal and provincial benefit, straight from CRA and Service Canada sources.
Mortgage renewal in 2026: how the November 2024 OSFI update changes your options
Since November 21, 2024, you can switch your uninsured mortgage from one federally regulated lender to another at renewal without re-running the OSFI stress test. That single rule change is the most valuable piece of leverage most Canadian homeowners have — and almost nobody knows about it.
Will I pass the mortgage stress test? A 2026 self-check
Six checks you can run before you apply: GDS at the qualifying rate, TDS at the qualifying rate, minimum down payment, income documentation, credit score, and lender-flagged debt patterns. If you clear all six, you'll pass the OSFI stress test.
What's a good GDS/TDS ratio for a Canadian mortgage in 2026?
GDS under 32% and TDS under 40% means you're in strong shape — well clear of the OSFI limits. Here's what each ratio actually measures, how lenders use them, and how to calculate yours in two minutes.
How much does the mortgage stress test reduce my approval? Worked examples for 2026
Roughly 10–15% less house, on average — but the exact number depends on your contract rate and the gap to the 5.25% floor. Four worked examples at common 2026 income levels, with the math.
7 best Canadian registered accounts every adult should know in 2026
Canada has seven major tax-advantaged accounts, and most adults use one or two when they could use four or five. Here's the 2026 guide to all of them.
RRSP vs TFSA in 2026: which to fill first?
It depends on three things. Your METR today vs your expected marginal rate in retirement, whether you need the flexibility, and what employer match you'd be leaving on the table.
Why your RRSP is worth more than your tax bracket says: METR explained
Here's the Marginal Effective Tax Rate framework that shows your true return and why some Canadians are leaving 15 cents on every dollar on the table.
FHSA carry-forward in 2026: 5 scenarios that confuse most Canadians
The FHSA carry-forward rule is often misunderstood in Canadian tax-advantaged accounts. Here are five specific scenarios to consider.
5 reasons your mortgage stress test failed in 2026 (and how to fix each)
Got declined or pre-approved for less than you expected? Here are the five most common reasons Canadian mortgage stress tests fail in 2026, and the concrete fix for each.
Why your Canadian mortgage payment doesn't match online calculators
Most online mortgage calculators use American monthly compounding. Canadian mortgages compound semi-annually under the Interest Act. Same nominal rate, different monthly payment; here's the math.
Down payment stacking 2026: FHSA + RRSP HBP + TFSA combined
How a first-time buyer in 2026 can combine the FHSA, RRSP Home Buyers' Plan, and TFSA for up to $200,000 of tax-advantaged down payment — and the exact order to fill each account.
Canadian mortgage stress test 2026: how it actually works
The Canadian mortgage stress test in 2026: how the qualifying rate is set, what GDS and TDS limits really mean, and why your bank's pre-approval number is lower than what a U.S. calculator says.
FHSA 2026 explained: Canadian limits, carry-forward, and withdrawals
The 2026 First Home Savings Account rules in plain English — $8,000 annual room, $40,000 lifetime cap, the carry-forward rule most people get wrong, and how qualifying withdrawals actually work.