money@metronews.ca

Lesley Scorgie is the author of Rich By Thirty: A Young Adult's Guide To Financial Success, and Rich By Forty: A Young Couple's Guide To Building Net Worth.

RRSP could be most powerful tool for saving cash

February 20, 2012

RRSP season is the only time of year I ever recommend stampeding to the bank to set up an RRSP account or make a contribution.

Will you be mine for less than $25

February 14, 2012

Valentine’s Day is your opportunity to make your partner feel special and you don’t need a helicopter ride to prove you care.

Why keep up with the Joneses?

February 07, 2012

Have your very good manners made you house poor? * Stop trying to keep up appearances and get out of debt

Mi casa, your comission?

January 31, 2012

Congratulations! You’ve decided to sell your home; one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in life.

Protect Your Identity

January 24, 2012

I was speaking at a conference last week and the subject of insurance protection for identity theft came up in the Q & A portion of my talk.

Well done, Canada!

January 17, 2012

The BMO holiday spending survey results were released last week and 76 per cent of Canadians reported they spent less than they had planned over the holidays.

An epic $10K fall

January 10, 2012

Last September I was hiking in St. John’s, NL. While gawking at the ocean, I neglected to watch where my feet were headed and fell flat on my face.

Net Worth — A Big Frugal Idea

January 03, 2012

I love setting financial goals for the new year. But over the years I’ve learned to pare back to just one or two that I can really focus on, rather than 10 smaller ones.

Year End Tax Tips

December 13, 2011

2011 is coming to an end and it’s time to maximize your personal tax situation before ringing in the New Year.

Go on and re-gift

December 06, 2011

In the past, re-gifting was socially shunned. But these days it’s very common because re-gifting saves money and reduces waste.

’Tis the season for resourcefulness

November 29, 2011

Being resourceful throughout the holidays saves you money and reduces waste.

Give a little bit of yourself this year

November 22, 2011

Do you want to do something really memorable for your friends and family this holiday season?

Spoiling Your Holiday Honey

November 15, 2011

Picture this: It’s Christmas morning and you swap presents with your honey bunny. Surprise!

Holiday budgeting

November 08, 2011

Does holiday spending make you sweat?  Don’t fret — take 10 minutes and prepare a holiday budget.

Dating a money dummy

November 01, 2011

Someday, your financial situation will impact the future of your life partner. So, let’s face it; no one wants to date a financial dope.

Frugal is the new sexy

October 25, 2011

A rotten economy makes extravagant dating nearly impossible.

What’s the bottom line on mortgage brokers?

October 18, 2011

There are over 400 types of mortgage products on the market and it’s hard to know whether you’re selecting the right one.

Down re: payments?

October 11, 2011

Saving for a down payment in a chequing account or hiding cash in a safety deposit box are counterproductive; they earn little to no interest and are too easy to dip into.

Feeling House Poor?

October 04, 2011

Are your home expenses gobbling up all your money?

Avoid the home poverty trap

September 27, 2011

When I was 21 I bought my first house. I’d worked hard over four years to squirrel away enough money for a small down payment.

Save for school

September 20, 2011

Look way past your family’s immediate back-to-school costs of books, calculators and clothing. According to TD Bank, a small child today will be faced with approximately $80,000 in post-secondary education expenses.

Cash-smart kids

September 13, 2011

Parents —don’t let your kids grow up financially illiterate! From coast-to-coast, Canadian students receive limited financial literacy training through grade school. Basic financial life-lessons, like budgeting and investing, are left up to parents.

Bootstrapping for tuition

September 06, 2011

Last week I encouraged students to get a job to help put a dent in hefty tuition bills. Many readers agreed. Others thought the column failed to address the larger social issue; that education in Canada has become obscenely expensive. I agree that the costs are extreme.

Education is worth every penny

August 30, 2011

School is expensive. I get it! I paid my way through a four-year undergraduate degree and an MBA by working throughout both programs. Was it worth the sleepless nights and $100,000 investment? Yes.

Lessons in cheap

August 23, 2011

Feeling stressed about back-to-school shopping? You’re not alone!

Don't let volatility distract you from your goals

August 16, 2011

Investors are feeling vulnerable, but don’t let market uncertainly derail your goals.

Hang on to the stock market's bumpy ride

August 09, 2011

Feel like you’re on a roller coaster with your investments? I definitely did last week when the market plunged due to massive economic uncertainty. Investors are feeling uneasy as whispers of ‘double dip recession’ float through the media stirring up anxious conversation.

Racking up expenses for work

August 02, 2011

I polled 20 to 40-somethings throughout July on what they spend on work expenses annually.
The responses indicate that most incur thousands of dollars in costs to “look the part.”

You deserve a raise, right?

July 19, 2011

Get ready to ask for a raise. Even an extra $1,000 can help you build your net worth. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, 33 per cent of people say they’re freaked out about salary negotiations, so they don’t pursue it. Yet, 80 per cent of recruiters and managers are willing to negotiate.

Your pet doesn't need costumes

July 12, 2011

Is Fido busting your budget? The costs of pet ownership can add up after veterinary bills, food, toys and other paraphernalia. Stop buying tutus for your feline and focus on providing for your pet’s needs while saving money.