“As goes January, so goes the year”—also known as the January Barometer—is a market theory that states returns in January predict those for the rest of the year. It first appeared in the 1970s and remains popular among some traders. If true, it looks like 2024 is going to be a good one for investors in Canada. Current market conditions likewise seem to be making the case to “sell in May and go away.”  While I personally do not follow or recommend this well-worn saying, its staying power is undeniable. With May within sight, Canadian investors should know what it’s all about and whether it ..read more

Ask MoneySense My mom passed away a number of years ago and sadly we just lost our dad. My brother and I are wondering about taxes owing, the timing of distributions, and if we should move all of the investments to cash. My brother and I are beneficiaries of the RRIF and TFSA, and the grandkids will also inherit money. A long time ago my parents did an estate freeze on their holding company with me and my brother, and they have a second will. There is about $200,000 in the TFSA, $450,000 RRIF, $400,000 non-registered with a $200,000 gain, and $1,000,000 in the holding company with a $250 ..read more

The other day I had to run out to buy cooking oil to make dinner. I knew which brand I wanted because it was a good size and it was cheap—$5 when I bought it about three months ago. I was surprised and annoyed to find out that the same bottle of oil, which was the exact same size and shape with the same type of oil in it, was now $7.  It had gone up $2 in the last three months. Now, that doesn’t sound like a lot since it’s “only two dollars,” which shouldn’t affect your budget. But add in other expenses like the cost of gas, other grocery items and rent, and those  ..read more

Sometime in the next few days or even hours, the “miners” who chisel bitcoins out of complex mathematics are going to take a 50% pay cut—effectively slicing new production of the world’s largest cryptocurrency in half. That could have a lot of implications, from the price of the asset to the bitcoin miners themselves. And, as with everything in the volatile cryptoverse, the future is hard to predict. Here’s what you need to know. What is “bitcoin halving”? “Bitcoin halving,” a preprogrammed event that occurs roughly every four years, impacts the production of bitcoin. Miners use farms of noisy ..read more

Earth Day is April 22—what better time to embrace more eco-friendly products and practices? We surveyed our editors to gather their tips for saving money and saving the planet at the same time. Read about our dirt-cheap cleaning products, fuzzy slippers, homemade bottled water and more.  Clean with cheaper, greener cleaning products I’m a die-hard fan of Tru Earth laundry strips, which are detergent without the liquid and the bulky plastic bottle. They’re really easy to use—just tear off a strip and toss it into the washing machine as it fills up. Tru Earth sells three package sizes. I o ..read more

The federal budget is being met with disdain from Canada’s innovation industry, including tech darling Shopify, which called the capital gains measures in the fiscal plan a potential cause of “irreparable harm.” What the capital gains tax change means to the tech industry The sector is disappointed that the Liberal government’s budget tabled Tuesday, April 16, includes a proposed increase to the proportion of capital gain earnings on which businesses pay income tax, to two-thirds from one half. The hike would also be applied to individuals for capital gains earnings above $250,000 in a year. I ..read more

The federal government touted Budget 2024 as providing “fairness for every generation” of Canadians. There are plenty of tax changes, especially for higher income earners, as well as incentives for renters and first-time home buyers. Here is what you need to know.  The new capital gains inclusion rate There has been speculation in recent years about an increase in the capital gains inclusion rate. Currently, one-half of a capital gain is taxable, a so-called 50% inclusion rate. Budget 2024 finally introduced an increase but only for certain capital gains.  Capital gains realized ..read more

Compare your card options Our credit card comparison tool helps you compare your options instantly—and find the perfect match. You can sort results based on current welcome offers and gift card bonuses, annual fees, and the estimated rewards value earned annually. Or for further customization, input your annual income, approximate credit score, and place of residence to find credit cards that match your profile. Advertisement ..read more

Young Canadians aged 18 to 34 report that, despite being raised in the digital era—where smartphones were toys before they could even talk—they are now the target of online fraudsters. And, nearly one-third of have taken the bait.  With 41% of scams happening on dating and social apps, why are social-media-savvy Canadians falling victim to them? We’re looking at the top six phishing scams aimed at young Canadians and sharing expert advice from cybersecurity experts on how not to fall for them.  It pays to know! Get FREE MoneySense financial tips, news & advice in your inbox. Subs ..read more

Buying a home in Canada isn’t for the faint of heart—or light of wallet. Home prices have steadily trended higher over the past decade, coming to a national average of $698,520 in March 2024. That’s a 75% increase compared to January 2014, and it marks a whopping dollar difference of $398,119, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). How much money do Canadians need to earn, on average, to afford a house? Affordability conditions aren’t likely to improve anytime soon, despite the optimism that mortgage rates will stabilize; a monthly study conducted by Ratehub.ca reveals it ha ..read more