financial

The M is for Money Book Series Helps Teach Kids Basic Money Management-Giveaway

March 28, 2016 by Kathryn 37 Comments

With tax season in full swing, money is something on the minds of a lot of adults right now. Good money management is one of those essential life skills that helps create future success but sadly, it’s a skill that most people never learn. Ideally, I think that money management should be taught in schools. But since that’s not currently done, I do want to make sure that my boys understand money so that they can be responsible with their finances both now and in the future.

That’s why I love the M is for Money book series and website! I had the chance to review the first three books in the series when they debuted last year, and I loved the way that these books used simple, kid-friendly concepts to explain money and its uses to kids. Now, the series has a total of nine books available and I couldn’t wait to see what my boys thought of the newer titles. I received books four, five and six to review and sat down to read them with my boys.

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Come Join the @TD_Canada #FinanciallyFit Twitter Chat on November 17 at 9pm EST

November 12, 2015 by Kathryn 1 Comment

November is financial literacy month, and it’s a cause I’m pretty passionate about. All too often, young adults head out into the world with no concept of how to manage their money properly and end up drowning in debt as a result. I know all too well how easily debts can start to add up because I was one of those young adults myself! And now, as a successful and debt-free parent, I’m determined that my boys will start their adult lives with all the money skills and knowledge they need to avoid my mistakes.

That’s why I’m thrilled that TD Canada is as passionate about teaching kids money skills I am. And to celebrate financial literacy month, the company is sponsoring a fabulous Twitter chat that you won’t want to miss! Come join the #FinanciallyFit Twitter chat hosted by @simplystacienet on November 17, 2015 at 9pm EST to get some great information on how you can teach your child more about money. Whether you’re curious about first jobs or allowances, this is one must-attend chat for parents! [Read more…]

Help Your Child Develop Crucial Financial Literacy Skills with M is for Money Books and Resources-Giveaway #MisforMoney

October 27, 2015 by Kathryn 40 Comments

Sometimes it amazes me to think about just how much there is for me to teach my children. From basic, everyday skills like tying shoes to more complex concepts like social responsibility, the school system just scratches the surface. And one of the things that I’m most determined to teach my boys is financial literacy. With approximately three-quarters of Canadians living in debt, I know just how important money management skills are for my boys to learn. But how do I start teaching them, at just nine and six, the basics of finances?

A new book series has the answer, and for any Canadian parent that wants to teach their child financial literacy, it’s a great kid-friendly way to introduce the topic. M is for Money has one simple goal…to teach the basics of money management in a fun, kid-friendly way. The book series’ two main characters, Tessa and Benji, share their own experience making and saving money. As they get their first payment for helping with chores, learn about saving for special things and open their first bank accounts, kids can follow along with the journey to learn about money!

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Come Join the #CDNmoney #DreamToGoal Twitter Chat on January 27 at 7pm EST

January 21, 2015 by Kathryn 1 Comment

One of the most popular New Year’s Resolutions each year is getting out of debt and considering how much stress worrying about money causes, that’s no surprise! Even for somebody that’s not in debt, saving money for the future and setting financial goals for the upcoming year is always a wise move and this year, there’s a brand new app from Standard Life to help!

Goalkeeper is an easy and efficient way of monitoring your spending, learning how small changes can increase your savings and tracking your progress to help keep you on track with your budget, whether you’re saving for a family vacation or your child’s education. This app has been so useful to me already and I can’t wait to see how it simplifies my money management as the year goes on. [Read more…]

Start the New Year Right with Financial Tips for Kids from RateSupermarket.ca-Giveaway

January 14, 2015 by Kathryn 97 Comments

Financial literacy is something that I take very seriously, in large part because it’s something that took me some time to master. Bad financial decisions in my early to mid twenties meant a few years of struggle, plenty of learning and, eventually, a determination to help my boys develop good financial habits so that they wouldn’t have to face similar problems as adults.

Of course, one of the best ways to teach is to lead by example and that’s certainly something I do. From regularly depositing money into a savings account to searching for money-saving deals, everything adds up when it comes to effective money management. That’s why I love the tips and instruction on RateSupermarket.ca. The site features plenty of practical and actionable advice to help families manage their budgets wisely. And to help kids get started with financial literacy, the company has some great tips to share!

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Come Join in the #LetsTalkRESPs Twitter Party on November 19 at 9pm EST

November 13, 2014 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

November is financial literacy month and it’s a cause I’m incredibly passionate about. A huge part of financial literacy involves planning for the future, especially if you’re a parent, and that’s why a number of Canada’s organizations have teamed up to create the first annual Education Savings Week from November 16-22! Saving for a child’s post-secondary education can seem a little overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to be! And learning more about RESPs and some of the great government grants available can help you get the maximum benefits from your money.

C.S.T. Consultants is a proud participant in Education Savings Week and to celebrate the occasion, the company is hosting a #LetsTalkRESPs Twitter party! Come join in the fun on November 19 at 9pm EST to chat about saving for your child’s education and taking advantage of the benefits RESPs offer. C.S.T. Consultants Vice President and RESP expert Peter Lewis will be attending as a special guest to answer all your questions. And best of all, we’ll be giving away $800 in prepaid Visa gift cards as prizes including a fabulous $200 prepaid Visa gift card grand prize! [Read more…]

Tips for Financial Independence and the Capital One 360 #My360Independence Sweepstakes

July 6, 2014 by Kathryn 32 Comments

It took me a few years and a lot of tough lessons, but at 33 I have become a fairly efficient money manager. Planning for the future and striving for financial independence is such an important part of being an adult, and while there are all kinds of ways to do that, they don’t all have to be difficult! So how do I work towards financial independence every day?

My first method is to find ways to save when shopping for essentials. For example, a surprisingly large amount of most people’s monthly budget is spent on fairly inexpensive consumable items such as personal care products and cleaning supplies. I quickly learned when tracking my purchases that by paying attention to the results I got with different products, I could whittle down the amount I spent. Often, that cheap $1 bottle of floor cleaner works just as well as a pricier brand name. And when that isn’t the case, buying a more expensive product actually lasts longer and saves me money over time!

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