Articles by Monique Bourgeois, CFC™ 36 articles
News & CommentaryDebt Maxxing: Why Accumulating Debt and Not Repaying It Can Hurt You Financially
People on YouTube are borrowing money and bragging about living off debt and not repaying money to creditors. It’s a slippery slope that can…
Budgeting & MoneyWhat Is Debanking? Can Your Canadian Bank Really Close Your Account Without Telling You Why?
You open your mailbox. There is a letter from your bank. It says your bank account is closing soon. Or even worse, you try to open your banking app…
Taxes & BenefitsWhat is a TFSA - Tax Free Savings Account
A tax-free savings account (TFSA) is more than just a savings account. You can withdraw, invest, or earn interest, and that money still won’t be…
- Taxes & Benefits
Registered Retirement Savings Plan - RRSP
Everything you need to know about the Registered Retirement Savings Plan The Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) has been around for a long…
Loans & CreditWhat Happens To Credit Card Debt During Separation Or Divorce?
Separation or divorce often raises difficult questions about shared financial responsibilities, especially when it comes to credit card debt.…
Credit HealthHow Credit Card Debt Affects Your Credit Score
Many people realize that the way they manage their credit card debt can have an impact on their credit score. What's not as commonly known is all the…
Loans & CreditAsk the Expert: How much loan can I realistically afford?
Figuring out how much of a loan to take out can be tricky. On one hand, why take out more than you need and spend extra on interest? On the other…
News & CommentaryDMP in Canada: Myths vs Reality
Many Canadians feel trapped by growing credit card balances, high‑interest loans, or overdue bills. Managing multiple payments can quickly become…
Budgeting & MoneyFinancial paralysis: What is it and how to move past it
Money management is an important life skill, but for some, it can also be a major source of stress. When that stress becomes overwhelming, it can…
Taxes & BenefitsAsk the expert: Should I take EI now or wait?
The Canadian labour market is experiencing a big transition phase. As a result, many are finding themselves looking to government programs, like…
Housing & MortgagesAsk the Expert: Mortgage refinancing in a tricky situation
Mortgage refinancing is tricky under the best of circumstances, let alone when you add in complications, like family financial entanglement. Mortgage…
Debt RepaymentNotice of Default: What it is and what to do if you get one
Canadians are finding it more difficult to keep up with loan payments. For some, it’s because of a personal situation like job loss or other…
Loans & CreditLowering your credit card interest rate with a simple call
In an age where credit card balances are reaching record highs, many consumers find themselves trapped in a cycle of debt, with a credit card…
Budgeting & MoneyUnretirement: Redefining retirement
Retirement, once viewed as a definitive end to one's working life, is increasingly becoming a flexible, fluid phase. A significant trend is emerging:…
Budgeting & MoneyYour complete guide to opening a bank account in Canada
It can be tempting to think that a bank account is a bank account, but not all accounts are created equal. When opening a bank account, there are…
Taxes & BenefitsThe Canadian Dental Care Plan coverage expansion
When money is tight, it sometimes means making hard choices. Often, if that choice is between a visit to the dentist or food on the table, the…
Budgeting & MoneyUnderstanding the spendthrift mindset
Get a kick out of spending money? Do you often get surprised by and then stressed by credit card bills? Always find yourself living paycheque to…
Taxes & BenefitsEI Benefits are getting an upgrade, for now
The relief felt when EI benefits come to the rescue in a time of need far outweighs any crumminess of paying into the program. Unfortunately, the…
Budgeting & MoneyOpen Banking: Revolutionizing your finances in Canada (Soon!)
Imagine having a complete overview of all your financial accounts in one place. Or, receiving personalized advice based on your spending habits. Even…
News & CommentaryOntarian financial institutions step up in support of those in need
Financial institutions in Ontario are banding together to do the right thing! They are coming to the aid of some of the most vulnerable and…
Loans & CreditShifting landscape of lending: Canada's new criminal interest rate
The criminal interest rate represents the uppermost limit of interest that lenders are legally permitted to charge on a loan. Effective January 1,…
Taxes & BenefitsNew tax implications for gig workers
The gig economy is booming in Canada, with nearly 9 million Canadians (28%) participating in freelance, contract, or platform-based work. Whether you…
News & CommentaryYour playbook for financial fitness
Financial fitness, much like physical fitness, requires consistent effort and discipline. Good financial health isn’t a one-and-done scenario. It’s…
News & CommentaryHoliday shopping, how much is too much?
Standing in the aisle surrounded by wreaths, candy canes, and images of Santa Claus, my Pavlovian holiday shopping responses took over. Holiday…
News & CommentaryFinancial literacy got you tongue-tied? Give this a try.
November is Financial Literacy Month ! Each year, the Government of Canada and the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) take time to raise…
Budgeting & MoneyLoud budgeting: Normalizing talking about money
Many financial trends that stem from social media make most financial experts cringe. At long last, there’s one they can stand by, loud budgeting. At…
Budgeting & MoneyAI’s influence on the household budget
We’ve entered a new age in human history. Whether we like it or not Artificial Intelligence (AI) is leading the charge. Its resonance will be felt…
News & CommentaryMoney Journeys: Guirlene Joseph
Our final episode of the Money Journeys podcast features Guirlene Joseph. We learn how Guirlene's money journey went from helping her immigrant…
News & CommentaryMoney Journeys: Christine Urbanowski
This week's episode of the Money Journeys podcast features Christine Urbanowski. As an Accredited Financial Counsellor of Canada Christine helps…
News & CommentaryMoney Journeys: Sherry Andrew
Sherry Andrew joins us for this third episode of the Money Journeys podcast. Sherry is an Accredited Financial Counsellor of Canada and founder of…
News & CommentaryMoney Journeys: Mubina Kapasi
In the second episode of the Money Journeys podcast, Mubina Kapasi ( CFA ) joins us. Mubina's money journey took her across the ocean from India to…
News & CommentaryMoney Journeys Podcast
Welcome to the Money Journeys podcast! Here at Debt.ca , we wanted to celebrate Financial Literacy Month by creating a place to pause and reflect on…
News & CommentaryMoney Journeys: Lauren Cañafranca
In this inaugural episode of the Money Journeys podcast, we are talking with Financial Coach Lauren Cañafranca AFC. We talk about how her initial…
Budgeting & MoneyPeople Want More From Their Banks in Canada, and It’s Not Money
If not money, then just what are Canadians craving from their banks in Canada ? A new study says we’re looking for “personalized financial advice.”…
Loans & CreditCredit Card Fees Are Increasing - Here's How And Why
A big change just happened in the world of credit card fees that can really pack a punch to your wallet. You might find a new addition to the already…
Taxes & BenefitsNeed financial assistance right now? Here’s where to look
Has life thrown you for a loop and you need financial assistance immediately? Here are a number of places to look for financial assistance right now.