Protect your home this holiday season with home insurance

The holidays are a time of celebration and togetherness, but festive decorations and big-ticket items can pose a risk to your home if left unattended. Here's a list of home safety tips to ensure you and your guests have a safe holiday season.

Joel Kranc

November 17, 2022

10-minute read

This article has been updated from a previous version.

What is often called “the most wonderful time of the year” can be filled with stress and potential safety threats to your home if left unattended. The good news is that these risks can be avoided by following the right holiday safety tips, and having the proper home insurance coverage.

About the author

Joel Kranc is an award-winning writer, author and journalist. Most of his experience lies within the institutional investment and financial services space. He also covers a variety of business topics for publications in North America and the UK.

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Everything you need to know about bridge financing when it comes to buying a home

If you haven’t reached the closing date of your current home by the time you want to buy a new one, a bridge mortgage allows you to use the equity from your existing home to pay the down payment on your next home.

Melanie Chambers

November 16, 2022

5-minute read

This article has been updated from a previous version.

Imagine you’ve just found your dream home but are still waiting for the sale on your current home to close. Money is tight. Where will you find the down payment so quickly?

About the author

Inspiring travel writers at Western University, Melanie also cycles the globe looking for her own adventures to write about. Cycling across Japan and completing a nine-day mountain bike stage race in South Africa are a few stories she's written for Canadian Cycling Magazine. Read her work at www.melaniechambers.ca, and check out her podcast at www.outtherepodcast.com.

12 auto insurance discounts you should know about

Whether you’re buying car insurance for the first time, switching providers, or renewing your current policy, you could be eligible for a discount. The last thing you want to do is leave money on the table.

Lisa Coxon

November 8, 2022

7-minute read

This article has been updated from a previous version.

No matter where you live in Canada, basic auto insurance is a mandatory expense if you want to drive. And while you may not be able to get out of paying for it, you do have some control over how much you’ll pay.

Take advantage of comparison shopping and inquire about potential car insurance discounts to save on your annual auto insurance premium.

About the author

Lisa is a senior editor in the personal finance space. Her work has appeared in Reader’s Digest, Toronto Life, Canadian Living and TVO. As a child, she diligently hoarded the $50 bills that fell out of her Christmas cards. Adult Lisa is working hard to resurrect those stockpiling tendencies.

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Should you rent out your home to get more value out of it?

Rising rent prices. High inflation. Is the 30% income-to-housing rule still realistic for renters?

What recourse does a landlord have if a tenant uses their home for illegal activity?

As the Canadian housing market continues its paradoxical journey marked by falling home prices and rising rents, some Ontario landlords are finding themselves in trouble with tenants using their properties illegally.  

Ontario’s winter tire car insurance discount: what you need to know

Winter tires can increase stability and traction in colder temperatures, gripping icy and snowy roads better than all-season tires. A nice bonus: installing winter tires can save you money on your auto insurance, too.

Hayley Vesh

October 13, 2022

11-minute read

This article has been updated from a previous version.

As snow falls, and the weather changes, thick slush and translucent black ice will coat driveways, sidewalks, and roads. Winter conditions are hazardous to drivers, often reducing visibility and increasing the likelihood of collisions.

About the author

Hayley Vesh is an editor/writer in the personal finance space. Her work has also appeared in Global News. She is passionate about financial literacy and the pursuit of knowledge through lifelong learning.

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Your guide to being a credit card super churner in Canada

Want to score a free flight or hundreds of dollars in cash back every year? Then I’d like to introduce you to credit card churning.

5 things to know before renting out your home

Becoming a landlord is a big responsibility. But with today's interest rate environment, renting out part of your home can be well worth the time and maintenance.

Melanie Chambers

September 28, 2022

4-minute read

A rental property can be a lucrative investment opportunity. With interest rates on the rise, your mortgage payments may be increasing. To help alleviate some of that added financial pressure, renting out part of or all of your home might make sense.

About the author

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Your mortgage is up for renewal, but you’ve just lost your job. What now?

As a homeowner, losing your source of income is doubly stressful. And if your mortgage is up for renewal, you may not know what to do next. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you have a mortgage to pay off while unemployed.

H.G. Watson

September 22, 2022

5-minute read

One of the hardest experiences to go through in life is losing your job. It comes with stress, uncertainty, and many difficult financial decisions.

That stress can only be made worse by the prospect of losing your home. What happens if you need to renew your mortgage during this time?

About the author

H.G. Watson is a writer based in Toronto. Her work has appeared in Chatelaine, Vice, Flare, Maisonneuve, The Walrus and more. You can find her at @hg_watson on Twitter.

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