How to get credit card sign-up bonuses without wrecking your credit score

More than ever, credit card companies are rushing to offer consumers a lot of incentives to use their cards. Sign-up bonuses for cards are bigger and better than ever

Meridian launches mortgage for those buying homes with family and friends

Would you buy a home with a friend to make it more affordable for yourself? Meridian Credit Union is betting there are enough people out there interested in doing it

Noise, pets, Airbnb: How Toronto's condo jungle is pitting neighbours against each other

There’s been no shortage of high-profile court cases in Canada in the past few years of neighbours taking their spats about noise to the courtroom

Tax Week: How our series will get you a bigger return in 2017

Tax returns can be used to enhance your savings. But for many Canadians, filing taxes is something they dread. Our Tax Week series aims to change that

This is how much it costs to live as a young person in Ottawa in 2017

Have Ottawans earned the right to be smug about their living costs? Here's what a single person with no dependents or property needs to earn to live and enjoy Canada's capital.

Desirae Odjick

February 18, 2017

6-minute read

Whenever stories about how expensive it is to live in Toronto or Vancouver are in the news, you’ll find Ottawans (yes, that’s what we’re called) sending them to their friends in DMs and Facebook messages with comments like, “I’m so glad we live in Ottawa.”

But have we really earned the right to be so smug about our living costs?

About the author

Desirae Odjick is a marketer by day, personal finance blogger and freelance writer by night — and full-time crazy dog lady, as she would tell you herself. You can find her on her blog, Half Banked, where she chronicles her attempts to reach her savings goals and make personal finance fun, and she's always on Twitter.

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These 5 cars at the AutoShow are using tech to take safety to the next level

Since we all love to avoid auto insurance claims, check out five different cars that impressed me with their safety features and practicality

Have a side hustle like Uber? Here's what you need to know about filing taxes

This is part five of our five-part #TaxWeek series on everything you need to know about filing your return this year — whether you drive for a ride-share app, rent on Airbnb, or work freelance.

Janine Rogan

February 17, 2017

4-minute read

This is part five of our five-part #TaxWeek series on everything you need to know about filing your return this year. Here's a recap of the entire series.

Side hustles are becoming increasingly popular today and for many, are a necessary means to supplement income.

Building up a business is a great way to earn extra money to help with things like paying down debt or jetting off on an international vacation.

About the author

Janine Rogan is a personal finance writer, speaker and tax specialist from Calgary. She has recently completed her CPA designation and shares her financial knowledge on her website. Beyond the numbers, Janine enjoys working with individuals and small businesses to help them create a financial plan that allows them to grow their wealth and achieve financial freedom.