Building a healthy financial future is something we all dream about. To make it happen, you’ll need to put your plans in to action. Here’s a few websites that can help you get started:
Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC)
http://www.fcac-acfc.gc.ca/eng/index-eng.asp
Previously called The Moneybelt, this Government of Canada site has since been integrated with the FCAC site. The Tools and Calculators section provides users with the ability to compare credit cards, chequing, and savings accounts depending on costs and features.
From singles to married couples and retirees, information on managing your finances is divided by significant lifestages for easy reference. A basic budgeting worksheet for couples is also available.
Other useful sections include learning about insurance products and recognizing signs and types of financial fraud.
GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca
http://www.getsmarteraboutmoney.ca/en/Pages/default.aspx
This site is established by the Investor Education Fund (IEF), a part of the Ontario Securities Commission. It’s a bit more user-friendly than FCAC, although it doesn’t include the Tools and Calculators for comparing credit cards and accounts.
The Cranial Cash Clash quizzes do a great job on providing people with information on financial literacy. It’s also more fun and social with facebook and twitter integration. There are also pages devoted to specific types of investments. From RDSPs to GICs and mutual funds, it’s all covered.
The lifestages section of the site is more comprehensive and provides a basic budgeting worksheet in spreadsheet format. This site also has a blog featuring some of the biggest names in the Canadian personal finance blogosphere.
Other Resources
Investopedia is US based, although it also provides lots of useful information on investment and financial products and definitions. InvestRight is established by the BC Securities Commission to educate investors about fraud. There’s less specific information about planning, but there’s useful information about various types of investments.
Investopedia – http://www.investopedia.com/
InvestRight – http://www.investright.org/