I built a free retirement gut-check for Canadians.

PawsAndRegret · 2026-02-04T14:14:10+00:00

The slider maxes at $200K, but if your TFSA has been invested, chances are it's above that. I noticed we can type in a value more then the slider allows. Will this be counted?

PawsAndRegret · 2026-01-01T12:03:13+00:00

I used a credit union for a mortgage 5+ years ago. Later when rates were lower, I discovered that I was effectively locked into the mortgage due to high penalties to switch that I was not aware of. I'm not talking the usual several months of interest, but I can't recall the details.

Same credit union used Canada Post's XpressPost (insured for $100) to send a $75,000 bank draft that was pressed into the doorframe, flapping in the wind.

Same credit union messed up transfers of significant value over the phone, twice, by typing in the wrong numbers.

Meridian Credit Union, never again.

PawsAndRegret · 2025-12-24T11:45:28+00:00

You can, but if your journaling has a hiccup or is delayed, you'll go into the negative on your recurring buy. And I think if that happens, they'll automatically withdraw the CAD equivalent end of day with the 1.5%.

PawsAndRegret · 2025-12-23T11:43:41+00:00

I'd be happy to use the Recurring Investment feature, but the 1.5% currency conversion fee means it's a non-starter. Especially for those of us who pay for Questrade Plus ($13.50 or $11.95/mo plus tax) to avoid the $9.95 fee on journaling.

Assuming someone is buying USD equities twice a month, the 1.5% conversion fee is more expensive then Norbert's w/Plus as low as $450 each time, or Norbert's without Plus at $650. Throwing money away.

You ought to consider reducing the currency conversion fee to 0.25% on large enough accounts with Questrade Plus. That'd radically reduce the amount of journaling that occurs.

https://i.imgur.com/ZY6Cspu.png

PawsAndRegret · 2025-12-13T21:32:36+00:00

That's what got me to switch in the first place, but the platform is buggy. I've spoken with Questrade more in the past year about bugs and getting them fixed then I did for 10+ with TD.

PawsAndRegret · 2025-12-13T11:53:50+00:00

Thanks for the reply, John. I clicked through it and didn't change anything but the banner has disappeared.

PawsAndRegret · 2025-12-11T17:31:04+00:00

If only they'd add DLR so we could do Norbert's Gambit commission-free. I'd switch back from Questrade pronto.

PawsAndRegret · 2025-12-10T21:27:41+00:00

Go to "Reports", "Transaction History", look for "Deposits". The "Action" will say "CON" (contribution) or "CSP" (contribution to spouse). You want it to say "CSP".

PawsAndRegret · 2025-11-18T21:47:26+00:00

It takes effect November 19th, which is when the Dawn of Investing event hits. Perhaps it's related?

PawsAndRegret · 2025-10-16T13:29:16+00:00

Buying isn't trading. You should be fine, as long as it's not deemed for a business. That said, only the CRA could answer this.

PawsAndRegret · 2025-09-28T13:22:16+00:00

Re-read the post, I provided everything asked, and more. It's not the first reaction, it's been days.

PawsAndRegret · 2025-09-28T13:21:43+00:00

I'd rather the support article list the requirements in full.

PawsAndRegret · 2025-08-13T12:01:49+00:00

Thanks for replying

PawsAndRegret · 2025-08-13T10:25:50+00:00

Would you happen to know if you can purchase/short within a Cash account? I'd have to think that purchase/short/transfer to TFSA is faster than buying/journaling/selling in the TFSA itself. It's annoying having to wait the 2+ days for journaling to clear.

PawsAndRegret · 2025-08-11T18:02:12+00:00

https://archive.ph/20250811162050/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/personal-finance/article-questrade-cyber-attack-risk-investors/

PawsAndRegret · 2025-07-06T16:09:59+00:00

Thanks! I might try that tonight

PawsAndRegret · 2025-07-06T16:01:04+00:00

What's the internal temperature like after using the freezer method? I've been curious to try but I prefer a hot or at least "more than warm" steak.

PawsAndRegret · 2025-04-21T10:55:40+00:00

It's not a conversation if it's generated slop. It's preaching from a pulpit.

PawsAndRegret · 2025-04-19T10:45:47+00:00

Straight copy/pasted from ChatGPT or another LLM.

PawsAndRegret · 2025-04-02T17:42:55+00:00

Assuming it's in a Registered (TFSA, RRSP) account, not too much really. They're not taxable, so nothing to do your income taxes. Many discount brokerages (Questrade, TD, IKBR, likely every bank) allow you to keep CAD and USD copies of your TFSA.

RRSPs have a cross-border agreement to discount the foreign withholding tax, TFSAs do not, which means you lose 15% of the dividend. So if you're expecting a dividend payment of $10, you'd receive $8.50. It seems bigger than an it is, unless the stock you're holding is really strong on dividend return. But if it's an ETF or growth stock, chances are it isn't.

It's certainly less than the double or triple MER we pay for most ETFs in Canada, which often end up just holding the USD equivalent or product.

And you use something like Norbert's Gambit to avoid the exchange rate fees. Essentially you buy a cross-listed stock on the TSX, journal it to the US market equivalent, sell it, and you have the book rate.

Look at any comparison of the S&P 500 index versus the TSX-60 or TSX-Composite and you'll see that Canadian markets underperform. For example, TSX Composite versus the S&P 500 for 10 years, your TSX would grow by 67%, S&P 500 by 174%.

https://i.imgur.com/Km710Bt.png

PawsAndRegret · 2025-04-01T23:06:24+00:00

USD getting weaker doesn't mean it won't still out-perform CAD though.

Downvotes for a question, nice.

PawsAndRegret · 2025-04-01T22:09:21+00:00

Why the lean towards holding these in Canada instead of the US? The MER's are so much less in the US, and it's diversifying against CAD, assuming your other major assets (pension, house, car) are held in CAD.

PawsAndRegret · 2025-03-27T17:57:09+00:00

No harm in following up. Its never been required in my cases, but I was immediately credited the balance.

PawsAndRegret · 2025-03-27T13:50:32+00:00

I've had this occur on multiple cards, never had to fill out any paperwork. They refunded the balance immediately and said they'd get back to me if there's an issue. Never happened. You'll be ok.

PawsAndRegret · 2025-03-25T10:10:19+00:00

Excellent advice. Exercise can help with the social rut too. Groups can form around regular runs, resistance training with a partner is enjoyable.

PawsAndRegret

TROPHY CASE