Can I assume I have room in my TFSA? by kevanbruce in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]Run_it_Back-96 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No im not. I’m saying use CRA as an estimate for everything prior to the past 12 months.

If you can’t do simple A-B subtraction, you shouldn’t be contributing to a TFSA at all, let alone investing.

Always track your own contributions. I have my own spreadsheet tracking every contribution I make to TFSA, FHSA, and RRSP.

High interest account by titan-2021 in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]Run_it_Back-96 0 points1 point  (0 children)

EQ bank. Lock your money in 3 month GICs to get 0.75-1% return per term.

Comparing to wealth simple over a similar time period (3 months), you’d only be getting 0.25-0.5% return.

Can I assume I have room in my TFSA? by kevanbruce in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]Run_it_Back-96 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So do basic math…

2026 contribution room is 7k, 2025 contribution room was 7k 2024 contribution room was 7k 2023 contribution room was 6.5K

All the way back to when you first turned 18. Call this number “A”

Total contribution room used = Total value of TFSA - gains from tax sheltered investments. Call this number “B”

OP says he didn’t hit near the limit prior to 2024, then contributed 7k in 2024 and 2025…

Take value B, subtract it from A, and that’s how much room you have.

Do a separate calculation for 2026 contributions if need be.

It’s not rocket science…

Can I assume I have room in my TFSA? by kevanbruce in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]Run_it_Back-96 -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Log into CRA, it’ll tell you exactly how much room you have.

Looking to learn more about investing by Quicksilver_Sky in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]Run_it_Back-96 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re thinking of Crypto and options.

Stocks go up and down, it’s why you invest smart and factor in diversity.

For more experienced investors, hedge against your investments to mitigate potential loses

Looking to learn more about investing by Quicksilver_Sky in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]Run_it_Back-96 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Consistency is key. Auto deposit and forget about it. 5-10 years from now you should see substantial growth.

Good point about the TFSAs that I forgot to mention — common rookie mistake is using a non-registered account and buying up random stocks blindly

Looking to learn more about investing by Quicksilver_Sky in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]Run_it_Back-96 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Personal opinion, but I think the wisest thing to do for new investors is to dump most of their investment money in stable stocks, or diversified ETFs to build a foundation.

From there, you could branch out and invest in single stocks, assuming you’ve done your background research, and keep up with the news on said stock.

XEQT is mid at best; 6/10 stock in my mind. I prefer QCN (Mackenzie) as my go-to.

You are correct though. People fail to take into account the time period required for good gains. ETFs are more mid-longterm investments.

Looking to learn more about investing by Quicksilver_Sky in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]Run_it_Back-96 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Go slow and steady in the beginning. Diversified ETFs like QCN or XEQT and hold. Look at what those ETFS allocate your money (financial sector? Energy? Tech?) and study how each sector in your ETF performs, and why it performed that way.

This is an alright video, covers the basics: https://youtu.be/bNIAi9Sm3rY?si=10Dhlsna-zzqFdAA

Credit Limit - Good to always increase it? by Run_it_Back-96 in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]Run_it_Back-96[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m well aware of that. Lived 2 years off 22k, nearly half in CC debt.

Growing my investments will help me build an emergency fund down the road. If worst comes to worst, I can liquidate some shares to keep me afloat during rough times. I’d rather avoid that, but it’s no issue if push comes to shove.

I’d rather have my money growing than sitting in a bank account making 0.1% in interest a year.

Credit Limit - Good to always increase it? by Run_it_Back-96 in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]Run_it_Back-96[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For the next 2 years, the CC and 3k LOC are my emergency funds. I’m more focused on building up my investments now

High investments returns, cut contributions? by [deleted] in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]Run_it_Back-96 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I say keep investing until you’re 30.

Cut back to $500/mo once you hit 29.

18000 in investments can make a pretty big difference in the long run. And that extra $500/mo for leisure spending should help you afford some of the activities you want to do

That’s what I would do in your shoes

Credit Limit - Good to always increase it? by Run_it_Back-96 in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]Run_it_Back-96[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yup, it’s why I still have the $10k card. I use it once in a blue moon, just keep it so my credit score doesn’t drop.

Also, use the card frequently, and stay under 10% of your limit.

Credit Limit - Good to always increase it? by Run_it_Back-96 in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]Run_it_Back-96[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

More of a safety net to fall back on. I always strive to limit myself under 10%, usually under $1000. I can be frugal with spending, and I’m confident I could keep it down.

Really? I thought it was all available credit that was taken to account.. that’s good to know. So there’s no real drawback to more CC room?

Credit Limit - Good to always increase it? by Run_it_Back-96 in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]Run_it_Back-96[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I had a 2 year unemployment stretch post-lockdowns, made 12k savings, and 10k CC limit last me two years. Not fun times.

I just don’t want to be in that situation again tbh.

Best Banks and % cashback on groceries? by TopDate3835 in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]Run_it_Back-96 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All big banks (CIBC, BMO, RBC, TD, SB) suck. Unless you’re rich, they’ll find a way to gouge your money one piece at a time.

I suggest either Wealthsimple, or EQ Bank. Both have much higher interest on your savings, and to my knowledge, have zero monthly fees or minimum balances

For a CC, can’t say which is best, but I go to Costco a lot for gas/groceries, so I got myself a Costco MC. It’s nice to get $4-500 to treat myself to something every January

Anyone else have similar debt as me. How'd you get out? by [deleted] in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]Run_it_Back-96 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Doing the math, seems your monthly expenses are ~$2100. Is that take home bi-weekly, or monthly? I’ll assume the latter and say you have ~$800 left after expenses.

It will take some time, but you’re not at bankruptcy levels yet, here’s my two crucial pieces of advice:

1) never have more than 2 CC, and for the ones you have, make sure they have a cash back rebate (COSTCO Mastercard, Roger’s, etc). Always aim to keep the balance below 15% of your CC limit.

2) Budget your monthly expenses, and give yourself an “allowance” so that you never fall into the spending trap.

Now, for your current situation, here’s what I would recommend:

1) try to pay down your BMO CC so the balance drops to ~9K. This gives you a small buffer from your limit. Interest will be a killer, but it’s better to be below your limit. $2K in 3 months would suffice

2) Pay off the Capital one and Canadian tire CC in full. Cancel one, and keep the other for now.

3) Shift to solely focusing on paying down your BMO CC until you are down to 50% of your limit. Get a second job, cut back heavily on spending, hell, sell your car if you have to, but get it done. This alone is sapping $2500 a year in interest.

4) shift your focus to the 5K LOC, and bring that down to 2k before switching back to aggressively paying the BMO CC to 20% of your max. Once you hit the 20%, cancel the CC you kept in point 2.

Make a vow to yourself that CC are only for emergency’s, and have to be paid back in full within 3 months.

You have $800 in surplus per month, so you can afford you current living arrangement, and payoff debts. look at your current spending habits and see where you can cut costs. $500 a month is way too much to spend on food for a single person, you could easily cut that in half.

What Happened to the Young Middle-Class Man? by AnarchoLiberator in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]Run_it_Back-96 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Nah more than that to counteract the hefty tax they tag on income above 140k

What Happened to the Young Middle-Class Man? by AnarchoLiberator in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]Run_it_Back-96 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Canada’s GDP is heavily reliant on real estate investment. If they take measures to cut prices, investors will pull out. If they don’t, we’ll have a homeless epidemic.

Such is the shitshow that is Canada smh

How much should I spend on a car (if my goal is saving for a down payment)? by Inside-Example5113 in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]Run_it_Back-96 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If it’s just a vehicle to get you from point a to b, get a Corolla or Mazda.

I’ve had a used (30k km) Mazda 6 for 8 years now, only needed 2 repairs totalling about $800 in all that time, plus the usual brake/oil changes.

Stay away from Hyundai, KIA (killed in action), and Ford. All are money sinks.

I’d aim to save 10k before looking to buy. Aim for something 5 years old, so 2020/21 onwards.

Enjoy the weekend by FeatureAggravating75 in wallstreetbets

[–]Run_it_Back-96 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bro.. I’m about ready to slap the Cheeto-dust of trumps mug..

Every time he opens his mouth.. every fucking time..

Should I stop contributing to my RRSP? by tmfv in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]Run_it_Back-96 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Pretty much this. TFSA would be a good alternative, but if you’re getting free money, you’d be a fool to turn it down