Inflation and your household budget

Inflation tells us how much prices have changed year-over-year. It’s noticeable in the cost of everyday things, for example the price of a candy bar today compared to 20 years ago. Over time, increases in inflation tend to be offset by increases in wages, since inflation and wages both tend to increase gradually.

However, a more sudden increase in inflation can cause financial stress, due to sharper increases in the cost of living. If your paycheque suddenly doesn’t stretch as far, that means it’s a good time to take a look at your personal finances.

 



Making the most of your money

Managing money is challenging. In the current economic environment, it has become even more difficult. For people living on a low-income, managing the day-to-day expenses, let alone life changes or emergencies, can be overwhelming.  

Prosper Canada has created an online course that you can share or use with your clients to help them access tools and resources to support their daily money management.  

Making the most of your money is an easy-to-use, accessible, online course to help people living on a low income organize their finances and explore ways to increase the amount of money coming in and reduce what is going out. This interactive course has activities, videos, handouts and resources that are also downloadable.  



Responsible or sustainable investing

While there is no official definition of responsible or sustainable investing, many investors would like to adopt an investment approach that combines environmental, socials and governance (ESG) factors with traditional financial research.

The Autorité des marchés financiers has compiled information about ESG factors, the challenges of investing while taking ESG factors into account.

Disponible en français.



Make it Count

Make it Count is a parent's resource for youth money management provided by the Manitoba Securities Commission that provides activities and tips to help you incorporate youth money management lessons into your daily routine. You can easily turn errands into education. 

Disponible en français



Money management worksheets

CPA Canada has a selection of money management worksheets you can use with your clients.

Goal Setting
Set SMART goals that are specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic, time-framed.

Financial Fitness Self-Assessment
Determine how well you are currently managing your finances.

Values Validator
Determine the things in life that are most important to you.

Monthly Budget for Teens
Help teenagers living at home create a monthly budget.

Role Model Self-Assessment
Deter­mine what kind of financial role model you are.

Document Organizer
Organize your documents in preparation for filing your taxes.

Cash Flow Organizer
Get a clear picture of your cash flow — what is coming in and what is going out 

Net Worth Worksheet 
Get a snapshot of what you own (your assets) and what you owe (your liabilities)

Post-Secondary Student Budget
This worksheet will help students accurately estimate the total budget they need



The mastering money podcast

Brought to you from CPA Canada, this financial literacy podcast talks about key issues, trends and tips as they relate to financial education.

Season 7 of the Mastering Money podcast takes a deep dive into debt and the way it affects Canadians.

Season 6 of the Mastering Money podcast will help prepare you for retirement and give you the tools to get there, no matter your age.

Season 5 of the Mastering Money podcast unpacks the hard financial conversations you need to be having with your kids, partners, financial planners and more.

Season 4 of the Mastering Money podcast explores the role money plays in the lives of women from all walks of life, now and in the future.

Season 3 of the Mastering Money podcast looks at the difficult financial decisions Canadians are making during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Season 2 of the podcast takes listeners on a journey across various financial literacy hot topics and trends. These include how to fit financial literacy into existing programs, the financial health of future generations as well what it takes to take the plunge and start your own business.

In this introductory season of the podcast, hear from financial educators on topics such as behavioral economics, the emotions of money, financial wellness, and more.

 



Your financial toolkit

A comprehensive learning program that provides basic information and tools to help adults manage their personal finances and gain the confidence they need to make better financial decisions. Learn more about the program and how to use the learning modules.



Financial literacy courses for Canadian students

Teachers may incorporate two gamified financial literacy courses that are currently freely available into their lessons.

Students can now access two age-appropriate courses designed to help boost students' financial knowledge and confidence at any stage of their financial journey.

Course titles:

  1.  Money Management Foundations* (Grades 6 - 12)
    • Money Management and Budgeting
  2. Money Management After High School* (Grades 9 - 12)
    • Managing My Money After High School

Students will explore resources and tools on the FCAC website that they will be able to use well beyond high school.

*Students can earn a completion certificate issued by the FCAC and ChatterHigh!