APPENDIX RESOURCES. Bank Branch Online This site shares information and tips on many areas of online banking.

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1 WebSites Advocis Association of Professional Financial Advisors The Advocis site provides resources on financial planning and professional financial planners to help you select the right financial planner for your needs. Bank Branch Online This site shares information and tips on many areas of online banking. Bank of Canada Information about Canada s central bank, interest rates and inflation rates Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) The CDIC s website offers answers to basic questions about banking and mortgage insurance, along with other topics related to personal finance, and banking data and statistics. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Provides information on all housing matters. Canada Pension Plan Site includes links to general, benefit, and payment information. Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) The CRA website provides information on taxes, and all related issues: tax credit, RRSPs, NETFILE, etc. Canadian Bankers Association: The Your Money Network A web portal resource guide to banking and personal finance basics, designed to help young adults improve their knowledge of financial matters. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Site contains information on uses and misuses of credit cards, on how to regain financial health, and other personal finance topics.

2 Canadian Financial Network Over 6,000 international financial resources organized on single site, with sufficient detail. Canadian Foundation for Economic Education Financial education for all ages, economic information, career selection tool, etc. Canadian Institute of Mortgage Brokers and Lenders This site provides information on mortgage rates, and it includes calculators. Canadian Shareowners Association Great information on stocks, mutual funds and many investment ideas Canoe Money Provides information on interest rates, investments, credit cards, etc. Consumers Association of Canada (CAC) An independent, non-profit volunteer organization that represents and informs consumers and advocates. Citigroup Financial Education Program Here at Citigroup s financial education website, find a variety of information about the financial education programs that Citigroup supports worldwide, educational resources, and the latest news. Citigroup Financial Education Curriculum Find the contents of the Citigroup Financial Education Curriculum plus complementary interactive lessons. Credit Counselling Canada A national association of not-for-profit credit counselling agencies and Orderly Payment of Debt programs from all across Canada. They work together to increase consumer awareness of the available assistance programs, and to develop a national standard in not-for-profit credit counselling. Credit Education Bureau The Credit Education Bureau website contains Teacher Resources including classroom presentations, videos, handouts, and other items on credit, money

3 management, and all financial areas related to credit, plus calculators and sample checks. Credit Union Central of Canada This website contains information on Canada s Credit Union system, and discusses a lot of consumer issues. Equifax Request your credit report and find other subjects of interest in personal finance, including how to protect against identity theft. Industry Canada s Consumer Connection Consumerconnection.ic.gc.ca Information on identity theft, financial privacy financial products, etc. Ontario Securities and Exchange Commission Learn how the Securities Commission administers and enforces securities legislation in the province of Ontario. TransUnion Like Equifax, TransUnion provides credit reports and other credit information for consumers. Use Credit Wisely This Citi Cards site provides tips for using credit wisely, responsibly, and safely, as well as a glossary of credit terms. General Textbooks Personal Finance. Jack Kapoor, Les Dlabay, Robert Hughes, and Arshad Ahmad, McGraw Hill Ryerson. 3rd Canadian Edition, Personal Finance For Canadians. Kathleen Brown, Thomas Chambers, Elliott Currie Pearson Education Canada. 8th edition, 2005.

4 Top 10 Tips for Good Credit After you ve decided on the type of credit you need and how much you can afford, follow these steps for maintaining a good credit history: Shop around for the best credit terms. Understand the terms of the agreement before you accept a loan or credit card. Save money each payday for emergencies. Set a monthly limit for charges and stick to it. Shop as carefully with credit as you do with cash. Don t take on monthly credit payments unless you re certain you can meet them. Pay bills promptly and in full to keep finance charges low. If you charge day-to-day expenses, pay them in full each month. Keep credit card information (including phone number of issuer) in a safe place in case your cards are lost or stolen. Keep copies of sales slips and compare charges when bills arrive. If there s a mistake, call your issuer right away. From

5 New To Credit? If you re using a credit card for the first time, read the following tips to help you take charge of your finances and use your credit card wisely! KNOW THE RULES Pay at least the minimum due every month The minimum amount due is the least you can pay every month to keep your account in good standing. Pay more than the minimum and you ll pay off your balance faster or reduce the interest you pay over time. Avoid late payments If you miss a due date, you may be charged a late fee. And, a late payment may be recorded on your credit history. Be sure your payment arrives on time by sending it 5-7 days before the due date, even if you use online banking. SPEND RESPONSIBLY Don t exceed your credit limit If you exceed your credit limit, a fee may be assessed. Over-the-limit fees are charged every month that the amount of money you owe exceeds your credit limit. Use cash advances with discretion Taking frequent cash advances becomes expensive. Your card issuer may charge an extra fee for each cash advance and charge a higher Annual Percentage Rate than for purchases. BE PROTECTED Prevent fraud Be careful about how and when you use your credit cards. Never loan your card to anyone. Always check receipts against your monthly statements and report errors right away. Safeguard your identifying information Minimize your risk for theft by keeping items with personal information in a safe place at home. Notify your bank and other card issuers when you change your address or phone number and be sure to report all lost or stolen cards immediately. From

6 Community organizations that offer financial education and consumer assistance ACORN Canada (The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) ACORN is an advocacy group active in protecting consumers from predatory lending. Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) Offers free tax help to low- to moderate-income people with tax return preparation. Volunteers who have received training help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country. CVITP sites can be found in community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls, and other locations. Most locations also offer free electronic filing (e-file). Consumers Council of Canada The Consumers Council of Canada works collaboratively with consumers, business and government in support of consumers rights and responsibilities. Consumers' Association of Canada (CAC) CAC is an independent, not-for-profit, volunteer-based, charitable organization. Their mandate is to inform and educate consumers on marketplace issues, to advocate for consumers with government and industry, and work with government and industry to solve marketplace problems. PIAC: The Public Interest Advocacy Centre PIAC is a non-profit organization that provides legal and research services on behalf of consumer interests, and, in particular, vulnerable consumer interests, concerning the provision of important public services. Stop Mortgage Fraud Developed by the Mortgage Bankers Association, this website has information on how to tell whether you are the victim of a predatory mortgage loan and provides suggestions on where to complain.

7 Credit Bureaus Equifax Canada P.O. Box 190, Station Jean-Talon, Montreal, Quebec H1S 2Z2 equifax.ca For a credit report or to report fraud call TransUnion of Canada P.O. Box 338 L.C.D.I. Hamilton, Ontario L8L 7W For a credit report or to report fraud call

8 APPENDIx Money-Saving Ideas If you buy items because they re on sale, you aren t saving. It s not a bargain if you don t need it. Reconsider luxuries. They have a tendency to become necessities. If you live a little below your means, your money will go farther. Check bills for errors. Do things for yourself that you used to pay for (ironing your own shirts or mowing your lawn, for example). Make shopping lists and stick to them. Compare prices at three stores before making a major purchase. Buy used items and seconds when practical. Treat everything you own as valuable. Make things last. Don t throw things out until they wear out. From

9 Keep Your Credit Safe It s important to be careful about how and when you use your credit cards. Never lend them to anyone, and never leave your cards or receipts lying around, no matter where you live. Heeding a few simple rules can save you from being a victim of credit card fraud or theft. Always know where your cards are and keep them in a safe place. Don t give your account number over the phone unless you know the company and you made the call. Get a card that has added security features, like a photo. Draw a line through the blank space above the total on charge slips to prevent changes and tear up carbons from slips. Don t sign blank charge slips. Always check receipts against your monthly statements. Errors must be reported within 60 days of the statement mailing date. Record card numbers, expiration dates and phone numbers. Keep this record in a safe place separate from your cards. Use it if you need to report lost or stolen cards. Never put your account number or personal identification number (PIN) on the outside of an envelope or postcard. Never put your PIN on the card or in your wallet. Carry only the cards you need, especially when traveling. From

10 CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION This Certifies that Name Has Completed Section Names of the Citigroup Financial Education Curriculum on Date Facilitator's Signature Position