Money Matters. financial lessons for life

Transcription

1 2013 Money Matters financial lessons for life

2 92% of parents in Canada want their children to be money-smart* Early conversations about money will improve financial literacy Talk to your kids about money Young children: If your child is old enough to ride a bike, you should be having discussions with them about money. Children as young as 4 can begin to grasp the concepts of saving and spending. Teens: If you give an allowance, always explain its value to your children by reminding them what they did to earn it. Adult children: Help your child be financially independent. If your son or daughter has moved back home after college, support them with advice that will empower them to stand on their own, but don t negotiate salaries or write resumes for them. Everyone benefits from learning to manage money If you are open with your children about money and start planning early, your whole family will be financially independent. Talking with your kids about saving and investing goes a long way to instill and remind all family members of the importance of money management. Work on your own spending habits and learn more about setting savings goals online with help from

3 January sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday LAST 4 5 New Year s Day NEW FIRST FULL December February

4 87% of Canadian boomers feel they are not ready for retirement* C onsider this Canadians today expect to live longer than ever before. It can be hard to predict how much you ll need to live in retirement. It s never too late to start saving. Get ready Find out how much the government will let you put into your RRSP. Get advice on how to maximize your RRSP. Work with a professional to ensure the money in your RRSPs is invested in a balanced portfolio. Visit to learn how we can help.

5 February sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday 1 2 LAST NEW Valentine s Day FIRST Louis Riel Day 24 FULL January 2013 March

6 27% of Canadians believe they have been approached with a possible fraudulent investment* What to watch for Investment scam artists may approach you through groups you belong to, at investment seminars, or through unsolicited or phone calls. They ll do whatever they can to win your confidence. Be wary of offers that promise high returns with little or no risk. Scamsters tend to make offers that expire quickly. If you are being rushed into making an investment decision, be very cautious. Wise investing Research all investment opportunities. Visit to see if the individual or firm selling the investment is registered or if they have had disciplinary action taken against them in the past. Report any investment opportunities that you think might be a scam to The Manitoba Securities Commission.

7 March sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday February April LAST NEW Daylight Saving Time Begins FIRST St. Patrick s Day First Day of Spring Easter Sunday FULL Good Friday

8 The average annual tax refund in Canada is $1659* You may be eligible for a larger tax refund than you expect. Easy ways to increase your tax refund File your tax return by April 30 to get your refund, to avoid interest or penalties if you must pay a balance due and to receive refundable tax credits throughout the year. Families benefit from filing taxes together. Start with the lowest income earner to increase credits and refunds with transferable tax provisions. If you collect a pension, you may be able to report up to 50% of it on your spouse s return so you can keep more. Save money by being tax-savvy Recover Refunds: Forgot to claim something? A tax professional can help recover everything from disability and medical tax credits to deductions for your safety deposit box within 10 years. Increase Refunds: Set money aside all year to invest in an RRSP, increasing your tax credits and refunds. Tax changes happen all the time. Increase your tax literacy and stay updated by reading breaking tax and investment news at

9 April sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday 1 LAST Easter Monday NEW FIRST FULL Earth Day March May

10 Fewer than 25% of eligible children have taken advantage of the Canada Learning Bond which can be worth up to $2000* Is your family eligible for this free money? If your child was born in 2004 or later and you receive the National Child Benefit Supplement as part of your Child Tax Benefit you are eligible. Open an RESP now, and the Government of Canada will give your child free money to further their studies after high school. Even if you don t have any of your own money to save, this option will still be available to you. The Canada Learning Bond is worth $500 today, but can add up to $2000 over time. Start saving today! Call OCANADA or visit for more information about the Canada Learning Bond. Visit and learn how to choose a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) provider wisely. SEED Winnipeg offers free RESP workshops. Call or visit for more information.

11 May sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday April 2013 June 2013 S M 1 T 2 W 3 T 4 F 5 S LAST NEW FIRST Mother s Day FULL Victoria Day LAST 31

12 4 10% of Manitobans will experience some form of abuse in their later years* Staying involved in your finances is your best protection. What to watch for Older adults should be wary of pressures to lend money, forfeit goods and sell or give away property. Exercise extreme caution if someone asks you to make changes to your will and/or power of attorney. Keep track of your investments and finances and be sure no one is using your property or money without your knowledge or consent. Protect yourself You have the right to make your own decisions and live as you wish, provided they do not infringe on the rights or safety of others. Discuss any concerns you may have with a trusted friend, support or professional and keep records, accounts and lists of property and assets available for examination by them if needed. Find support for older adults at and If you are concerned about possible abuse, call the A & O: Support Services for Older Adults intake line at or toll free at or contact the Senior s Abuse Support line at

13 June sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday May 2013 July NEW FIRST Father s Day First Day of Summer 23 FULL LAST 29

14 Payday loans are often the most expensive way to borrow money Although Manitobans are protected by the toughest payday lending rules in Canada, it s critical to know your options and borrow wisely. What to watch for Manitoba payday lending rules Payday Work hard lenders to gain can t your charge trust Manitobans before they more steal than your $17 money. for every They $100 want you they to lend. This includes believe that all charges they are and your fees, best including friend. those related to debit and/or credit cards that may Promise high returns with little or no risk. be used to provide you with your funds. Rush you into making a decision they You can cancel your payday loan within 48 tell you that their offer won t last long. hours without paying any charges. For more information about payday lending rules, visit the Consumer Protection Office website at C onsider less costly borrowing options There are other types of loans that may cost you less. Consider going to a bank or credit union to see if you can get a line of credit or short-term loan to cover expenses in an emergency. Shop around to compare borrowing charges before deciding on where to get a loan. Payday loans are high-cost loans. If you need money for an emergency, get advice from a qualified financial counsellor.

15 July sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday Canada Day 7 NEW FIRST FULL LAST June August

16 Last year, in addition to loans, Manitoba Student Aid gave out approximately $30 million in non-repayable grants and bursaries* Why government student loans? What to watch for Government student loans are a great option for Work many hard reasons. to gain your trust before they steal your money. They want you to You re automatically assessed for believe that they are your best friend. grants and bursaries. Promise high returns with little or no risk. They re payment-free and interest-free Rush while you you re into making school. a decision they tell you that their offer won t last long. They have favourable interest rates. Learn more Whether you re in high school, just graduated from high school, have taken some time off, or you re at an adult learning centre, Manitoba Student Aid is here to help. Check us out at

17 August sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday July 2013 September NEW Civic Holiday FIRST FULL LAST

18 Home buyers should be aware of the recent changes to the Offer to Purchase Form and the new protection it provides them* Property Disclosure Statement The new Offer to Purchase form now includes a Property Disclosure Statement (PDS) that is to be signed by the home seller. A PDS provides a prospective buyer with a more comprehensive understanding of the condition of the home before finalizing the purchase. The new Offer to Purchase form also includes a provision that a potential home buyer obtain (at buyer s expense) a home inspection within a reasonable time. Protecting your interests If you are buying a home, ask that the seller complete the property disclosure statement. If you are selling a home, complete the property disclosure statement carefully and make sure it accurately communicates the condition of the house you are selling. Download the Protecting the Home Buyer s Interests publication at for more information.

19 September sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday NEW Labour Day FIRST FULL LAST First Day of Autumn August October

20 Less than half (44%) of all Manitobans have enlisted the help of a Financial Adviser* Benefits A financial adviser can help you set financial goals, make a plan, choose suitable investments, track progress and adjust your plan as needed. You can expect your advisor to make clear, specific recommendations for your financial plan, identifying strengths, weaknesses and risks for each. Payment structures can be flexible. Financial advisers can be paid by salary, flat fee, commission or a combination of all the above. Finding an adviser you trust Ask family and friends for recommendations when looking for a financial adviser. Find Working with a Financial Adviser and Questions to Ask when Choosing a Financial Adviser on The Manitoba Securities Commission website at Check to ensure the adviser you are working with is registered with The Manitoba Securities Commission. Find a list of registered individuals and firms at under National Registration Search.

21 October sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday NEW FIRST FULL Thanksgiving Day LAST September 2013 November Halloween

22 More than 74.5 million Visa and MasterCards are in use in Canada* Credit cards can be financially helpful and convenient, BUT they can also start you along the slippery slope into debt. Get to know your agreement DO read the fine print carefully. Your credit card agreement is a legal contract so be sure you understand what you are signing up for. DO remember that credit card cash advances charge you interest immediately. DO pay more than just the minimum monthly payment required. At 19% (a standard credit card interest rate), making only the minimum monthly payments on a $1000 balance means you will spend over 10 years paying it off and an extra $ in interest. Paying JUST $10 more each month can save you $ in interest and pay off the balance in half the time! Pay off your debts sooner than later DON T treat your credit cards as extra cash in your pocket. Borrowed money doesn t count as income. DON T lose money to interest fees. Always try to pay your credit card balance in full prior to the due date. If you can t pay off the full balance, don t use your card until the balance is paid. DON T assume all credit cards are the same. Compare fees, interest rates and take note of how soon your payments are due. Check out the credit card comparisons at the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada website:

23 November sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday October 2013 December NEW FIRST 9 Daylight Saving Time Ends Remembrance Day FULL LAST Hanukkah Begins

24 Increasing your knowledge, skills and confidence to make responsible financial decisions will help you meet personal goals and enhance your quality of life. Everyday Manitobans are making financial decisions, from budgeting monthly expenses and earnings, to purchasing groceries, clothes and housing, to saving and investing for their future. Financial literacy is continuous and learned through different stages of life. Having a grasp of the numbers is just the beginning. But sharpening your financial skills, knowledge and confidence will help you make sound decisions, as an individual and on your family s behalf. Visit the Financial Literacy Resource website at for an inventory of existing financial literacy programs and services from various Manitoba government departments, agencies, and provincially-funded community organizations. Stan Struthers Minister, Manitoba Finance

25 December sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday 1 NEW FIRST FULL First Day of Winter LAST Christmas Day Boxing Day November January New Year s Eve

26 Being victimized by fraud Receiving unexpected money Coping with illness and disability Dealing with dying and death Caring for a loved one Living your retirement Getting separated or divorced Planning for retirement Starting a business Losing a job Having a baby Getting married Opening an account Getting a new job Acquiring an education Buying a car Buying a home

27 Financial Literacy is a skill that we will use throughout our lives. Whether we are buying a home, caring for a loved one or going through a divorce, money and finance come into play. Take some time to think about your personal values, set some goals and make a plan a financial road map will help you achieve your goals while holding true to your values. Personal Values Personal Goals My P lan

28 Partners Manitoba Securities Commission Phone: Toll free: Website: Manitoba Advanced Education and Literacy Phone: Toll free: , ext Website: Community Financial Counselling Services Phone: Toll free Website: Seed Winnipeg Inc. Phone: Website: Investors Group Toll free: Website: Manitoba Finance Website: Manitoba Healthy Living, Seniors and Consumer Affairs Phone: Website: A & O: Support Services for Older Adults Phone: Toll free: info@ageopportunity.mb.ca Website: Knowledge Bureau Phone: Toll free: reception@knowledgebureau.com Website: