Investing guides

What nobody taught us. Straightforward answers to the questions Canadian investors actually ask.

153 articles, by topic. New to investing? Here's where to start.

Featured

If you're waiting for a crash to buy in, you probably won't

A lot of people say they'll invest when the market drops. But crashes don't feel like sales. They feel like the world is falling apart. That's why the plan never works.

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Just buy XEQT? The one-ETF strategy explained

'Just buy XEQT' has become the go-to answer in Canadian investing. Here's what XEQT actually holds, why it works for most people, and when you want more.

9 min read

TFSA vs RRSP: Which should you max out first?

The classic Canadian investing question. A clear, no-jargon breakdown of when to prioritize your TFSA, when to lean into your RRSP, and why it depends.

8 min read

Your first moves

16 articles

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Brokerage comparison: what to look for in Canada

Big-bank brokerages vs independents like Wealthsimple and Questrade, compared on what actually costs you: trading fees, FX markups, and inactivity charges.

8 min read

The most common mistakes new Canadian investors make

Every investor makes mistakes early on. Here are the ones I see most often, the ones I made myself, and how to avoid letting them cost you real money.

9 min read

Compound interest: the only chart that matters

Einstein probably never called it the eighth wonder of the world. But the math is still remarkable. Here's why starting early matters more than starting big.

7 min read

Emergency fund: how much you need before you start investing

Before you open a brokerage account, you need money you can access without selling investments at the worst possible time. Here's how to think about it.

6 min read

Are ETFs actually better than mutual funds?

The average Canadian mutual fund charges 1.33 percent; the average ETF charges 0.66 percent. Real differences, when each is better, and why the vehicle matters less than the cost.

8 min read

The account maze

19 articles

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What to do after maxing your registered accounts

You've filled your TFSA, RRSP, and FHSA. Now what? Non-registered accounts, capital gains, tax-loss harvesting, and where to put the overflow.

8 min read

Why are Canada's account names so confusing?

TFSA has 'savings' in the name, so people think it's a savings account. RRSP sounds like a form. A rant about naming that costs Canadians money.

7 min read

What happens to your investments when you separate or divorce

Separation means splitting more than a household. Here's what happens to your TFSA, RRSP, and other investment accounts in a Canadian divorce.

7 min read

The FHSA explained: Canada's newest account

The First Home Savings Account launched in 2023 and many Canadians still don't understand it. Here's how it works and whether it makes sense for you.

7 min read

FHSA vs RRSP Home Buyers' Plan: which is better for your down payment?

A clear comparison of Canada's FHSA and RRSP Home Buyers' Plan for first-time buyers. Contribution limits, withdrawal rules, and when each one makes sense.

8 min read

DIY investing

10 articles

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Asset location: which investments go in which account

You might be holding the right investments in the wrong accounts. The difference between asset allocation and asset location can cost you thousands in taxes.

7 min read

Avantis CIBC ETFs: factor investing arrives in Canada

CIBC and Avantis launched a lineup of factor-tilted ETFs in early 2026. Here's what's in it, who Avantis is, and how to think about whether any of them fit.

9 min read

Bonds explained: do you need them in your portfolio?

Bonds are the part of investing nobody gets excited about. But they serve a real purpose, and ignoring them entirely has consequences.

7 min read

Are covered call ETFs worth it for Canadian investors?

Covered call ETFs advertise 8% to 12% yields. Here's how the strategy actually works, what the yield really is, and when these funds make sense.

8 min read

Holding Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs in a Canadian TFSA or RRSP

Yes, Canadian-listed Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs are qualified investments for TFSAs and RRSPs. Here's how it works, the tickers that count, and what to think about first.

6 min read

The long game

30 articles

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Miss the worst days, miss the best ones too

The biggest single-day gains in market history all happened during periods that felt like the world was ending. Here's why that matters.

7 min read

Best way to track your portfolio in Canada

We built a portfolio tracker, so we're biased. But here's an honest look at every approach: spreadsheets, brokerage tools, bank-linked apps, and more.

8 min read

Can't keep up with personal finance? It's not you

New accounts, new rules, new tax treaties that only apply to some accounts. Personal finance keeps changing, and nobody's sending you a memo.

7 min read

Do you know how your portfolio is actually doing?

Most investors can't answer this. Your brokerage shows a number, but it might not mean what you think. Here's what's really going on.

7 min read

Do you know what you actually own?

Most people can't tell you their portfolio breakdown. Exposure drifts silently. You think you're diversified but you might be 60% tech.

5 min read

The fine print

18 articles

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How to calculate your adjusted cost base (ACB)

Every time you buy, sell, or reinvest, your cost base changes. Here's how ACB works in Canada, why it matters, and how to track it.

8 min read

Capital gains tax in Canada: what you actually owe

You sold an investment for a profit. Now the CRA wants a cut. Here's how capital gains tax works, what the inclusion rate means, and how to minimize it.

7 min read

Currency-hedged ETFs: do you actually need them?

Are you losing money to currency swings without realizing it? Some ETFs hedge that out, others don't. Here's how to tell and why the answer for most Canadians is simple.

8 min read

How dividends work (and get taxed) in Canada

The first time I received a dividend, I didn't know what it was. Here's what dividends are, how Canadian dividend tax works, and what to watch for.

8 min read

How to read your T3 and T5 slips

Those tax slips from your brokerage look like gibberish. Here's what the boxes actually mean and what to do with them.

6 min read

The big picture

8 articles

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Active vs passive investing: what the data says and what it misses

Most active funds underperform over time. But 'most' isn't 'all.' Here's an honest look at both approaches for Canadian investors.

8 min read

Building a portfolio that doesn't need babysitting

You want to invest but you don't want a second job. Here's what a low-maintenance portfolio actually looks like, and how little it takes to keep it running.

6 min read

CPP and OAS explained: Canada's retirement benefits

Every paycheque, you contribute to CPP. But most Canadians don't know how much they'll actually get, or when to start collecting. Here's the full picture.

9 min read

Individual stocks vs ETFs: how to think about both

Most Canadians are told to pick one approach. Here's what it actually looks like to hold both, and how to decide what role each plays in your portfolio.

7 min read

What to do with an inheritance or financial windfall

You've come into a large sum of money you didn't expect. The worst thing you can do is rush. Here's how to think through it, step by step.

7 min read

ETF & ticker library

52 articles

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Investing guides

Featured

If you're waiting for a crash to buy in, you probably won't

Just buy XEQT? The one-ETF strategy explained

TFSA vs RRSP: Which should you max out first?

Your first moves

Brokerage comparison: what to look for in Canada

The most common mistakes new Canadian investors make

Compound interest: the only chart that matters

Emergency fund: how much you need before you start investing

Are ETFs actually better than mutual funds?

The account maze

What to do after maxing your registered accounts

Why are Canada's account names so confusing?

What happens to your investments when you separate or divorce

The FHSA explained: Canada's newest account

FHSA vs RRSP Home Buyers' Plan: which is better for your down payment?

DIY investing

Asset location: which investments go in which account

Avantis CIBC ETFs: factor investing arrives in Canada

Bonds explained: do you need them in your portfolio?

Are covered call ETFs worth it for Canadian investors?

Holding Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs in a Canadian TFSA or RRSP

The long game

Miss the worst days, miss the best ones too

Best way to track your portfolio in Canada

Can't keep up with personal finance? It's not you

Do you know how your portfolio is actually doing?

Do you know what you actually own?

The fine print

How to calculate your adjusted cost base (ACB)

Capital gains tax in Canada: what you actually owe

Currency-hedged ETFs: do you actually need them?

How dividends work (and get taxed) in Canada

How to read your T3 and T5 slips

The big picture

Active vs passive investing: what the data says and what it misses

Building a portfolio that doesn't need babysitting

CPP and OAS explained: Canada's retirement benefits

Individual stocks vs ETFs: how to think about both

What to do with an inheritance or financial windfall

ETF & ticker library

Anthropic ETF Canada: how to get Anthropic exposure before the IPO

Avantis vs Dimensional: same lineage, different access

Avantis vs Vanguard: two different bets, not better or worse

CACE ETF: what CACE.TO is, what it holds, and how it works

CADE ETF: what CADE.TO is, what it holds, and how it works