Welcome to Canada!
Moving to a new country can be tough, not to mention horribly overwhelming.
Even countries that seem the most similar on the surface could work slightly differently in reality, which can throw you for a loop in a time when you need stability the most.
And with something as instrumental as your finances, feeling uncertain is the last thing you want.
But don’t worry – we understand. That’s why we created this guide for the basics of Canadian personal finance.
What You'll Get
- A guide to setting up your bank account – plus what to look out for when deciding which bank to go with.
- A primer on the Big Five banks in Canada, the plans for newcomers they offer, plus the standard features you should expect.
- The difference between chequing and savings accounts.
- An introduction to your banking alternatives: no fee digital banking and credit unions.
- Tips for credit cards and keeping your credit score afloat.
- Help for filing your taxes – including what programs Canada offers, plus how newcomers can get their tax returns filed for free.
- Basics of investing with the governments biggest products: TFSA and RRSP.
More Free Resources and Downloads
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Try it outCanadian Health Insurance Company Comparison Chart PDF
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