Financial Product Reviews

IPVanish provides secure, encrypted, and private access to the internet, regardless of where you are or what device you’re using. One common use of a VPN service like this is to unblock American Netflix and streaming services not normally available in Canada. For the most part, IPVanish fits the bill, though there have been complaints about streaming being a bit slow through this service.

NordVPN has virtual private network servers around the world, giving you access to internet content no matter where you (or it) happens to be. With one NordVPN account you can connect up to 10 devices using all major operating systems, including Linux. And if you're particularly security-minded, you can combine NordVPN with The Onion Router (TOR) to give you added anonymity.

Open variable mortgages generally have limited terms – usually a single option of either 3 or 5 years – and a middling mortgage rate that isn't terrible, but also isn't great. These sorts of mortgages are pretty niche and only of interest to people who have a specific and somewhat complicated mortgage situation on their hands, in that they need a mortgage, but they also want to be able to pay it off in full any time they want, without paying any extra penalties.

One of the lesser-known types of mortgage is the open fixed rate mortgage, which is simply a fixed rate mortgage that you can pay off in full at any time without additional penalties. These mortgages are primarily for people who are selling another property, or who are expecting a sudden lump sum of money, such as through an inheritance.

RBC offers an impressive spread of TFSA investment options, appealing to hands-on and laid-back investors alike. If you prefer trading your money yourself, you can open a RBC Direct Investing TFSA. But if you prefer investing to be a bit more lowkey, you can choose to invest in TFSA GICs, mutual funds, portfolios, or even a registered savings account.

Western Union Money Transfer is a leading brand in the international money transfer space because of its affordability, seamless user experience, and multiple payment options.

Private Internet Access is a Virtual Private Network that gives your internet traffic added security and privacy. You can connect an unlimited number of devices at once, block ads and trackers, and enjoy private peer-to-peer file exchanging. Of course, it’ll also give you the ability to route around geoblocking to watch American Netflix in Canada (and other U.S. streaming services).

A TD TFSA gives you the flexibility to grow your savings tax-free while choosing from a wide range of investment options all under one roof. You can go the DIY route with TD Direct Investing and manage your own trades, or take a more hands-off approach with mutual funds, GICs, or even a simple savings account. That flexibility makes it easy to tailor your TFSA to your comfort level—whether you want guaranteed returns, a managed portfolio, or full control over your investments.

Open fixed rate mortgages are a niche product, designed for people who need a very short-term mortgage with predictable payments and the option to pay it off in full at any time. Perhaps your current mortgage needs to be renewed, but you're planning to sell your house in the next few months. Or maybe you have a sizable chunk of money coming in soon. Whatever the reason, if you need an open fixed rate mortgage, you're going to find that most lenders have pretty similar options available.

If you want to take advantage of current super-low mortgage rates, but don't necessarily want to sign up for the long term, an open fixed rate mortgage might be right for you. The Scotiabank open fixed mortgage offers both 6 month and 1 year terms, but you have the option to pay it off in full early, if you like, or to convert it to a longer term mortgage at any time.