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For decades, personal finance experts have preached the mantra: “Live within your means.” But for many Canadians, that phrase feels vague, outdated, and even dismissive. What does “means” mean anyway? Credit limits? Future raises? Family support? Far too many include their credit limit when they think of their means. It’s time to shift the conversation…
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When my mom passed away, I was heartbroken—and broke. The pandemic had just passed, and I had used mine to live during my time off work. I didn’t have enough saved to fly home and be with family. I had to rely on others to help get me there. It was humbling, stressful, and eye-opening.…
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What Is Tithing? A Christian Guide to Giving Without Guilt As a Christian, I have thought long and hard about giving and what I see going on in many churches and congregations today. I have had quite the spiritual journey, and thankfully, over the years, I have learned to study the bible and rely on…
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Take control of your money, one cent at a time What Is Budgeting and Why It Matters Budgeting isn’t a punishment; it’s about empowering yourself with a plan. In a country where food costs, housing prices, and seasonal bills seem to creep higher every year, a budget helps you face it all with confidence, especially…
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8 Real Reasons Canadians End Up in Debt — And How to Take Back Control Debt has become a common fixture in so many lives and even in the life of our nation. Sometimes it builds slowly, while at other times it appears all at once. It can feel like it has a life of…
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If I could go back in time and give my younger self some advice, I’d skip the lectures and go straight to habits. Because that’s where the real change happens — not in not in the big choices we make but in small habits formed. Today, I’m sharing 10 money-saving habits I wish I’d started…
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Summer in Canada is short, and it seems to fly by. So many times, it seems to be an expensive time of the year. You don’t need to drop hundreds every weekend to make memories. In fact, with $300 total, you can build a summer packed with fun, food, and even a splurge or two.…
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Twenty-one years ago this week, my life changed forever. I was in a deadly fire. I survived, but my neighbour didn’t. That night haunts me still ( I still wake up from dreams about that night and the fire fighters who rescued us), and it taught me some hard lessons about fire safety, tenant insurance,…
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Hello again, dear readers. It’s been a while. When I first launched Common Cents Mom, it was more than a blog; it was a place where we had real conversations about the big money questions, shared real-life financial wins and fails, and found empowerment through practical advice rooted in the everyday Canadian experience. I went…
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Amazon Prime Days are back, and it’s the longest one yet! Starting July 8 at 12:01 a.m. PDT and running through July 11, you’ve got four full days to get the best deals, enter contests, and even stream a brand-new Canadian music documentary. Who doesn’t like to shop from home while sipping a cup of…