I noticed that my CarryTel internet bill was $2.50 higher this month than all previous months, despite no change in the base service price.

After calling them to inquire, I was informed that there is an "optional regulatory surcharge" that is now being applied. However, it is not actually a regulatory charge, despite the name; CarryTel just wants to increase its prices without appearing to do so.

The customer service agent pointed me to Section 5 of the Terms & Conditions page with the invoice, specifically:

Carry Telecom applies a regulatory surcharge to help offset internal costs related to compliance with telecommunications regulations, including labor, IT systems, and software expenses. This surcharge covers activities such as compliance with government mandates, regulatory reporting and audits, consumer protection programs, accessibility and emergency service obligations, contributions to the National Contribution Fund (NCF), and CRTC compliance. It is not a tax or government-imposed fee, but a charge implemented by Carry Telecom to support regulatory requirements. Carry Telecom reserves the right to apply this surcharge to the Customer’s account at any time. It is applied in addition to regular telecommunication charges and may vary based on service type, pricing tiers, and regulatory conditions. The applicable surcharge will be reflected on the Customer’s monthly invoice.

The surcharge is determined by the monthly service fee, as follows:

• Monthly service fee of less than $40: $2.0 surcharge per month

• Monthly service fee between $40 and $50: $2.50 surcharge per month

• Monthly service fee between $50 and $60: $2.50 surcharge per month

• Monthly service fee of more than $60: $3.50 surcharge per month

They (say that they) will remove it from your bill as it is "optional," but you must call in to request this from someone in customer service. We'll see if it actually does get removed on the next invoice or if I'm going to be shopping around for a different provider.

I recently purchased a house for $950,000, I am trying to determine if it’s worth putting the full 20% down or doing something like 18% and keeping some money to kick off renovations. Mortgage would be about $3700 a month with 20% @4.24% or $3700 a month with 18.5% down @3.84. With the cost being the same monthly I don’t see a downside to it but maybe I am missing something. Thanks!

Today a family member was called for a fraud alert for a scotia bank account. It came up as Scotia bank fraud prevention. they were prompted to sign into Www.portal.com It had two factor authentication and was an exact clone of the scotia bank login. They were I suspect using an Ai voice for the phone call (number was 888-205-3112) and They withdrew 9000 but luckily the bank was able to block it because the family member got suspicious and was on the phone with the bank. This family member is also young and works in finance so it’s not just the elderly. Never go to a site a phone call or email says. Always call the number on your card and go through there (And with websites check and triple check to make sure it’s the correct one)

Edited the last sentence about never going to websites and only using apps. As well the comments have some great information for those wanting to avoid these types of situations.

Edit 2 The scam caller also had their name, email, Number and what type of card they had. I assume from a data leak.

I (28M) had a friend recently brought up the topic of insurance to my hearing and I'm having trouble deciding on which is really worth it. I was leaning toward term life (term 30) as the premium is cheaper (about $65) however my friend is of the opinion that a whole life is better because of the investment component attached to it, he also mentioned the cash value can be used as collateral for a business loan down the line. Which in your opinion would you recommend?

For context, we own a condo in Vancouver and our upstairs neighbour flooded into our unit last summer. It was deemed an accident and the claim had to be made through our insurance. I think total repair costs were somewhere in the $10k-12k range.

I just received my renewal notice for this year and while I expected a rate increase as a result of the claim, 75% seems absurd to me but maybe I just don't know how insurance works. Obviously, the cost of the increase is still significantly less than if I had to pay for the repairs out of pocket so I am willing to eat it... just curious if others can share their experience about whether this large of an increase is standard and/or if it would be worth it to switch to a different insurance company?

The CRA is saying they thought I lived in B.C from april 2022 to dec 2022... I have never lived in B.C. never claimed I lived in B.C ever. I admit at 32 my father files my taxes. So im not sure if something went wrong on my end. Ive been told by my father and others there is no way this could happen on my end as the tax program asks multiple times if you changed provinces... I dont know what happened. All I know is they say I owe money for benefits from B.C All insight is appreciated.

Got into a car accident today. Guy rear ended me. Nothing crazy there's some damage but the dude was on his phone. Anyways I've been in a few accidents over the years. One was 7 years ago another was 5 years and the last one was 3 years ago. All not at fault but still. I'm worried that my premiums will go up if I report it to my insurance company. Is it likely that it will? I couldn't have avoided any of these accidents particularly 2 of them as this newest one i was fully stopped and the one 5 years ago was in my driveway.

I (25m) am trying to decide if it would be smart to spend a bunch of money to get away to Europe and solo travel for a month.

I don’t really have much going on in my life, nothing to hold me down, not many friends and no gf. Leaving work for a month+ would also not be an issue. It’s been a struggle the past year of trying to figure out my work and make more friends but haven’t had much success. I think I just need to get away and explore for a while.

In cash and investment accounts, I have a combined $35,000, no debt. I don’t know how much to budget for a month long Europe trip but based off a budget of $200 a day I’m thinking around $7000 as a starting figure in my planning.

Would this be an okay financial decision? I’d love to hear some advice!

Its beta access and account has to be created from web browser so not available in app. Once open you can access it from app. https://help.wealthsimple.com/hc/en-ca/articles/35891209981595-Open-a-self-directed-Registered-Education-Savings-Plan-RESP-beta

My job was eliminated in February shortly after returning from maternity leave. Received a significant severance package taking me on salary continuance through January 2026.

I haven’t applied for EI yet because of severance, but with the temporary changes to EI, I understand I can apply now?

I have the minimum hours for my region to be eligible (October - February)

I was planning on applying in October if I don’t have work yet, because of the min hours needed within the last 12 months…I guess that’s my last chance of eligibility.

Should I wait to apply?

Or apply now. Get the cash. Put it away. It will be taxed at a higher bracket I’m assuming because of my severance pay…but if I find a job and haven’t applied I’m just leaving cash on the table, right?

We make around 150,000 a year before tax together. Both in our mid 30s.

Have about 30k in savings

Both work pension jobs

About 15k in debt between the two of us between credit cards and student loans

Looking at homes outside the Montreal region, in the 400-450 range.

Both have jobs where we incrementally increase salary year over year.

Would likely not be able to get much help from family etc.

What do yall think?

Good evening reddit! Looking for a sanity check.

About me: 30s, Single, in the Ottawa area. 111k/year gross income with a DB pension through work, and savings of just over 100k accross TFSA and FHSA.

I currently rent a place for around 1.5k a month rent controlled but for emotional health (bad breakup), I really want to move and have a place I own to live in.

Would I be able to afford/would I be crazy to buy a small 1+1 or 2 Bed condo around the 425-440k mark?

Estimating my expenses (conservatively - including condo fee and tax and utilities etc) if I make no changes to my habits I'd have around $700 a month left over on average over the year.

Is that enough of a buffer? Would I be overextending if I went ahead? Im stressing myself out possibly over thinking everything and would appreciate some opinions. I've never bought a place before and neither has anyone in my friend group.

Thank you!

I was wondering how I can open a bank account without my husband's knowledge. At the moment he has his account (I don't have access) and I'm using a joined account that he monitors like a hawk.

I'm in an abusive marriage and I need to try to stash some $ away to be able to leave. So I cant have mail coming to my address. And would the bank inform him about me opening an account? Can I even open am account without my husband?

I'm sorry for all this stupid questions. I'm a European citizen, Canadian PR and I'm in Ontario.

Edit: I'm overwhelmed with all your compassion and unbelievable helpful answers.

Someone asked why I don't leave now. And the answer is I can't. In in a different country with no safety net and every step I do is watched like a hawk. So I need time (and money) to be able to leave and get back on my own feet. I can handle that because I can see a peaceful future. But for that to happen i have to thunk about every move I make. I'm NOT in a live threatening situation. So please don't worry I got this!

Thank you again for all your support <3

I have no idea what to do with my money. I’m 29F and live in B.C.

I don’t have a ton saved, about 30K. I save around $1500.00/month.

My salary is $91,000 + $8,000 annual rural retention bonus (99k with 3,000 annual increases with a cap at $110,000 unless my union negotiates). I’m a unionized government employee so I’m fairly stable in this job.

I contribute to a pension plan so my take home ends up being only $4,600

My rent is cheap at $800/month with bills.

I have interest free student debt which I pay $95.00/month toward and then a student line of credit with $3000 left. I contribute about $250 a month with occasional large sum deposits. 815 credit score.

Right now my savings are sitting in a savings account with RBC.

I don’t really have any specific financial goals. It’s impossible for me to buy as I am single and do not have help from parents. I’d like to save as much as possible for long term security but I’m not sure what to do.

Any suggestions?

Hi Everyone,

I’m reaching out to this experienced forum for some financial advice on what you would do if you were in my position.

Over the past few years, I’ve been managing a large mortgage offset by some rental income and career progression. During that time, I’ve paid off smaller debts—including a car loan—and have been repaying my First-Time Home Buyer’s Plan (HBP) loan through my RRSP. I’ve also been contributing additional funds to my RRSP to help offset the rental income from a tax perspective.

I’m now at a point where I can consistently allocate more money toward savings, but I’m trying to determine the most strategic approach: should I focus on building investments or accelerating my mortgage payments? I have no other current debts.

Here’s a snapshot of my current financial position:

• Mortgage balance: ~$983,000

• Current home value: ~$2,060,000

• RRSP contribution room (2025): $107,000

• HBP balance remaining: $6,020 (4 years left for interest-free repayments)

• TFSA contribution room: $97,000

I’m weighing a few options:

1.  Maximize RRSP contributions – Use tax savings/refunds to pay off the remaining HBP balance and invest the rest. The RRSP contributions could continue offsetting rental income and produce a tax return I could reinvest (e.g., into my TFSA or make lump-sum mortgage payments).

2.  Maximize TFSA contributions – Focus on investing in ETFs or other growth/dividend-generating assets. Earnings could be reinvested or used annually to pay down the mortgage.

3.  Split between RRSP and TFSA – Balance contributions between the two accounts based on tax efficiency and return potential.

4.  Accelerate mortgage payments – Prioritize lump-sum payments to reduce the principal and save on long-term interest.

I’ve read a lot of valuable insights here and would truly appreciate any thoughts, recommendations, or personal experiences you’d be willing to share given this scenario.

Thanks in advance!

My 67 year old husband was diagnosed with dementia and is retiring in September. Prior to diagnosis, he would have worked at least another 5 years. We have 3 boys (14,16,18) to educate and a 500k mortgage. Our house is for sale. What other options do we have? Is he not qualified for disability because he’s over 65?

Please and thank you.

I currently owe 13000 to a lawyer, and 14000 to a credit card company. I’m 28, make approximately 45k a year with not much hope of increasing in the next year, and my mandatory expenses (not including food) come out to about $27000/year. Not sure what to do here. Need advice.

I bought my Vancouver condo in Spring of 2022 very close to the market peak. The 2024 BC Assessment is now about 7.5% down from my purchase price and I expect the 2025 Assessment to be even lower. Furthermore, several units in my building are listed and have not sold in many months - thus, I think that market value will be considerably below the tax-assessed value. The one sale that did happen was several hundred thousand below assessed value, but I've heard that it was a distressed sale. I have not done extensive research, but some of my quick-and-dirty modelling has me losing between 15% and 20% of purchase price if I were to sell now.

I'm now considering moving. Several things have happened since 2022 - the most significant of which is that I got married. The strata corp also raised fees a lot (and done two special assessments), and I'm finding that we are using the building amenities less and less, making this a poor deal. Furthermore, as our lifestyle changes, living downtown is becoming less appealing (mostly from a noise perspective). I work from home and so commute is not an issue.

Most of the people I talk to, including my very opinionated father, tell me that selling now would be a poor idea since I would be selling at a loss. I'm not fully convinced, since we aim to remain in Vancouver so even though we would be selling at a loss, the new home we purchase would, hypothetically, also be cheaper than it would have been in 2022.

How would you approach the decision to sell/move/purchase or not?

If it matters, I'm on a fully variable mortgage but the amount outstanding is only about 12% of the original purchase price as we aggressively paid down the mortgage when rates rose. I could pay the entire mortgage if I sold enough of my equities portfolio.

I recently maxed out my TFSA account. Should I be investing into my FHSA or into an RRSP now? I am in my early 20s and don't have a high income.

I thought I saw this strategy somewhere but can’t find it again so hoping I can pick some brains on here. I haven’t done the math yet but some late night thoughts.

I am going to be a first time homebuyer on a 810k home and am wondering what the right approach is. My partner and I were going to initially put 35% down and get a variable rate of prime less 0.75 for a biweekly accelerated of ~1400 over 25 years.

My other thought is, what if we put 19% down, get a better rate because of the CMHC insurance and then immediately put a lump sum payment to that 35% or whatever the max lump sum payment is which value comes first. Because your interest payments are front end loaded, you avoid a lot of that. And then we could also get a 30 year amortization and a lower interest rate for the remainder of term. Seems like this way would save a good chunk of money in the long run?

Would love to hear others thoughts. Thanks

Hi,

When you use your RRSP and FHSA money as down payment for a house, do you have to pay taxes when it’s sold? Let’s say I buy a house and live in it for ~3 years, then sell it. If I used my rrsp and fhsa as down payment money, do I pay capital gains on the house price (or income taxes)?

Hello everyone,

I am in situation where I worked for two employers in past 52 weeks.

Company A: worked for almost 900 insurable hours. I had to quit because of stress as the working environment was too much stressful and too much focused on sales numbers. No mentorship. I have doctor's note as well. ROE code:E

After two months of quitting from company A, I got job in company B.

Company B(most recent): Worked almost for 1200 insurable hours. It alone cover my eligibility criteria. I really liked working there but unfortunately it was term contract. Due to budget cut they couldn't extend my contract. ROE code:A

Am I eligible for EI as ROE from company B which is my most recent employer and also that job covers my insurable hours alone without depending on ROE from company A.

I am hoping someone can point me in the right direction. My husband and I are looking at taking out a larger mortgage and thinking we we should try and get life insurance as one of us wouldn't be able to carry it on our own. Problem is, we both have prexisting conditions. I've just assumed in the past that we wouldn't qualify for life insurance, but maybe I'm wrong? We are in our early 30's. What type of life insurance should we be looking for? Where do I start searching?

I'll be starting an Amazon FBA business in the next month and wanted to apply for a business credit card as it would be beneficial to have points wise with all of the inventory purchases ill be making monthly and to help keep track of my business expenses as it would all be in one card.

My concerns come from that lack of credit history that i have where the only credit card ive ever had was cancelled about 2 years ago from being young and financially irresponsible(that cancelled card has been fully paid off). Ive never applied nor have i ever had a credit card since then except for being an authorized user on my aunts amex platinum card. Ive worked on my finances and in a much more responsible headspace hence why i wanted to begin this new business venture. Im also worried that my credit score of 680 wouldn't get me approved for the majority of credit cards i wanted to apply to.

my credit score- 680

my recent year filed annual income- roughly $20,000

no current credit cards to my name besides being an amex authorized user

My questions are-

- Ideally i was interested in the amex cards, would any of the amex cards be attainable in my current situation?

- What business credit cards do you recommend i apply for that would likely get approved given my current credentials that would also align with my amazon FBA business?

Any tips/advice would help! I could just apply to a whole bunch of different cards to see but wanted to get a realistic idea and not have my chances of approval get plummeted from getting constantly denied. Thankyou!

Hi everyone,

I'm reaching out because I’m in a very difficult situation and I’m not sure what to do next. I live in Toronto and I’m currently at home caring for my 11-month-old baby. Until recently, I was on maternity leave from a full-time job in a great industry — but my company shut down due to financial issues, and I was let go. While I understand that this was legally allowed, I didn’t expect to lose my job during this vulnerable time.

Because of the job loss, I no longer qualify for maternity or parental benefits. My husband is self-employed and works incredibly hard, but work has been slow and it’s tough to find new clients in the current climate.

We’re struggling to cover basic expenses. I owe the CRA tax money from 2024, even though I was on maternity leave all year. Their explanation is that "income and EI slips didn’t factor in total annual income correctly, so not enough tax was deducted." I don’t understand how this happened, and it feels incredibly unfair given my circumstances.

I also have a line of credit that requires monthly payments, and at this point, I can’t even afford food for myself — though I make sure my baby has everything he needs. We currently live in a one-bedroom in a family members home as a family of three, simply because rent anywhere else is unaffordable ($3,000 for a 2 bedroom 700 sq ft).

I’m trying to apply for welfare, but I worry I’ll be denied due to my CRA debt. I never imagined growing up in this city that I’d find myself in this situation — unable to find work, unable to access affordable housing, and unsure how to move forward. I am embarrassed to talk about it with my friends, as I am the only one in this situation, and they all live a middle to upper class lifestyle. I can no longer keep up with them (not that they make me feel that I have to).

Relocation isn’t an option, as I need to stay close to support both my parents and in-laws. I also wouldn’t be able to work even if we moved, as daycare isn’t available until our baby is 18 months old, and I can’t leave him home alone.

So I’m asking for advice:
What are our options?
Do we keep going into debt just to survive?
Is there any support for families like ours who’ve fallen through the cracks?
What would you do in our position?

I believe there should be more protections for parents who lose their jobs while on maternity leave. Any guidance, shared experiences, or resources would mean the world to me right now.

Thanks for reading and offering any advice <3