This was supposed to be the year my boyfriend and I got our finances on track. We had made a pact that we’d keep each other accountable so by the time we get married next year, we’d have our debts paid off. We started out doing OK until I had to fly home in March because my dad’s health took a turn for the worse. While I was away the borders closed and by the time I got back, my job was gone. My boyfriend kept working and thankfully could cover our bills because he was spending so much less during the lockdown. I’ve recently found a new job and we’ve been able to stick with spending less on almost everything. It’s a good feeling getting back in control of our money. We’re worried, though, that we’ll go back to spending the way we used to as our life becomes more normal. What can we do? ~Anna
A:
There are a lot of things many of us learned during the pandemic about our money habits. For those whose incomes stayed mostly the same, many found extra opportunities to save, or even help those who needed additional support. If your income was drastically reduced, you likely learned what you wanted to change about your money habits once you were back on your feet. And for people who managed to mostly get by with government income and support programs, they realized what their essential expenses truly were. A common theme throughout this time, however, was that many of us developed new money habits that would be worth maintaining over the coming months and years.
The trick will be finding ways to keep up with our new habits and not fall back into old traps. As you start spending again, be conscious of some of the money traps that could have been inadvertently keeping you in debt. Once you know what to watch for, it will be easier to steer yourself toward success.
Here are four money habits that don’t always look like traps, but can wreak havoc on your bank account and cause big bills:
1. Giving in to retail therapy
As the economy recovers and you want to return to your more normal life, it will be very tempting to restart your spending. Retailers will promote enticing offers and it will be hard to escape the thought that you might be missing out on a really great deal. However,
resist the urge to give in to retail therapy
, both in person and online.
To motivate yourself for long-term success with your financial goals, incorporate a little of what you really want into your budget. If you’re also
paying off debt
, you might need to start with small wants. This is easier to do right now with our choices for spending still somewhat restricted. For instance, the vacation of your dreams likely isn’t possible right now, so start by budgeting for a holiday you
can
afford.
As you pay your debts off, there’s more room in your budget to afford more of the things you really want. To help yourself stay motivated, reward yourself a little along the way. Then before you know it, you’ll be debt free and on to choices in line with goals for a financially stable future.
2. Committing to long-term contracts when life is in transition
When your circumstances are in the midst of change, that is not the time to make long-term commitments. Transition times in life can happen when we least expect them, and COVID-19 has brought on some of the most significant changes many people will ever face.
There are certain times, however, when we can expect change, and not all changes are bad. When we’re between jobs, moving homes, starting a family or going back to school, these can be exciting times of change — but excitement and stress can tempt us to create order and settle ourselves into a routine with a new fitness membership, leased vehicle or cellphone contract, for instance.
Given that we face many unanticipated changes in our lives, read the fine print when making a long-term financial commitment. Know what it would cost to break a contract and weigh your options. Sometimes a slightly higher month-to-month arrangement or a loan versus a lease gets you ahead in the long run.
3. Participating in expensive hobbies
Do you have hobbies you really enjoy? Maybe they’re a social outlet, provide you with exercise and a way to de-stress, or they could be a creative outlet. Sometimes we have family hobbies that involve costly equipment, travel, or come with accommodation expenses. The money we spend on hobbies has likely been left in our bank account or spent on other essentials during the pandemic, so now is a great time to consider options and see if there’s a cheaper way to go. For example:
● Instead of a gym membership, maybe you can get your exercise outdoors or virtually from home.
● If your kids normally participate in a variety of activities, consider what they missed most during the lockdown and only spend on those lessons or classes.
● Could you rent what you need for recreation, e.g., a truck, trailer, boat, jet skis or snowmobiles, rather than make payments on vehicles and pay for their storage, upkeep and insurance?
While hobbies might feel like a necessity, we usually have flexibility in how we do them. Evaluate your choices with your goals in mind and calculator in hand. With a period of time behind us where our normal activities were put on hold, it’s easier to only go back to what we genuinely enjoyed and now want to spend money on.
as possible, but paying them off too fast could keep you broke. It makes sense to pay off debt, especially high-interest credit card debt. However, spending on debt payments without setting money aside for emergencies means that when something unexpected happens, you need to reach for credit to pay for it. One big car repair bill could wipe out months of extra payments to your credit cards in one swipe.
Rather than aggressively paying off your car loan, for instance, a wiser strategy is to pay it off as quickly as you reasonably can within a balanced approach; let your budget be your guide.
, e.g., biweekly rather than monthly. It might mean making small top-ups to payments, even accelerated ones, by decreasing discretionary spending. For instance, you might reduce how often you eat out to come up with an extra $20 or $50 biweekly that can be paid toward your debts. Or it could mean using lump sums of money, e.g., part of a tax refund or bonus from work, to make periodic payments against the principal. Check with your lender to see what your options are, but car loans generally allow extra payments at any time.
Preparation is the key to success
Have you ever heard that preparation is the secret to success? Think of a diet — if you’ve ever been on one, when hunger hits and you’ve got nothing ready to eat, that’s when you’re most likely to cheat. The same is true for your money. When an urge to spend hits or an emergency expense needs to be paid for, if you don’t have a plan for where the money will come from, you’re likely to grab whatever is available. With unexpected expenses, it’s unfortunately usually a credit card. Relying on credit to make ends meet rather than on your own savings is a money trap that will keep you broke.
The way to escape this cycle of debt is to spend less on day-to-day expenses than you earn, and the pandemic has shown many of us how we can do that. If you’re not sure how much to set aside, start with whatever you can afford.
Draw up a budget
to firm up your numbers and then set aside money according to your plan.
. For instance, you can set up automatic transfers through your online banking on payday to stash away a predetermined amount of cash before you get a chance to spend it. Out of sight, out of mind. Ensure that you have a separate savings account or two set up to hold onto your savings. If you leave it in your chequing account, it’s bound to disappear. To
keep your saved money safe from yourself
, ask your financial institution to remove the savings accounts from your debit card.
The bottom line on sticking with good money habits
If how you’ve been managing your money until now has kept you broke and hasn’t helped you reach your goals, try something new. Question each purchase you make. Comb through your household bills to ensure they meet your needs and that you’re getting good value for what you’re spending. Switch up your routine to continually force yourself to do things differently. Improve your money skills and knowledge of personal finances by reading blogs, books or asking qualified professionals. Then, instead of trying to figure out how to make ends meet, stick with what might be the most valuable outcome of the pandemic: work towards having fewer ends.
Scott Hannah is president of the Credit Counselling Society, a non-profit organization. For more information about managing your money or debt, contact Scott by
VICTORIA – British Columbia is forecasting a record budget deficit and a rising debt of almost $129 billion less than two weeks before the start of a provincial election campaign where economic stability and future progress are expected to be major issues.
Finance Minister Katrine Conroy, who has announced her retirement and will not seek re-election in the Oct. 19 vote, said Tuesday her final budget update as minister predicts a deficit of $8.9 billion, up $1.1 billion from a forecast she made earlier this year.
Conroy said she acknowledges “challenges” facing B.C., including three consecutive deficit budgets, but expected improved economic growth where the province will start to “turn a corner.”
The $8.9 billion deficit forecast for 2024-2025 is followed by annual deficit projections of $6.7 billion and $6.1 billion in 2026-2027, Conroy said at a news conference outlining the government’s first quarterly financial update.
Conroy said lower corporate income tax and natural resource revenues and the increased cost of fighting wildfires have had some of the largest impacts on the budget.
“I want to acknowledge the economic uncertainties,” she said. “While global inflation is showing signs of easing and we’ve seen cuts to the Bank of Canada interest rates, we know that the challenges are not over.”
Conroy said wildfire response costs are expected to total $886 million this year, more than $650 million higher than originally forecast.
Corporate income tax revenue is forecast to be $638 million lower as a result of federal government updates and natural resource revenues are down $299 million due to lower prices for natural gas, lumber and electricity, she said.
Debt-servicing costs are also forecast to be $344 million higher due to the larger debt balance, the current interest rate and accelerated borrowing to ensure services and capital projects are maintained through the province’s election period, said Conroy.
B.C.’s economic growth is expected to strengthen over the next three years, but the timing of a return to a balanced budget will fall to another minister, said Conroy, who was addressing what likely would be her last news conference as Minister of Finance.
The election is expected to be called on Sept. 21, with the vote set for Oct. 19.
“While we are a strong province, people are facing challenges,” she said. “We have never shied away from taking those challenges head on, because we want to keep British Columbians secure and help them build good lives now and for the long term. With the investments we’re making and the actions we’re taking to support people and build a stronger economy, we’ve started to turn a corner.”
Premier David Eby said before the fiscal forecast was released Tuesday that the New Democrat government remains committed to providing services and supports for people in British Columbia and cuts are not on his agenda.
Eby said people have been hurt by high interest costs and the province is facing budget pressures connected to low resource prices, high wildfire costs and struggling global economies.
The premier said that now is not the time to reduce supports and services for people.
Last month’s year-end report for the 2023-2024 budget saw the province post a budget deficit of $5.035 billion, down from the previous forecast of $5.9 billion.
Eby said he expects government financial priorities to become a major issue during the upcoming election, with the NDP pledging to continue to fund services and the B.C. Conservatives looking to make cuts.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 10, 2024.
Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said the debt would be going up to more than $129 billion. In fact, it will be almost $129 billion.
NANAIMO, B.C. – Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney says he’ll be advising the Liberal party to flip some the challenges posed by an increasingly divided and dangerous world into an economic opportunity for Canada.
But he won’t say what his specific advice will be on economic issues that are politically divisive in Canada, like the carbon tax.
He presented his vision for the Liberals’ economic policy at the party’s caucus retreat in Nanaimo, B.C. today, after he agreed to help the party prepare for the next election as chair of a Liberal task force on economic growth.
Carney has been touted as a possible leadership contender to replace Justin Trudeau, who has said he has tried to coax Carney into politics for years.
Carney says if the prime minister asks him to do something he will do it to the best of his ability, but won’t elaborate on whether the new adviser role could lead to him adding his name to a ballot in the next election.
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says she has been taking advice from Carney for years, and that his new position won’t infringe on her role.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 10, 2024.
HALIFAX – The Nova Scotia government has introduced a bill that would kick-start the province’s offshore wind industry without federal approval.
Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton says amendments within a new omnibus bill introduced today will help ensure Nova Scotia meets its goal of launching a first call for offshore wind bids next year.
The province wants to offer project licences by 2030 to develop a total of five gigawatts of power from offshore wind.
Rushton says normally the province would wait for the federal government to adopt legislation establishing a wind industry off Canada’s East Coast, but that process has been “progressing slowly.”
Federal legislation that would enable the development of offshore wind farms in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador has passed through the first and second reading in the Senate, and is currently under consideration in committee.
Rushton says the Nova Scotia bill mirrors the federal legislation and would prevent the province’s offshore wind industry from being held up in Ottawa.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 10, 2024.
