January is a good time to look at our finances and make resolutions to spend less, follow a budget more or start saving. With the financial crisis occurring in other countries and reports of large consumer debt in Canada, there has been a move to recognize that we need to be more informed about money management.
Financial literacy means having the knowledge, skills and confidence to make responsible financial decisions. The ability to make informed financial decisions is essential to an individual’s well-being at every stage in life. These decisions range from daily spending and budgeting to choices involving borrowing money, using credit cards, buying insurance, saving for retirement, owning a home or continuing education.
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A number of Canadian organizations have developed tools, services and resources to assist people to strengthen their financial and personal money management knowledge and skills. The following is a sampling.
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada is an independent body working to protect consumers and inform them about financial products and services by reviewing consumer issues and providing education.
The website provides budgeting and debt management tools and online resources and publications. It offers an online mortgage calculator, credit card and banking tools to help determine which credit card and bank are best for you. Budgeting is made easy with an interactive tool that automatically calculates income, saving and spending totals as information is added. It also has retirement planning resources.
On the same website, The City is an online financial life skills resource that has an 11 module learning program that teaches youth financial skills.
Moving Out on Your Own is a new resource for young people who are considering living on their own for the first time. It provides information to help them identify the costs, assess their options and make the best decisions. It explains expenses people will incur when they move into their own place for the first time from rent, utilities, laundry, parking, taxes and maintenance and start-up costs such as moving expenses, furniture and dishes, cable and internet connections, legal fees and a security deposit.
FCAC has formed a working coalition with non-profit organizations called the Financial Literacy Action Group that promotes financial literacy month in November. For more information on financial literacy month activities or financial education programs and resources, visit financialliteracymonth.ca.
www.fcac-acfc.gc.ca
It has daily online financial literacy tips called Moneyville. A pilot program developed with TD Bank called Money Matters is a financial literacy and education savings program where bank volunteers teach numeracy and financial skills at the Literacy Learning Centre.
abclifeliteracy.ca
The foundation promotes in-creased economic knowledge so Canadians can assume their economic roles and make decisions, with competence and confidence. It produces resources, both teaching kits and student materials, on the economy, economics, and entrepreneurship.
www.cfee.org
It provides credit counselling and debt management services, as well as online services that include a debt calculator and debt assessment tool.
creditcanada.com
The council develops, promotes and enforces professional standards in financial planning. It encourages financial planning and management of personal financial affairs as a way to achieve life goals.
www.fpsc.ca
It develops and promotes unbiased, easy-to-read independent financial information, programs and tools to help consumers make better financial and investing decisions and help them make sense of their finances. A large listing of online resources and calculators has been developed.
consumerinformation.ca
It provides financial literacy and entrepreneurship mentorship experiences to youth across Canada, which enhances work readiness skills. A variety of programs are offered for youth from elementary to high school ages, including economic success, dollars with sense, investment strategies and business basics series.
jacan.org
The mission is to reduce poverty by expanding social and economic opportunity for low-income Canadians. They believe that financial education presents a sustainable solution for individuals struggling to break the cycle of poverty. Information is available through Twitter feeds, Facebook and an online newsletter. A video resource on youth and their attitudes towards money is also available.
SEDI will work with other organizations to bring financial literacy into their programs and services.
www.thecfl.ca
It is dedicated to helping individuals and families find solutions to their debt and money problems. CCS provides confidential and free credit counseling services, credit education and debt management programs. From its website, access is available to credit counselling services in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario.
The website,www.mymoneycoach.ca, shows how the average Canadian can save money on everyday living expenses, make smart financial choices and use credit wisely.
Nomoredebts.org provides guidance in dealing with debt and a free online video course on building a budget that works in income.
In Saskatchewan through the Provincial Mediation Board, debt counselor Brenda Moody at 877-787-5408 will do presentations on budget strategies and debt, and teens and their money. Credit counselling and debt management services are also available
In Alberta, Money Mentors is a not-for-profit consumer debt counselling service that offers a number of debt repayment options. It also has money coaches that offer help in improving the financial situation by providing advice on saving, investing, paying down debt, or retirement. Call 888-294-0076 or www.moneymentors.ca.
In Manitoba, Community Financial Counselling Services provides financial counselling and debt management services. For more information, contact 888-573-2383 or www.cfcs.mb.ca.