Canadian Personal Finance Blog 

There’s no single “best” card — it depends on your spending habits. For travel rewards, cards like the Aeroplan Visa Infinite or Amex Cobalt are popular. If you want cash back, look at the Tangerine Money-Back or BMO CashBack Mastercard. We regularly review the top Canadian credit cards to help you find the right fit.

Make all payments on time, keep your credit utilization low (under 30%), and avoid opening too many new accounts at once. Monitor your credit report for errors using free tools like Borrowell or Credit Karma. Over time, consistent responsible use will raise your score.

Pay more than the minimum payment whenever possible. Consider transferring your balance to a low-interest or 0% promotional card. You can also try negotiating a lower rate with your credit card provider — it works more often than people think.

Check it at least twice a year, or more if you’re planning to apply for a loan or mortgage. In Canada, you can request free reports from Equifax and TransUnion or use apps like Borrowell for instant access. Monitoring helps you spot errors or fraud early.

Popular options include You Need a Budget (YNAB), Mint (until it closed), Credit Karma, KOHO, and Hardbacon. If you want something free and simple, Excel or Google Sheets still work. We've reviewed the top budgeting tools for Canadian users on our blog.

A TFSA lets your investments grow tax-free and allows tax-free withdrawals. An RRSP gives you a tax deduction when you contribute, but withdrawals are taxed. Generally, use a TFSA for shorter-term goals and an RRSP for retirement — but the right mix depends on your income and plans.

Yes. Secured credit cards like the Home Trust Secured Visa or Neo Secured Card are designed to help rebuild credit. You’ll need to put down a refundable deposit, but it works like a regular card and helps improve your score with responsible use.

No. Canuck Finance offers independent and unbiased reviews of credit cards, financial products, and budgeting tools. If a post includes affiliate links, we’ll clearly disclose it — but our content is always based on research and value to you, not commissions.

Yes — Canuck Finance is 100% focused on personal finance in Canada. That includes Canadian banks, credit bureaus, tax rules, and product offers. If you're living or working in Canada, this site is built for you.