17 Winning Financial Ideas for 2017 and How to Achieve Them

What are your financial goals for 2017?

Do you want to finally retire those credit card debts? Student loans? Pay off the car? Buy your first home? Put some money aside for that dream vacation? For the kids’ education? For retirement?

Every year Canadians everywhere resolve to improve their financial health. Some succeed, and some put it off until next year. At First Foundation we want to help people achieve their goals: to OWN a home (and own it sooner!), to GROW their wealth, and to PROTECT what matters most to them, so we put a list of 17 financial resolutions together that can help you to make this year the best one yet!

17 Financial Ideas for You and Your Family

1. Get a professional financial plan and budget

2. Save for a down payment. Research shows that owning a home is a great way to build a solid financial base

3. Pay off credit cards

4. Maximize your RRSP contributions

5. Open an RESP for the kids (and get free money to do it!)

6. Put aside three months of living expenses in a savings account

7. Improve the energy-efficiency of your home

8. Pay off the car loan

9. Pay yourself first- invest 10% of your annual income

10. Buy a rental property

11. Get updated home and auto insurance quotes

12. Get a Will, or update the one you have

13. Improve your credit score

14. Simplify your banking

15. Reduce your investment management expenses

16. Update your life insurance

17. Treat yourself!

Financial Learning to Watch for in 2017

In addition to the ideas listed above, which we’ll work through as the year goes on, First Foundation will bring you as much information as we can to better prepare you for homeownership, wealth creation and growth, and the protection you and your family need. You’ll learn all about important mortgage rules, how to save money with programs like the 52-week challenge, and news you can use about new and innovative insurance and banking products.

As always, there’s only so much we can cover in a blog post, so if you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out and speak to one of our in-house experts to learn more or get started on a customized plan for you.

Make 2017 your best financial year yet!

-- Gord and the team at First Foundation