Posts by Barry Choi
Don’t let Investing Intimidate you
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of TD Direct Investing. All of the opinions are my own. Becoming a self-directed investor made a huge impact on my life. It completely changed the way I viewed money. By becoming a do-it-yourself investor, I was in control of my finances – it was…
Read MoreBudgeting Tips for Students
With the start of the school year just a month away, it’s time to start thinking about budgeting tips for students. Generally speaking, students don’t have many expenses but it’s during your school years that you really want to start practicing your money management. This can be a bit tricky since summer spending affects a…
Read MoreOptions For Using Your Mobile Abroad
Let’s be realistic, who doesn’t travel without their cellphone these days? They offer so much convenience that it would be silly not to travel with it. The problem is, when using your mobile abroad, roaming charges can add up to some ridiculous amounts if you’re not paying attention. Fortunately for all of us there’s many…
Read MoreFinTech in Canada Explained
FinTech in Canada has been growing at a rapid pace. New players are coming online all the time which has given Canadians more choice when it comes to their financial needs. Even traditional banks have recognized the importance of Fintech and have started to roll out new products that are clearly targeting people who are…
Read MoreI bought a home, now what?
A few months ago I wrote about how I bought a condo. Despite how much I prepared, there was no way for sure to tell what would happen after I closed. Well, some things went according to plan, but some other things came up that were a bit annoying. As a money guy, it was…
Read MoreWhat Happens if I Don’t use my Credit Card?
With increased debt loads across the country, many Canadians, including millennials, have decided to start using cash and debit more. But that brings up an interesting question. What happens if I don’t use my credit card? It really depends on our individual situation. In theory, we’ll spend less since research has found we spend less…
Read MoreThe Pros and Cons of DIY Investing
Becoming a do-it-yourself (DIY) investor is what I consider one of my greatest financial victories. It wasn’t an easy decision, truthfully, it was pretty scary at the start. Saving always came naturally for me, but now I would be responsible for all my investment decisions. I was well aware that one mistake could ruin my finances, but…
Read More5 Mortgage Mistakes to Avoid When Applying
For most people, getting a mortgage is a must when purchasing a home. It’s a pretty straight-forward process, you borrow money from a lender so you can purchase a home. Despite how “simple” it sounds, there are plenty of mortgage mistakes to avoid when you’re making an application. The biggest mistake is arguably not getting pre-approved…
Read More8 Shopping Rules to Stick to
A little while back I wrote about the 8 rules of personal finance. It was a fun take on the Fight Club rules that would hopefully ensure you don’t get knocked out financially. I decided to follow that piece up with some shopping rules to stick by because admittedly, it’s a lot of fun to spend money.…
Read MoreAssembling Your Real Estate Team
So I bought a condo, we actually took possession a few days ago. Surprised I didn’t mention it? It happened pretty quickly, but buying a home has been something my wife and I had been discussing for a while. As exciting as buying a home is, the financial commitment is, well, A LOT! My maintenance…
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