Advice

What does it mean to be a credit union member?

One of the biggest differences about doing your banking with a credit union is that you are a member of a credit union, not just a customer.

Hot tips #1–10: How to bring ‘adulting’ to your finances

Get the low down on how to take your money game to the next level. Next stop: the financial future of your dreams.

Renting vs. buying

There are pros and cons to both renting and owning, so we ran some numbers to give you a better idea of what each option means for your finances.

How to stay safe online

With fraud on the rise in Atlantic Canada, these tips can help you shop, browse, email, and bank online safely.

Home sweet home: Is buying right for you?

With younger Atlantic Canadians forging their own unique paths and ditching age-old traditions, now is the time to ask: Is owning always better than renting?

Are you protected? Four tips for fraud prevention this tax season

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre warns us to be wary of financial services and tax scams.

Rate Increases 101

What do the recent interest rate increases mean for you and your wallet?

The FIRE Movement: Four key lessons to help your finances get lit so you can retire early!

Why are people talking about the FIRE Movement? What does it mean?

Economic recovery: Going beyond the balance sheet

Atlantic Canada’s economic recovery from COVID-19 will be led by entrepreneurs and small business owners and workers. And it is our job to support them.

How COVID-19 support affects your taxes

The pandemic has impacted many key aspects of Atlantic Canadians' lives, including their taxes.

Member Story: Hop Creative – How to afford to travel

From the tropics of Bali, Trevor and Anna are teaching us their tips & tricks to travelling the world while staying on-budget.

How to do holidays on a dime

If your finances look a little different this holiday season, we have a few tips to help.

What is a credit score?

You've likely heard of credit scores, but what exactly do they mean for you and your finances?

The financial side of working from home

If you've recently shifted to WFH, chances are you may be seeing some changes in your spending habits.

Update: The impacts of COVID-19 on the Atlantic Canadian economy

These are unprecedented times and COVID-19 is a new and uncertain reality for all of us. So, we connected with the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce for an update.

How to ace the mortgage stress test

With a little preparation, you can get top marks on your mortgage stress test when the time comes to buying your first home.

Season 2

Your Two Cents – How to biz

Before you dive head first into entrepreneurship, we have some helpful tips to set you up with success.

How to save money as a student

Although back to school may look different this year, one thing still stands: Money management.

Childcare in the time of COVID-19

It’s easy to talk about planning ahead, but when the situation is so uncertain it can be even more challenging. But there are a few things you can do.

How to afford your pet

Adding a companion to your life is an exciting time, but should be made with careful consideration for both your lifestyle and bank account.

Your money and the re-opening of the economy

Whether you're a small business or are interested in personally supporting local shops, credit union CEO Ken Shea shares his advice on the economy re-opening.

Travellers' rights

Navigating these uncertain times can be a little less painful with these tips if your trip has been cancelled.

Are subscription services worth it?

You may save a few dollars here and there on free trials, but how much are you really saving overall?

What to do about your 2020 wedding

We spoke with a senior event planning expert on how you can still make the best of your upcoming wedding.

Tax Talk: The tax implications of COVID-19 relief programs

A few things to know about taxes and the COVID-19 relief programs.

How to protect yourself from scammers

With a recent increase in scams, it's important to know how to keep yourself—and your money—safe.

Five things to do for your finances right now

A lot of people are feeling anxious about their finances right now. Here are a few ways you can ease your nerves.

A message from Atlantic Credit Unions

Take care of yourselves, your families, and your neighbours, and remember, we’re here to help.

COVID-19 and the Atlantic Canadian economy

This is a situation that is changing fast. If you’re unsure of what it means for you and your finances, we're here to help.

The gender gap and financial literacy

We can work together to close the gap between women and their financial future.

The real cost of your New Year’s resolutions

We broke down three of the most common New Year’s resolutions and took a hard look at what they really mean for your finances.

How to actually pay off your debt

Resolutions aren't just for the New Year—start tackling your debt today.

Real Talk: Seasonal work

Atlantic Canada, as a region, has one of the highest rates of seasonal workers in the country.

The lowdown: credit unions

Credit unions go beyond financial services. They go to honesty, trust, and fairness, too.

Paying for post-secondary education: Explained

How can you pay for your school?

The breakdown: Gym memberships

A healthy lifestyle means your finances, too.

Save vs. splurge: Dorm room edition

You don't have to break your budget to have the sweetest dorm in your res.

Consider this before buying your first home

A few things you should know about Canada's First-Time Home Buyer Incentive and what it means for you.

Glossary of Terms: Investing

Investing doesn't have to be complicated—start small, like learning a few key words.

Investing 101

Investing doesn't have to be a scary word.

How to eat well on the cheap

Food can take up a big chunk of your budget, here are a few tips to make your dollar go further.

Real Talk: Problem gambling

Sometimes the toughest conversations are the most important.

How to be a savvy online shopper

It's easy to get carried away when you can order literally everything in the world at the click of a button.

Benefits of the bike

Strap on your helmet and hop on your bicycle. We're breaking down the best of biking for your budget.

Five myths about credit unions, busted

Credit unions have been around for over 100 years, but not everybody knows who we are or what we do. To help, we busted five common myths about credit unions.

The financial pressure of the sandwich generation

It’s no secret that as a region, we’re getting older. But what if you’re in the sandwich generation?

Buying rural vs. urban

One of the upsides to living in Atlantic Canada is having the choice to live in either a vibrant city or town or a beautiful rural setting.

Buying a home on your own

Just because you live alone doesn’t mean you’re destined to rent for the rest of your life (unless that’s what you’re into).

How to save for a down payment when you’re drowning in student debt

The thing they don’t always tell you in school? That debt can stick around long after you’ve locked in your first paid gig.

Anatomy of an interest rate

Interest rate. A term you’ve probably heard and likely have a general understanding of. But what exactly is an interest rate? And how is it calculated?

Real Talk: What happens after you declare bankruptcy?

Sometimes tough stuff happens. That's why we're here to help with honest financial advice you need to get through and get on with life.

The low-down on multi-level marketing

MLMs position themselves as ways to earn extra cash, dip your toes into entrepreneurship, and—just maybe—strike it big. So, who’s right?

Swipe Right: The real cost of dating

How do you keep your budget intact while you’re on the search for The One?

Financial literacy 101: Chequing versus savings

If only Bill Nye the Science Guy told us how to balance our budgets.

Why you should have a separate business banking account

Every business owner should also have a few experts in their back pocket.

How to successfully merge your finances with your significant other

When things get serious, it's time to have an honest conversation.

Real Talk: Holiday debt

How will you manage the holiday financial hangover?

Why you should care about the RESP contribution deadline

The RESP annual deadline is December 31—and if you have kids, there may be a few good reasons to set aside a bit of extra cash in your plan before year end.

Real Talk: Surviving identity fraud

If you didn’t buy those new sneakers, or book that flight, or pay for that gas… who did?

Financial horror stories

For the truly terrifying financial stories, look no further than the real-life stories ahead.

Money and mental health: Managing financial stress

Difficult financial situations can have significant impact on your mental health.

How to live with roommates

Living with roommates can make good financial sense—here's how.

Credit card basics

We’ve compiled a helpful and handy guide to some of the most common credit card terms.

Real Talk: Student debt

What happens to your student loans during the years post-graduation?

Why it might be time for a new credit card

A lot has changed over the last few years. Making the switch to a new card could help you get out of debt faster, while earning extra rewards along the way.

Five things you didn’t know your credit card could do

Did you know there’s also a lot of hidden perks you could be getting with the right credit card?

The student's guide to using a credit card

Check out how a credit card can be helpful as a student!

The low down on interest rates

What do interest rates really mean, anyway?

10 things I wish I knew about money before I went to university/college

There’s a saying that hindsight is 20/20—so we asked 10 people who’ve been there what they wish they knew then, that they know for sure now.

5 financial tips to learn from Gen Z

Gen Z has a few financial habits that every generation should take notice of.

Going back to school as a mature student

Education is always a good idea, but making the decision to go back after you’ve been out of the classroom for an extended period of time can be a big change.

Real Talk: Fertility treatments

Sometimes the assumption is that when the time is right, and you’re ready, pregnancy will come naturally. But for some people, it isn’t that simple.

Tariff Talk: What tariffs could mean for your wallet

We wanted to give you some of the basics about what a tariff is and how all this talk about them could impact you and your wallet.

Quality over quantity: Why sometimes it pays to invest

Sometimes it makes the most financial sense to invest in a quality piece rather than spending less money on something that will need to be replaced much sooner.

Five things every student should know for apartment hunting

What should you be looking for in a student apartment?

Should you buy or lease your new car?

Buying your first car is a major purchase—next to buying a home, it’s one of the largest purchases you’re likely to make in your life.

How to say “No” to the bride or groom

Weddings can be expensive—and not just for the bride or groom.

Budgeting doesn’t have to be a bad word

Budgeting doesn’t have to be complicated. And it doesn’t have to require hours of paperwork, complicated spreadsheets, and math equations.

Preparing your finances for travel

Tips to keep in mind when preparing for travel.

How to afford your spring wardrobe

How can you budget to re-vamp your spring wardrobe?

The real cost of a royal wedding

What would an Atlantic Canadian royal wedding cost?

Treat yo'self: The most expensive thing you've ever bought

We asked five Atlantic Canadians about the most expensive, non-essential item they’ve ever bought.

Three questions you should be asking your contractor

Thinking about renovations? Find out what you should be asking before getting started.

How to spend your tax return

It's spring! It's tax season! How will you spend your return?

Real Talk: How to deal with unexpected expenses

Unexpected expenses happen to the best to us. How do you manage when you're hit with an unexpected expense?

​Real Talk: How to financially survive having a kid

There’s the emotional side to literally creating life and all that entails, but what about the financial side?

That’s what I like: Pop music financial advice

Pop stars and money have a long history together. In honour of the Grammy awards, we took a playful take on some financial considerations of our own.

The financial side of pursuing an Olympic Dream

Atlantic Canadian athletes Karen Furneaux and Kaetlyn Osmond talk about the financial side to chasing a gold medal dream. 

Real Talk: Death of a loved one

Dealing with the death of a loved one is emotional and stressful. We got some honest advice on how to deal financially when a loved one dies.

Don’t sweat the contribution deadline: Why you should be saving all year

If you haven't been able to recently contribute to an RRSP, not all is lost. It is still the perfect time to get yourself set-up for future success.

Budgeting for the holidays

When the festive spirit hits, it can be hard to stick to your budget. We’ve gathered a few ideas to help have a debt-free holiday.

Financial literacy for life

Financial literacy isn’t always a part of our formal education, but that doesn’t mean you can't learn the basics now.

Real Talk: Serious debt

We spoke with Lisa Purchase from Leading Edge Credit Union for some honest financial advice about how to get out of serious credit card debt.

Real Talk: Sudden job loss

Losing your job feels awful, but with a little bit of planning there are steps you can take to ensure you’re financially prepared to figure out your next move.

Side hustlin’

A great way to gain some financial freedom is to turn a hobby into a second job. We talked with some Atlantic Canadians about their 'side hustles'.

Real Talk: Divorce

We spoke with Lisa Purchase from Leading Edge Credit Union for some honest financial advice on how to get through a divorce with your finances intact.

Pop culture financial advice: Riverdale

In honour of the release of season two of Riverdale, we have some financial advice for some of our favourite characters to consider.

Turkey dump your poor financial habits

This Thanksgiving weekend instead of dumping your high school sweetheart, ditch some of your poor financial habits instead.

What is a credit union?

You can call a credit union whatever you want, but at the core, credit unions are financial institutions.

Do you really need to upgrade?

Coming hot on the heels of the release of Apple’s latest generation of iPhone, here are some things to think about before you upgrade to a new phone.

Wedding budgeting 101

When it comes to weddings, knowing where to splurge and where to save can be tricky, so we broke down the financial basics.

Can’t buy me love: The real cost of romance

In honour of Can’t Buy Me Love’s 30th anniversary, we’ve prepared a brief overview of what love can really cost.

Pop culture financial advice

Just because money is portrayed on the silver and the small screen doesn’t mean it’s always handled well.

Tips for you and your budget to survive festival season

It's officially festival season! With a bit of planning, you can make it through without breaking the bank.

Date nights for life

There’s a lot of pressure to plan the perfect date night. But an evening to remember doesn’t have to break the bank.

12 days of holiday gift giving

Looking for something a little different this holiday season? We’ve taken inspiration from The Twelve Days of Christmas and put a modern spin on things.

Getting the right financial advice for success

Buying a house is a major decision. It’s much more than picking the place of your dreams – it’s also about getting the best options possible to finance it.

Terrifying financial tales

Careless mistakes will ignite quite a scare, read these terrifying financial tales if you dare…

Glossary of Financial Terms

Talking to a financial expert can sometimes feel like you’re speaking another language. We want to make your next financial discussion a little less baffling.

Local financing for local homes

Whether it’s your first house, a summer cottage, or a retirement condo, buying a home is a milestone event and a significant accomplishment.