Money + Debt

Student debt is scary, and it’s always looming over our heads like a dark cloud. As scary as it sounds, it doesn’t have to control your life. With a few smart moves, students and recent grads can pay off loans, save money, and even treat themselves without guilt. Here are some easy tips to make…

Old pair of sneakers but still got some life in them? Hoodie that doesn’t fit anymore? Headphones in the back of your drawer collecting dust? Perfume you bought but actually…hate? Sell it! It’s like they say, “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure”. So put an eye patch on and slap a parrot on your…

Doing your taxes is already hard enough. But if you’ve dabbled in crypto or NFTs in 2021, it could make your taxes even more complicated. Here’s what you need to know about how cryptocurrency and NFTs will affect your taxes. Breaking news: it’s important to do your taxes. It’s how you keep the government off…

A list of the best student deals and discounts that you can get right now in Canada. No one needs to tell you how expensive it is being a student. Tuition, textbooks, rent, entertainment, food—it adds up and it adds up fast. So, every opportunity you have to save money is one you should take.…

I’ve taught more than 4,000 students how to manage their money. They almost always think that saving money from your summer job = not having fun. They’re wrong. Through my company, Don’t Freak Out!, I’ve discovered that an alarming number of students think that if they’re saving money, then they can’t be spending anything on going…

Scholarship applications are challenging. It’s probably why “How to win a scholarship?” is such a common question coming from students. First, you have to diligently search for opportunities. Then, the application process starts. You’ll write one essay after another, while waiting for the results of programs you previously applied to. It’s a stressful time. It’s…

If you thought the changing state of the world was a headache before, wait until you see how everything that happened to you in 2020 will affect your taxes. This might not be the year to do them yourself. 2020 was a… Disaster?  Blessing in disguise?  Write-off? We’d use some choice language to describe being…

There’s a lot of money out there for the taking. But you’ve got to know where to look. This is your guide for where to find scholarships, awards, and bursaries in Canada. I’m not ashamed to admit that I want free money. Whether it’s buying used textbooks, using my student ID for discounts, or eating all…

You do well in school. You’re a great leader in your community. You’re a volunteer. You work. You’re an athlete… Or you don’t do any of those things. That’s okay because there are scholarships for everyone! Just, how do you win those scholarships? If your plan is to wait for someone to show up on…

Whether you’re a hardcore foodie or just looking for sustenance in between classes, you gotta eat something. And if you’re on your own for the first time, your parents aren’t gonna be there to help you out. Here’s everything you need to know about grocery shopping on a student budget. Do you love food? I…

It’s never too early to consider starting your own business. Find out how to acquire the skills you need to run a successful startup, even as a student. Every week, young business leaders and student entrepreneurs tune into the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast for enlightening interviews and insider tips from the 8-figure Student Works Management…

Are you an ambitious young entrepreneur? Considering starting a business of your own? We found a podcast to help inspire and educate you. Every week, the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast brings inspiring interviews to young and ambitious entrepreneurs and shares behind the scenes tips from their 8-figure business, the Student Works Management Program. Their goal:…

When you’ve got student loans coming in, or the occasional scholarship, or (if you’re lucky) financial support from your parents, it’s not very often you think about how you should save money. But keeping these budgeting tips in your back pocket could still really help you out. At least, I wish I knew them before…

Even if it’s your first time filing a tax return, you probably have some idea about the process. This includes different forms you need to submit, credits you might be eligible for and common tax terminology. But what do all those numbers, letters, and acronyms mean anyway? If you don’t know your T2202 from your…

Saving money can be rough. You see that item online that you reallllllly want, but deep down you know you should save your money for university, college, a car, or even a trip. Having a job is obviously the main way to make money. However, there are little things you can do every day to…

It’s easy for money to go down the drain if you’re not careful with your spending. Student budgeting is important, so you can afford your education. And there is a lot to do when you’re learning to adult as a student. Spending money because you have it is a big no-no. Here are some essential…

By Consolidated Credit Counseling Services of Canada Your student loan can be a lifesaver when it comes to financing school. However, a student loan can quickly become a major burden if the payments are unmanageable. Or if you have a hard time finding a job at your expected salary when you graduate. Here are some…

By Consolidated Credit Counseling Services of Canada Do: Always use a credit card to purchase items while holiday shopping. If you are scammed, you typically owe $50 or less for the loss instead of the whole amount. If you are new to shopping online, stick with companies you have heard of. When you enter the…

By Lauren Bernardo This is a list of financial tips that I choose to follow and I hope you will think about them. This isn’t an exhaustive list of financial tips and it’s not something that you need to swear by. But it’s a list that is meant to make you think. Am I making…

Originally published on StudentAwards.com If you do all of your holiday shopping on a credit card, you actually can spend two to three times as much, once you figure in interest and finance charges. Here are some ways to avoid that dreaded holiday debt. Pay With Cash Spend money you already have: use Interac, cash,…

By Consolidated Credit Counseling Services of Canada When you discover that your identity has been stolen, it is necessary to take the proper steps in order to better protect yourself. If you have been a victim of identity theft, you’ll want to take these steps immediately. File a police report. You need this to report…

Canadians have access to a lot of student grants and loans. Here’s how you can find and apply to all the financial aid you need to pay for college and university. Whether you’re in high school or already enrolled as a full or part-time student at college or university, there are government resources to help…

In a word, yes. Now, don’t freak out. Most scholarships don’t just appear and disappear from your bank account like some kind of fleeting sense of happiness in a capitalist society. For the most part, there are fair and obvious reasons why you’re losing your money if that happens to you. This article will cover…

With all the things you need to worry about as a student, health and wellness activities can end up falling to the wayside. Especially since gym memberships can be crazy expensive! Here are some tips for getting and staying fit while on a budget. Follow a YouTube Workout I have been LOVING PopSugar Fitness. The…

Father’s Day is nearly upon us! Do you have any gift ideas for your dad’s special day? If not, there’s no need to panic (not yet, anyway). This list includes Father’s Day gift ideas for active and coffee-fueled dads, BBQ lovers, beer drinkers, chefs, handymen and everything in between! Join Amazon Prime Student and gain access…

It’s almost Mother’s Day! Time to celebrate all of the wonderful things your mother does by giving her the perfect Mother’s Day gift. Show her how much you care! Are you having a hard time finding the right present? We have some ideas! Home Spa Pamper your mom this Mother’s Day with spa-like luxuries she…

In their newest budget, the NDP government in B.C. decided to get rid of interest on all new and existing provincial student loans. “Higher education should open doors, not make it harder to get ahead.” That’s what the government said as they pledged to get students out of debt faster by eliminating the cost of…

If the words “tax season” make you break out in a cold sweat, don’t worry—we get it. All the paperwork and weird codes can be a little intimidating. It also doesn’t help that there are a ton of misconceptions about filing an income tax return. This can make the process even more confusing and stressful,…

Premier Doug Ford’s latest cuts to post-secondary education are nothing new for students in Ontario but come with an unprecedented attack on student and campus life. With the bleak history of post-secondary education funding in mind, students expected the worst from the January 17 announcement about post-secondary education by Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities,…

Unless you’re studying accounting, filing your taxes as a student might be a bit of a mystery. With all the different codes, credits, and tax deadlines, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. If you’ve never filed your own tax return and don’t know where to start, take a deep breath. You’ve come to the right place!…

Now is the perfect time to travel! We’re in our twenties, feel responsible for ourselves, independent from our parents (to a degree, after all, we’re still students), and ready to discover what the world has to offer! We are excited to meet people and enjoy new places. We want to see and experience everything on our…

Ontario just slashed tuition costs by 10% and then immediately got rid of free tuition for lower-income students. Premier Doug Ford and the Ontario government made headlines on Wednesday by announcing that they would be cutting fees for university and college students by 10% starting in the upcoming school year. But the news definitely got much…

Freedom, oh sweet, freedom. We’re finally living on our own (still Skyping the parents every now and then), but the world is ours! All of a sudden, we’re still responsible for attending classes, handing in assignments, cooking food, and paying bills…those dreaded bills. Student life means LOADS of studying, but it also means learning how…

To make it through college/university, it’s helpful to know about the different ways of acquiring financial aid. While top athletes and valedictorians are prestigious scholarship holders, the rest of us need to figure out how to pay for our education. The average cost of a single year in an institution is in the tens of…

Spain, France, and Italy? Scratch that. How about Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand? You may spend hours planning where to go when you travel, yet never spend a second thinking about your budget. If you don’t take the right steps with your money when you’re travelling, you could end up missing the boat money-wise. Follow these…

With recent news of budget cuts to funding for some major student interests, find out how you may be affected. Doug Ford’s Conservative Ontario government has been making budget cuts left and right to all sorts of programs, but one of his most recent slashes is going to prove especially brutal for students. CTV News’s…

There’s no question that scholarships are great. After all, who doesn’t want free money? There are thousands of different scholarships available to you across Canada, most of which come with added benefits. But students tend to forget about these benefits and only think about the money as their sole reason to apply. Curious to know…

This is what happens when you want to get a place to live but don’t have the credit score to do it. Rejection Hurts Meet Robin Bourbeau, a nuclear operator-in-training at Ontario Power Generation. He’s 23 years old, has no debt, makes $80,000 a year, and has enough savings for a 20% downpayment on a…

Are you heading to school in September? And are you currently broke?! Yes? Yes?! Well, my friend, join the club… Fortunately for us, it’s Amazon Prime Day from July 16-17. What’s that? You have no idea what I’m talking about? Don’t worry—read this quick guide to Amazon Prime Day, as well as my piece on…

Our bizarre neighbours south of the border have found a creative way to solve their student loan problem—a game show. 1. What is Paid Off? a) A new game show on truTV b) A way for Americans to pay off their student loan debts c) A ridiculous solution to a ridiculous problem d) All of…

It’s the greatest time of year, and it’s here. Ready to celebrate? Despite what iconic Disney pop siblings Aly & AJ may say, we’re actually not talking about the joyous winter holiday season… This is the second greatest time of the year: Amazon Prime Day. And lucky for us students, it’s just around the corner. Amazon Prime…

Amazon Prime Day, on July 16th, is Amazon’s fourth entry in what’s become an annual tradition of deals and discounts on millions of products…from A to Z. Hehe. ? Unless you’ve been living under a rock (which is totally cool, if that’s what you prefer), then know about Amazon. Which means you’ve probably heard of Amazon…

A few days ago, I freaked out. With Father’s Day around the corner, I had no idea what to do for my old man. As students, we typically have very little money to spend. We’re dealing with tuition fees, textbooks, rental costs, and so much more. Not to mention, a growing mountain of student debt!…

Buying your own place. Is it just me, or does that sound crazy? This used to be a normal stage in the lives of many North Americans. Today, it seems like an extreme luxury for most people. I honestly felt like I would never ever have a place to call my own a few years…

A petition launched by Canadian students is advocating for the federal government to stop charging students for interest on their student loans. With Canada’s absurdly high costs to attend post-secondary school, students are routinely having to turn to student loans in order to pay for it. That’s not exactly news. And while it sucks that…

Figure out where the heck all your spending is going. I’m not sure which is more expensive: being a full-time student or being a full-time 20-year-old female. Between my textbooks, my over-indulgence in hair products, take-out food and $14 sangria drinks, my wallet is running a tad dry. Since my two part-time jobs fail to…

You know the saying: money isn’t everything. But let me tell you – not having it can be. One newcomer to Canada will win a life-changing grand prize. Enter now at Canada’s Luckiest Newcomer. Let’s talk about bad credit scores for a second. Bad credit scores can seriously affect your ability to get a loan,…

One financial expert estimates that in Canada, there are millions of dollars in unclaimed scholarships every year. There seems to be a false belief among most students that scholarships aren’t for them. You might feel that you’re not quite smart enough to get one, or not good enough at sports, or simply lacking the time…

Try Butter and find out what your subscriptions can get you every month. Who doesn’t love butter? If only everything was so smooth and delicious. This new subscription-organizing platform might not be as tasty, but it will make everything easier to keep track of. Whether you’re watching Netflix, listening to Spotify, playing Xbox Live, getting…

Hack your way to savings. Hi, I’m Georgie, and I’m terrible at saving money. There, I’ve said it. And I’ve had enough. In an effort to save money like a proper grown up, I’ve been scanning the Internet for the world’s best money saving hacks. And let me tell you, there are a lot. To…

Simple things most students have no clue they can claim on their taxes to get more money back. Be honest. When it comes time to do your taxes, you do one of two things. You rush through some online system, frantically filling in lines from your T4. Or you hand the whole thing off to…

Nothing good happens when you screw up your taxes. Just like having to pay for your own Netflix subscription, doing your taxes is another one of those adulting responsibilities that’s thrust upon you way too soon. It can be a lot of pressure. If you don’t do your taxes correctly, or at all, or try…

You’re about to get the lowdown on everything dollars and cents. Bling, bling, money IS a thing. A thing we need, a thing we have, and a thing we want more of. But most of us don’t know what the heck to do with it. And due to the face that “Personal Finance 101” isn’t…

Confused about cryptocurrency? Here’s everything students need to know about how Bitcoin works. Chances are, by now you’ve heard the word cryptocurrency—particularly, Bitcoin. It’s practically plastered across the Internet. But do you really know any more than what you’ve seen on bitcoin memes (this one’s my favourite)? I’ve taken the time to figure out this cryptocurrency stuff…

Getting an AIR MILES card means more than just travel rewards. Students can use an AIR MILES card to save on groceries, gas and at pharmacies. Actually, though. Get yours today for your chance to win $10,000 in Grocery and Gas Cards. Good reasons to get your AIR MILES card today: → AIR MILES cards are…

We’ve got $35,000 up for grabs for one lucky Student Life Network member in FULL RIDE. Happy 2018! You’re totally killing that “New Year, New You” vibe and sticking to your resolutions right? (cut to new running shoes still in the box and a large pizza beside computer). Well, we’re sticking to ours. We set out…

Whether you want to go to college, buy a new car or get a mortgage, you need some dinero. A lot of students believe that solely getting a job will help you achieve these goals, but a job is only part of the financial success equation. As a high school student, I never knew what…

A unique chance to (literally) invest in your future If you’re a whiz at investing, think you can slay like the dragons on Dragon’s Den, or just like to fiddle around with your finances, then this competition is for you. CIBC presents the Capitalize for Kids Student Challenge where you’ll receive $1 Million in virtual currency to…

We’re giving one international student an extra warm welcome with a $2,000 scholarship! Are you coming to Canada to study? That’s awesome! This place is pretty great. We hope you have an amazing time. To make it even more amazing, we’ve launched our first-ever International Student Scholarship. We want to get to know you a…

Let’s face it: Dating is–and will probably always be–expensive. A movie ticket costs how much now? (*passes out) Most students aren’t exactly making it rain, but with a little creativity, you can go forth and swipe right without breaking the bank. See, there’s a difference between being a cheap date and going on a cheap…

Don’t Freak Out! wants you to suck less at money, so they’re holding a workshop on July 27. A few months ago, members of the SLN team went to St. Catharines, Ontario and watched a few hundred students pile into a theatre at Brock University to learn about managing their money and becoming financially literate. There…

+ We’re giving away five prizes of $250.00 worth of McDonald’s gift cards. Okay, so we’re helping McDonald’s get the word out about National Hiring Day, a one-day hiring blitz, during which they aim to hire over 9,000 new employees. McDonald’s also offers flexible shifts that work alongside student schedules, whether you’re still in high school…

Taxes suck. Use these tips to ease the pain. Nobody likes doing taxes. They’re universally reviled, like rugburns or guys who still drive Hummers. But being a student is crazy expensive, so we want always find new ways to help you either save money, or in this case, get as much of it back as…

You could be missing out on thousands of dollars just for being your sweet student self Taxes. No wait, please don’t go! We totally get reading about taxes is as exciting as watching paint dry (actually slightly less). But you know what IS exciting? Free money. As a Canadian student, you’re eligible for a handful…

This is how you sell stuff online using Amazon’s Sell program. Student debt is something that virtually everyone around you is worrying about. It’s become somewhat of an accepted part of studying, like remembering to set your alarm every morning or having to buy new stationary every year. It’s an integral part of being a student.…

So you’ve figured out how to pay for tuition, rent and textbooks. But then you maybe want to eat something that isn’t ramen noodles for at least a couple meals a week, see a movie or better yet, a rad concert. Or maybe, just maybe (picture it), spending your winter break on a beach somewhere.…

Ever hear the phrase, “you can’t afford to be cheap?” As students, we’re often lectured to save our money and stop spending it on things like fast food, partying, and leisure activities. Yes, cutting back on some things is beneficial, but there are just some purchases where students can’t afford to be cheap. So in this article,…

Paying for school can be hard. Chances are that you took a student loan to help pay for your education. What’s probably been worrying you, however, is how the media has been pointing out how much students are borrowing to get through school. We need student loans, but thinking about how we are going to…

School is an important instrument that helps propel students into the workplace. It teaches you the basics of your field and how to navigate the “real-world.” Or at least, that’s what you were told. Most students think that once they’re finished their four-year-degree, the education stops. They’re done with learning and all the expensive textbooks…

Sometimes I hate having choices. There’s a hot dog vendor at my school who sells chicken dogs, beef dogs, and chili cheese dogs. I’ve never bought a single hot dog from him because having that many options is ludicrous. Well, when it comes to food, at least. Cars are a different story. Do I want…

Listen, I know life comes with a lot of expenses, and owning a car is a huge one. Ideally we’d all be using hoverboards by now, but we aren’t so lucky in this version of 2015. Taking the bus and carpooling are some good, realistic ways to cut the cost of travel, but they aren’t…

Isn’t it awesome when you’re struggling to make ends meet while trying your damndest to get good grades? Yup. It sure is. It’s the best thing ever, and students just love having to go through it. Cue end of sarcasm. As much as I wish this was the case, saving money isn’t easy for everyone.…

All students have a student ID. Its primary function is identifying you at exams, but it just so happens that student cards often give you perks (!), discounts (!!), and sometimes even free stuff (!!!). That alone is pretty sweet, but what if you had a student ID that could get you all that and…

Now that summer’s here, many of us have a part-time or full-time job. Whether you’re saving for post-secondary or just earning a bit of spending money, we kinda get that you’re probably not keen on the idea of blowing all your hard-earned money in just a few months. Here are a few ways to have a great summer that’s not…

The old adage “money doesn’t grow on trees” rings true for everyone, but especially so for students. Between handling tuition, phone bills, and bus fare on a low income, it can be tough to budget your cash so as to not end up with $0 in the good ol’ bank account at the end of every week.…

Living away from home for the first time is new and exciting for sure. But with this comes uncertain waters. Whether you are living in an apartment or in a university or college residence, this is your guide for how to help you handle the ropes on your own. Living in Res: What’s a RA?…

When starting a new job, you usually feel a mix of two things: elation and apprehension. The prospect of earning some cash and meeting new people is always exciting, but the new responsibilities that come along with working can be pretty daunting, too. That being said, it’s all a learning experience. When you get into…

We all have the goal to save money. We do, but this bill pops up. Then there’s that extra latte. You know the drill. So here are some digestible tips we could all use to help save some coin. Like Mom Taught You: Pack a Lunch As students, we pay so much for lunch. The…

Credit cards can help make your student life better for a myriad of reasons. Not only for those times of emergency, but because of the purchases you can make with credit cards… like, oh, summer festival tickets. Firstly, there’s the fact that you’re building credit, or your credit score. Your credit score is just as important…

There are few things greater than opening a massive sealed envelope to read the opening lines that typically go a little something like: “Congratulations! I’m delighted to share with you that you’ve been accepted into…” It’s the best feeling. Euphoric might be the right word. But when the excitement passes, the next thought that typically…

Whether you are terrible at saving money, find it hard to keep track of all those receipts, or aiming to pay off your student debt faster, these apps will help keep you on top of your cash. GoodBudget Have you ever seen those tips and tricks on social media and on TV for saving money?…

These apps won’t only help you save money, they’ll get your student finances back in control. Well, help anyway. Zweet I recently discovered the beauty of cashback rebate apps, and let me tell you, there is no going back! Think: couponing backwards. Not only do they save you the shame of being the person holding…

You don’t have to ask around for long to hear some pretty alarming stories about shady student landlords. When we’re uninformed, it’s easy to get backed into a corner and sign outrageous leases or comply with unfair demands that a landlord shouldn’t be asking of us. But fear not, this article is designed to keep you out…

Scholarships are all over the place. To some estimates, a ridiculous $15 million in scholarship money goes unclaimed every year. In the following Students with Stories, we’re highlighting winners of large scholarships for their insight on how they won the scholarship and their tips and tricks for you. Tell us about yourself, Connor. I traded…

To continue our new series, Students with Stories, we sit down with quite the achiever. Jivetesh Singh Chhatwal (Jivy) of Memorial University in Newfoundland is an esteemed Schulic Scholarship winner, was named the City of St. John’s Youth of the Year and does some brilliant youth empowerment work with Radhoc. Here’s Jivy’s story. Tell us…

There’s hundreds of thousands of dollars out there. It’s just hanging out, waiting to be claimed. It has a name: scholarships. Now, most freeze up at the word scholarship and assume they won’t win. Funny thing is, thousands of dollars go unclaimed for some scholarships annually. Sad face. In light of that, here are some…

$20,000! Spell it out: twenty thousand dollars. Oh, man. If you’re a lucky student, you could do all the things with that. (If you’re interested in a chance to win $20,000 for tuition in addition to other prizes like a new phone, grocery and rent money for a year, and so much more, make sure…

You’re in line at Starbucks. With a thirst that can only be satiated by monstrously-priced mounds of sugar, milk, and flavoured syrups, you order a venti vanilla bean frappuccino. At $4.75, only a dollar more than the tall, you figure that it’s the most economical option. Pleased with your own monetary prowess, you readily extend…

You can support our Canadian Ski and Snowboard Teams by buying a discounted lift pass at your nearest participating resort for CIBC National Ski & Snowboard Day on January 27th. So here’s the deal. Our lead partner, CIBC, is a proud “gold level” (we’re not sure what that means, but it sounds fancy) sponsor of Alpine…

Investing is confusing at the best of times, let alone during a global pandemic. Check out these pointers, and then play Just for Funds for other personal finance tips and a shot at winning $1,000*! We get the idea of investing our money (what little we have, anyway). We support it. We want to do…