Saving | Clarity

top of page

The Clarity Blog
Planning, Saving, Investing

Welcome to the Clarity blog.

Here you will find easy-to-read, unbiased, lingo-free information on topics related to investing, saving, and financial planning from me, Anita Bruinsma. I have 25 years of experience living and breathing finance and founded Clarity to bring affordable and accessible personal financial advice and education to Canadians.

If you would like some personal financial planning and investing guidance or are interested in learning more about money through one-on-one conversation, check out the Services page and email me - let's talk!

Search

Life got expensive - now what?

Apr 153 min read

Life got expensive - now what?

It’s not just you. Life is more expensive now that it was before the pandemic. 15.57% more, to be precise. While inflation can seem like...

Blind Spots

Nov 30, 20234 min read

Blind Spots

The other day I had one of my “get to know you” calls with a potential client. In our conversation, he said that his financial knowledge...

Change your money story

Nov 15, 20233 min read

Change your money story

Change your money story.

Got pension plan envy? Get over it.

Sep 20, 20234 min read

Got pension plan envy? Get over it.

Mimic the benefits of a pension plan to build your own retirement income.

Which accounts are right for me?

Sep 13, 20235 min read

Which accounts are right for me?

So many choices for your savings Saving is boring. Putting money aside for the future detracts from our ability to spend today, and the...

Your retirement number is wrong...and that's OK

Jul 27, 20235 min read

Your retirement number is wrong...and that's OK

Your retirement estimate is probably wrong, but is still well worth calculating.

Fund Facts

May 10, 20236 min read

Fund Facts

Differentiating between important and unimportant information makes choosing an ETF a lot easier.

No house? No problem.

May 3, 20234 min read

No house? No problem.

Owning a home isn't the only way to build wealth.

The Million Dollar Question

Apr 25, 20235 min read

The Million Dollar Question

This commonly-cited retirement figure doesn't have to be intimidating A million dollars. That’s the number that seems to come up a lot...

The Emergency Fund part 2

Apr 18, 20234 min read

The Emergency Fund part 2

An emergency fund is a foundational element of your financial plan, but it's important to plan it properly.

The Emergency Fund

Apr 12, 20235 min read

The Emergency Fund

Having an emergency fund is really important - but how much do you actually need?

CPP: What you need to know

Mar 29, 20234 min read

CPP: What you need to know

Anyone who's ever worked in Canada should understanding the basics of the Canada Pension Plan.

Welcome FHSA!

Mar 21, 20236 min read

Welcome FHSA!

The new First Home Savings Account has some great features, even for those who aren't sure about buying a house.

Debt vs. Investing

Mar 2, 20234 min read

Debt vs. Investing

The choice between paying down debt and investing isn't always cut and dry.

RRSP season: the big gimmick

Feb 14, 20234 min read

RRSP season: the big gimmick

Retirement planning should be a year-round endeavour, not done hastily during RRSP season.

What to expect with DIY investing

Jan 31, 20235 min read

What to expect with DIY investing

DIY investing has opened up the world of investing. It's a cheap way to get invested but has its caveats.

In for a Penny, In For a pound

Dec 13, 20224 min read

In for a Penny, In For a pound

If you get a nagging feeling about opening your credit card statement in January, perhaps it's time to re-think your holiday spending.

The Real Deal with TFSAs

Dec 5, 20224 min read

The Real Deal with TFSAs

Do you need a primer on what a TFSA is and how you can use it? You're not alone. Read on.

Five Things Every 20-Something Needs to Know About Money

Nov 28, 20225 min read

Five Things Every 20-Something Needs to Know About Money

Learning a few important money concepts in your 20s can take you a long way.

Common Knowledge

Oct 31, 20224 min read

Common Knowledge

There are certain areas in our lives where common knowledge is important. Money is one of them.

Check out my favourite quotes to inspire you!

bottom of page