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1 in 4 Canadians Can Only Afford the Minimum Payment on Their Credit Card

  Published August 24, 2026 · Canadian Money Brief A new survey from Equifax Canada puts a hard number on something a lot of us have felt creeping up all year: credit cards are doing more of the heavy lifting in Canadian budgets, and fewer people are paying them off. Of more than 1,500 Canadians surveyed, a quarter said they expect to make only the minimum monthly payment on their credit card, and another 7% think they'll fall behind entirely. That leaves just over half — 56% — who expect to pay their balance in full each month. The survey also found that 40% of respondents are spending more overall than they were a year ago, more than double the 18% who say they're spending less. Nearly 3 in 10 said they're leaning more heavily on credit cards to cover essentials like groceries and utilities, and close to a quarter are dipping into savings to keep up with everyday costs. More than a third have cut back on contributions to savings, investments, or education funds to make ro...
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RESP: A Smart Way to Save for Schooling.


RESP is a great way to save for schooling. RESP stands for Registered Education Savings Plan. It is a government-sponsored investment account that helps parents save for their child’s post-secondary education. One of the key benefits of RESP is that it allows your savings to grow tax-free until the funds are withdrawn. This means that any investment income earned within the RESP is not subject to tax as long as it remains in the plan. Additionally, the government provides grants and incentives to encourage parents to save for their child’s education. For example, the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) matches 20% of the contributions made to an RESP, up to a maximum of $500 per year. This can significantly boost your savings over time.


RESPs offer flexibility in terms of investment options. You can choose from a wide range of investment products such as mutual funds, stocks, bonds, and guaranteed investment certificates (GICs). This allows you to tailor your investment strategy based on your risk tolerance and financial goals. Moreover, when it comes time to withdraw funds from the RESP, the earnings are taxed in the hands of the student, who typically has little or no income. Since students usually have a lower tax rate than their parents, this can result in significant tax savings.


In summary, RESP is an excellent way to save for schooling as it offers tax advantages, government grants, and investment flexibility. It provides parents with a structured and efficient means of saving for their child’s post-secondary education while maximizing their savings potential.

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