Test Your Financial Knowledge

Studies show that Canadians aren't as financially savvy as they think they are. When asked, 70% of Canadians claimed to be financially literate, but when asked to test their knowledge 60% failed. How do you compare?

Test your knowledge by answering the following 15 statements with ‘true’ or ‘false’

1. A mortgage term refers to the length of time you need to pay off your mortgage.

2. You must pay for government insurance on mortgages where you put down less than 20% of a down payment-unless the home is worth $1 million or more.

3. A car that is more expensive always costs more to insure than a cheaper car.

4. You never have to report interest and profits gained in your TFSA when filing taxes.

5. You can have multiple TFSA accounts with different banks at the same time.

6. Your auto insurance automatically goes down when you turn 25.

7. Applying for a credit card can negatively affect your credit score.

8. Home insurance can sometimes protect you if your dog bites someone in your home.

9. Your home insurance will always cover you if a tree falls on your home.

10. Checking your credit score has no impact on the score itself.

11. The colour of your car affects your car insurance rate.

12. All banks charge you money to have a chequing account.

13. Auto insurance premiums can be cancelled mid-way through their term.

14. You need to be licensed to buy stocks in Canada.

15. There's no need to get travel insurance if you're travelling within Canada between provinces.

How did you do?

Check your answers below.

Answers: 1. False  2. True  3. False  4. False 5. True  6. False 7. True 8. True 9. False 10. True

11. False 12. False 13. True 14. False 15. False

See how Pattie Lovett-Reid scored on her financial quiz.

Financial Plans For Your Future

Here at Continuum II we get asked all the time "What's the most beneficial way for me to invest my money?".

Our answer is always the same; everyones financial landscape is unique, and that everyones financial portfolio should reflect that. But overall, the most important thing is that everyone has a plan.

Many people don't realize that there is difference between a financial plan and an investment plan. 

An investment plan focuses solely on your investments, and your return on those investments. While investments are important, they are nothing without a solid financial plan.

What you have to ask yourself is, will your investment plan stand up if something goes wrong in other areas of your life? What if you suffer from one of the four D's (death, divorce, disability or disaster)?. This is where a financial plan will help to ensure you're protected.

Here is what a financial plan can offer, that an investment plan can not.

• A financial plan looks at all of the financial aspects of your life, not just your investments.
• Financial plans look at insurance and estate needs, educational planning.
• Financial plans help you to make big financial decisions, like whether to buy or rent.

In acknowledging you need a plan, the next step is to hire a financial planner. A financial planner typically provides a written financial plan that outlines your goals, challenges and considerations, recommendations and action plan. A comprehensive written financial plan generally includes the following:

• A clarification of your short, medium and long term goals
• A statement of Net Worth
• An analysis of your cash inflows and outflows
• A detailed budget and debt-reduction strategies
• A review of your current investments and investment strategy advice
• Projections regarding your retirement, including pension recommendations
• A review of your insurance needs, group benefits and estate planning, including recommendations
• The action steps needed to implement your plan

Do you have an individualized comprehensive financial plan? Get started now with the quick RediNest questionnaire below. With RediNest you'll discover how your financial readiness compares to other Canadians with similar goals. It’s easy to use, free and a great way to preview the work we do here at Continuum II Inc. - C2Inc.