3 Online Tools for People that Want to Learn More About Finance
Some people do their own taxes, some people manage their own investments, and some people don’t know where to find their bank balance.
There are countless resources available online that will help you get smarter and savvier with your money. Here are 3 online resources that are user-friendly, informative, and that can be trusted to give you honest and helpful information.
1. www.getsmarteraboutmoney.ca
This Ontario Securities Commission site provides investment and financial planning education. It also offers helpful calculators for many investment-planning needs. If you want to walk into your next financial planning meeting knowing the terms, the options, and a bit more about the business this is a great site to look at.
There is a simple search bar at the top that allows you to zero in on a topic. There are also fact cards along the right-hand side of the page, that give you concise, easy to understand definitions and info about finance.
What to Use it for:
This is a great place to start your financial education if you are an Ontario resident. You can get an idea of what types of financial decisions you should be making, access up-to-date information about finance in Ontario and take a look at what options are available to you.
Coolest Feature:
GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca’s most interesting feature is the calculator tools. These not only educate but also empower you to become your own financial planner, helping you to set goals and be better prepared for financial planning meetings. The RESP calculator allows you to go step-by-step through what the potential costs of a child’s education will be and how you can get there in however many years you chose to save. With a simple click, you can tweak your plans and really see into the future of your savings.
Mawer is an investment management firm located in Toronto. Their web presence is exceptionally well done. This is their blog where they write articles related to the financial industry. The articles are well researched and well written. Not only do they cover relevant topics but they also provide you with some well-thought-out insights and interpretations. As a bonus, these guys are entertaining and even funny at times.
What to Use it for:
This is a great resource if you want to find out what some of the great money managers are thinking about.
Coolest Feature:
This company does media well. Their blog is easy on the eyes as well as easy to read. Their slogan, Boring: the way investing should be, defines their tone which has a wry sense of humour and is enjoyable to read.
The television network Business News Network (BNN) and their website BNN.ca focus on Canadian content. But, BNN is often referred to as the ‘Bad News Network’ because of it’s bias that seems to bend towards exaggerated and negative headlines.
Bloomberg is based out of the US but provides a true global market perspective and has an impressive array of guests on a daily basis. To view content that is relevant to Canada you can toggle ‘Canada’ in the country setting to the left of their logo.
This is a great place for the more advanced financial researcher to truly follow what’s happening in the world and learn how it impacts our day-to-day lives.
What to Use it for:
News. Financial news that is unbiased and that covers the whole world.
Coolest Feature:
Bloomberg is accountable and is, for the most part, easy to understand.
These three resources won’t get you a Finance degree or replace your financial advisor but they will help you along the road to becoming more informed about your money and the world of finance.
Know of an informative or interesting financial site? Send us a message!