Good morning. Whether you're years away from retirement or already in it, the numbers this weekend are worth knowing.
On The Money Today:
How a couple turned a $550K home sale into a survival plan for the spouse left behind
Why senior Canadians with stretched budgets are turning to roommates — and saving thousands
The CPP and OAS rules that determine whether you collect $520 or $1,150 a month
Let's get into it.
Jason didn't expect to be making these decisions at 51. But with a terminal diagnosis and a half-million dollars from selling the family home, every choice he makes now will shape his wife's financial life for the next 30 years. What he's doing — and what you should check in your own accounts right now.
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With the median senior income at $31,400 a year and rents still near record highs, a growing number of older Canadians are rethinking what retirement actually looks like. The "Golden Girls" model isn't just a TV concept anymore — it's becoming a real financial strategy.
OAS starts at 65 — not 67. But when you take CPP is where the real decision lies, and getting the timing wrong could cost you hundreds of dollars a month for the rest of your life. Here's what the numbers say.
ALSO MAKING THE ROUNDS TODAY
TRAVEL: Airfares are up and your Aeroplan points don't stretch as far — here's how to save up to 30% on your next European trip
INVESTING: Diversified portfolios beat the 60/40 mix by 5% in 2025 — here's what that means for your RRSP and TFSA
AUTO INSURANCE: U.S. tariffs on auto parts are pushing repair costs higher — here's what it could mean for your premium at renewal
HOME INSURANCE: An Amazon driver destroyed an Ontario couple's lawn and offered $1,200 — the full bill came to $3,900 and here's what homeowners can do
DEBT: He made 60 payments on a $4,500 loan and still owes nearly the full amount — here's what's keeping him trapped
HAVE YOUR SAY
When do you plan to start collecting CPP?
That's a wrap for today! Before you go, we'd love to know what you thought of today's newsletter. Hit REPLY if you have more to share — we read every reply.
