RBC Royal Bank • 12th August 2023

Mastering Money: Tips For Creating a Budget That Works For You

Managing personal money matters is a major source of stress for many Canadians. If you’re one of the many who find themselves losing sleep over their finances, one of the quickest ways to alleviate some of the pressure is to get organized by creating a realistic budget that works for you. Gaining control of your finances can help reduce unwanted surprises and offer some peace of mind each month.

If you’ve struggled to maintain a budget in the past or are starting one for the first time, here ar

RBC Royal Bank • 4th January 2024

New to Canada? Here's 4 Things to Know About Car Loans

Many newcomers to Canada have found that purchasing a vehicle is a much different process from what they’re used to. Come to the dealership prepared with the terms and expectations of auto financing in Canada to prevent any unwanted surprises.

For many newcomers to Canada, a car can help make life much easier, but buying one isn’t necessarily the same process as it is elsewhere in the world.

Unless you have the money to buy a new car upfront, you’ll likely have to take out a loan to finance yo

RBC Royal Bank • 4th January 2024

5 Things to Know Before Applying for Auto Financing

Buying a car is an exciting experience, but for first-time buyers, applying for auto financing may feel complicated — or confusing.

Here’s an easy guide to understanding auto financing and help you get the best deal.

With car loans, you borrow a set amount of money from your banking institution or car dealership at a pre-agreed interest rate. Then you are given time to pay it back — this is your “term.” You pay back a pre-arranged portion of your loan weekly, bi-weekly or monthly in your term.

RBC Royal Bank • 4th January 2024

Going Electric: A Guide to Canada's Electric Car Incentive Programs

Higher upfront costs can be an obstacle for those looking to buy an electric vehicle (EV). Saving money on gas and lowering your carbon footprint is alluring, but fitting an EV into your budget may be hard. Luckily, Canada’s commitment to a zero-emission economy means federal and provincial rebates are available to ease the stress of these up-front costs on your wallet.

Which vehicles are eligible for iZEV?

Canada’s Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles program, or iZEV, provides government re

RBC Royal Bank • 14th November 2023

When is the right time to replace my home appliances?

An unplanned dishwasher or oven breakdown can really mess up your household budget — not to mention the disruption to your home while it’s out of commission!

And while you can’t prevent your home appliances from ever breaking, you can be prepared for the day they finally do.

By plotting a timeline of when your appliances are expected reach the end of their lifespan, you can plan your finances accordingly and decide if it’s more cost-efficient to repair a faulty appliance or replace it with a n

RBC Royal Bank • 4th January 2024

Preventing Flooding: 6 Ways to Prepare and Protect Your Basement

Flood prevention is one of the most important (and often overlooked) climate resiliency measures for Canadian homeowners. Torrential rains test the infrastructure of your home and threaten to damage your basement — and due to climate change, these extreme weather events are becoming more frequent.

Should the forecast call for such severe rainfall, a little preparation can go a long way toward protecting your home and possessions.

Keep your roof and gutters clean

Flood protection starts from t

RBC Royal Bank • 10th July 2023

Creating a Debt Repayment Plan: 5 Steps to Take Control of Your Finances

Managing debt can be an overwhelming task for anyone. Whether it’s credit card balances, student loans, or other financial obligations, debt is a major source of stress for many Canadians. Finding a path toward repaying your debts can help you regain control and ease some of the pressure from your financial situation. As any great teacher might tell you, the best way to conquer a big task is to break it into smaller ones.

Here are five steps you can take to create your debt repayment plan.

A g

RBC Royal Bank • 25th July 2023

I Got Pre-Qualified For A Car Loan. What Should I Do Next?

Pre-qualification is a great way to know how much of an auto loan you qualify for before visiting a dealership. It can allow you to shop with confidence, knowing that when you find the vehicle you want, you already have a good idea how your interest rate, down payment and financing term could affect your payments.

But once you get that information, what can you do with it?

Take a closer look at your pre-qualified loan amount and consider your down payment options. It’s a good idea to re-evalua

Chatter that Matters • 9th January 2024

Tony Chapman on LinkedIn: "Should We be Afraid of an Online Future?”

This is the latest from Jake the intern – He’s getting so good I think he’s vying for my job.

Last week’s episode with Mitch Joel was all about the future, something that can be pretty scary territory for a conversation these days. Musk. Zuckerberg. State controlled censorship. Will our relationships, our human-to-human connections, our identities ever be the same?

Well, Jake grew up in the midst of this internet age, and he’s got a lot to say.

This one should be fun. I’m sure many of you aren’t going to agree with Jake’s points here – if that’s you, he would love to hear your feedback. We need to be having these important conversations between people from all walks of life as we head towards an even more digital world.

Chatter that Matters • 9th January 2024

Tony Chapman on LinkedIn: "Fighting for a Country"

Jacob Henriksen-Willis is part of the Chatter that Matters Team. This week he shares his key takeaways from my chat with Natalie Marchesan. To do so, and on his initiative, he reaches out to Megan Quintin, for their opinion. Well done.

Natalie has a fantastic story that takes her from taking on her Bishop to the military to leading global procurement, with the thread being a passion and purpose to level the playing field.

There are some wonderful life lessons for all. This Friday Mitch Joel in an episode I have titled: Say it is so, Joel.

Chatter that Matters • 9th January 2024

Tony Chapman on LinkedIn: "The Greatest of All Time"

It's Monday and that means that Jake, the intern, i.e. Jacob Henriksen-Willis, unpacks my latest episode of Chatter that Matters, where I chat with one of the greatest soccer players of all time, Christine Sinclair.

Jake talks about the importance of role models.

To listen to the entire interview with Christine, click here:

Chatter that Matters • 9th January 2024

Tony Chapman on LinkedIn: "Teach Our Children Well"

It's Monday which means 'Jake the Intern', is in the house. This time Jake breaks down his key takeaway from my chat with Ken Wong. I agree with all he says about the positive and profound impact great teachers make on your lives.

Click below to hear what he says, and if this gets you interested in the Ken Wong segment, which is doing record numbers, click here:

Chatter that Matters • 9th January 2024

Tony Chapman on LinkedIn: "Meet Jake the Intern"

I hired a paid intern this year. His name is Jacob Henriksen-Willis. He does research, offers his perspective, and posts content on social media. Last Friday, I said why don't you write reviews on each episode from the context of someone starting their career.

Instead of writing something he went several steps further. He went for a walk and created this video review of my podcast interview with one of Canada's most admired business leaders, Jim Estill.

Have a listen and let Jacob know what you think.

Chatter that Matters • 9th January 2024

Tony Chapman on LinkedIn: "Life on a Shoestring"

Jacob Henriksen-Willis is a paid intern who is helping me get the word out on Chatter that Matters. I am interested in his perspective on my content, as Jacob is just starting his career.

This is the second week that Jacob has created an audio review. For a young man he is suprisingly talented at not only his delivery, but the way he frames his thoughts.

This is his take on my episode this week with Joe Foster who, with his brother Jeff, started a shoe business on a shoestring. That business became Reebok and during Joe's time, the biggest running shoe brand in the world. Bigger than Nike and Adidas.

How? You will have to listen to find out. :)

Chatter that Matters • 9th January 2024

Tony Chapman on LinkedIn: "Leslie Ehm: The Queen of Swagger"

Jake the Intern is back. Each Friday I ask Jacob Henriksen-Willis to listen to Chatter that Matters and then post his thoughts on the episode on the following Monday.

This is his take on my chat with Leslie Ehm. Jacob is a great addition to the team and I really enjoy his segments. Let me know what you think.

If you want to listen to the entire episode. Chatter that Matters wherever you get your podcasts, or click here:

CBC Tapestry | Produced • 9th January 2024

Are we living in a simulation? Look to Free Guy, not The Matrix, for answers, says David Chalmers | Radio

Philosopher David Chalmers is often asked whether the so-called real world we live in is actually a computer simulation created and run by a hidden, god-like overseer.

That's little surprise, since he was one of several consultants on 1999's The Matrix, arguably the best known popular media to touch on the topic.

Pop culture, and especially science fiction, has played host to several of philosophy's biggest questions about life, the universe and re

RBC Royal Bank • 4th January 2024

4 Things to Know about Buying (and Owning) an Electric Vehicle

Many Canadians are looking to make the switch to electric vehicles (EVs) for environmental reasons and to save money — saving on gas alone can make it an enticing option. While there is a lot of buzz surrounding EVs as the vehicle of the future, you may still have some questions.

If you’re thinking about buying an electric or hybrid vehicle, here are four things to consider.

1. What types of electric vehicles are available in Canada?

There are 3 types of EVs currently on the market.
• Battery

CBC | Written • 9th January 2024

Connecting to our roots: the spirituality of trees | Radio

Trees have been a personal refuge for Nalini Nadkarni ever since she was a kid. Nadkarni, called the "queen of the forest canopy" in some circles, has used that love to guide her through a career in forest ecology.

But Nalini Nadkarni's interest in the forest is more than scientific. She sees trees as inherently spiritual. She delivers sermons on Trees and Spirituality to anyone who will listen, from religious communities to her fellow biologists.

Her message is to recognize these silent seden

CBC | Co-Produced • 9th January 2024

'Why are we here?' and other questions for an astrophysicist-folklorist | Radio

Moiya McTier graduated from Harvard University by boldly going where no student has ever gone before: majoring in both astrophysics and folklore.

It was an unlikely academic course to chart — but as McTier told Tapestry host Mary Hynes, it only made her more effective in her career as a science communicator.

McTier delivers talks about science around the world. She's also an author. Her latest book, The Milky Way: An Autobiography of Our Galaxy, is due out this August.

Astrophysicist and folk

RBC Royal Bank • 4th January 2024

How to Charge Your Electric Car at Home

Perhaps the biggest draw of going electric is leaving the gas pump behind. Electric vehicle (EV) owners can charge their vehicles at home, which may be the more convenient option for many households.

Your optimal EV charging option will depend on your budget, lifestyle, and local infrastructure.

Here are the most important things to consider before buying an at-home charger.

Why charge your EV at home?

Public EV charging stations are available across Canada, and the infrastructure around EVs

RBC Royal Bank • 4th January 2024

What to Look for as a Newcomer Buying a Car in Canada

New to Canada? Depending on where you live, having a car may be necessary for your way of life. This guide can help you find the right vehicle and show you how to get a car loan as a newcomer.

Finding a car in the Canadian auto market can be confusing if you’re unfamiliar with the process. For newcomers to Canada, a little research can go a long way toward finding and financing your perfect vehicle.

Here’s an easy guide for newcomers buying a car in Canada to get you started.

Step 1: Figure o

RBC Royal Bank • 4th January 2024

Buying a Car in a High Cost Environment

With interest rates and car prices on the rise, car loans are becoming more expensive and car buyers maybe feeling some pre-purchase jitters. The antidote to this anxiety is good information: figuring out your budget, knowing your options, and finding the best deals.

Here are some tips for financing a vehicle in the current economy.

Knowing how much of a loan you would qualify for before searching for a vehicle is a good starting point to create your budget. It also help prevent unwanted surpr

RBC Royal Bank • 4th January 2024

The Top 3 Considerations When You're Choosing a Car

If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, with so many options and factors to consider, making an informed decision is essential. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or looking to upgrade, a little preparation can go a long way toward finding your dream vehicle — and reducing any stress during your search.

Budget: What can you afford?

Before you start your search, it’s important to set your budget to know what you can afford. Remember to factor in not only the upfront cost but also ongoing expe

RBC Royal Bank • 4th January 2024

4 Ways to Reduce Your Monthly Expenses

Many Canadians are familiar with the end-of-the-month jitters. Managing personal finance can be stressful, and fun nights out or impulse shopping purchases can come back to bite you when the bills arrive. But there’s no need to beat yourself up — the good news is there are practical steps you can take to help reduce your expenses.

Most of your financial strategy should involve sticking to a budget, but finding the right number will require a good understanding of your current financial situatio