Feels like mid-30s in parts of Canada, while other areas expecting snow
Anything is possible this week, as far as Canada's weather is concerned, with forecasts ranging from scorching heat in some parts of the country to rain and snow in others.
You can rarely predict them; the best you can do is prepare for them.
Financial setbacks can be devastating, whether it's a job loss or divorce, injury and illness or long-term disability.
More than one in six Canadians are worried about job loss in the next year, according to a Harris Poll and NerdWallet survey. But it also found roughly two-thirds don't have an emergency fund, which many experts consider a critical tool in the face of a financial crisis.
“A lot of people suggest having enough set aside for three months of expenses which will keep paying for your housing, keep paying for your essentials, and also just take a lot of that emotional weight off," said Clay Jarvis, NerdWallet Canada spokesperson and financial expert.
"It can kind of clear your mind a little bit to look at the next phase of your life.”
Kate Childerhose advocates for more, if possible.
An emergency fund covering four to six months of expenses is ideal, said the Edward Jones financial adviser based in London, Ont. But the savings only buy you time — you also need a plan.
If the financial setback is job loss, Childerhose said the first step is to “just pause and take a deep breath.”
“You just went through something that’s really unsettling, can be very frightening, and brings up a lot of emotions and feelings,” she said.
Usually, decisions made under duress or extreme emotion are not the best ones, she added.
For your next step, Childerhose recommended letting your financial adviser know about the layoff, as advisers can connect you to legal help to review your termination, as well as an accountant to help with the severance and tax implications.
“Your financial adviser can then figure out what they need to do with assets that are transferring from a group plan, or what to do with some of the funds that are coming,” Childerhose said. “And they can assist with an income stream for the next period of time.”
Jarvis agreed that a recent layoff is a good time for expert advice, even if you’ve never worked with finance professionals before. Tapping into your savings and liquidating investments can have longer-term impacts that might not be fully understood.
“It's definitely better to get some professional help,” Jarvis said, “even if it’s just a one-shot deal.”
During this tumultuous time, he added, it’s also critical to keep making minimum payments on your debt, so your credit score isn’t destroyed.
If the financial crisis is a divorce, joint accounts can be tricky, Childerhose said. Ideally, if you sense an upcoming breakdown in the relationship, you should put aside some money for lawyers and living expenses in your own bank account.
"If someone starts withdrawing lots of money from the joint account, then that gets looked at with the lawyers, and it brings a lot of complications to the table,” she explained.
Creating a budget for a single income will help with planning, Jarvis said, and it’s best to stay civil in divorce proceedings. Acrimonious splits can get costly.
According to insurance company Canada Life, citing a 2021 survey, legal fees for uncontested divorces average $2,000 or less — but contested divorces can run up to $25,000.
“I think in the current economic climate, going from a two-income family to a one-income household, it is going to be a huge strain on both of you,” Jarvis said.
As for injury, long-term illness or disability, planning for worst-case scenarios can include buying insurance, Childerhose said. This is particularly appropriate for single parents or single-income families. Insurance premiums can feel expensive, she added, until you actually need the help.
“I’ve had a couple of clients in the last few years that have been in significant car accidents, and we’re still three, four or five years out, and their car accident cases haven’t been settled,” Childerhose said.
“They had been unable to return to work because of brain injuries caused from their accidents. That’s not just one particular client case — I have multiple client cases like that right now.”
Whether the income loss is from a layoff or disability, Jarvis advised reaching out to your landlord or lender if your savings start running low.
Once paying your rent or mortgage becomes challenging, it’s better to keep everyone informed, he explained. Tell them that you’re working to make your payments, and they are a priority.
“Let them know early on in the process, because being proactive will make a world of difference here,” Jarvis said.
“You don’t want to catch anyone off guard with a last-minute phone call or text saying that you won’t be able to pay them, because that's going to put them in a position where they might not be quite as willing to help you.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 30, 2024.
Anything is possible this week, as far as Canada's weather is concerned, with forecasts ranging from scorching heat in some parts of the country to rain and snow in others.
Canada's annual inflation rate slowed to a three-year low of 2.7 per cent in April, matching expectations, and core measures continued to ease, data showed on Tuesday, likely boosting chances of a June interest rate cut.
One person has died aboard a London-Singapore flight that encountered severe turbulence, Singapore Airlines said Tuesday. The plane was diverted to Bangkok, where emergency crews rushed to help injured passengers amid stormy weather.
As the month-long boycott of Loblaw-owned stores wears on, small independent food retailers and alternative grocery options say they're seeing a boost in traffic and sales.
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
As we enter another wildfire season, Environment and Climate Change Canada is advising people to pay attention to air pollution levels and check the Air Quality Health Index – especially on smoky days.
The Vatican has announced that the investigation it commissioned into allegations of sexual touching against Cardinal Gerald Cyprien Lacroix did not confirm any act constituting misconduct or abuse on the part of the Vatican.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Philadelphia today, on his first trip south of the border since his government launched a new 'Team Canada' charm offensive in the United States.
The Edmonton Oilers weathered a late Vancouver Canucks charge on Monday night, beating the hosts 3-2 to win their seven-game second-round playoff series in the decisive showdown.
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Catching 'em all with impressive speed, a 7-year-old boy from Windsor, Ont. who only started his competitive Pokémon journey seven months ago has already levelled up to compete at a world championship level.
2b Theatre recently moved into the old Video Difference building, seeking to transform it into an artistic hub, meeting space, and temporary housing unit for visiting performers in Halifax.
A B.C. woman says her service dog pulled her from a lake moments before she had a seizure, saving her life.
A Starbucks fan — whose name is Winter — is visiting Canada on a purposeful journey that began with a random idea at one of the coffee chain's stores in Texas.
Members of Piapot First Nation, students from the University of Winnipeg and various other professionals are learning new techniques that will hopefully be used for ground searches of potential unmarked grave sites in the future.
ALS patient Mathew Brown said he’s hopeful for future ALS patients after news this week of research at Western University of a potential cure for ALS.
When Adam Kirschner wrote 'Slap Shot,' he never imagined the song would be embraced by his favourite team.
A team is ready to help an entangled North Atlantic right whale in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.