5 Strategies for Getting Control of your Money

Marci • March 26, 2013

Overcoming Bad Money Habits

 

Getting on the road to financial success is within your reach. If you are like many women today, you are probably feeling stuck or perhaps overwhelmed with your life – like you can’t get ahead fast enough, save more money or even know where your money is going. There might be some unconscious thoughts that are holding you back and keeping you from moving forward, building wealth and saving more.
Don’t feel bad. You are not alone. All of us have some bad money habits. Recognizing them and doing something about it will change your life. Thinking about your life and your money, what do you think is holding you back? If you had to define the #1 mistake you are making with your money, what would that be?
The #1 money mistake
In our opinion, the #1 mistake women make is not taking control of their money. It doesn’t matter why – there could be a thousand reasons or excuses. Every woman and every situation is different. But mark my words – it is a lack of control that is holding you back from financial success.
So how do you “get control” of your money? You make it a priority. You empower yourself by really looking at how you earn, save, spend and give away your money. Many of us are doing something with our money we don’t like. And we have all done things with our money we regret. Old habits and feeling overwhelmed by life’s pressures may be holding you back. By gaining personal insight, I guarantee you will get better control of your money.
Living more comfortably
Here’s something else to consider: Women are living longer. The average life expectancy for women in North America is 83.4. The average age of a widow is 56. Taking control over your money has never been more important. Especially if you want to ensure your family’s financial future, and that you’ll have enough money to lead a long and comfortable life. So how do you get control over your money?

5 easy steps to get control

#1 – Get informed.

The more you know about your money, the better decisions you will make. There’s no need to become a financial expert, but you do need to understand the basics about how you earn, spend, share and save your money. Becoming more aware of your habits will help you reach your goals.

#2 – Stop living day-to-day and set goals.

If you want to achieve more, setting goals is the way to do it. It doesn’t matter how much money you have or make, whether you are just starting out or have a successful career, setting goals will give you clarity. It’ll help you to stop squandering money and save more. It’ll inspire you to open yourself up to new possibilities. It’ll make you feel better too!
#3 – Organize every aspect of your life, from your mind and money, to your home, office, and kids.

It’s important to engage your family in your quest for organization, and to learn how to stay organized even when the unexpected throws you off your routine.
#4 – Seek expert advice.

If you don’t understand something, have doubts or are unclear about your money matters or investments, talk to a financial professional. Make an appointment and prepare a list of questions. Being informed will help you make better decisions.
#5 – Get a plan in place to manage your spending.

Making a budget and sticking to it is a challenge for many women. That’s why it is so important to create a budget that matches your spending patterns. And this will help you to set and achieve your financial goals. It’ll keep you motivated – and motivation is key to success.
Taking control of your money means investing in you. It means you have to start doing things a little differently. I know you want to do it. I know you can do it. And there’s no better time to start than right now!
Just follow the 5 steps – outline your spending habits, set goals, get organized, seek expert advice, and create a budget that works for you.
Start fresh. Get on the road to financial success.

Anita Saulite, MBA is founder of Savvy Money Gal, and Ways To Save, offering a fresh perspective on personal finance and holistic strategies to manage money. As a certified life coach, who champions emotional well-being through a 3 step learning program Anita Saulite is committed to strengthening women’s financial knowledge through learning. An engaging speaker, who has presented money management strategies and Employee Money Wellness programs, understands the issues surrounding the psychology of money. Anita teaches how to navigate change and get on the road to financial success. For 20 years Anita worked in senior positions at major financial institutions in Toronto Canada, and has developed award winning programs dedicated to personal debt financing and financial literacy for women. Guest speaker for the City of Calgary in 2012, and featured on CTV Pattie Lovett-Reid Show in 2013 to discuss women and finance. In the news in 2012 at Yahoo! Finance Canada, Reuters, Bloomberg, and Businessweek.

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Bank of Canada Holds Rate at 2.25% — September 2, 2026

By Marci Deane • September 2, 2026
The Bank of Canada announced today that it is holding its target for the overnight rate at 2.25%, with the Bank Rate at 2.5% and the deposit rate at 2.20%. While Canada's economic recovery is broadening, a new layer of uncertainty has entered the picture. Here is what happened and what it means for your mortgage.

What Older Canadians Should Know About Mortgage Financing

By Marci Deane • August 26, 2026
Retirement doesn’t always mean a mortgage-free life anymore. And that’s okay. Between higher home prices, rising living costs, and longer life expectancy, many Canadians are choosing to retire with a mortgage or refinance later in life to create more flexibility. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s having options that actually support the life you want to live. If you’re thinking about how a mortgage fits into your retirement years, you’re not alone—and you’re not out of options. Why work with an independent mortgage professional? Because retirement financing is not one-size-fits-all. Unlike a single bank, an independent mortgage professional can look across multiple lenders and solutions to find what truly fits your income, equity, and long-term plans—not just what one institution offers. Mortgage options available in retirement Traditional Mortgage Solutions Many retirees still qualify for standard mortgages. Pension income, investment income, and other retirement sources can often be used to support an application. If you have good equity and solid credit, this is often the lowest-cost option. Reverse Mortgages For homeowners 55+, a reverse mortgage can unlock tax-free equity from your home with no monthly payments required. There’s no income verification or medical questions, making it a helpful option for those who want to improve cash flow while staying in their home. Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) A HELOC allows you to access your home equity as needed and only pay interest on what you use. Many retirees appreciate the flexibility and like consolidating income and expenses in one place. Private Financing Sometimes life throws a curveball. If timing, income, or credit create challenges, private financing can act as a short-term bridge. It’s not usually the first choice, but it can provide solutions when traditional lenders can’t. If you’re approaching retirement—or already there—and wondering how your mortgage fits into the picture, let’s talk. A clear plan can make retirement feel a lot more secure and a lot less stressful.

What Online Mortgage Calculators Can—and Can’t—Tell You

By Marci Deane • August 19, 2026
What Online Mortgage Calculators Can—and Can’t—Tell You Online mortgage calculators are everywhere—and on the surface, they seem like a no-brainer. You plug in some numbers, and out pops what you can “afford.” Simple, right? Not quite. While the math itself is correct, the story behind those numbers is often misleading. Mortgage qualification isn’t just about numbers—it’s about context, risk, and lender policy. And that’s where calculators fall short. The Numbers Are Accurate—but the Picture Isn’t An online calculator can show you what a payment might look like at a given interest rate, or how making extra payments could reduce your amortization. That’s useful information! But when it comes to mortgage qualification , calculators don’t account for the many variables that lenders consider, such as: Your credit history and score Employment type (salary, self-employed, contract) Outstanding debts and monthly obligations Assets, savings, and down payment source The property type and location you’re buying Lenders evaluate all these factors through their internal risk models. That means two people entering the exact same numbers into a calculator could receive very different results when they actually apply for a mortgage. Why Online Calculators Can Mislead You When you see a “How much can I afford?” or “Mortgage Qualification” calculator online, it’s easy to treat the result as fact. But these tools don’t know your financial story—they only crunch the data you enter. A calculator can’t predict how a lender views your risk, how new mortgage rules apply to your file, or how things like spousal support, car loans, or variable income will impact approval. In short: calculators estimate payments, not qualification . Use Calculators the Right Way Don’t get us wrong—online calculators still have value. Use them to explore different “what-if” scenarios: How do payments change with different down payment amounts? How would a rate increase affect affordability? What if you added $100 a month to your payments? These tools are great for helping you understand your comfort zone. Just remember: they’re a starting point, not a green light. The Real First Step: Get a Pre-Approval If you’re serious about buying a home, skip the guesswork and get a mortgage pre-approval . It’s quick, free, and gives you real-world clarity on what you can afford. A pre-approval looks at your full financial picture—income, credit, debts, assets—and provides a framework for your purchase price, payment range, and rate options. It’s the only way to get a reliable answer to the question, “What can I really afford?” Final Thoughts Online calculators are convenient, but they can’t replace expert advice. Think of them as a starting point, not a solution. A professional mortgage broker can interpret the numbers, navigate lender policies, and tailor your financing strategy to your actual situation. If you’d like help understanding your true buying power—or want to get pre-approved with confidence— reach out anytime . I’d be happy to walk you through your options and help you make sense of the numbers.