Kids Headed Back to School? How to Budget for an Increasingly ‘High Tech’ Education

Marci • August 25, 2014

Nothing in life is free, and costs on all sorts of consumer goods keep climbing higher and higher every day. This especially holds true when it comes to school supplies. As the new school year looms ahead, you are probably already worrying about covering all of the expenses that are involved in giving your child a quality education. One of the biggest challenges is helping your child to keep up with the relentlessly growing use of technology in education. If you’re looking for ways to cut costs while setting your child up for success in a technology-driven school environment, use these budgeting tips to keep your spending under control.
Kids Headed Back to School How to Budget for an Increasingly High Tech Education

You Don’t Have To Go With The Most Expensive Brand

While there may be a tablet or laptop that has the reputation of being the best, you can find less expensive devices that will still do the job. Be sure to scope out all of the possible options before you actually buy any new technology for your child. The most important thing you need to do is make sure your child has something that will be useful for school. Whatever you choose, it should have enough battery capacity that a forgotten power cord isn’t an issue, and a fast enough processor to open a Word file in a few seconds.

Shop Around and See What Competitors Offer

Before you buy anything, whether it is the leading brand or a comparable device, shop around. Go online and check out prices at a variety of sites. If you prefer to shop in-store, find out if the retailer offers competitor price matching. Bear in mind that warranty programs can be a great investment if the device encounters issues.

Use Public Access for Non-Essential Items

If purchasing high tech gadgets is so far out of your price range as to be unfeasible, you can always use free computers and technology in public places. If your public library provides use of computers, plan accordingly. You can also inquire at school about use of the computer lab after school. Your child may be able to work with other classmates or with family members who have the technology you need.

Think About Mobile Devices

Mobile devices are definitely growing in popularity. Your child would be able to access a great deal of information from a mobile phone. If you’re considering a mobile device, get a phone plan that will provide Internet access. Once again, you can compare providers. To save on costs, opt for a pay-as-you-go plan (where you only pay for what you need) or a family plan (where bundling multiple accounts or services can often result in a discount.)

Look For Great Sales

If you’re having trouble affording the regular price, keep in mind that every major retailer has a big sale several times per year. Watch for back to school promotions and flash sales that show up quickly. It’s a great way to keep more money in your pocket while getting exactly the equipment that your child needs.
Vancouver’s back-to-school season can be a hectic time, but with proper planning and budgeting and a little creativity, you can stretch your dollars far enough to get everything your child needs. Are you and your family considering a home purchase in the Vancouver area? A qualified mortgage broker can help. Contact me via email for information about the Vancouver real estate market or for more great budgeting tips that can help you get the mortgage you need.

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RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan Explained: A Smart Way to Buy Your First Home

By Marci Deane • July 22, 2026
Saving for a down payment is one of the biggest challenges first-time buyers face. What many don’t realize is that the Canadian government offers a program designed to make it easier—the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) . This program allows you to withdraw money from your RRSP to help purchase your first home, without immediate tax consequences. Here’s how it works: Who Qualifies? To be eligible, you generally need to be a first-time home buyer. In practical terms, this means you must not have owned a home in the past four years, nor lived in a property owned by your spouse or partner during that time. There are also special allowances if you’re living with a disability or helping a relative with a disability. In these cases, you can use the HBP even if you’ve owned a home more recently. How Much Can You Withdraw? Under the program, you can access up to $35,000 from your RRSP as an individual. Couples can combine their withdrawals for a total of $70,000 . These funds must have been in your RRSP for at least 90 days before you take them out. Paying It Back The HBP isn’t “free money”—it’s an interest-free loan from your own retirement savings. You’ll have 15 years to repay the full amount back into your RRSP, starting in the second year after withdrawal. Each year, the CRA will send you an HBP Statement of Account outlining how much needs to be repaid. If you don’t make your repayment in a given year, that amount will be added to your taxable income. Why It’s a Smart Strategy The HBP can give first-time buyers a powerful boost toward homeownership. It helps you put together a larger down payment, which can reduce your mortgage amount and monthly payments. Just remember: it’s important to balance the short-term benefit of homeownership with the long-term impact on your retirement savings. Next Steps Thinking about using the Home Buyers’ Plan? Let’s sit down and review whether it’s the right move for you. Together, we can create a strategy that gets you into your first home while keeping your future financial goals on track. 📞 Reach out anytime—it would be a pleasure to guide you through the process.

Bank of Canada Holds Rate at 2.25% — July 15, 2026

By Marci Deane • July 15, 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%. The tone of today's announcement is notably more optimistic than previous months. Here's what's changed and what it means for you.

Let’s Talk About Getting Top Dollar for Your Property

By Marci Deane • July 8, 2026
When it comes to selling your home, most people think the first call should be to a real estate agent. But the smartest first step often isn’t with your agent—it’s with an independent mortgage professional. Why? Because your mortgage plays a bigger role in your bottom line than most people realize. Planning to Buy After You Sell If selling means you’ll also be purchasing another property, you’ll want to know exactly where you stand financially before listing. Mortgage rules change regularly, and qualifying once doesn’t guarantee you’ll qualify again. Getting a pre-approval in place ensures you know what you can afford and eliminates surprises later. On top of that, reviewing the terms of your existing mortgage could uncover options you may not have considered. For example, porting your mortgage instead of arranging a brand-new one could save you thousands. Selling Without Buying Even if you aren’t planning to buy right away, there’s still an important step: understanding the cost of breaking your mortgage. Unless your mortgage is open, penalties apply—and they can be significant. By reviewing the numbers with a mortgage professional, you might find that simply adjusting your timeline could reduce or even avoid costly fees. Navigating Life Changes In situations like a marital breakdown, it can feel like selling the family home is the only path forward. But that’s not always the case. With the right guidance and a legal separation agreement, one spouse may be able to buy out the other, keeping the home and providing stability for everyone involved. The Bottom Line Selling your property is more than just putting a sign on the lawn—it’s about creating a financial plan that protects your equity and positions you for the best possible outcome. Before you take the leap, let’s sit down and review your options. 📞 If you’re ready to talk strategy and make sure you get top dollar for your property, I’d be happy to connect anytime.