Louise Allison's Blog

The end of summer always sneaks up on me. One moment I’m enjoying long evenings and barbecues, and the next I’m dashing out earlier with the dog because the nights are cutting in, pulling out sweaters, and noticing that the temperature is dropping, especially first thing in the morning, brrr. I love spring, that’s my...

The post Time for a Fall Refresh: Budgets & Letting Go appeared first on Nip It In The Budget.

Most Canadian investors have heard of TFSAs and RRSPs—but what about the lesser talked-about Cash account, also known as a non-registered account? That’s right, for those lucky enough to be maxing out their registered TFSAs and RRSPs every year, the Cash account comes into play. It might not have the rather fantastic tax shelters, but...

The post How to Make the Most of Your Canadian Cash Investment Account 🇨🇦 appeared first on Nip It In The Budget.

Short Story Jamie held the envelope in both hands, as if its contents might detonate, a mortgage renewal letter. The last time they’d received one, it came with a congratulatory tone and a glossy brochure about “low, locked-in rates.” That was 2020. Today’s tone felt more like a warning, and beads of sweat started forming...

The post Mortgage Renewal – A Nip It in the Budget Short Story appeared first on Nip It In The Budget.

Money is one of the last great taboos. We’ll talk about relationships, health, even politics—but when it comes to our paycheques, debts, or investment wins and losses, silence often reigns. This secrecy can leave us isolated, misinformed, and vulnerable to financial stress. But it doesn’t have to be this way. I’d love to normalize talking...

The post Let’s Talk About Money: How Financial Openness Can Help appeared first on Nip It In The Budget.

There’s something quietly magical about early spring mornings. It’s my favourite season, hands down. The air is crisp but hopeful, the light lasts a little longer each day, and a pair of varied thrush birds have started building their nest in my back garden. I watched them this morning as I drank my tea, fluttering...

The post Build Wealth This Spring – One Twig at a Time appeared first on Nip It In The Budget.

Sigh. Where do we even start to unpack this? It’s taken me three weeks to get my head around it all and write this post. Hope it helps you to make sense of the situation. U.S. President Donald Trump enacted 25% tariffs on Canadian goods imports, including a 25% levy on steel and aluminum. These...

The post Trade war and your money appeared first on Nip It In The Budget.

Okay, I’m going to ask you three little questions: If you answered no to any of these questions, then you should consider working extra hours to make more money. But it should be a temporary strategy, not a long-term lifestyle. Following the breakdown of my marriage and still new to Canada and trying to get...

The post Is it time to get your short-term side-hustle on? appeared first on Nip It In The Budget.

Oh no it isn’t, oh yes it is! Wait, pantomime season is now behind us, let’s move forward and make a huge difference in our lives in 2025. I hope the year has started well for you and you are back into the swing of things. If you promised to lose weight, hit the gym,...

The post 2025 Is Your Money Year appeared first on Nip It In The Budget.

Dear Money, It’s been a while since I reflected on our relationship, I’m sorry about that. As I sit down to write this letter, I’m struck by the huge impact you’ve had on my life and how it’s easy to forget to appreciate you and what you’ve allowed me to accomplish. Our journey together has...

The post New Year’s Letter to Money appeared first on Nip It In The Budget.

I don’t know about you, but I feel like the holiday season resembles a frantic sleigh ride. It’s filled with fun festivities and merry gatherings but it’s also blooming exhausting. Honestly, as much as I love Christmas and all the sparkly lights, it’s just another pile of tasks that have to be done…and money that...

The post Holiday Season Financial Strategies for a Debt-Free New Year appeared first on Nip It In The Budget.