Tips to Create a Monthly Budget

General Joni Ferguson 25 Aug

Tips to Create a Monthly Budget.

One of the quickest ways to take back control of your finances and understand where your money is going is to create a monthly budget. This will help you get a snapshot of your income compared to your spending, and provides an avenue to review outgoing costs and determine areas for improvement to help you increase your monthly cashflow or just feel less stressed!

Step 1: Calculate Your Income

The very first step to creating any budget is determining your income – knowing exactly how much money do you bring in, per month, is important to understanding what you have available to spend. Remember to focus on NET INCOME versus gross salary as thinking you take home more than you do can lead to overspending and failed budgets.

Step 2: Track Your Spending

Once you have determined your income, you will want to take a look at your spending. Reviewing and categorizing all your monthly bills can help you breakdown exactly where your money goes and your priorities to see where changes can be made.

To start, first list out your fixed expenses – these are things like car payments, loans, rent or mortgage costs that do not change on a monthly basis.

Next, you will want to take a look at your variable expenses – things like groceries, gas, entertainment, etc. and determine your average spend. This is typically the area where people are able to cut back.

Step 3: Set Realistic Goals

Realistic goals are vital for long-lasting financial health. It is important to determine what you cannot live without and where you can cut costs or scale back on spending.

Ideally, when it comes to your monthly budget, you want to consider the 50/30/20 rule, which applies the following:

  • 50% of your spending is for NEEDS such as rent or mortgage payments, car payments, utilities and groceries
  • 30% of your income goes to WANTS such as shopping, vacations, streaming services, etc.
  • 20% of your income goes to SAVINGS OR DEBT such as emergency funds, retirement, child’s education and/or credit card payments

Step 4: Make a Plan

Once you have your goals set, you can now make a plan to tackle your financial position and ensure a healthy cashflow each month.

There are a few different ways you can plan to handle your monthly budget. For some, setting realistic spending limits for each category works well. For others, taking a look at the importance of the items on their expenses list and re-prioritizing can free up funds.

Step 5: Adjust Your Spending

Now that you have determined how much money you bring in per month and what you spend it on, you can take a look at adjusting your spending to ensure you remain on budget. Taking a look at any wants is a great place to cut out frivolous spending beyond a reasonable amount.

This is also a great time to review your fixed expenses. Perhaps you can save money by getting a better interest rate on your mortgage or changing your payment schedule for your loan.

Step 6: Stay on Track

Lastly, once you’ve tracked all your spending and income and determined your monthly budget, you will want to stay on track. Tracking your budget on a monthly basis is important to catch any changes in your spending habits. As well, it is a good idea to conduct an annual review and take into account any increase in expenses or wages that may require shifts in your overall plan.

Remember! A healthy, well thought-out budget is key to financial freedom and comfort.

Written by the DLC Marketing Team

Understanding Your Credit Score

General Joni Ferguson 18 Aug

Understanding Your Credit Score

 

 

Credit Score Ranges - How It Matters To Your Finances?

One of the important factors in home ownership is understanding things like your credit score.  Some people don’t pay much attention to this metric until they begin the mortgage discussion! However, you will find that your credit score is one of the most important factors when it comes to qualifying for a mortgage at the best rate – and with the most purchasing power.

Whether you qualify for a mortgage through a bank, credit union or other financial institution, you should be aiming for a credit score of 680 for at least one borrower (or guarantor), especially if you are putting under 20% down. If you are able to make a larger down payment of 20% or more, then a score of 680 is not required.

If you are not sure what your current credit score is, you can find out through Canada’s two credit-reporting agencies: Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada. Once you have your credit score, always double check that there are no mistakes and ensure you dispute any problems if applicable.

WHAT IF I DON’T MEET THE MINIMUM CREDIT SCORE?

If your credit score is accurate, but does not meet the minimum requirements, you will want to look at your current debt. Home ownership is an incredible investment, but it is also costly. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to improve your credit score as well as your future financial success, including:

  • Paying your bills in full and on time. If you cannot afford the full amount, try paying at least the minimum required as shown on your monthly statement.
  • Pay off your debts (such as loans, credit cards, lines of credit, etc.) as quickly as possible. Work on paying the ones with the smallest amount owing first and work your way towards the larger amounts.
  • Stay within the limit on your credit cards and try to keep your balances as low as possible.
  • Reduce the number of credit card or loan applications you submit.

There is also the option of going with an Alternative Lender (or B Lender) if you are struggling with credit issues.   Lets find the best fit for you.

Written by the DLC marketing team

New To Canada

General Joni Ferguson 4 Aug

Are You New To Canada:

If you are already a Permanent Resident or have received confirmation of Permanent Resident Status, you are eligible for a typical mortgage with a 5% down payment – assuming you have good credit.

Some additional criteria for qualifying includes:

  • Must have immigrated or relocated to Canada within the last 60 months
  • Must have a valid work permit or obtained permanent residency
  • All debts held outside of the country must be included in the Total Debt Servicing Ratio (GDS/TDS)
    • Rental income earned outside of Canada is excluded from the GDS/TDS calculation
  • Guarantors are not permitted
  • Owner-occupied properties if putting less than 20% down payment

Limited Credit or Not Yet Permanent Resident

For Permanent Residents with limited credit, or individuals who have not yet qualified for Permanent Residency, there are still options! In fact, there are several ‘New to Canada’ mortgage programs through CMHC, Sagen™ and Canada Guaranty Mortgage Insurance, which cater to this group of homebuyers.

NEW TO CANADA PROGRAMS

To qualify for these New to Canada programs, you must have immigrated or relocated to Canada within the last 60 months and have had three months minimum full-time employment in Canada.

For individuals looking for 90% credit, a letter of reference from a recognized financial institution OR six (6) months of bank statements from a primary account will be required.

If you are seeking credit of 90.01% to 95%, you will need to produce an international credit report (Equifax or Transunion) demonstrating a strong credit profile OR two alternative sources of credit demonstrating timely payments (no arrears) for the past 12 months. The alternative sources must include rental payment history and another alternative, such as hydro/utilities, telephone, cable, cell phone or auto insurance.

Another option for New to Canada residents, depending on your residency status and credit history, are alternative lenders such as B-Lenders and MICs (Mortgage Investment Corporation). It is important to note that alternative lenders will require a down payment of 20%.

Alternative lenders cater to individuals which lack a strong credit history, or a guaranteed income (recent immigrants, or the self-employed, for instance). As a result, these lenders generally have lower entry qualifications, which are offset by higher interest rates.

WHY IS ALTERNATIVE LENDING NECESSARY?

  • CRA arrears
  • Income issues such as non-traditional income as with self-employed borrowers
  • Credit issues such as low credit score, credit arrears, current mortgage or even bankruptcies
  • Unexpected liens on title
  • Foreclosure situations
  • Unique financing needs/opportunities

If you do not qualify for the New to Canada programs, or a standard mortgage, please, don’t hesitate to reach out to me to help you navigate the alternative options!

I can ensure you understand your options, and help you determine the best program and mortgage choice for you.

There are a few things you need to know when it comes to submitting an application – and getting approved – for your first mortgage in Canada:

Supporting Documents!

If you’re new to the country and have weak credit, supporting documents will come in handy. These may include: proof of income, proof of 12 months’ worth of rental payments or letter from landlord, documented savings, bank statements and/or letter of reference from a recognized financial institution. These documents all paint the picture of whether or not you are a safe investment for a lender.

Build your Credit Rating!

This is one of the most important aspects to getting a mortgage as credit rating determines your reliability as a borrower and will determine your down payment rate. One of the best ways to build your credit is by getting a credit card that you use and pay off each month. Paying other bills such as utilities, cell phones and rent can also contribute to your credit score and reliability.

Start Saving! 

One of the most expensive aspects of home ownership is the down payment, which is an upfront cost and one that is vital to securing your future. As mentioned, the down payment can be as little as 5% to 10% depending on your status. However, if you’re paying $500,000 or more for your home, the minimum down payment will be 5% for the first $500,000 and 10% of any amount over $500,000 – regardless of your residency status.

Choose a Mortgage Provider! 

When you are ready to get your mortgage, you can text, email or call me any time to help with the process of determining the best mortgage solution to suit your needs. We may even be able to find you some extra savings!

Written by my DLC marketing team