Like it or not, money is a big part of our lives. Learning how to manage your money is a lifelong endeavor because how you use your money changes as you move through different phases in your life.

There are hundreds of personal finance resources out there. However, be aware of the following:

• Many money management resources are produced by financial institutions, businesses, and entrepreneurs who are trying to sell you a product. For example, BMO and Wealth Simple have great videos to teach you about the basics of investing with the hope that you will open accounts with them so always use these kinds of resources with some caution.

• Keep in mind that linking your bank account to a third-party app may violate the terms and conditions set by your financial institution which means your money may not be protected if something goes wrong. Always speak to your bank before linking any accounts to an app.

• Make sure you are looking at Canadian content as many websites and resources are geared toward an American audience. The laws and regulations around taxes, retirement, insurance, credit, and insolvency (debt restructuring) are completely different between the two countries.

Choose Your Own Adventure

• Think of a life goal that you currently have. Choose a money-related skill or area of knowledge that you need to develop in order to reach your goal.

• Use the resources above or find your own to develop the money skill or area of knowledge that you chose in Step 1.

• Share your DIY money skill journey using the Padlet below.