Sarah.ccz

Sarah.ccz helping you become overly educated & financially responsible in your 20s
🌱grad school • student finance
🎓PhD Psych student
📍Toronto
[email protected]

06/17/2026

Time for a tutorial refresher on how to open and invest with Wealthsimple !

This time we’re opening an FHSA, but the same steps apply to all other accounts (e.g., TFSA, RRSP, RESP, nom-reg…).

🏡 First Home Savings Account (FHSA) 101

▪️$8,000 contribution each year
▫️Lifetime contribution $40,000
▪️Unused contributions can be carried forward for one-year (i.e., at any year, your max unused contribution is $16,000
▫️Tax-deductible contributions (like an RRSP), and tax deductions can be carried forward
▪️Tax-free withdrawals (like a TFSA), but only for purchasing a home
▫️15 years to use up the money OR roll over to RRSP

International students and PR holders can also open an FHSA (as long as you have a SIN, considered a Canadian resident for tax purposes, and at least 18/19 yrs old)!

📈When it comes to investing, there are generally 4 decisions you have to make:

1. Choose an investing platform (ex. Wealth Simple, Questrade, BMO investing, Moomoo, etc.)

2. Choose an account to invest in (ex. TFSA, non-reg, RRSP, FHSA, RESP…)

3. Choose your investment type (ex. single stocks, ETFs, GIC, bonds, cash…)

4. When to buy them (ex. recurring, lump sum, etc.) and when to sell them (ex. are you holding it short or long term)

06/17/2026

Time for a tutorial refresher on how to open and invest with Wealthsimple !

This time we’re opening an FHSA, but the same steps apply to all other accounts (e.g., TFSA, RRSP, RESP, nom-reg…).

🏡 First Home Savings Account (FHSA) 101

· $8,000 contribution each year
· Lifetime contribution $40,000
· Unused contributions can be carried forward for one-year (i.e., at any year, your max unused contribution is $16,000)
· Tax-deductible contributions (like an RRSP), and tax deductions can be carried forward
· Tax-free withdrawals (like a TFSA), but only for purchasing a home
· 15 years to use up the money OR roll over to RRSP

International students and PR holders can also open an FHSA (as long as you have a SIN, considered a Canadian resident for tax purposes, and at least 18/19 yrs old)!

06/15/2026

48hr Montreal itinerary on a student budget!

When traveling on a budget, having cheap accommodation + transportation instantly makes the trip x10 more affordable.

🏡 Accommodation:
McGill University dorms
👉 $79 + tax /night (single dorm, student rate, shared washroom)
👉 They also got double rooms with own washrooms and are still a fraction of the hotel prices.

💺Transportation:
VIA Rail Canada
👉 Tickets range from $55 ~ $140/one way from Toronto. Book early to get the best prices!

Megabus
👉 Tickets are as low as $14.99/one way. They also have $10 ticket promotions from time to time. Takes about 2hrs more than the train ride.

🥯Food & Entertainment
This time I went to Ciccio’s, Au Coin, Tommy Café Cathcart, Crew Collective was closed, Fairmount Bagel, St-Viateur Bagel and got some postcards.

Would love to know your recommendations below!! I’ll be heading to Montreal again soon! ♥️👇

June scholarships for Canadian students to apply is out! 🇨🇦This time featuring scholarships most students can apply, to ...
06/13/2026

June scholarships for Canadian students to apply is out! 🇨🇦

This time featuring scholarships most students can apply, to ones for student athletes, and for those interested in pursuing law, agriculture, and sustainability.

✨What scholarships would you like to be featured?

E.g., trade school, construction, grad school, students with disabilities, Black students, indigenous students, ones focuses on environmental efforts, Ontario specific, etc.?

Vote below! 👇

06/12/2026

I love seeing brands commit to social impact 🫶

Through the Poppy Barley Future Fund x KC Elite Goaltending Scholarship, one female goaltender will receive a fully funded spot at the KC Elite Richmond Camp, plus accommodations.

Founded by PWHL goaltender Kristen Campbell , KC Elite was created to help young female goalies develop their skills, build confidence, and learn from experienced mentors in a supportive environment.

If you’re a female goaltender born between 2006–2011 (or know someone who is) be sure to apply before June 14.

🥅 Covers one registration fee for the camp
📍 Richmond Olympic Oval
📅 August 24–26, 2026
🏨 Accommodations (3 nights) included

*Travel, meals and equipment are not included.

Apply through the link in Poppy Barley®’s bio or at www.kcelitegoaltending.ca

How to properly use a credit card as a student 👩🏻‍🎓💳A credit card is a great financial tool to have … IF you use it corr...
06/07/2026

How to properly use a credit card as a student 👩🏻‍🎓💳

A credit card is a great financial tool to have … IF you use it correctly.

A lot of students get a credit card before they fully understand how it works.

So here are a few things you need to know:

💳 Pay your statement balance in FULL every month. Paying the minimum payment means you’re also paying interest on the rest if the balance. The quickest way to get into debt.

📈 Your credit score isn’t random. It’s largely determined by your payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, credit mix, and new credit applications.

🎁 Take advantage of rewards. Whether it’s cash back, travel points, purchase protection, or student perks, choose a card that matches how you actually spend.

🎓 Choosing your first student credit card doesn’t have to be complicated:
• No annual fee
• Low- to no-income requirements
• Rewards that fit your lifestyle
• Cash back or points (whichever you prefer)
• Strong welcome offers is a plus

The goal of getting a credit card is to build credit history and develop good financial habits. Because credit can greatly influence your financial wellbeing.

What was the first credit card you got as a student? 👇

06/02/2026

Here’s what I spent in the month of May as a 25 year old PhD student living in the GTA 💸👩🏻‍🎓🎀

I pay for everything on my credit card, and track my expenses on my spreadsheet throughout the month!

These 9 categories have worked great for me. Curious to know if you have similar or drastically different categories for tracking your expenses? 🤗

05/30/2026

How I would level up my Canadian personal finance as a student 🇨🇦 👩🏻‍🎓

🎀 Points covered 🎀:

🌱 Emergency Fund

Aim to save 3-12 months of living expenses. Did you know that 50-60% of Canadians do NOT have enough emergency savings to cover unexpected expenses?

Just by having an emergency fund, you’re doing better than most working adults!

I use , you can get $20 when you sign up using the link in bio!

🌱 Sinking Fund

Great way to organize your larger, on-time expenses. E.g., down payment on a house, travel, grad school, car maintenance, gifts, wedding, etc.

🌱 Investing

Investing early, even with $50, can set you drastically apart from your peers!

I have step-by-step videos on (1) how to open an account with WeathSimple, and (2) how to invest your first $200 in WealthSimple.

🌱 Credit Card

With many CC to choose from, be sure to pick one that suits YOUR needs. CIBC’s Dividend Visa works well for me now, but as my lifestyle and income change, I may want to switch to something else.

🌱 Budget Tracker

You need a budget tracker for 4 simple reasons:

🔹 Knowing how much you spend each month
🔹 … and in what category
🔹 Knowing how much is coming in each month
🔹 Knowing whether you are on track to meet your financial goals

🎀 My favourite accounts:

Emergency Fund 👉  (2.75% with DD)
Investments (TFSA, non-reg, etc.) 👉 
To get free SPC membership 👉 

Comment “WS” to open an account with WealthSimple and get $25+

Comment “TFSA calculator” for my favourite TFSA web calculator!

Everything you need to know about Canadian student loan repayment 🇨🇦Quick recap of what’s covered 👇🔹There are federal & ...
05/26/2026

Everything you need to know about Canadian student loan repayment 🇨🇦

Quick recap of what’s covered 👇

🔹There are federal & provincial loans

👉 But most students only have federal loans (+ federal grants), though you’d need to double check through your NSLSC account.

👉 Note that applying for loans also come with grants (free money you don’t need to pay back)!

🔹Federal student loans are now 0% interest

🔹Provincial loan interest depends on your province

👉 0% provinces: British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador

👉 Provinces still have interest: Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta

👉 Interest depends on the prime rate (e.g., prime + 1%, prime -1%, avg prime, or prime based on one bank’s)

🔹 If you haven’t logged into your NSLSC account yet, do so!

👉 Everything from lower payments by extending repayment terms, applying for RAP, loan forgiveness applications, setting up pre-authorized debit payments, etc. are done through NSLSC.

👉 A video a made a while back talks about how to login etc!

🔹Loan forgiveness programs

👉 Up to $60,000 forgiven for qualifying professions.

Even if you don’t qualify for federal loan forgiveness , many students still qualify for support programs and never realize it!!

E.g., provincial loan forgiveness, repayment assistance, etc.

Student loans are one of the biggest financial decisions most Canadians make in their 20s. Understanding how repayment actually works can save you a lot of stress and money! 🫶

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Yorkville, ON

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