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5 Things to Know Today (Oct. 1): Minimum Wage Hike, Cooler U.S. Inflation, Oil Below $100

  Thursday October 1, 2026 A new quarter, a higher minimum wage in Ontario and a softer inflation read south of the border. Here are the five things that matter to your wallet today. 1 Ontario's minimum wage rises to $17.95 today Ontario's general minimum wage climbs 35 cents, from $17.60 to $17.95 an hour, as of October 1 — a roughly 2% bump tied to Ontario's CPI. The student rate goes to $16.90 (from $16.60) and the homeworker rate to $19.70. A full-time worker at 40 hours a week earns about $718 a week before deductions. Federally regulated workers already have an $18.15 floor, which has applied since April 1. What it means for you: If you pay anyone by the hour — a cleaner, a part-time helper, a seasonal worker — hours worked from today forward must be paid at no less than $17.95, even if the pay period started in September. Workers should check their next paycheque. 2 Cooler U.S. inflation eases the pressure on rate hikes The Fed's preferred inflation gauge came i...

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Safeguarding Your Wealth in a Rising Interest Rate Market


Protect your money

Diversify Your Investments

As interest rates begin to rise, safeguarding your wealth becomes a crucial priority. One effective strategy is to diversify your investments. Relying solely on low-yielding assets may leave your portfolio vulnerable to the impact of increasing interest rates. Instead, consider a balanced approach by spreading your investments across various asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, real estate, and commodities. Diversification helps reduce risk by minimizing the impact of interest rate fluctuations on any single asset. Stocks tend to perform well in a growing economy, which can counteract the adverse effects of rising interest rates on fixed-income investments like bonds. Additionally, allocating a portion of your portfolio to tangible assets like real estate and commodities can act as a hedge against inflation, which often accompanies higher interest rates. Diversification not only safeguards your wealth but also positions your investments to capitalize on market opportunities in a changing interest rate environment.


Refinance Wisely: Safeguarding Your Wealth in Rising Interest Rates

In a rising interest rate environment, refinancing your loans can be a powerful tool to safeguard your wealth. When interest rates climb, borrowing costs increase, which can burden existing loans with higher monthly payments. However, by refinancing strategically, you can take advantage of lower rates and reduce your debt burden. Start by assessing your current loans, such as mortgages, personal loans, or student loans, and compare them to prevailing interest rates. If you find that interest rates have risen significantly, consider refinancing to lock in lower rates before they climb further. Mortgage refinancing, in particular, can yield substantial savings over the long term. By securing a lower interest rate, you not only lower your monthly payments but also potentially shorten the term of the loan, enabling you to build equity faster. Refinancing wisely can free up more disposable income, allowing you to allocate funds to other investments or savings, ultimately protecting and growing your wealth despite the challenging interest rate environment.

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