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Gas Is Still $1.81 a Litre: Why Pump Prices Won't Fall (and What to Do Before Winter)

  Canadians hoping for relief at the pump got bad news heading into this week: it isn't coming soon. The national average for regular gas was $1.81 a litre on Friday, according to Kalibrate, with provincial averages ranging from $1.557 in Alberta to $2.156 in Newfoundland, per GasBuddy. That's after a big policy move. On Friday the G7 announced plans to release 100 million barrels of oil right away, starting with diesel. Brent crude dipped on the news, then climbed back to about US$102 a barrel by the afternoon. Don't expect the release to show up at your station, because crude is only half the story. Crude oil explains only half your pump price Wood Mackenzie's Jim Mitchell says crude makes up 50 to 60 per cent of the retail price of gas. The rest is the cost of refining it, and that's where the squeeze is. Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem pointed to damaged refining capacity worldwide in a Sept. 21 speech, noting that pump prices reflect crude roughly US$40 a ...

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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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