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What to Do with Your Tax Refund: 5 Smart Moves for Canadians

  Tax Season · Personal Finance By MoneySavings.ca Editorial Team • May 7, 2026 • 7 min read Tax season is wrapping up across Canada, and for millions of Canadians, that means a refund cheque — or a direct deposit — is on its way. The average Canadian tax refund hovers around $1,800. That's real money. The question is: what's the smartest thing you can do with it? It's tempting to treat a tax refund like "found money" and splurge. But here's the truth — that refund was your money all along. The government was just holding it for you, interest-free. So before it quietly disappears into day-to-day spending, let's look at five moves that will make it work harder for you. $1,800 The average Canadian tax refund — enough to make a meaningful dent in debt, pad an emergency fund, or kick-start your TFSA for the year. 1 Pay Down High-Interest Debt First If you're carrying a balance on a credit card, this should be your very first call. Most Canadian credit car...

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Pan-Seared Steaks



Ingredients:

  • 2 boneless steaks (NY Strip, rib eye or filet mignon)
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 tablespoon of oil
  • 1 tablespoon of butter
  • Fresh thyme (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Pat the steaks dry with paper towels.
  2. Season the steaks generously on both sides with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat a heavy pan (preferably cast iron or stainless steel) over medium-high heat until it’s VERY hot.
  4. Add the oil to the pan and heat until it begins to shimmer and move fluidly around the pan.
  5. Carefully set the steak in the pan, releasing it away from you so the oil doesn’t splatter in your direction. It should sizzle.
  6. Leave it alone! Avoid the temptation to peek or fiddle or flip repeatedly. The steaks need a few minutes undisturbed to develop a brown crust.
  7. Flip the steaks when they release easily and the bottom is a deep-brown color (usually about 3 minutes).
  8. Continue to cook the steaks for another 3 to 4 minutes on the bottom side for rare or medium-rare.
  9. During the last minute of cooking, add 1 tablespoon of butter and a few sprigs of fresh thyme to the pan with the steaks (this is optional but delicious).


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