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Start Saving Now for September: Your RESP Checklist Before the School Year Hits

  Canadian Money Brief · Family Finance September feels a long way off on July 1. That's exactly why now is the right time to look at your child's RESP — not in late August when the school supply list arrives and the grant math gets rushed. If you have a Registered Education Savings Plan (or you've been meaning to open one), here's what to check right now, and why the calendar year — not the school year — is what actually matters. Why July, Not August The Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) — the government's 20% match on RESP contributions — runs on the calendar year , not the school year. Grant room for 2026 resets on a January-to-December basis, and it doesn't carry any special "back to school" deadline. But summer is genuinely the best time to check your numbers, for three reasons: You still have six full months left in the year to top up if you're behind. Contributions made now have more time to grow before your child needs the money. You av...

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Market Tremors: U.S. Futures Dip as Inflation Heats Up

 


In a surprising twist that rattled investors, U.S. stock futures took a nosedive following a hotter-than-expected inflation report. The Consumer Price Index (CPI), a key gauge of inflation, rose by 0.4% over the previous month and 3.5% over the last year in March, surpassing the forecasts which anticipated a 3.4% annual increase. This acceleration from February’s 3.2% annual gain in prices has sparked concerns that the Federal Reserve may hold off on interest rate cuts, a decision heavily influenced by inflation trends.

The unexpected uptick has led to a significant drop in U.S. futures, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all experiencing over a 1% fall in anticipation of the market opening. This development is a stark reminder of the delicate balance central banks must maintain in their efforts to control inflation without stifling economic growth.

Investors are now bracing for potential turbulence in the markets, as they await further signals from the Federal Reserve on the future trajectory of monetary policy. The upcoming release of the Fed’s March meeting minutes is highly anticipated, with hopes that it will shed light on the policymakers’ stance on rate adjustments in the face of persistent inflationary pressures.

As the market absorbs the impact of the CPI report, all eyes will be on the Fed’s next move, making it clear that the path to economic stability is fraught with uncertainty.

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