Skip to main content

Featured

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...

article

US Economy Surges: 303,000 Jobs Added in March, Exceeding Expectations

 

In a remarkable turn of events, the US economy added a whopping 303,000 jobs last month, far surpassing economists’ expectations. This surge marks the 39th consecutive month of job gains in the country.

Key Highlights:

  • Unemployment Rate: The unemployment rate stands at 3.8%, reflecting a robust labor market.
  • Strong Hiring: Despite the Federal Reserve’s efforts to cool inflation by raising interest rates, hiring remains surprisingly strong. Over the past 16 months, the Fed has gradually increased its benchmark interest rates from near zero to over 5%. However, recent rate hikes have been paused, and Fed Chair Jerome Powell hinted at potential rate cuts in response to perceived job market weakness.
  • ADP Report: Earlier this week, ADP—the largest private payroll company in the US—reported that businesses added 184,000 new positions in March, the highest rise since July last year.

The next rate decision by the Federal Reserve is scheduled for May. Powell emphasized the delicate balance between controlling inflation and supporting economic activity and employment. As he stated, “Reducing rates too soon or too much could result in a reversal in the progress we’ve seen on inflation. But easing policy too late or too little could unduly weaken economic activity.”

The March employment report underscores the resilience of the US labor market, even amidst global uncertainties. As we move forward, all eyes remain on the delicate dance between monetary policy and economic growth.

Comments