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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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Wall Street Futures Dip as Markets Close Out a Turbulent but Triumphant 2025

US stock futures edged slightly lower on Wednesday as Wall Street prepared to close the books on one of the most unpredictable yet ultimately rewarding years in recent memory. Futures tied to the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq slipped in early trading, extending the quiet, cautious tone that has defined the final stretch of 2025.

Despite the soft finish, the major indexes remain on track to end the year with strong gains. The S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow all posted double‑digit advances, powered by resilient corporate earnings, easing inflation pressures, and renewed enthusiasm for artificial intelligence and semiconductor stocks.

The year was anything but smooth. Markets swung sharply in the spring after sweeping tariff announcements rattled investors, only to rebound when policy uncertainty eased. Inflation worries, shifting expectations for Federal Reserve policy, and geopolitical tensions added to the volatility, creating a roller‑coaster environment that tested investor patience.

Even so, the second half of the year delivered a powerful recovery. Tech leadership re‑emerged, consumer spending held up better than expected, and optimism returned as economic data stabilized.

The final week of December has been subdued, with several consecutive down sessions dampening hopes for a classic Santa Claus rally. But the broader picture remains overwhelmingly positive: 2025 will be remembered as a year that challenged markets early but rewarded those who stayed the course.

As investors look toward 2026, attention now shifts to the Federal Reserve’s next moves, the durability of the AI boom, and whether the market’s momentum can continue into the new year.


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