Columnists
It’s RRSP season again — is it worth additions amid other ways to save?
5 minute read Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026Canadians have great tools to save tax-deferred or tax-free for the future — and the granddaddy of them all is the registered retirement savings plan.
The calendar now turned to February, RRSPs are on the minds of many, with the March 2 deadline looming for the last contributions for 2025.
Yet in the context of the other ways to save — the tax-free savings account (TFSA) and the newer, first home savings account (FHSA) — the RRSP is not always the most attractive place to park, invest and grow money.
The ideal is to fund all of these savings vehicles, based on need, to their annual maximums.
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Get overbearing control freak out of your life
4 minute read 2:00 AM CDTDEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: A month ago, I moved in with a gorgeous guy, way too quickly it turns out, as he started trying to run my life.
He had me get up at 7 a.m. with him, working out. He made us high-protein breakfasts and watched every morsel I ate. He put me on the scale to check my weight every day.
He told me he would buy me glasses “for work only,” but he would need to check them out first to see if they’re the right style on me, as I have a “too-round” face.
He’s been buying me real jewelry and clothes he pushes me to wear, but I don’t feel like myself anymore. I feel like his doll. He won’t stop trying to control me.
What do you do when your best is not enough?
4 minute read Preview Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026The true heart of sport and community
4 minute read Preview Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026Family friction can be too real for some reality TV
3 minute read Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: My man and I get a kick out of watching reality TV shows about people searching for their biological birth parents, estranged half-siblings and other relatives. But can you explain why we only see stories that have been cherry-picked for happiness and feel-good results?
That’s simply not realistic! I’d prefer to see the whole situation — the good, the bad and the ugly stuff.
— Feeling Ripped-Off, St. Norbert
Dear Feeling Ripped-Off: You have to remember that these shows do feature real-life people, in real situations, even if they are somewhat staged at times for dramatic effect. It would be cruel and painful to feature family meetups that went badly or were hurtful and sad for everybody involved.
Show her the money
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026International Women’s Day spotlight on invisible work
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026Farmers again caught in geopolitical crossfire
4 minute read Preview Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026Chalamet’s comments about art asinine
4 minute read Preview Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026War in Iran further exacerbates logistics of 2026 World Cup
6 minute read Preview Friday, Mar. 6, 2026It’s great to have a family doctor; it’s even better to get a quick appointment
5 minute read Preview Friday, Mar. 6, 2026Don’t have to settle for first person you meet
4 minute read Friday, Mar. 6, 2026DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: My new lady friend is lively and full of herself, and a lot of fun to be around.
My recently deceased wife was quiet and sweet, and not interested much in socializing. It wasn’t a passionate marriage, but more a cheerful friendship. My new woman, on the other hand, likes a good argument, as it revs her up in every way.
Not all of my friends like her and that is a bit of a problem. To try to get rid of her, my drinking buddies are now clumsily trying to introduce me to different women.
In my age group, there are starting to be widows, more divorcees and also a few singles, but I’m not an enthusiastic dater. I’m a bit shy.
Good news exposes a lot of bad in overwhelmed justice system
5 minute read Preview Thursday, Mar. 5, 2026Line up counselling help before you leave family
4 minute read Thursday, Mar. 5, 2026DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: I’ve had it. My unemployed husband and my lazy son, who is in his first year of university, stay in bed while I go to work at the hospital for the day. Half the time my son doesn’t even get up to make it to his morning classes.
Today, I finally lost it and tipped my son’s mattress so he fell out on the floor. Then I yelled at him and handed him a list of undone chores to be completed by the time I got home.
As for my husband, he and I had it out last night about him not even looking for a job. He said he was depressed. I said, “Boo-hoo. It’s time to man up.”
I was not always like this. I used to be a really nice person — a loving wife and mother. But now I feel so used and abused, I just can’t take it anymore. While it’s true I make good money, that doesn’t excuse the two of them from pulling their weight.
Cool familiarity will help you cope with ex
4 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 4, 2026DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: Nothing could be worse. My ex-wife has come back to Winnipeg from another city, as she got her old job back with the company where I work, plus a fat promotion according to our office gossip.
I was shocked. They didn’t used to do rehires, but I guess she was special. They chased her and got her back because she is “the best in the world at what she does.” At least, that’s what she told me today.
I don’t want her back here, even though it’s a big company, because the truth is I never really got over her. It took a couple of years before I stopped missing her and thinking about her. My family knows how hard the breakup was for me.
But this company doesn’t care. I just have to bite the bullet because she will help the big boys make more money. Any suggestions?
Cold-calling dad owes you an explanation
3 minute read Tuesday, Mar. 3, 2026DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: I opened the door on my birthday and got a big shock. My dad was standing there grinning sheepishly and holding out a big wrapped gift. I invited him in, although it had been several years since I’d seen him. He hesitated on the steps but asked for just a few minutes with me inside.
Twenty minutes later his phone rang and it was his female friend outside wanting to come in from his truck. Who knew she was sitting out there? I didn’t. I said to invite her in, so she came to the door.
Imagine my surprise when I recognized her as the babysitter from when my parents used to take dance lessons together just before they got divorced. I told her I knew who she was and my dad’s face went red.
So now I have a big problem. Do I tell my mom? Does she already know? And what about this possibility: was my dad chasing our babysitter way back when? I’m scared to ask my mom, but who should I talk to?
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