# FirHarbor — CAD money basics checklist

*Education only — not financial, tax, or investment advice. Canadian rules change; verify with CRA and qualified professionals.*

## 1. Cash buffer
- [ ] Estimate one month of essential expenses (housing, food, utilities, transit, minimum debt payments).
- [ ] Decide a starter emergency target you’re comfortable with.
- [ ] Keep day-to-day spending in chequing; don’t leave the whole buffer earning ~0%.

## 2. High-interest savings (HISA)
- [ ] Open or identify a HISA (or equivalent) with no junk fees for your use case.
- [ ] Confirm how fast you can move money to chequing when needed.
- [ ] Note CDIC (or credit-union equivalent) eligibility at your institution.
- [ ] Automate a payday transfer into the HISA until your buffer feels real.

## 3. TFSA & RRSP basics
- [ ] Check TFSA and RRSP contribution room (CRA My Account / Notice of Assessment).
- [ ] Know the one-line difference: TFSA = after-tax in, tax-free out; RRSP = possible deduction now, taxable out later.
- [ ] Open the account that fits your next dollar (flexibility vs deduction vs employer match).
- [ ] Avoid over-contributing—especially after same-year TFSA withdrawals.

## 4. First simple investing (after cash is set)
- [ ] High-interest consumer debt has a plan.
- [ ] Only invest money you won’t need for several years.
- [ ] Pick a simple diversified approach; compare fees (MER).
- [ ] Automate contributions into TFSA and/or RRSP.
- [ ] Personal rule: don’t panic-sell on headlines alone.

## 5. Hygiene
- [ ] Unique passwords / password manager for bank and CRA.
- [ ] Multi-factor authentication where available.
- [ ] Ignore unsolicited get-rich-quick pitches.

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