Practical Money Skills is a free financial literacy program to help Canadians understand the fundamentals of money management. Created by Visa, the program offers money management resources including calculators, games, and lesson plans tailored for use by Canadian families and educators.

Spotlight

Attend the 2012 Financial Literacy & Education Summit
The sixth annual Financial Literacy and Education Summit at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago on April 23 is themed International Solutions to Improving Financial Literacy. Confirmed participants include moderator Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, CNBC's Chief International Correspondent, and panelists Agustín Guillermo Carstens, Head of the Central Bank of Mexico, and José Darío Uribe, Head of the Central Bank of Colombia. Register now.

How to Avoid Bulging Budget this Holiday
In 2010, Canadian households spent $31.5 billion* during the busy holiday season. If the festive spirit moved you to buy extra gifts last year, now is the perfect time to develop your holiday financial plan. A third of Canadians will not have started their holiday shopping by Dec. 1, according to a recent survey conducted by Visa Canada. Read more.

Visa Canada Launches Fin Lit Social Media Channels
Visa Canada's Practical Money Skills program has launched Facebook and Twitter channels as part of its financial literacy efforts. Become a fan of the Facebook page by "liking" it here to get weekly updates featuring financial tips, news and events. To follow Practical Money Skills' tweets, become a follower to start receiving updates to your computer or mobile device. Join the conversation and share your views on financial literacy. Follow us.

Learning

Plan Canada Financial Literacy Interview with Visa Watch Adiba from Plan Canada's Because I Am A Girl's Speakers Bureau interviewing Visa Canada's Melissa Cassar in this video. The interview covers important financial basics such as saving, student loans and ways to make payments. Watch now.	Choosing Childcare A caregiver will take part in some of the earliest development and education that your child will receive. Arm yourself with good information to make the best decision. Read on.	Home Equity A big advantage of home ownership is the equity you build in your home. The faster you pay your mortgage and build equity, the better financial shape you'll be in. Read on.
Practical Money Matters
Financial planners not just for the wealthy It's not uncommon to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of important decisions we need to make concerning retirement accounts, investments, college savings and other complicated financial issues. That's one reason more and more people turn to professional financial advisors to help them navigate an increasingly complex economic world. And it's not just the wealthy who require these services; many middle-class families are turning to outside financial advice as well. Read more.

Spotlight

Learning

Practical Money Matters

Financial planners not just for the wealthy