Baggio Ma

Contributor

Baggio Ma has written extensively on financial topics over the past several years. His work experience in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors has led to a special interest in personal finance-related topics. Baggio has written for several Canadian finance sites such as PiggyBank and Tech Daily. Baggio holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia and a Master of Public Administration Degree from the University of Victoria.

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Management Fee vs. MER: What are the Differences?

If you invest in ETFs or mutual funds, you must educate yourself on the fees associated with owning those assets. Look up any fund, and you will see that it comes with a management fee and management expense ratio (MER).  These fees are presented as a percentage and are paid according to how much you ... Read more

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HSBC Canada GIC Rates: TFSA, RRSP, CAD and Redeemable

With so much market volatility, fixed-income assets like GICs or Guaranteed Investment Certificates have been popular among Canadians. But what do we mean when we say GIC rates?  GICs pay out a fixed interest on the principal for the entire term. This GIC rate is determined by the Bank of Canada’s overnight interest rate. As ... Read more

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10 Ways To Invest $1,000 Right Now in 2023

If you had an extra $1,000, how would you invest it?  This article will discuss ten different ways to invest $1,000 in to start growing your money now. 10 Ways To Invest $1,000 Right Now in 1. Pay Off Your Debt Before investing, you will want to consider paying off any high-interest debt. This type ... Read more

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Starbucks vs Tim Hortons Rewards Programs: Which is Better in 2023?

For millions of Canadians, their day starts with a good cup of coffee. No matter where you are in the country, your morning decision likely comes down to Starbucks vs Tim Hortons. Both franchises are well represented, with nearly 1,500 Starbucks stores and 3,500 Tim Hortons locations across Canada.  If you frequent Starbucks or Tim ... Read more

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Pros and Cons of Employer-Provided Life Insurance in Canada

Life insurance is a topic that not many Canadians want to talk about, but it is essential that we do. Some Canadians are part of a group life insurance plan that is paid for by their employer. This could be a benefit if the worst-case scenario were to happen unexpectedly.  But does employer-provided life insurance ... Read more

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How to Invest Money in Canada as a Beginner: Step-by-Step Guide

For beginners, investing can be an intimidating and overwhelming concept. With so many different assets and strategies, it is difficult to choose where to start. When it comes to investing, the most important thing is that you get started. In this article, we’ll provide a simple, step-by-step guide to investing in Canada as a beginner. ... Read more

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10 Easiest Bank Accounts To Open Online in Canada

Thanks to online banking, opening a new bank account online in Canada has never been easier. Within minutes you can be banking at any of the largest Canadian banks and even earning a nice welcome bonus.  As of 2023, more than 81% of Canadians use digital banking tools for their day-to-day banking needs. Whether on ... Read more

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9 Best Liquid Investments in Canada for September 2023

Liquidity of your assets is crucial when you need to access cash in a hurry. This is why owning liquid investments as a part of your portfolio is important because you just never know when you might need some emergency funds.  Luckily for Canadians, there are plenty of ways to invest your money in highly ... Read more

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Illiquid Investments in Canada: Meaning, Examples, and Risks

When talking about liquidity, we are referring to how quickly an investment asset can be exchanged for cash. It’s not just any amount of cash either, it needs to be the fair market value for the asset.  Illiquid investments are assets that cannot be immediately or easily exchanged for cash. They are also usually not ... Read more

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10 Best Compound Interest Investments in Canada for 2023 

Albert Einstein once said that “compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it earns it. He who doesn’t pays it.” In that one simple statement, Einstein summed up the greatest tool that any long-term investor can possess: time.  For most people, compound interest investments are the surest way to exponentially ... Read more