Canada
A clearer place to start.
Keep credit records, mortgage terms and registered-account paperwork connected. Start with what each record measures before making comparisons across lenders or accounts.
Check the report behind a credit score
A score is a summary; a credit report lets you inspect the accounts and payment information behind it. Use the official guidance to obtain your report and follow the correction process when information is inaccurate.
- Check your identity details and listed accounts.
- Compare reported balances with the relevant statement dates.
- Keep a record of any dispute and the response.
Separate mortgage term from amortization
Keep the date your current agreement ends alongside the longer repayment schedule. A calculator using a monthly nominal-rate convention may differ from your lender’s mortgage convention. Renewal terms, fees and prepayment conditions need their own check.
- Record the maturity date, rate type and payment frequency.
- Read prepayment privileges and penalties in your agreement.
- Ask the lender for an actual comparison before relying on an estimate.
Keep account records distinct from tax room
TFSA and RRSP paperwork can contain both investment information and contribution information. A portfolio value is not a measure of available contribution room. Use current CRA guidance and your own transaction records for rule-dependent decisions.
- Label each account type and owner in your private records.
- Keep contribution, withdrawal and transfer records separately.
- Check current CRA information rather than applying a limit from an old article.
Original educational checklists · Sources checked · Prepared with AI assistance; human editorial review pending. Examples use fictional amounts. Eligibility, tax and product terms require current local checks. Report a correction.