• Deciding How to Invest in a Group RRSP with High Fees

    I’m a big believer in the efficacy of investing in low-cost index funds. At the same time, I’ve also found myself facing high-fee group RRSP options. What is the best way to approach limited options in a group RRSP plan? Let’s explore some of the different ways you might approach investing in a group RRSP […]

    Read More

  • Late Roth IRA Elections and Canadian Contributions

    The good news for people moving from the US to Canada is that the Canada-U.S. tax treaty allows for Roth IRAs to be tax-free on both sides of the border. There is a process to be followed, though. Specifically, you are asked to file an election with the CRA on or before the tax filing […]

    Read More

  • Questrade Now Offers Free Trades

    I’ve been a fan of Questrade since moving to Canada, as they are one of the Canadian brokerages that is most US-person friendly. At the same time, I’ve had to give the edge to Wealthsimple, as they offered free trades on stocks and ETFs, whereas Questrade just offered free buys. It doesn’t make a difference […]

    Read More

  • Fee-Free International ATMs for EQ Bank and Wealthsimple

    The Measure of a Plan has put together a page listing ATMs around the world (currently 67 bank companies in 40 countries) where Wealthsimple and EQ Bank customers can withdraw foreign currency without paying either foreign exchange fees or ATM transaction fees. Wealthsimple and EQ Bank are both good resources for crossborder folks (as they […]

    Read More

  • Cross-border Implications for Canadian Investment Accounts

    If you’re looking for cross-border implications for US investment account types, please see this article. As a US person living (and investing) in Canada, there are ramifications to the various investment account types that you’ll want to consider. Here’s a quick […]

    Read More

  • Choosing a Canadian Brokerage as a US Citizen

    Updated May, 2025 Finding a Canadian brokerage for US citizens is typically easier than finding a US brokerage that is willing to work with Canadian residents. Canadian brokerages are, as far as I have found, happy to do business with US citizens living in Canada. For a taxable (aka non-registered) account, we want to find […]

    Read More

  • Travel Hacking in Canada as a US Citizen

    When we first moved to Canada, I hung up my travel hacking hat. Between COVID and our new immigration, there was enough going on. After a year or so, though, I got the itch. At first, I looked at Canadian credit cards, but their sign-up bonuses were much more modest. That’s why I started researching […]

    Read More

  • Choosing a US Brokerage as a Canada Resident

    Finding a US brokerage for a Canadian resident can be challenging but it is doable. I strongly encourage you to do this BEFORE moving, as you will likely have more options at that point. Some brokerages allow you to keep accounts while living in Canada, but only to open these accounts while living in the […]

    Read More

  • How to Manage US Investment Accounts as a Canadian Resident

    There are a lot of opinions about what to do with US investment accounts when moving to Canada. On one extreme, some people recommend shifting everything to Canada (e.g. rolling IRAs into RRSPs). On the other extreme, you’ll find folks who recommend keeping US accounts where they are and using the mailing address of a […]

    Read More

  • Comparing Healthcare US and Canada: A Personal Perspective

    Healthcare is always a hot topic when comparing life in Canada to life in the US. I don’t claim comprehensive knowledge of either system, but I have lived with my wife and daughter in Canada for 5 years, after spending almost 40 years in the US. Here’s a comparison of healthcare in the US and […]

    Read More