November is Financial Literacy Month, and there is no better time to reflect on your financial situation and money knowledge than at the end of the year. Money can be a difficult topic because it is so personal, but it doesn't need to be complicated. There are plenty of free resources available to help! Let's walk through the various activities and resources available during Financial Literacy Month.
Spotlight activity: If your wallet could talk...
Money conversations can shape our decisions, build confidence, and help us navigate life's challenges and opportunities. At all of our branches, you can share a real-life money story with us! By participating, you will be entered for a chance to win a $20 Walmart gift card.
Participants are encouraged to reflect on a moment when a conversation about money helped them make a decision, overcome a challenge, plan ahead, protect themselves from financial risks, or better manage their money. Have questions about money? Share those with us too!
On November 19, from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, we will be sitting down with Bruce Sellery, CEO of Credit Canada, a non-profit debt solutions agency, to discuss tips, tools, and resources for building a healthier relationship with your finances. Register here if you are interested! We will be anonymously sharing your stories and questions so Bruce Sellery can help answer your money questions.
How to participate
At any Markham Public Library branch, you will find an "If My Wallet Could Talk" station. There you will find instructions, participation sheets to complete, and a submission box where you can drop off your response.
By participating, you will be entered into a lucky draw where one lucky winner will receive a $20 Walmart gift card. Be sure to include your email address. The winner will be contacted by email.
Financial Resources
There are many financial tools and resources available, but not all of them are credible and reliable. A good rule of thumb is to look for resources that are Canadian or Ontario-based and are provided by reputable organizations. We recommend the following if you don't know where to start:
- Financial Literacy Month from Canada.ca offers great calculators and budgeting tools for various topic, such as mortgage calculator, retirement planning calculator, and more. Visit here for more information.
- Credit Counselling Society offers helpful resources on financial literacy, debt management, and budgeting. They are a non-profit debt solution agency based in British Columbia and they service the whole country. Visit here for more information.
- Looking for more information on investing safely? Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization offers great tips on how to invest safely and smart. They are Canada's national regulator for investment dealers, mutual fund dealers, and market integrity. You can also search for advisors and firms in their database to ensure you are working with a regulated and licensed professional. Visit here for more information.
MPL Resources
You might be wondering whether Markham Public Library has any financial resources available for the public, the answer is yes! Here are some of our financial literacy resources:
- We have tons of booklist on various financial topics, visit here to browse.
- Every seasons, we have lots of financial-related programs in our branches and online. You can visit here to browse what's coming up. Tips: Make sure you select "Business & Finance" under Event Type to get financial-related workshops.
- Morningstar Investing Center is a digital resource that you can access through our website, it gives you access to investment information through a trusted platform. Find information on companies, funds, ETFs, Markets, and build your online portfolio. Morningstar provides a tutorial center to show you how to use site, as well as reading suggestions, a glossary, and lessons to get you started with investing basics. Visit here to access it on our website.
- we have a dedicated spot on our website to showcase creditable community partner that works in the field of financial literacy, you can find them here.
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