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Money Made Simpol, Fredericton, NB (2026)

05/25/2026

Dear God,

As we step into this new week, we surrender the things that have been broken, lost, or burned away in our lives. It is hard to look at the wreckage, but we trust in Your promise of renewal.

Remind us today that what we lost in the fire, we will find in the ashes.
Give us the eyes to see the new beginnings, the strength to rebuild, and the faith to know that beauty can grow from the ground up.

Guide our steps this week and grant us peace as we move forward.

Amen

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05/08/2026

𝗔 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱

Sometimes the best advice is the most obvious even if it's not exactly what we wanted to hear.

𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁: "𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿, 𝗺𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝗴 𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘁𝘀. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝗱𝗼?"
𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿: "𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗽!"

Life has a funny way of giving us limp moments. We're often looking for a complex, 10-step cure for our stress or a high-level strategic plan for our exhaustion, when the real solution is just to lean into the reality of the moment and slow down.

If your "leg hurts" after a long week of project deadlines, coordination, and putting out fires, don't feel like you have to run a marathon by Monday.

If you're tired, rest.
Not every problem needs a Project Manager level solution.
Sometimes the obvious answer is the only one we've got.

Happy Friday! Whether you're running into the weekend or just limping across the finish line, make sure you take a moment to enjoy the break.

05/04/2026

𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀
𝙏𝙝𝙚 $250,000 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝘼𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙁𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙤𝙢

Most fans know that Star Wars films are famous for having no opening credits—just that iconic crawl. But few realize that this wasn't just a stylistic choice. This was an act of financial rebellion.

When George Lucas refused to put credits at the start of The Empire Strikes Back, the Hollywood guilds fined him hundreds of thousands of dollars and tried to block the film's release. Instead of backing down, Lucas paid the fines and resigned from the guilds entirely.

As we celebrate 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆, there is a powerful lesson here about the intersection of money and autonomy:

• Build Your Freedom Fund
Lucas could only walk away because he had the capital to do so. In personal finance, your emergency fund is your Freedom Fund. It gives you the power to say no to a toxic situation without fear.

• Invest in Long-Term Integrity
The fines Lucas paid looked like wasted money at the time, but he was protecting his brand's soul. Sometimes, taking a short-term financial hit is necessary to protect your long-term value and reputation.

• Equity Over a Paycheck
Lucas prioritized ownership of his sequels and merchandising over a standard director's salary. Real wealth is built through what you own -- stocks, property, or your own business -- not just what you're paid.

• Fund Your Rebellion
Being a rebel is expensive. Lucas didn't quit on a whim. He ensured he had the resources to finish his empire alone. If you want to go against the grain, make sure your insurgence is fully funded first.

This May the 4th, let's remember that the ultimate goal of managing your money isn't just to buy things—it's to buy the freedom to do things your way.

May the Fourth (and the financial independence) be with you. 🌌✨

05/04/2026

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿

Dear God,

As this new week begins, I open my heart to the fresh grace and unlimited power You offer every Monday morning. Help me to let go of last week’s burdens and fully receive the new mercies You have prepared for me today. Grant me the strength to walk in Your light and the wisdom to use Your gifts to serve others.

Amen.

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04/30/2026

𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗮𝘅 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲

Most Canadians stick to the basics on their tax returns, but the CRA's list of eligible expenses is more flexible than you might think. For the 2026 filing season, here are some of the most unusual but valid deductions.

𝟭. 𝗚𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗻-𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀
If you have a medical diagnosis for celiac disease, you can claim the incremental cost of gluten-free food. For example, if a regular loaf of bread is $3 and the gluten-free version is $6, you can claim the $3 difference as a medical expense. You’ll need a doctor's letter and detailed receipts.

𝟮. 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘀
Cannabis is an eligible medical expense if you have a prescription from a healthcare practitioner and buy from a federally licensed seller. These costs count toward your medical expense total, which must exceed 3% of your net income or $2,834 for 2025 to be claimable.

𝟯. 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲𝘀
For conditions like severe diabetes, epilepsy, or autism, the CRA allows you to claim the cost of a specially trained service animal. This includes food, vet bills, and training-related travel. Note: this does not apply to emotional support animals; they must be from a professional training organization.

𝟰. 𝗪𝗶𝗴𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝘀𝘀
The cost of a wig is 100% deductible as a medical expense if the hair loss is due to a disease, accident, or treatment. A prescription is required to back this up.

𝟱. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗱
If you are a gig worker or self-employed, expenses directly tied to earning income can be claimed. This includes makeup for models/content creators, music subscriptions for fitness instructors, and even business consulting fees from professional services.

The CRA allows these if they are reasonable and documented. Keep every receipt and be ready to show a direct link to your health or your income.

(Source: CTV News; Christopher Liew: Here are some of the most surprising tax claims that are absolutely legitimate)

04/21/2026

𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱

Before the Toonie became a staple in our pockets, it almost had a much more formal name.

When the Royal Canadian Mint was preparing to replace the $2 bill in 1996, the official name for the coin was actually the "Bearie." Because the coin features a polar bear, the government thought "Bearie" would be the natural successor to the "Loonie."

However, Canadians had other plans. As soon as the coin hit the streets, the public started calling it the "Toonie" (a play on "Two" and "Loonie"). The nickname became so popular so quickly that the government eventually gave up on "Bearie" altogether and embraced the name we use today.

This a fun reminder that value and naming conventions are often driven by the people, not the institutions. Whether it's a nickname for a coin or a shift in how we handle our digital "loonies," the way we interact with our money is always evolving.

(Source: Wikipedia; Loonie - The People's Rebranding)

04/20/2026

Dear God,

As I step into this new week, I'll be honest—sometimes it's hard to see where You're leading me.

There are moments when the road ahead feels blurry, and the weight of what I'm carrying makes it difficult to see Your hand at work.

When the tears make it hard to see Your way, help me to simply trust Your heart.

Remind me that even when I don't understand the "why" or the "how" of my current situation, I can still rely on the "who."

I know that You are kind, You are faithful, and You are for me.

When my vision is clouded, let my faith be grounded in the truth of Your character rather than the clarity of my circumstances.

Give me the peace to stop trying to figure everything out today.
Instead of straining to see the finish line, help me to just take Your hand and trust the next step.

I believe that You are working all things together for good, even the parts that hurt right now.

I'm starting this Monday not by sight, but by trust.

Amen. ✨

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04/17/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗜'𝗺 𝗗𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱... 🥞☕️

If you're looking for the secret formula for happiness, I think I've finally cracked the code:

𝗖𝗼𝘇𝘆 + 𝗦𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 − 𝗔𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 = 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱.

There is something about the first Saturday morning exhale. It's that half-asleep moment where you realize the room is still quiet, your feet are still tucked under the covers, and for the first time in five days, no one—and no device—is demanding your attention. In a world that constantly asks us to be "on," the weekend is our permission slip to be "off."

The "cozy" factor isn't just about blankets -- it's about the mental comfort of knowing your to-do list is finally on pause.

Then there's the smell of pancakes, representing those slow rituals we never have time for on a Tuesday—the extra cup of coffee, the real breakfast, and just lingering at the table. But the real magic comes from subtracting the alarm clock.

This is the ultimate luxury, reclaiming your own rhythm and waking up when your body is actually ready, not when the clock says so.

Don't let the "Sunday Scaries" or the "Saturday Hustle" steal this from you.
Your productivity is fueled by your rest, so lean into the cozy, flip the pancakes, and keep that alarm clock firmly disabled.

You've earned the silence. Enjoy the slow. 🥂✨

04/14/2026

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗮: 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗽𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱

Recent data from Statistics Canada reveals that the divide between Canada's richest and poorest households grew last year. This trend is driven by a combination of a softening job market, declining interest payouts for savers, and strong gains in financial markets that primarily benefited top-tier earners.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗚𝗮𝗽
• Income Divide: The gap in disposable income between the top 40% and bottom 40% of households reached 46.7 percentage points, up from 46.4 the previous year. Lower-income households saw slower wage growth and reduced investment income from savings.

• Concentrated Wealth: The top 20% of Canadians now hold 65.7% of the country's total net worth, averaging $3.5 million per household.

• The Bottom 40%: In contrast, the bottom 40% of the distribution holds just 3% of Canada's net worth, with an average of $81,650 per household.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝗶𝗱 "𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆"
While the MNP Consumer Debt Index shows overall stability—with the average Canadian having a record high of $1,000 left at month-end—the reality on the ground remains uneven:

• The $200 Margin: 43% of Canadians are within $200 of insolvency, unable to meet monthly spending needs if costs rise further.

• Living in the Red: 29% of respondents say they currently do not make enough to cover their basic bills and debt payments.

• Essential Pressure: Nearly three-quarters of Canadians report that the rising cost of essentials is causing significant financial strain.

While high-level data shows some signs of cautious spending and cash-on-hand growth, the "financial cushion" is shrinking for nearly half the population. As MNP President Grant Bazian notes, many Canadians are navigating an environment of increasing uncertainty that makes long-term budgeting nearly impossible.

(Source: MSN; Statistics Canada reports wealth and income gaps grew in 2025)

04/13/2026

Dear God,

As I start this week, I realize that I often walk right past You. I spend so much time waiting for a big sign or a loud voice that I miss the ways You are showing up in the middle of my ordinary day.

Help me to recognize You this week.

When I see someone go out of their way to be kind, help me see Your heart.
When I feel a sudden sense of peace in the middle of a stressful meeting—help me recognize Your presence.
When I look at the people I love—and even the people who challenge me—help me see Your image in them.

Open my eyes so I don't just see the world.
I see You at work within it.
Give me the awareness to realize that You aren't hiding—You are right here...
in every conversation...
every sunset, and every quiet breath.

I'm going into this Monday with my eyes wide open.

Amen. ✨

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Money Made Simpol

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