Guides
Money guides for Ontario families
Short, sourced answers to common questions about life insurance, saving for kids, TFSAs, RRSPs and retirement.
Life insurance
How much you need, what it costs and which type fits.
How much life insurance do I need in Canada?
Add up your mortgage, debts, income your family would need and future costs, then subtract what you already have. A plain-language guide for Canadian families.
Read guide →What is the difference between term and whole life insurance in Canada?
Term covers you for a set number of years and usually costs less at the start. Whole life lasts your lifetime and builds cash value. See when each tends to fit.
Read guide →How much does life insurance cost in Ontario?
Your premium depends on age, health, tobacco use, amount and type of coverage. See what sets the price and how to get a real quote in Ontario.
Read guide →Is mortgage protection insurance the same as life insurance?
Mortgage life insurance pays only your mortgage balance to your lender. Term or permanent life insurance pays the amount you choose to the people you name.
Read guide →Saving for kids
RESPs, grants and TFSAs for your children.
Saving and retirement
TFSA vs RRSP, and working out your retirement number.
Should I contribute to a TFSA or an RRSP first?
An RRSP can lower your tax now. A TFSA gives flexibility. See how each works, the 2026 contribution limits from the CRA, and the questions to ask yourself.
Read guide →How much money do I need to retire in Canada?
There is no one number. Start with the income you want, subtract CPP, OAS and any pension, and the rest comes from savings. Government figures included.
Read guide →Local guides
What changes, and what does not, across the GTA.
How do families in the GTA get the right life insurance?
A plain guide to life insurance and family protection across the Greater Toronto Area, with what changes from one part of the region to the next.
Read guide →How do I get life insurance in Burlington, Ontario?
Work out how much your family needs, choose term or permanent, and get a quote from a licensed Ontario agent. For Burlington and Halton families.
Read guide →How do I choose a financial advisor in Burlington, Ontario?
Check the licence, ask what they can offer, ask how they are paid and watch for pressure. Six plain checks, plus Ontario's title rules.
Read guide →How should Burlington and Halton families plan an RESP?
Open an RESP, contribute enough to earn the grant, and check in yearly. A 5-step plan for Burlington and Halton families, with 2026 grant figures.
Read guide →How much life insurance do I need if I live in Toronto?
Condo fees, renting, two-income households and first-home plans: how city life changes your life insurance number.
Read guide →What should Mississauga families know about life insurance?
Mortgage renewals, relying on work benefits and supporting aging parents: three moments to recheck your life insurance.
Read guide →How does life insurance work when Brampton families share a home?
Multigenerational homes, co-owned mortgages, larger families and RESP grants: how shared households should size coverage.
Read guide →What should Oakville business owners and families know about life insurance?
Protecting a business, partner buyouts, taxes on a final return and larger mortgages: life insurance beyond income replacement.
Read guide →Common questions
How much life insurance do I need?
Add your mortgage, debts, the income your family would need and school costs, then subtract coverage and savings you already have. The 2-minute family protection calculator at https://ironmarkfinancial.ca/#calculator does the math.
How much does life insurance cost in Ontario?
It depends on your age, health, tobacco use, and the amount and type of coverage. The Life Insurance Cost Estimate at https://ironmarkfinancial.ca/calc-insurance-quote.html shows where you may stand.
Should I save in an RESP or a TFSA for my child?
For school savings, an RESP usually comes first because the Government of Canada adds a 20% grant on the first $2,500 a year. The RESP Grant Finder at https://ironmarkfinancial.ca/calc-resp-grant.html shows what your child could receive.
Should I contribute to a TFSA or an RRSP first?
It depends on your income now versus in retirement and whether you need flexibility. The RRSP Tax Refund Estimator at https://ironmarkfinancial.ca/calc-rrsp-refund.html shows what a contribution could return at tax time.
How much do I need to retire in Canada?
Subtract CPP, OAS and any pension from the income you want, and the rest must come from savings. The Retirement Number Calculator at https://ironmarkfinancial.ca/calc-retirement.html gives a rough target.
Are these guides advice?
No. The guides are general education. Client advice and insurance sales are for Ontario residents only.
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