Theo's figures are illustrations. The $7,000, his budget lines, the cost of his habits, the trip, the laptop prices and the interest amounts are assumptions. Bank fees and phone plans are from the sources below, checked in October 2026.

Priya's figures are illustrations. Growth of 6% a year for investments and 2.4% for savings are assumptions. Real returns change from year to year and can be negative. The 40% fall in one stock, the 20% market drop and the two years she waits after selling are examples. The figure at 65 counts only her $1,500 and the deposits from these six choices, in future dollars. TFSA limits and rules, and typical fund fees, are from the sources below, checked in October 2026.

Claire's figures are illustrations. Tuition and fees of about $8,000 a year rising 2% a year, the residence fee, rent and living costs, $6,000 saved each summer, $5,000 a year from her parents' RESP, the awards she wins and a grant share of one fifth are assumptions. The 5.45% line of credit, the 20.99% credit card and the 29.99% laptop plan are examples. OSAP rules, tuition limits, the minimum wage and the benefit amount are from the sources below, checked in October 2026.

Frank's figures are illustrations. His savings, the scam amounts, what his bank refunds or takes back, and how each scam plays out are examples based on common scams described in the sources below, checked in October 2026. Real outcomes vary, and money lost to fraud is often not recovered.

Jack's figures are illustrations. His $2,200 balance and $4,000 limit, the dinners, his payment amounts, the rent shortfall, the trip and the timing of each event are examples. The rates and fees (20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 25.99% after two missed payments, a 3% balance transfer fee, $14 per $100 for a payday loan) are typical of Canadian cards and lenders in the sources below, checked in October 2026. Your own card's terms may differ.