This little monkey started preschool this year. In the blink of an eye my tiny 7lbs babe was a preschooler. We went from changing diapers to practicing printing. From nighttime feedings to teaching her to ride a bike. I blinked, and she’s almost grown up! I hate to admit it, but with how quickly time has already flown by, I know that grade school, high school and the inevitable university are not far behind. My baby is growing up – and I’m still fumbling my way through planning her future.
While pregnant, I knew that we wanted to make post-secondary education savings a priority in our budget. We knew we couldn’t afford a lot, but we also knew the earlier that we started the more growth and return we would have. We went in blind. Like completely and utterly blind. I had no idea what questions to ask, what information I should be scribbling down or in the end where she would end up using this money.
But, there’s strength in the unknown – because even though I didn’t know, an RESP specialist did know and walked us through the entire process. How much would the money we were saving grow into, where she could use that money to go to school and what happens if she chose to not even go to post-secondary? All of our questions were answered.
Many families however, don’t ask the questions. And they’re missing out on free, zero obligation money!
I love free stuff, who doesn’t? I love free money more than stuff though. Paying for one child’s education can be scary enough, but what if you have 2, 3 or more children? Regular deposit commitment can be a serious barrier for most families but there is a very simple way to get started – and start collecting free money! The Government of Canada’s Canada Learning Bond offers up to $2,000 into an eligible child’s Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP). There’s no commitment, all you need to do is open an RESP in your child’s name, the Government of Canada will immediately deposit $500, and could deposit up to $1500 more before your child turns 15. That’s up to $2,000 in FREE post secondary education funds.
Starting November 1, 2015 there’s an added bonus! Families that apply for their child’s Canada Learning Bond through SmartSAVER.org before December 31, 2015 will also have the chance to win one of nine $1,000 weekly cash prizes. There are no costs or minimum contributions required to open an RESP, and families can choose to open their account with one of six participating banks or credit unions. A new $1,000 winner will be selected weekly, so apply early for more chances to win, now that’s WIN-WIN!
Contest Details:
Date: November 1 – December 31st, 2015
Winners: 9 winners, 1 chosen per week
Prize: $1,000 cash prize!
How to enter: Visit SmartSaver.org and use their online application to open a free Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) at no cost, with no contribution required at a participating bank or credit union of their choice, and apply for their child’s free Canada Learning Bond
It literally takes less than 10 minutes to apply and you can open the account without a deposit. You will require both yours, and your child’s social insurance number to successfully open an RESP.If your child was born in 2004 or later and your family income is under $45,000 you could get up to $2,000 in free money from the Government of Canada through the Canada Learning Bond.
Visit SmartSAVER.org for full contest rules and regulations.
Sounds easy enough to get started, right? Make sure to book that appointment and take advantage of the free money towards your child’s education!
SmartSaver has partnered with British Columbia Mom to give one lucky reader a $25 President’s Choice Gift card as a thank you for reading (and hopefully sharing!) the information you learned here. Enter below!
Permalink
scotia bank!! my bank 🙂
Permalink
BMO
Permalink
TD Bank who I’m currently with.
Permalink
You can use RBC
Permalink
I can at RBC. That is my bank so that is great!
Permalink
You can use RBC or BMO
Permalink
TD Canada Trust
Permalink
You can open one with RBC.
Permalink
You can start one with RBC
Permalink
At TD!
Permalink
My bank – TD!
Permalink
I can open one at RBC
Permalink
TD
Permalink
I used Vancity, which is a BC credit union.
Permalink
you can at BMO
Permalink
rbc
Permalink
TD is one of the options.
Permalink
BMO which is my bank
Permalink
RBC!
Permalink
TD Canada Trust
Permalink
RBC Royal Bank!
Permalink
RBC.
Permalink
my bank! TD!
Permalink
RBC is one of the options of banks
Permalink
You can open your RESP with SmartSaver at VanCity credit union.
Permalink
You can open an RESP at Scotiabank
Permalink
You can open an RESP at TD.
Permalink
You can get an RESP at VANCITY
Permalink
at TD bank
Permalink
You can open one at Vancity! Looks like we’ll be going there sooN!
Permalink
RBC Royal Bank is one of the banks!
Permalink
RBC bank, which is great!
Permalink
TD Canada Trust
Permalink
I could open one at Scotiabank.
Permalink
My bank BMO is one of them.
Permalink
TD Bank which is who we are with.
Permalink
RBC
Permalink
You can use the RBC which is one I like very much!
Permalink
You can open an account at RBC.
Permalink
There is quite a few including the TD bank
Permalink
You can open one up at Scotiabank. Thanks for the great info!
Permalink
You can open one up at a BMO!
Permalink
VanCity is where I’m going… I have an apt this saturday!!!!!
Permalink
scotia bank
Permalink
You can open an RESP with RBC Royal Bank.
Permalink
VanCity
Permalink
RCB
Permalink
RBC
Permalink
BMO!
Permalink
TD bank
Permalink
RBC
Permalink
TD is one!
Permalink
TD is one of the options.
Permalink
I can use TD!
Permalink
RBC
Permalink
The Bank of Montreal.
Permalink
I can open one at my bank, RBC!
Permalink
The Bank of Montreal is one financial institution I can open my RESP at with SmartSaver.
Permalink
BMO – Bank of Montreal
Permalink
TD Bank!
Permalink
TD Canada Trust
Permalink
RBC or BMO! We bank with both!
Permalink
TD is one of several
Permalink
Td Canada Trust.
Permalink
RBC is one financial institution where you can open a SmartSaver RESP for your kids.
Permalink
RBC Canada is one of the partner banks.
Permalink
You can open an RESP with Smart Saver at Scotiabank!
Permalink
RBC, my preferred bank
Permalink
you can open one with TD bank
Permalink
My Scotiabank
Permalink
RBC
Permalink
RBC Royal Bank
Permalink
My bank is there, Scotiabank!
Permalink
Can open one with TD.
Permalink
TD
Permalink
You can open an RESP at TD bank.
Permalink
RBC!
Permalink
TD
Permalink
You can use RBC my bank
Permalink
There are a few institutions that you can use including Vancity.
Permalink
TD Bank. We just opened one up last month as we found out (through a SmartSaver blog post) that we were eligible! And we thought we knew everything about RESPs…
Besos, Sarah
Journeys of The Zoo
Permalink
You can use RBC or BMO
Permalink
You can open your RESP at RBC with SmartSaver
Permalink
The TD Bank also the BMO
Permalink
I can open one at TD.
Permalink
I can open one at Scotia Bank
Permalink
One can be opened at Bank of Montreal!
Permalink
BMO
Permalink
You can open one at BMO.
Permalink
RBC! 🙂
Permalink
Royal Bank is one that you could use!
Permalink
I could open an RESP at a few different banks. One of which is Scotiabank.
Permalink
I opened an RESP with Scotiabank as soon as my daughter was born!!
Permalink
BMO
Permalink
at the RBC
Permalink
TD Canada Trust
Permalink
TD Canada Trust Bank
Permalink
RBC is one institution.
Permalink
You can open one at BMO
Permalink
TD Canada Trust!
Permalink
RBC the Royal Bank of Canada~
Permalink
RBC is one.
Permalink
at RBC
Permalink
You can open your RESP at RBC.
Permalink
bank of montreal
Permalink
BMO and RBC are both options.
Permalink
You can open an resp with RBC
Permalink
Vancity Credit Union
Permalink
I can open a RESP at RBC! Which is great because its about a two minute walk from me!
Permalink
You can open on at the Royal Bank of Canada!
Permalink
bmo
Permalink
I can open an account at TD Canada Trust.
Permalink
BMO (Bank Of Montreal)
Permalink
RBC is one f the banks you can use.
Permalink
You can open an account at RBC
Permalink
Bank of Montreal.
Permalink
Td Canada Trust.
Permalink
You can open it at Td Canada Trust.
Permalink
scotia bank!!
Permalink
RBC Royal Bank
Permalink
You could use RBC (Royal Bank)
Permalink
Bank of Montreal
Permalink
I can stat one at TD.
Permalink
My bank, Scotiabank!
Permalink
You can open one with RBC
Permalink
You can open one at the TD Canada Trust
Permalink
RBC Royal Bank
Permalink
I can open one at RBC
Permalink
You can open an RESP at Scotiabank which is what I did!
Permalink
RBC
Permalink
BMO
Permalink
You can open one at TD Canada Trust!
Permalink
I cold open one with RBC.
Permalink
You can open one at RBC, which is where I bank!
Permalink
RBC!!!
Permalink
RBC bank
Permalink
TD Canada Trust
Permalink
TD!
Permalink
you can use RBC
Permalink
You can use RBC.
Permalink
RBC ROYAL BANK 🙂
Permalink
TD bank