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How to be a SmartSAVER: Tips and Tricks for Success

smartSAVER

smartSAVERWhen I was a kid I had no idea what I wanted to do when I was going to grow up. To be completely honest I still don’t know what I want to do when I “finally” grow up. I believe in lifelong learning so who knows where and what I will do next.

My parents always told me they would pay for my education and when I dropped out of high school nobody was impressed. It was a bad choice and one I would rectify in my mid 20’s.

Even though I didn’t know what I wanted to be I decided that I had to do something and so with 2 small kids I went to college for Medical Office Administration.

After the first year I knew that I was not interested in this topic AT ALL but finished anyways because education is important and any diploma is better than no diploma. Also, because I was doing kick ass and graduated with honours.

But the biggest reason I wanted that diploma was because I wanted to be a good role model to my kids. Even though I am not currently using my acquired diploma in a work capacity I will ALWAYS have those skills to fall back on and I acquired them while also running a household and taking care of them. They need to know that it is never too late to go to school and never too early to start thinking about their future.

Maybe they will be like me and not know what they want to do in life right away. My mom just went back to college last year and graduated. She waited till her four kids were done school to pursue her own dreams and that is ok. But one thing is for sure. Getting an education is not cheap and the best way to prepare for it is by starting when your children are young.

Be a SmartSAVER

I am late to the game when it comes to RESPs. I don’t like to admit it but somehow it got pushed to the back burner and it wasn’t until this week that I went onto the SmartSAVER website and set up the preliminary paperwork for our 4 kids to get the Canada Learning Bond, which is a kick-start contribution of up to $2,000 into the RESP of a lower-income child.

Each kid’s application only took a few minutes to complete and I got to choose one of six banks to send the paperwork to. I chose TD because my husband has an account there but you don’t have to be a client of the bank you choose, so there is no excuse. But here is my favourite part of the Canada Learning Bond: you don’t have to set up monthly deposits.

This was one of my biggest deterrents because who knows what will come up with four kids. We had our transmission and washing machine break in the span of a few weeks and are just getting out of the red with that. I don’t know what will arise at any given time and don’t want to tie myself down to yet another bill.

Another perk is that you don’t have to be the child’s parent to apply for the Canada Learning Bond. You will need to have a SIN yourself and also the child’s but maybe your niece/nephew, grandchild or best friend’s child could benefit.

You can find out more about SmartSAVER here and if you need more information about the Canada Learning Bond you can find it here. So head on over to the application form here and sign up for up to $2000 free for your child’s education. Also connect with SmartSAVER on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to stay up to date.

Twitter Contest

SmartSAVERwants to hear what you have to say on Twitter. If you already follow them you would know that this past Thursday they had a contest asking followers to complete “As a kid I wanted to be…” using the hashtag #WhenIGrowUp . Make sure you follow them here and check in on August 27th and September 3rd to enter to win a $50 grocery gift card by answering each weeks question with the corresponding hashtag.smartSAVER

Blog Giveaway

SmartSAVER has generously offered a $50 PC grocery gift card to one of my readers. Contest is open to Canada and ends September 13th at midnight EST.
$50 President’s Choice Gift Card

Disclosure: I was compensated for this post but as always I wouldn’t share a product or service I didn’t recommend myself.

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Aneta Alaei
Aneta Alaei

Aneta is a Toronto-based mom of four that loves a good meal, great company, and learning something new. In her free time, you can find her trying to keep yet another plant alive.

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240 Comments

  1. Amy Heffernan
    August 23, 2015 / 9:11 am

    I dont. I am not to sure on why not. Too poor. 🙁

  2. Aneta
    Author
    August 23, 2015 / 9:13 am

    I thought I was too poor too! The Canada Learning Bond is free though 🙂

  3. Angela Massis
    August 23, 2015 / 9:36 am

    You don’t realize how fast time flies. The next thing you know your kids are thinking about University and College. I wish we started early contributing to our kids RESP’s. I did set one up for my kids but wish I knew earlier about the The Canada Learning Bond.

  4. August 23, 2015 / 9:39 am

    I don’t have kids yet. When I do, I will be sure to set up an RESP right away

  5. Darrah Bailey
    August 23, 2015 / 9:43 am

    I dont either, Id say too poor as well.. I really havent looked into the FREE options

  6. charityk
    August 23, 2015 / 9:51 am

    yes we do have one for the kids

  7. Gizele Farris
    August 23, 2015 / 9:52 am

    No, children are all grown up and on their own.

  8. Tracy D
    August 23, 2015 / 9:52 am

    Yes, we have RESP’s, we’d never be able to afford kids post-education in the future if we didn’t start early, and we don’t want them saddled with huge student loans.

  9. Debbie Bashford
    August 23, 2015 / 9:56 am

    will have to look into this further and pass the info along to some people I know could take advantage of it.

  10. naiddia p
    August 23, 2015 / 10:00 am

    I do have Resp’s for my kids.

  11. August 23, 2015 / 10:05 am

    We do have RESPs.

  12. michelle tremblett
    August 23, 2015 / 10:29 am

    I do, We purchased it when the kids were small best investment I’ve ever made.

  13. loriag
    August 23, 2015 / 10:34 am

    We did have an RESP. They are now in post secondary.

  14. Jenny Major
    August 23, 2015 / 10:42 am

    Yes we have an RESP for both of our children

  15. August 23, 2015 / 10:47 am

    Yes, we have RESPs for both of my kids

  16. August 23, 2015 / 10:56 am

    We do have RESPs….I had my Son at 38 so thats a very important tjing for us.

  17. ivy pluchinsky
    August 23, 2015 / 11:06 am

    I don’t have one, it’s something i haven’t really looked into

  18. Amy Lovell
    August 23, 2015 / 11:31 am

    I havent heard of this before, I def didnt think I was able to do it. Thanks!

  19. Erika Letson
    August 23, 2015 / 11:36 am

    I don’t have them for my kids, I just never felt we could put the money away!

  20. spamgirl
    August 23, 2015 / 11:41 am

    Yes, we do.

  21. August 23, 2015 / 11:43 am

    I don’t because I never really thought about it.

  22. Darren Scrubb
    August 23, 2015 / 11:44 am

    Do not have one, I prefer to my own savings

  23. Alayne Langford
    August 23, 2015 / 11:56 am

    I have my mind set to invest in RESP’s for my grandchildren, just as my mom did for me! Education is important and when the time comes I would hate to see that my grandkids cannot attend because they cannot afford to. Thanks for the motivation!! 🙂

  24. LindaL
    August 23, 2015 / 12:06 pm

    No I do not have an RESP because my kids are already out of school. I do think they are a great idea and that everyone with small children should look into them and schooling does cost a lot of money!

  25. michelle matta
    August 23, 2015 / 12:39 pm

    I do not have an RESP because I don’t yet have children. I hope to, but in addition if I knew how to easily donate to one for my niece and nephew, I would.

  26. Janice Wong
    August 23, 2015 / 12:42 pm

    Nope. Don’t have a kid.

  27. Jenness M
    August 23, 2015 / 12:53 pm

    Both my kids have an RESP

  28. Tricia Cooper
    August 23, 2015 / 1:05 pm

    My daughter is grown and we did not have an RESP for her — we didn’t think we could do it financially at the time.

  29. Anne Taylor
    August 23, 2015 / 1:15 pm

    No I don’t because I don’t have the $ to put into them!

  30. Vik
    August 23, 2015 / 1:43 pm

    it will be tasty giveaway!

  31. Silvia D
    August 23, 2015 / 1:47 pm

    No we don’t, not sure why, maybe just not having money to do it…

  32. August 23, 2015 / 1:52 pm

    Yes we pay $100 a month for each of our 4 kids, so $400 a month.

  33. Belinda S
    August 23, 2015 / 2:00 pm

    Not yet but I will soon (I’m 6 1/2 months pregnant)

  34. mrdisco
    August 23, 2015 / 2:17 pm

    when we needed it, we had one

  35. Judy Cowan
    August 23, 2015 / 2:21 pm

    No, no extra money 🙁

  36. J
    August 23, 2015 / 2:23 pm

    A small RESP that we contribute to when we can.

  37. Darlene Schuller
    August 23, 2015 / 2:25 pm

    We do not, not something we can do at this time.

  38. Glogirl
    August 23, 2015 / 2:36 pm

    I don’t have an RESP as I don’t have kids.

  39. LILLIAN BROWN
    August 23, 2015 / 2:46 pm

    I do not —–am already retired

  40. lori n.
    August 23, 2015 / 2:59 pm

    I had RESP for each kid, and now that they are in university they have TFSA’s and we do as well. Even $1000 a year for the future is a good start for them.

  41. andrea amy
    August 23, 2015 / 3:05 pm

    No we don’t, we can not afford it unfortunately and don’t qualify for Canadian Learning bond.

  42. Carol M
    August 23, 2015 / 3:19 pm

    No kids, so no, but have RRSPs

  43. H Stein
    August 23, 2015 / 3:30 pm

    Kids and RESPs.

  44. Monique L.S.
    August 23, 2015 / 3:42 pm

    We do have an RESP for my daughter. We put money in from every pay cheque and the government baby bonus to. Hopefully it will help my daughter when she is older.

  45. Patrick Siu
    August 23, 2015 / 3:47 pm

    Yes we have RESP.

  46. stacey dempsey
    August 23, 2015 / 4:40 pm

    I dont have one, I never have had enough extra money to do that

  47. melissa finn
    August 23, 2015 / 4:47 pm

    We do have one but it is very small!

  48. Jenn
    August 23, 2015 / 4:56 pm

    Yes, we have RESPs.

  49. Lorrie Coleman
    August 23, 2015 / 5:55 pm

    No I don’t I live on a limited income so I don’t have money to put into one

  50. Janet M
    August 23, 2015 / 6:14 pm

    Yes, it is a good way to save for university.

  51. Shelley N
    August 23, 2015 / 6:17 pm

    We have RESPs for both of our sons and we started them when they were small. Our eldest is going to university this year and I am so thankful that we did the forced saving of an RESP plus we took advantage of free government money.

  52. Brian E
    August 23, 2015 / 6:26 pm

    I didn’t know I could afford it.

  53. angela m
    August 23, 2015 / 6:26 pm

    No we don’t have one right now.. didn’t have the extra money

  54. Susan M
    August 23, 2015 / 6:33 pm

    No kids, so no need!

  55. Belinda McNabb
    August 23, 2015 / 6:42 pm

    I do have an RESP for my son.So glad I did it!

  56. Francine
    August 23, 2015 / 6:54 pm

    no kids, so no

  57. josephine evans
    August 23, 2015 / 6:59 pm

    I do have an RESP, i think it is very important.

  58. August 23, 2015 / 7:01 pm

    I don’t have a child yet so no need.

  59. Kim K
    August 23, 2015 / 7:36 pm

    Unfortunately not. I was under the impression if the child decided not to go to higher education then there would be a loss of funds.

  60. maria
    August 23, 2015 / 8:09 pm

    I don’t as i don’t have kids yet.

  61. dawn walsh
    August 23, 2015 / 8:09 pm

    no i dont have one why because i dont have the money

  62. Jeffrey Rossnagel
    August 23, 2015 / 8:14 pm

    Yes we do!

  63. Brian Wheatley
    August 23, 2015 / 8:30 pm

    No I don’t, I spend all my money on the necessities.

  64. William Deaffie
    August 23, 2015 / 9:11 pm

    I do. Was one of the first things I did once the kids were born. School is expensive. Plus the free money from the government doesnt hurt.

  65. Huguette E.
    August 23, 2015 / 10:19 pm

    No I haven’t, money just wasn’t there.

  66. zahra p
    August 23, 2015 / 10:20 pm

    I don’t yet

  67. Holly MacRitchie
    August 23, 2015 / 10:37 pm

    Yes I have a RESP

  68. Amy C
    August 23, 2015 / 10:53 pm

    I can’t afford them

  69. Jolie
    August 23, 2015 / 11:39 pm

    I do have RRSP and I contribute on a yearly basis.

  70. Josh S
    August 24, 2015 / 12:34 am

    Not yet. I need to get on this.

  71. Rebby
    August 24, 2015 / 12:37 am

    Yes I have an RESP

  72. Michelle Policelli
    August 24, 2015 / 12:57 am

    I don’t have RESP because i do not have any kids yet.

  73. Kam
    August 24, 2015 / 4:47 am

    We have one because it’s important for our little one’s future!

  74. kathy thorn
    August 24, 2015 / 7:51 am

    My daughter has an RESP for her children. Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with CD when I had my daughter, so I had no chance to save money for her education.

  75. Rachael Bhardwaj
    August 24, 2015 / 8:05 am

    I dont, haven’t really thought about it, not sure if I have the funds to do so.

  76. Juliee Fitze
    August 24, 2015 / 8:19 am

    No just never had any extra money for one.

  77. Julie
    August 24, 2015 / 8:20 am

    We finally took the plunge a couple of yrs ago and opened an RESP, now we just have to make sure we keep contributing! It’s hard but so important!

  78. Cady Bisschop
    August 24, 2015 / 9:01 am

    We have RESP’s for the kids through Scotiabank!

  79. JOY
    August 24, 2015 / 9:01 am

    we do not – never got around to it!

  80. travis
    August 24, 2015 / 9:09 am

    yes, since my daughter was a few months old

  81. Erica Seaman
    August 24, 2015 / 9:24 am

    no I don’t, have been putting into RRSP, can’t save enough for both.

  82. August 24, 2015 / 9:46 am

    Yes since my first son was born

  83. thomas rusinak
    August 24, 2015 / 9:48 am

    retired…have to be careful with the income

  84. Bo Simms
    August 24, 2015 / 10:15 am

    No, I don’t have a RESP. I have not gotten around to doing it yet but it’s something that is important to do.

  85. Kevin
    August 24, 2015 / 10:23 am

    No I don’t have an RESP but I would like to start one for my grandson!

  86. Peter B.
    August 24, 2015 / 10:28 am

    No, I don’t have one…just never not enough income…

  87. Jason
    August 24, 2015 / 10:32 am

    No I did not have a RESP setup for me by my parents because they were not around back than. But they are a great.

  88. Leah
    August 24, 2015 / 10:33 am

    I do. I think it’s very important to start eary

  89. Kathleen Roffey
    August 24, 2015 / 10:34 am

    I do

  90. John C
    August 24, 2015 / 10:55 am

    Not yet, but planning to start soon.

  91. Kristian Weavers
    August 24, 2015 / 11:14 am

    Yes we do

  92. Linda Fast
    August 24, 2015 / 11:19 am

    I do not have any RESP’s because I do not have the money to invest.

  93. Mike
    August 24, 2015 / 11:25 am

    yes – started them for both kids

  94. seham merzib
    August 24, 2015 / 11:33 am

    I dont, but the oldest both have jobs and are saving

  95. Marlene V (Enelram)
    August 24, 2015 / 11:41 am

    We didn’t have RESPs for the kids. We now have 2 children that are in University and we are having to use our savings to pay for their tuition. I wish we didn’t have some RESPs!

  96. lori b
    August 24, 2015 / 11:59 am

    we didn’t have the option when my kids were smaller. school is expensive

  97. intellix
    August 24, 2015 / 12:11 pm

    I got the letter for Canada Learning Bond when my daughter was born but I thought I had to contribute monthly to be eligible for those Canada government contributions. Didn’t know it was free. I will definitely look into it now.

  98. Nicole Jubleew
    August 24, 2015 / 12:27 pm

    Yes we have one.

  99. M
    August 24, 2015 / 12:39 pm

    Yes we have an RESP

  100. margaux retrophiliac
    August 24, 2015 / 12:48 pm

    i don’t and i never thought about it

  101. Emily Collins
    August 24, 2015 / 12:54 pm

    No children yet, so no RESP but I didn’t know about this option so I’ll be looking into it more now!

  102. Gillian Morgan
    August 24, 2015 / 1:01 pm

    We have RESP’s.

  103. kristen visser
    August 24, 2015 / 1:02 pm

    We do not but it is something we would like to set up at some point

  104. Krista M
    August 24, 2015 / 1:10 pm

    I don’t have one yet due to financial strain the past few years, but it’s one of our family’s main priorities in the next 5 years. I am making more money currently so it’s a possibility for us now.

  105. pj
    August 24, 2015 / 1:26 pm

    We haven’t done it. Will do it if we can scrape even a little money together cause it’s such a great idea.

  106. Debbie Browne
    August 24, 2015 / 1:36 pm

    I had an RESP with an investment broker. It lost money because they charge fees and more fees, and the investment relies on the market. Your bank will set up an RESP, NO FEES and your investment will be at least face value.

  107. Robyn Bellefleur
    August 24, 2015 / 1:43 pm

    I don’t have one yet and really should. I haven’t got one yet just due to not having time to do it nor the means.

  108. Ana S
    August 24, 2015 / 2:18 pm

    I do have an RESP for my kid.

  109. Edith Rennes
    August 24, 2015 / 2:34 pm

    I don’t…not interested in having any

  110. Mellisa Louise
    August 24, 2015 / 2:47 pm

    Always looking for good ways to save money.

  111. Carole B.
    August 24, 2015 / 2:55 pm

    No i don’t have, maybe someday.

  112. Ira
    August 24, 2015 / 3:14 pm

    Yes we do!

  113. Susan T
    August 24, 2015 / 3:44 pm

    Yes, I do

  114. August 24, 2015 / 4:03 pm

    Yes we do and my oldest will hopefully be using it in the next year.

  115. Florence C
    August 24, 2015 / 4:07 pm

    No not yet but thinking about it.

  116. Josee b
    August 24, 2015 / 4:12 pm

    Yes I do

  117. Cathy Oppedisano
    August 24, 2015 / 4:41 pm

    I don’t have an RESP because I don’t have children.

  118. lynn clayton
    August 24, 2015 / 5:07 pm

    I HAVE A REGISTERED DISABILITY SAVINGS PLAN VERRY SIMILLAT BUT FOR KIDS WITH DISABILITIES

  119. FREDERIC BROWN
    August 24, 2015 / 5:38 pm

    I do not have one and am recently retired

  120. Cheryl
    August 24, 2015 / 6:04 pm

    We sure do!! Best to start early 🙂

  121. Tabby72
    August 24, 2015 / 6:39 pm

    We set up an RESP right away for our daughter! It’s a smart move if you can do it.

  122. August 24, 2015 / 6:47 pm

    I have an RESP for my son. It is important to save for your children’s education.

  123. Leanne Cobbledick
    August 24, 2015 / 7:13 pm

    I don’t. Never seemed to have a little extra to put away.

  124. Piroska
    August 24, 2015 / 8:21 pm

    I don’t have one, but do want to set up one soon for my granddaughter.

  125. Jonnie
    August 24, 2015 / 8:38 pm

    Yes we are RESPs for our kids

  126. Donna Lyn.
    August 24, 2015 / 8:46 pm

    No RESP yet as no kids

  127. Wendy Hutton
    August 24, 2015 / 9:01 pm

    I don;t have one and its because I don’t have small kids to save for

  128. Heather Swanson
    August 24, 2015 / 9:18 pm

    no my money was cleared out on me

  129. Mark V
    August 24, 2015 / 10:06 pm

    Yes I have an resp

  130. Nancy J Montgomery
    August 24, 2015 / 10:55 pm

    No. Don’t need one.

  131. christine nunes
    August 24, 2015 / 11:09 pm

    No I do not

  132. Thomas Kwan
    August 24, 2015 / 11:13 pm

    Yes, we do for theie best education.

  133. Valerie Gibson
    August 25, 2015 / 12:00 am

    We did have RESPs for our children.

  134. Darwin
    August 25, 2015 / 12:29 am

    Yes, we do have RESP set up for our kids

  135. KittyPride
    August 25, 2015 / 1:36 am

    I do not, I do not completely understand how it works or why children need a social security number to initiate.

  136. Julie R.
    August 25, 2015 / 2:12 am

    My kids have RESP’s .

  137. Bryan
    August 25, 2015 / 2:48 am

    Not yet

  138. Kris L
    August 25, 2015 / 5:02 am

    Nope, dont have any kids, and dont plan on having any

  139. DianeG
    August 25, 2015 / 6:47 am

    Yes, I do.

  140. Pam
    August 25, 2015 / 7:25 am

    yes we do have an resp but I wish I had started it sooner.

  141. Nicole B
    August 25, 2015 / 7:45 am

    Yes we do for both kids thanks to the grandparents. Instead of sending gifts they contribute to that.

  142. Janet P.
    August 25, 2015 / 10:42 am

    We do not but are planning to.

  143. Jana L.
    August 25, 2015 / 11:10 am

    Not yet. We really should get on that

  144. nicolthepickle
    August 25, 2015 / 11:23 am

    We don’t. Partly because we’re just not that organized and partly because I think Canadian education is pretty lousy.

  145. Jennifer i
    August 25, 2015 / 12:01 pm

    We have RESP s for both of our boys sadly they probably won’t add up to much by the time they need them but at least it is a start!

  146. Suzi
    August 25, 2015 / 12:40 pm

    I do not have one because I do not need one at this point in life.

  147. Lisa Neutel
    August 25, 2015 / 1:29 pm

    i dont have any RESPs because i never have any extra money to put into it

  148. David Gibb
    August 25, 2015 / 1:34 pm

    we are going to have one for the kids

  149. August 25, 2015 / 2:03 pm

    yes. b/c we’re going to put into savings anyways, might as well put away into RESP. if kids don’t go to school, no loss!

  150. August 25, 2015 / 4:27 pm

    Don’t have one yet but hope to start one this year

  151. August 25, 2015 / 4:34 pm

    Wouldn’t it have been great if my parents had the money for one? 🙁

  152. Tara Dreger
    August 25, 2015 / 5:31 pm

    Yes we have a family RESP!

  153. August 25, 2015 / 5:56 pm

    It is tied to their SIN because most of your banking stuff is (credit cards, credit report, and school loans) Your SIN will never change even if your name does.

  154. Karrie Cheung
    August 25, 2015 / 6:02 pm

    I don’t actually…never really thought about it, to be honest.

  155. Sue N.
    August 25, 2015 / 8:01 pm

    I would love to win. No we don’t have an RESP. cant afford it. Kids are grown up.

  156. Tammy Dalley
    August 25, 2015 / 9:30 pm

    I dont have one but thinking about it

  157. Kristine Ewald
    August 25, 2015 / 11:57 pm

    WE started an account

  158. Michelle K
    August 26, 2015 / 12:15 pm

    I do but started late

  159. Victoria Ess
    August 26, 2015 / 12:33 pm

    We don’t have kids yet but we would open RESPs if we did.

  160. Shawn G
    August 26, 2015 / 2:38 pm

    Nope, didn’t know enough about them before now.

  161. Tamara M
    August 26, 2015 / 3:53 pm

    I started RESP’s for my kids recently, I did it because of inflation. By the time my kids are in college or university, education costs will be so much higher!

  162. Don R
    August 26, 2015 / 3:57 pm

    I have started one for my son, and I hope to support his education as much as possible. I had to take student loans for my own education, and $40,000 was difficult to pay back!

  163. aarone mawdsley
    August 26, 2015 / 4:40 pm

    I do not but i should

  164. Kim M
    August 26, 2015 / 7:20 pm

    No RESP and no kids

  165. Logan M
    August 26, 2015 / 10:24 pm

    dont have an resp yet however its mostly because i dont have kids! as soon as i do i will have the best resp available for them!

  166. l p
    August 27, 2015 / 12:06 am

    yes. thanks

  167. Rachel C.
    August 27, 2015 / 4:57 am

    I do not yet have an RESP, but it’s definitely on my radar. Since moving across the country last year and buying a house, we just haven’t had the means to get that in order yet!

  168. August 27, 2015 / 12:50 pm

    Yes, we have 2 actually, one for each of our kids!

  169. August 27, 2015 / 5:19 pm

    I don’t but I plan on getting one for my granddaughter

  170. Julia
    August 27, 2015 / 5:28 pm

    Don’t have kids yet but i will get one for them, I had one and it really helped me thru university

  171. KellyPC
    August 27, 2015 / 9:16 pm

    We don’t because we don’t have any kids, w have nieces & nephews though!

  172. Jelly
    August 28, 2015 / 8:53 am

    Nope; never had the time to make and RESP.

  173. August 28, 2015 / 10:04 am

    No, we couldn’t afford it. Although I do have a couple small canada savings bonds.

  174. August 28, 2015 / 10:30 am

    I have one for my son.

  175. Diana Z
    August 28, 2015 / 11:29 am

    I have not simply because I have not known enough about them.

  176. Jessica Jaffey
    August 28, 2015 / 12:19 pm

    I totally agree with the importance of lifelong learning, and am currently trying to figure out which career path to follow next. I have two young boys, and we tried to do the RESP thing, but got screwed by Heritage. If we’re ever financially able to try again, we’d definitely go through the bank next time.

  177. Sunshine G
    August 29, 2015 / 1:28 am

    We opened one for my daughter when she was a newborn.

  178. ann
    August 29, 2015 / 1:09 pm

    no, because I don’t have kids

  179. Karen Thaeter
    August 29, 2015 / 4:11 pm

    yes grown up kids and no , we never had enough money for this

  180. Tricia Hope
    August 29, 2015 / 4:32 pm

    My kids have all used theirs so I am saving for grand kids!

  181. Danielle Nantau
    August 29, 2015 / 5:14 pm

    Yes! My daughter will have the majority of her schooling paid for 🙂

  182. Bailey Dexter
    August 29, 2015 / 5:32 pm

    I had one for my daughter now I am getting one for my grandson!

  183. Sarah Stickney
    August 29, 2015 / 8:55 pm

    my son has two

  184. selma90
    August 30, 2015 / 3:21 am

    I don’t have kids, but when I do I will definitely consider it!

  185. Doreen Lamoureux
    August 30, 2015 / 6:22 am

    My husband did for his son. Paid for his college. sweet

  186. Daryl
    August 30, 2015 / 6:40 am

    No, Reason is I do not have kids.

  187. Michael Hurst
    August 30, 2015 / 8:16 am

    I am in a situation, where I have a very limited income so for those reasons I have no retirement funds saved todate.

  188. Christine
    August 30, 2015 / 9:44 am

    Yes! Thanks for this contest!

  189. tammy ta
    August 30, 2015 / 11:16 am

    Yes I do have a RESP for my two boys-started it when my first was born

  190. Katherine Dubreuil
    August 30, 2015 / 11:40 am

    I didn’t because I was leery of them. Wish I would have.

  191. tanyab79
    August 30, 2015 / 2:08 pm

    I don’t have one since I don’t currently have any children to save up for.

  192. KELLY E
    August 30, 2015 / 2:52 pm

    Yes I have a RESP

  193. August 30, 2015 / 2:55 pm

    I did and used to towards my son’s school

  194. Alana
    August 30, 2015 / 6:27 pm

    I don’t have aRESP

  195. Nathen Bailey
    August 30, 2015 / 8:09 pm

    I do not 🙁

  196. Debbie F
    August 30, 2015 / 9:50 pm

    Yes we have a RESP for my husband’s daughter.

  197. Edmond
    August 30, 2015 / 10:08 pm

    OMG, do not have it. 🙁 Wow, prize $50 gc is fab. & splendid. 2 fingers snap. It is tight, fly & off the chain. Thank you for the awesomeness, the contest, and generosity. 🙂 Pick me, pick me! Dear Santa: I’ve been nice. My X-Mas wish this year is to win this contest. Starving artist here desperately needs the gc to shop and eat. A life changing exp.

  198. Lois Tobias
    August 31, 2015 / 7:19 am

    I am 82 and using my RRSP’s (now called RIFS)– we didn’t have money to use for my kid’s education. But we muddled through.

  199. Solly Shwaba
    August 31, 2015 / 12:56 pm

    Yes I do have RESP for my kids. Than you.

  200. Jennifer
    August 31, 2015 / 10:58 pm

    I haven’t opened one for my 9 month old because I’m waiting to get his last name changed before bothering. I have money put aside for one, though!

  201. Yuen C
    August 31, 2015 / 11:37 pm

    Yes we have a RESP

  202. Brenda Witherspoon-Bedard
    September 1, 2015 / 9:25 pm

    we do have an RESP

  203. Elaine Buonsante
    September 2, 2015 / 1:25 am

    I opened an RESP for my granddaughter this year.

  204. September 2, 2015 / 1:39 am

    yes I do for both my kids!

  205. Theresa Black
    September 2, 2015 / 1:46 pm

    I do for both of my kids as well. We started as soon as they were born.

  206. jan
    September 2, 2015 / 2:00 pm

    we did and loved the free money added to it.

  207. Carey Hurst
    September 2, 2015 / 11:46 pm

    I don’t have one no, and the reason I don’t is BC I don’t agree with the terms of an RESP.
    I don’t think it is right that you lose the money if you don’t use it for school purposes.. Just from what I have read I find it to be a bit shady from my personal perspective anyway.

  208. BlessedTA
    September 3, 2015 / 9:21 am

    I don’t because there is no need for it.

  209. Eldon L
    September 3, 2015 / 2:08 pm

    Yes we have one

  210. Jo B
    September 3, 2015 / 7:06 pm

    Kids grown but looking into it for the grandkids.

  211. Suzanne G
    September 3, 2015 / 8:58 pm

    My kids are grown, however I have grandchildren so I will definitely tell my daughter about this article.

  212. Bethany Gallinger
    September 4, 2015 / 12:43 am

    I don’t have an RESP. I don’t have kids.

  213. Jenn C
    September 4, 2015 / 5:23 am

    Yes Opened right at birth. My Eldest is Off for his First Year on Uni I know the RESP that has accrued I wish My parents did that for me when I was a kid

  214. Treen Goodwin
    September 4, 2015 / 1:34 pm

    No i don’t have one , i have been told about them , but never looked into it , i am to poor as well ! my kids are grown and left the nest 🙂

  215. KC
    September 4, 2015 / 7:08 pm

    I do not. No kids.

  216. September 5, 2015 / 2:38 am

    Very generous of you Aneta! Fingerz’, Noze, Eyez’ n’ toez’ crossed!

  217. Betty S
    September 6, 2015 / 6:45 am

    I currently do not have an RESP, but would start one when I can

  218. Louanne Baelde
    September 6, 2015 / 1:48 pm

    We do not have one at this time, just can’t do it at the moment.

  219. Lori L.
    September 7, 2015 / 5:59 pm

    Yes, we have RESPs for all 5 of our daughters. Glad we made the decision to open one when they were young!

  220. Alexa Nernberg
    September 7, 2015 / 7:53 pm

    No, I do not have a RESP. Timing was never right where I felt that I could afford to put money towards one.

  221. roger simmons
    September 7, 2015 / 10:24 pm

    We dont have an RESP for our children but my wife saves their money turning a nickel into a dollar with her thriftiness.

  222. Lee-Ann Jeffrey
    September 7, 2015 / 10:32 pm

    I contribute to my nephews. Didn’t have one for my daughter.

  223. Sunshine H
    September 8, 2015 / 1:48 am

    DD does have one, and in the next few weeks I am going to start with a monthly contribution. It may be small right now ($10/month), but every little bit counts.

  224. David S
    September 8, 2015 / 8:02 pm

    Yes we do!

  225. Karine
    September 9, 2015 / 9:01 am

    Not yet as I just came out of school!

  226. Lindsay T
    September 9, 2015 / 10:49 pm

    Yes we have a family RESP for my girls.

  227. Shelley Hickey
    September 10, 2015 / 8:12 am

    My parents opened RESPs for both my kids. My eldest has graduated high school and has no ambition to further his education at this time. My youngest is just starting high school and has some aspirations, so hope he uses his RESPs.

  228. Ally G
    September 11, 2015 / 6:31 pm

    We do not have an RESP yet, but it is something that we need to do. No more procrastination!

  229. yvonne
    September 11, 2015 / 9:57 pm

    I have an RESP for my daughter because by the time she finishes post secondary I do not want her to be in debt.

  230. Amber Y
    September 11, 2015 / 10:25 pm

    We don’t have an resp set up. we have a lot of other debts we’re trying to pay off and it’s hard to put the money aside.

  231. Laurie W.
    September 12, 2015 / 12:05 pm

    I do not have an RESP because when my children were younger I just didn’t have the money to set aside…and now they are 19 and 16 so I can’t.

  232. Colleen Rose
    September 12, 2015 / 9:44 pm

    No I don’t have any children

  233. September 12, 2015 / 10:17 pm

    We opened up an RESP for The Kids before they were one week old. My parents saved for my education and it made a huge difference to my future success.

    Besos Sarah.

  234. Kim G.
    September 12, 2015 / 11:49 pm

    Yes, we do have an RESP

  235. September 13, 2015 / 3:14 am

    I will advise my firend swith youngsters to apply for one.

  236. jane kramer
    September 13, 2015 / 12:24 pm

    we have one for each of our 3 kids , and we love it

  237. Rhonda W G.
    September 13, 2015 / 9:42 pm

    zNo minor children for the need!

  238. Alison K
    September 13, 2015 / 10:37 pm

    I do not have a RESP because I don’t have any children close to me

  239. September 14, 2015 / 9:53 am

    We do $10 a month for each of ours starting October 1. Any little bit counts 🙂

  240. mrdisco
    September 26, 2015 / 12:59 pm

    the learning bond sounds like an interesting product