Home With Aneta Alaei

Smart SAVER: Inspiring Our Kids to Chat About Their Future

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When it comes to schooling and careers for my kids I am pretty adamant about my kids thinking about them now. It is never too early and although we know that the actual careers and route they will take is fluid at this point we revisit the topic often.

I found that sitting them down and having “the talk” about what they want to be when they grow up is often met with much resistance. Instead we try to incorporate it through a natural conversation. If there is one way to deter my kids from liking something is to say I like it too, so we usually just try and listen and guide the convo along.

My kids like to open up when the atmosphere is light. Sometimes that means we have to call them down for a 10 pm snack because food is a great ice-breaker. So is any excuse to stay up late I find. Maybe it’s the fact that they are half asleep or that they are remembering things they forgot to tell us after school but they speak freely.

When they tell us they like something or are enjoying a subject at school we use it as a segue into possible careers they could do. When my son talks feverishly about his love of Nerf and wanting to start a Youtube channel we tell him he could one day take his passion and make a career out of it. When my daughter is playing doctor we gently remind her what a rewarding career that could be.

We try to be realistic with them as well. When our oldest tells us that he wants to be a basketball player we remind him that he also needs an education to fall back on. Putting all of your eggs in one basket is not something I encourage. I don’t tell my children they are the best at something simply because I know they are not. Better they have a realistic view on life and not an inflated ego.

They are taught that hard work and working through the obstacles will ultimately pay off in the end. They know that careers that are available today may very well not be available in 15 years when they are going to be done school, and that works for their benefit. Because building robots that can help film an epic Nerf Battle in live action or perform surgery on a patient that needs it is completely possible for the class of 2021.

AND we remind them every chance we can that we are rooting for them, by having RESP’s set up for all of them. If they can dream it then they can do it, because we believe that they can.

Smart SAVER, Canada Learning Bond and Access to Free Money

Last week I got a message from a girlfriend saying thank you for letting her know about the Canada Learning Bond because they just deposited the money into her kids RESP accounts. I still remember telling her about the program and she thought she wouldn’t qualify because of the household income, but she did.

The government of Canada will give you up to $2000 per child for free to put towards their education. All you need to do is head over to the SmartSAVER’s “How To Start” page and get the application rolling. You can do the majority of applying for an RESP and Canada Learning Bond in 10 minutes per child and it is FREE. If you would like some more information on the Canada Learning Bond you can find it here. Please note not all banking institutions and credit unions offer this at this time. You do not have to have an account with an institution to open and RESP with your child there. You don’t have to put money in monthly if it’s not feasible right now, you will still qualify for FREE money from the government. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by believing in your child before they even know what they want to do.

You can find out more about SmartSAVER here and also connect with SmartSAVER on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to stay up to date.




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I am working with SmartSAVER on this post. All opinions are my own.
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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158 Comments

  2. Tainan Lu
    October 4, 2016 / 1:54 am

    To be honest, I don’t completely understand RESPs after watching the video but I would like to learn more about that.

  3. Aarone Mawdsley
    October 4, 2016 / 2:28 am

    it looks useful

  4. missbobloblaw
    October 4, 2016 / 2:31 am

    The process sounds simple enough once you get started!

  5. lori b
    October 4, 2016 / 3:18 am

    love how this looks simple

  6. stacey dempsey
    October 4, 2016 / 4:55 am

    The video was very straightforward and easy to understand and the process sounds very easy

  7. stacey dempsey
    October 4, 2016 / 4:57 am

    The video was very straightforward and easy to understand. The process sounds very easy and who dosent love free money for school

  8. stacey dempsey
    October 4, 2016 / 4:58 am

    I am trying to leave a comment but it keeps saying it is a duplicate and wont let me?

  9. Cloe St-Amour
    October 4, 2016 / 6:10 am

    Still dont quite know 100% how they work, but im getting there!

  10. Carol M
    October 4, 2016 / 8:04 am

    Sounds like a pretty simple process and who doesn’t love free money.

  11. naiddia p
    October 4, 2016 / 8:21 am

    It is a very simple process and easy to open a RESP for your kids.

  12. loriag
    October 4, 2016 / 8:32 am

    I think everyone should start this, $2000 free is awesome!

  13. Jerry B
    October 4, 2016 / 8:51 am

    Seems simple

  14. Debbie Bashford
    October 4, 2016 / 8:59 am

    looks easy enough

  15. BrianE
    October 4, 2016 / 9:29 am

    That’s good parenting advice!

  16. angela m
    October 4, 2016 / 9:36 am

    It seems very simple and easy to do

  17. Michelle K
    October 4, 2016 / 9:52 am

    Seems pretty easy

  18. Alayne Langford
    October 4, 2016 / 10:14 am

    I watched the video and of course it sounds amazing! Would I also be a candidate for the Smart Saver program if I opened the RESP for my grand daughters?

  19. Judy Cowan
    October 4, 2016 / 10:16 am

    I think it looks like an easy process and something all parents should consider looking into!

  20. Jeannie Lam
    October 4, 2016 / 10:20 am

    I think the process looks really easy!

  21. Gillian Morgan
    October 4, 2016 / 10:22 am

    I think the process sounds pretty simple. Not at all what I thought it would be like.

  22. Cheryl
    October 4, 2016 / 10:28 am

    Wow, seems so easy! Thought it was more difficult

  23. Maritess
    October 4, 2016 / 10:31 am

    That was really easy and very informative

  24. spamgirl
    October 4, 2016 / 10:39 am

    Wow, the process seems really simple. I thought it would take a lot more effort and time, I’m pleasantly surprised!

  25. Aneta Alaei
    Author
    October 4, 2016 / 10:39 am

    I think one person can apply so if your kids don’t do it I believe you can.

  26. Jolie
    October 4, 2016 / 10:55 am

    It’s a very simple and straightforward process.

  27. Tara Betterley
    October 4, 2016 / 11:30 am

    I have already started RESPs for my kids 15 years ago. It is amazing how easy it is now to start. I think parents need to understand the differences – alot has changed since we started the process.

  28. Diana
    October 4, 2016 / 11:31 am

    Sounds simple but why does it say it takes 10 minutes

  29. Christine Murray
    October 4, 2016 / 11:33 am

    The video helped explain the process a little more. Thank you.

  30. Eschelle Westwood
    October 4, 2016 / 11:54 am

    Always found the reps language hard to wrap.my head around lol

  31. bojac
    October 4, 2016 / 12:16 pm

    free money? I’m skeptical.

  32. LILLIAN BROWN
    October 4, 2016 / 12:21 pm

    easy to understand and the grandchildren are registered already

  33. Florence C
    October 4, 2016 / 12:35 pm

    I love that it is easy to understand.

  34. edmontonjb
    October 4, 2016 / 12:56 pm

    It sounds really easy. The hardest part is probably getting a SIN for your child but even that’s easy and great to already have it for when they’re older.

    ~Jonnie

  35. Sarah De Diego
    October 4, 2016 / 1:00 pm

    No only does the video make it look easy but from personal experience, I KNOW that it’s that easy. Thank you so much for sharing this information with us.

    Besos, Sarah
    Journeys of The Zoo

  36. Melissa F
    October 4, 2016 / 1:18 pm

    As the video shows it is so easy to get started on an RESP! Love how you can access free money to help boost your childs savings!

  37. Janet M
    October 4, 2016 / 1:41 pm

    I like the graphics and the unicorn. The process of ten minutes is very easy.

  38. Kay Burke
    October 4, 2016 / 1:59 pm

    Good ideas to get children to buy into the savings process of saving for their education via RESP

  39. lyndac1968
    October 4, 2016 / 2:18 pm

    It seems pretty straightforward and easy to do, I would love to do something like this for my granddaughter!!

  40. Soozle
    October 4, 2016 / 3:02 pm

    The process seems very easy for anyone to do!

  41. Caroline
    October 4, 2016 / 3:46 pm

    The process is easy and a great way to save money for your child’s education.

  42. Cherin McKenzie
    October 4, 2016 / 4:25 pm

    Free money for education is always a good thing. Thanks

  43. ivy pluchinsky
    October 4, 2016 / 5:28 pm

    I like that the process sounds simple enough!

  44. Kevin B
    October 4, 2016 / 6:04 pm

    Like that it will take less than 10 minutes

  45. Joyce S
    October 4, 2016 / 7:04 pm

    pretty straightforward!

  46. jennie
    October 4, 2016 / 7:49 pm

    I thought it was a great way to have extra money for college, b/c by the time they get that old sometimes there’s nothing left to pay for it. Every bit counts.

  47. min
    October 4, 2016 / 8:03 pm

    very interesting

  48. Caryn Coates
    October 4, 2016 / 8:07 pm

    I think the process is pretty simple and think all parents should really do it

  49. Erinn Lishman
    October 4, 2016 / 9:06 pm

    The video made the process seem pretty easy! It offers great advice for parents!

  50. butterflyamyc
    October 4, 2016 / 9:12 pm

    It was a very interesting video.

  51. Glogirl
    October 4, 2016 / 9:24 pm

    The process is much easier than I though it would be. I like that the process can be started online.

  52. Erica Seaman
    October 4, 2016 / 9:29 pm

    Makes is very easy to save for our children’s education.

  53. Donna L.
    October 4, 2016 / 11:05 pm

    The process seems easy and user friendly.

  54. Gary Smith
    October 4, 2016 / 11:20 pm

    An easy to understand and well explained video.

  55. Gary Smith
    October 4, 2016 / 11:22 pm

    A well explained and easily understandable video.

  56. John C
    October 4, 2016 / 11:29 pm

    The process definitely helping with financial literacy

  57. Clarence L
    October 4, 2016 / 11:31 pm

    Great video that summarizes the simplicity of the entire RESP process

  58. Alison G
    October 4, 2016 / 11:54 pm

    It looks easy and so worth doing.

  59. Tanis S
    October 5, 2016 / 12:25 am

    The video was easy to follow and explained how simple of a process it is!

  60. Silvia D
    October 5, 2016 / 4:11 am

    a very simple ,easy process for sure! Interesting!

  61. Kathleen Roffey
    October 5, 2016 / 7:25 am

    sounds simple enough

  62. Dave
    October 5, 2016 / 8:30 am

    Thanks. Looks easy!

  63. LILLIAN BROWN
    October 5, 2016 / 9:58 am

    seems to me like a very simple process and easy to open a RESP for your kids.

  64. kim
    October 5, 2016 / 10:20 am

    The process sounds simple and easy.

  65. nicole a
    October 5, 2016 / 10:28 am

    It seems really doable, I could do this!

  66. Carole b.
    October 5, 2016 / 10:52 am

    The process could worth a shot but lack of informations.

  67. Kathy Thorn
    October 5, 2016 / 11:04 am

    I like the fact that the government also contributes when you have an RESP

  68. Nicolthepickle (@Nicolthepickle)
    October 5, 2016 / 12:27 pm

    Well my first thought is to be concerned about the use of the words “free money”. There is no such thing as free money. Someone made that and the government wants to give it to me. I’m being honest here. Other than that I think it’s wonderful to save and earn money for education.

  70. michelle tremblett
    October 5, 2016 / 12:34 pm

    The process seems fairly direct and simple, something everyone should be taking advantage of for sure.

  71. kathy downey
    October 5, 2016 / 1:24 pm

    The process sounds simple enough,my kids are adults now but it’s great for the grandkids.Thanks so much for the info.

  72. Krista Miller
    October 5, 2016 / 1:38 pm

    I wasn’t aware I needed to get my child a social insurance number of their own to begin the process. So once that is completed the rest is very simple! Not mentioned in the video but there are also RDSP (not RESP but similar) for children with disabilities, too.

  73. Chanel
    October 5, 2016 / 1:40 pm

    This video makes it seem much less overwhelming 🙂

  74. Krista Miller (@MillerKrazy)
    October 5, 2016 / 1:41 pm

    I am logging in under twitter to see if my comment will go thru (it said duplicate comment?) I didn’t know I had to get my child a social insurance number but once that is complete the rest looks easy to do. Not mentioned in the video there are also RDSP (not RESP but similar) for children with disabilities, too.

  75. darrenbrownsite
    October 5, 2016 / 1:53 pm

    Great program that everybody should take advantage of for their children’s future.

  76. Darren Scrubb
    October 5, 2016 / 1:56 pm

    Process is simple and truly rewarding for sure.

  77. Sandra S
    October 5, 2016 / 2:49 pm

    Sounds simple and easy

  78. Patrick Siu
    October 5, 2016 / 3:35 pm

    The process seems very easy to do.

  79. kristen visser
    October 5, 2016 / 3:45 pm

    The video & process seems pretty straight forward but I am definitely going to be showing hubby the video when he gets home from work tonight

  80. Kim K
    October 5, 2016 / 3:48 pm

    It looks so simple to get started

  81. Juliee Fitze
    October 5, 2016 / 4:04 pm

    Sounds very easy and who doesn’t like free money.

  82. Alison Braidwood
    October 5, 2016 / 4:17 pm

    The video is a good idea for those who aren’t as computer savvy as some.

  83. josephine evans
    October 5, 2016 / 5:51 pm

    Great idea for sure! Very useful and easy to follow along.

  85. aliyadaya
    October 5, 2016 / 8:07 pm

    I like that I can do the entire process online, quickly, easily without having to deal with another person.

  86. aliyadaya
    October 5, 2016 / 8:09 pm

    I love that the SmartSaver process is all online; with my time constraints, its perfect.

  87. Heather Swanson
    October 5, 2016 / 8:13 pm

    cute graphics

  88. piroska
    October 5, 2016 / 8:18 pm

    Sounds like a simple process.

  89. Donnas
    October 5, 2016 / 8:25 pm

    The process is so easy.

  90. SarahJ
    October 5, 2016 / 8:41 pm

    Definitely easier than I thought it would be.

  91. Rachel Cryer
    October 5, 2016 / 9:04 pm

    It is a very simple process and easy to open a RESP for your kids.

  92. Cathy C
    October 5, 2016 / 9:35 pm

    It looks fairly easy to set up and a smart idea to save for your children.

  93. marie s
    October 5, 2016 / 9:44 pm

    very easy process from the video. not sure I like giving my social insurance online. I started one with my daughter and its crazy how much in a short time it has accumulated.

  94. marie s
    October 5, 2016 / 9:52 pm

    very easy to do except I don’t like giving a sin number online. we started one as soon as our daughter was born and its crazy how much it accumulates

  95. Wendy hutton
    October 5, 2016 / 10:12 pm

    it looks so easy and could be quite useful too

  96. Robyn Bellefleur
    October 5, 2016 / 10:43 pm

    The process seems easy enough.

  97. krysta d
    October 6, 2016 / 1:02 am

    Sounds like a really simple/ straightforward process!

  98. margo b
    October 6, 2016 / 7:02 am

    love the fact thats its really easy to do

  99. Julie
    October 6, 2016 / 9:07 am

    I love that it seems like such an easy, painless procedure to enter!

  100. Victoria Ess
    October 6, 2016 / 9:49 am

    It sounds very easy to get started!

  101. janinevan09
    October 6, 2016 / 10:56 am

    sounds super easy and cool 🙂

  102. Stephanie LaPlante
    October 6, 2016 / 10:59 am

    I love how simple it is and I really love that it’s FREE!

  103. Ira
    October 6, 2016 / 11:04 am

    It was easy. Though, we are not eligible for Learning Bond portion… 🙁

  104. Pam
    October 6, 2016 / 1:55 pm

    A very quick application process.

  105. photomum
    October 6, 2016 / 2:13 pm

    Its great to educate young children in the importance of saving money

  106. K Yee
    October 6, 2016 / 2:21 pm

    The process looks straightforward based on the video.

  107. Kim M
    October 6, 2016 / 2:37 pm

    Sounds easy to apply for.

  108. Kim M
    October 6, 2016 / 2:39 pm

    Setting up the program seems straight forward.

  109. Angela September
    October 6, 2016 / 2:52 pm

    It seems straightforward and not as complicated as I thought!

  110. ginette4
    October 6, 2016 / 5:09 pm

    Seems easy..a few simple steps and an resp is set up..love it

  112. dave
    October 6, 2016 / 8:47 pm

    looks good and easy

  113. Shannon
    October 6, 2016 / 9:28 pm

    the video makes it seem very simple and not intimidating

  114. Angie
    October 6, 2016 / 10:45 pm

    Wow really simple

  115. Sara Rai
    October 7, 2016 / 2:41 am

    Its easy to understand

  116. jan
    October 7, 2016 / 3:05 pm

    They have made it much more straightforward than it used to be!

  117. Jocelyne
    October 7, 2016 / 8:51 pm

    Thank you so much for that informative video. I will let my daughter know about this for the children.

  118. Tina L.
    October 7, 2016 / 9:40 pm

    The process seems simple

  119. Sunshine H
    October 7, 2016 / 9:50 pm

    It’s such a great program and so easy to sign up for.

  120. Nancy
    October 8, 2016 / 10:01 am

    It keeps it simple.

  121. MaryG
    October 8, 2016 / 10:02 am

    It sounds easy enough to set up and start saving. I have 6 kids im saving for so this could be handy.

  122. Mike Gismondi
    October 8, 2016 / 10:30 am

    I think it’s a great idea and sounds easy

  123. Stephanie
    October 8, 2016 / 2:36 pm

    It’s so easy and such a great idea! Everyone should open one up for their kids!

  124. Andrea
    October 8, 2016 / 2:50 pm

    Love how it looks so simple!

  125. Jordan O
    October 8, 2016 / 7:20 pm

    Seems pretty straight forward my daughter is 4 and I would love for her not to put herself through school on her own.

  126. Calvin F.
    October 8, 2016 / 9:05 pm

    Quite a quick and simple process.

  127. Jessica Bleasdale
    October 8, 2016 / 9:16 pm

    The process seems easy enough and worth it for our kids

  128. Jenn Erin
    October 8, 2016 / 10:42 pm

    I learned that the process is quick (under 10 mins) and easy.

  129. BobbiJo Pentney
    October 8, 2016 / 10:45 pm

    Everyone should be doing this.

  130. sarah alexis
    October 8, 2016 / 10:57 pm

    I learned that the government will chip in if you start saving for your kids education!!!

  131. aly3360
    October 9, 2016 / 8:41 am

    The process is much simpler than i thought it would be!

  132. Nicky
    October 9, 2016 / 2:00 pm

    It makes the process seem easier than I thought, and definitely worthwhile!

  133. Debbie S.
    October 9, 2016 / 3:25 pm

    The process looks very simple! Looks like a really great plan!

  134. Bailey Dexter
    October 9, 2016 / 6:03 pm

    The Start My RESP on SmartSAVER.org is very easy to understand as well as a page I booked marked to go back into to read more! This sounds like it would be a great fit for my family!

  135. Shane
    October 9, 2016 / 8:12 pm

    I was surprised to find out how easy it is to get started and i’m wondering why i hesitated at all

  136. Kim Hamilton
    October 10, 2016 / 9:46 am

    Nice and easy financial advice! Always a plus!

  138. Krista Miller (@MillerKrazy)
    October 10, 2016 / 1:29 pm

    The video has all the information I need & it’s a straightforward easy process. Just need to get my son his social insurance number first & then get the ball rolling!

  141. Anne-Marie Tvete
    October 10, 2016 / 6:41 pm

    Seems simple enough, even for me !

  142. marilyn green
    October 10, 2016 / 10:28 pm

    Looks easy enough

  143. Monique L.S.
    October 10, 2016 / 10:43 pm

    I think the process seems quite easy.

  144. DORIS HUMBER
    October 11, 2016 / 12:12 pm

    The process is great…I like the simplicity of it.

  145. DORIS HUMBER
    October 11, 2016 / 12:15 pm

    I liked the simplicity of the process.

  146. Sunshine G
    October 11, 2016 / 1:38 pm

    They’re definitely making the process as easy as possible to get a good uptake, which is good for our kids overall!

  147. leana
    October 11, 2016 / 3:33 pm

    I think it was full of good information and was easy!

  148. Rob F
    October 12, 2016 / 1:08 am

    It shows how easy the process is so there’s no excuse not to start.

  149. Elizabeth Vlug
    October 12, 2016 / 8:51 pm

    I love how easy the video makes this look. I guess it’s just a matter of doing it. Would consider for the grandkids.

  150. Lindsay T
    October 12, 2016 / 9:32 pm

    I think the process seems easy & straightforward.

  151. Brenda Penton
    October 13, 2016 / 9:24 am

    Sounds like an easy process. I thought you had to pay in to get free money. I am going to send this to a few friends.

  152. nancy2880
    October 13, 2016 / 2:22 pm

    Certainly seems easy to register.

  153. Janet P.
    October 13, 2016 / 4:34 pm

    I think it is an easy enough process. I don’t know why you wouldn’t get this. It seems like a great plan.

  154. Christine D
    October 13, 2016 / 8:22 pm

    I think it’s pretty straight forward but need a bit more explaining

  155. Laurie W.
    October 13, 2016 / 8:56 pm

    The process seems pretty straight forward.

  156. Ariel C
    October 14, 2016 / 1:40 am

    sounds easy !

  157. Linda
    October 14, 2016 / 5:24 am

    The process is very straightforward. I’m glad that RESPs are in reach of everyone.

  158. Marsha Arditti
    October 14, 2016 / 8:21 am

    sounds easy!