Savings and Investments
On August 15, 2026, the Philippine Centre Canada welcomed community members to Bayview Yards for Workshop #4 of our Financial Literacy Series, focused on Savings and Investments.
Facilitated by Charito M. Babol , CPA, CGA, PCC Treasurer, the interactive session provided participants with clear, actionable strategies to grow their wealth, navigate tax structures, and build a secure financial future.
Participants explored key concepts, including:
The Wealth Formula & Compounding: Understanding how money, time, rate of return, and inflation impact long-term financial growth.
Tax Strategies & Account Types: Navigating Tax Now, Tax Later (RRSP/RRIF), and Tax-Advantaged accounts (TFSA, FHSA) to minimize tax drag.
Savings vs. Investments: Balancing low-risk, short-term savings with growth-oriented, long-term investments like stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and segregated funds.
Registered Canadian Accounts: Key features, eligibility rules, and contribution limits for RRSPs, TFSAs, FHSAs, RESPs, and RDSPs.
Building a Balanced Strategy: Evaluating primary homeownership, pensions, and life insurance benefits alongside investment portfolios to protect assets and pass wealth onto future generations.
Throughout the session, attendees actively engaged in discussions, asked insightful questions about navigating Canadian registered accounts, and exchanged personal experiences.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with every participant who answered saying they would attend another workshop and recommend the series to others. Asked what they liked most, attendees pointed to "how detailed the investment part was," the "practical information," and the clear "explanation about investing."
Participants also came away with concrete takeaways. Several named "the importance of registered investment accounts in Canada," "saving for retirement & investment types," and "investment platforms and the registered & non-registered accounts." Others highlighted "probate / beneficiary designation / insurance," including the "72 rule," and "all the types of investments and savings plans." For one attendee, the session came down to "financial knowledge and how to be financially stable," and they left "looking forward to… even modify my current financial plan."
A heartfelt thank you to Charito M. Babol for generously sharing her knowledge and guidance, and to everyone who attended and contributed to another successful session!
Special thanks to the Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Government of Ontario, which funds our Financial Literacy Workshop Series and helps make free, accessible financial education available to our community.
We look forward to seeing you at our next community event!