A look back at our favourite MoneyMinded stories in 2021

As we look back on 2021, we have to express it is a great year at LowestRates.ca. We wrote in regards to a lot of amazing individuals who shared their home-buying, money-managing and entrepreneurial adventures with us. Hopefully you loved them as much as we loved writing them.

Before we enter 2021, our team decided to take a trip down memory lane and pick our five favourite blog posts out of this year.

Young Money: This Toronto couple quit their jobs to start a moral business

Gelaine Santiago and Jér^ome Gagnon-Voyer are a remarkable duo. After dating for six years, they chose to do what most couples avoid doing – they entered business together. Their decision came after realizing they both wanted to pursue careers that were more meaningful than their current jobs, which is where Cambio Market, an online ethical retail business, was born. What sets Cambio Market aside from other businesses is that all their products come from ethical enterprises around the world and arises from their goods go towards an underlying cause. Gelaine and Jér^ome distributed to us their journey, including adjusting their lifestyle from two incomes to one, and finding out how to support each other in life as well as in business.

The Modern House Hunt: A long search, a dream house, along with a dying owner

“You're going to have to look at a minimum of 100 houses before you decide to get one.” Finding home of your dreams is stressful, and it is nearly impossible to find one that's able to check off all of your must-haves in your list. In Anna and Chris' case, they were in a position to buy a three bedroom house near Hamilton that they could fix-up to create their own – score. But, it included a catch: a dying owner living there until he passed. The pair shared with us the way they rented out the house for an indefinite amount of time towards the family therefore the owner could die in the home – which he eventually did. While they've finally settled in and upgraded their house, their home-buying experience was definitely unique.

Why I'll never go apartment hunting in Toronto again

Renting in Toronto is really a nightmare. Having a lack of rooms available and prices, it's enough to dishearten anyone searching. However, lack of occupancy and charges are just the start of a renter's stress, and when you read what this Torontonian continues to be through, it might convince you to rent anywhere apart from the 6ix. Lisa Coxon says she's had to deal with mice, cockroaches, sewage spills into her apartment and, the most disgusting, a guy masturbating outside her window. While she has finally found an $1800/month one-bedroom plus den to separate together with her boyfriend, she vows that whenever she moves again, it will not be into another devote Toronto.

As landlords profit from high prices, Toronto renters are scrambling for a spot to live

Have you been hit with the 60-day warning from your landlord this year? With high property prices, landlords are looking to sell, which is not so good news for tenants who must scramble to find new living arrangements. Quite often, Two months is not of sufficient length, which creates added stress for renters. We spoken with renters who have been victims of this situation, and for many, moving back in using their parents was your best option once the time ran out. As available units for rental are at a minimum, renters equate apartment hunting to job hunting – sending applications in rather than hearing back or just being rejected.

This Toronto woman traded the apartment life for a houseboat

Could you reside around the water? When we heard that Tashika Gomes and her partner traded their loft within the Junction to live on the boat five minutes from the CN Tower, we'd to listen to their story and learn about how they're adapting to their new lifestyle included. By living around the lake, their housing costs are about $1,000 per month, meaning they're paying almost $1,000 less per month than if they were living inside a Toronto condo. While she and her partner have experienced to get accustomed to residing in an inferior space, dealing with scary winters and worrying about potential boat damage, both of them agree the positives outweigh the negatives. They've learned new skills, convey more freedom with their time, and overall they feel like their life is more peaceful.

Do you have a favourite story out of this year? Are there topics you'd like to read more of? Tweet us. Merry Christmas!