Is it worth breaking a fixed-rate mortgage in 2026?
A lower rate doesn’t automatically mean you should break your mortgage. Here’s the break-even math that decides it — and the situations where staying put wins.
5 min read · September 3, 2026Guides, not guesses
CanadianCalc Blog
Plain-English guides to Canadian money decisions.
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10 guidesHousing & mortgages
Housing
Buying Strategies
Hidden closing costs every first-time Canadian homebuyer forgets
The down payment is only the start. From double land transfer tax in Toronto to title insurance and adjustments, here’s the 1.5–4% of the price most buyers don’t budget for.
5 min read · August 27, 2026
Mortgages
Mortgage Penalties in Canada: IRD vs Three Months’ Interest, Explained
How Canadian lenders calculate mortgage penalties: IRD vs three months’ interest, variable-rate penalties, and how to reduce what you pay.
7 min read · August 20, 2026
Housing
Renting vs Buying in Toronto: The Real Math
The 5% rule, opportunity cost of your down payment, CMHC insurance, double land transfer tax, and when buying actually wins.
8 min read · August 6, 2026
Closing costs
Ontario Land Transfer Tax: 2026 Guide + First-Time Buyer Rebates
Every provincial bracket, Toronto’s additional municipal tax, first-time buyer rebates, and a worked $800,000 example.
7 min read · July 30, 2026
Housing
How Much Mortgage Can You Afford in Ontario? (2026 Guide)
GDS 32%, TDS 40%, the mortgage stress test, and down payment tiers — the exact rules lenders use, with a worked $150K-income example.
6 min read · September 17, 2026Taxes & income
Taxes
Ontario Freelancers: How to calculate your CPP contributions under new rules
Self-employed Canadians pay both halves of CPP — 11.9% plus the newer 8% second tier. Here’s how the 2026 ceilings work, with worked examples at four income levels.
6 min read · July 23, 2026
Taxes
Freelancer Taxes in Ontario (2026): What You’ll Actually Owe
2026 federal and Ontario brackets, self-employed CPP, quarterly instalments, incorporating vs sole proprietor, and how much to set aside each month.
8 min read · August 13, 2026