Two Canadians who save the same amount can end up hundreds of thousands of dollars apart — not from picking better stocks, but from account choice and fees. A 1.9% mutual-fund MER can quietly cost about $214,000 over 30 years versus a low-cost index ETF.

TFSA vs RRSP isn’t universal — it depends on your marginal rate today versus in retirement. These tools answer the questions that actually move the needle: which account, how much fees cost you, and what compounding does over decades.

Planning the retirement finish line itself — your FIRE number, CPP/OAS timing, drawdown order, and whether the money lasts to 95 — lives in the FIRE & Retirement hub. Grow it here; spend it down there.

Informational only, not financial advice. Projections are illustrative; past performance does not predict future returns.

Also useful

FIRE & Retirement — plan the finish line Income tax — find your marginal rate Capital gains on your investments Net worth — track the whole picture Budget — free up more to invest

Frequently asked questions

TFSA or RRSP — which is better for me?

It depends on your marginal tax rate now versus in retirement. If your rate is higher now (common for mid-to-late-career earners), the RRSP usually wins because you deduct at a high rate and withdraw at a lower one. If your rate is low now (students, early career), the TFSA often wins. The TFSA vs RRSP tool computes the dollar difference at your specific bracket.

How much do mutual fund fees really cost?

A typical Canadian mutual fund charges around 1.9% MER versus roughly 0.20% for a broad index ETF. On a portfolio compounding over 30 years that gap can total around $214,000 in foregone growth. The ETF / Index Fund Comparison tool shows your personal fee-drag number.

What is couch-potato investing?

Couch-potato investing means holding a small number of low-cost, broadly diversified index ETFs and rebalancing once or twice a year — no stock-picking or market timing. It captures market returns at minimal cost; the Couch Potato Rebalancer shows which holdings to top up to get back to your target mix.

Where do I plan retirement income, CPP and OAS?

Retirement drawdown — CPP/OAS timing, RRSP/RRIF meltdown, and projecting income to age 95 — lives in the FIRE & Retirement hub (the Retirement Projection and FIRE Advanced tools). This Investing hub focuses on growing the portfolio before that stage.