Financial Literacy Month

November 01, 2024 to November 30, 2024

Celebrate and Dream Big

Established in 2014, Mac’s Money Centre is celebrating a decade of progress and partnerships. Come celebrate our 10-year anniversary milestone with us all month, starting at our Open House on November 4, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Gilmour Hall 110. You will learn about our special events, workshops and the launch of our 2025 Community Volunteer Tax Program.

Throughout the month, we will be featuring a number of special guests, food and giveaways, including books, swag and more.

Attend an event for a chance to win AirPods

Attend the Investing with Wealthsimple: Future-Proofing Your Finances on November 13, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Gilmour Hall 110 to learn how to set up for success and a chance to win AirPods, courtesy of Wealthsimple Foundation.

Learn how you can win textbooks for next term

Throughout the month, attend Financial Literacy Month events for a chance to win up to $1,000 toward your textbooks for the winter term, courtesy of the Student Success Centre. Each event attended is an entry to win.

We are excited to connect with you!

Featured Event

Money Talks with Rob and Roma

November 20, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (LiveLab)

Join us for a candid conversation about personal finance and money management, including the future of housing, inflation rates, cost of living, debt payment, investing, retirement and savings. Personal finance and investing columnist Rob Carrick and personal finance editor Roma Luciw have been visiting Canadian campuses since 2014, helping students develop crucial money management skills they’ll use their whole life. These fiancial experts will provide insightful financial perspectives and answers to the hard money questions.

Dealing with Money and Financial Stress

October 29, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Gilmour Hall 110)

Financial stress is a major issue for students due to rising tuition, housing and living costs. This workshop will help you reduce money stress and manage debt by exploring contributing factors, manifestations and empowering financial behaviours.

Working in the Gig Economy 101

October 30, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Gilmour Hall or Virtual)

In today’s economy, extra money is always welcome! Whether you’re saving for a goal, engaging in “side hustles” or becoming an independent contractor, this workshop is for you. Learn to navigate the financial responsibilities of the gig economy, understand tax obligations and explore business incorporation. Get success tips and resources to thrive!

Financial Literacy Month Launch: 10-Year Anniversary Open House

November 4, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Gilmour Hall 110, drop-in)

Yes, MMC is turning 10 years old. Celebrate this milestone with us over food, cake, giveaways and refreshments at our open house! Learn about our upcoming workshops and events for Financial Literacy Month and recruitment for our upcoming Community Tax Volunteer Program. Come and share how MMC has impacted you!

Ask Me Anything: Money Edition

November 12, 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Gilmour Hall 110)

Drop by to ask our expert money coaches all your burning questions about money, budgeting, credit, debt, taxes, etc. This is an excellent opportunity to expand your knowledge and meet our money coaches over coffee, tea and donuts!

Influencing Your Wallet: Financial Q&A

November 12, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Virtual)

Join us for a panel with top influencers and entrepreneurs, learn about their journeys, perspectives and engage in lively money conversations! Free book giveaways to the first 60 people who register and stay for the entire event.

MSU Financial Literacy Day: Celebrating 10 Years of Mac's Money Centre

November 13, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (The Hub)

The MSU is hosting a financial literacy day (in recognition of National Financial Literacy Month across Canada) to provide you with important information and resources on all finance-related issues – including budgeting, credit, savings, investing, taxes, housing, scholarships, bursaries and more!

Investing with Wealthsimple: Future-Proofing Your Finances

November 13, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Gilmour Hall 110)

Join us for an event that will help you begin your financial journey and set you up for future success.

Credit Cards: Blessing or a Curse?

November 19, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Mills L215 or Virtual)

Do you have a credit card? Are you planning to get one? This workshop is your guide to understanding how credit cards work, what to be aware of and how to use them to your advantage. By attending, you’ll gain practical knowledge about billing, improving your credit rating and avoiding debt and overspending.

Ask Me Anything: Money Edition

November 20, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Gilmour Hall 110)

Understanding Basic Economics: The Key to Informed Financial Decision-Making

November 26, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Gilmour Hall 110)

Join McMaster experts for a candid conversation about how these big-picture factors influence everyday things like the price of groceries, loans, mortgages and even your investments. This session will equip you with the necessary insights.

Financial Career Conversation

Career conversations offer students a unique platform to expand their professional network and gain firsthand knowledge about what it means to work in the financial industry. These 1-on-1 conversations serve as a vital resource in terms of exploration, confidence building and resource development.

If you are interested in having a conversation with an entrepreneur, visit OSCARplus > Student Success Centre > Career Conversation and fill out an application profile.

Visit Career Conversations on OSCARplus

The Global Experience Award (GEA)

The Global Experience Award (GEA) is designed to provide financial support for students to participate in international experiential learning opportunities. There are four program streams through which applications can be made:

Undergraduate students – experiences abroad
Undergraduate students – virtual experiences
Graduate students – experiences abroad
Graduate students – virtual experiences

Applications can be submitted on AwardSpring all year long (excluding a short shut-down period in July/August).

Learn more about the Global Experience Award

Aid and Awards Hub

Scholarships, Bursaries, Work Programs and more!

Aids and Awards Hub

Are you in financial difficulties and stressing over your finances? Are you having trouble paying your rent or buying food? If so, you are not alone. Coping with financial pressures and managing day to day finances and debt remains one of the top stresses for our students. Meet with one of our financial experts us to review your individual situation and discuss your challenges. They will provide you with options and resources to help manage your financial needs and reduce stress. Please check OSCARplus for available appointments.

If your situation is urgent please e-mail money@mcmaster.ca for a direct referral.

Terry Bennett, BSW, AFC, Insolvency Counsellor (BIA), Money Coach, co-founder of Mac’s Money Centre

Terry Bennett is a professional Social Worker with both 20 years’ experience in the area of social work and 15 years in the role of Accredited Financial Counsellor. For the past several years she has specialized in supporting college and university students deal with their financial insecurity issues and all other financial literacy topics. Her significant expertise is in the area of inspiring behavioural change and exploring money relationships with students.

Gina C. Robinson, CA, CPA, Past Assistant Dean (Student Affairs), co-founder of Mac’s Money Centre

Gina is a professional accountant with 35+ years in areas of public, industry, provincial, regional and currently in the education sector. For the past 20 years she also held the position of Director, Student Success Centre responsible for supporting students in their professional and personal development from commencement of university, throughout and beyond life at Mac. She continues to be a champion for teaching Mac student’s financial literacy skills and positioning them for life success. She is also the Hamilton CPA Coordinator for the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) staffed by trained students and CPA colleagues.