Most Canadian parents want to give their kids a financial head start. Almost no one is told how.
You've heard of the RESP. But which account comes first? How much do you contribute to capture every dollar of free government grant money? What's an in-trust account, and do you even need one? When does the FHSA conversation start? And what happens when it's time to actually take the money out?
This guide answers all of it — clearly, and in order.
What's inside:
- The complete birth-to-18 account sequence — what to open, and exactly when
- How to capture the full $7,200 in CESG grant money (and the timing mistake that makes parents lose two years of it)
- The Canada Learning Bond — up to $2,000 in free money that needs zero contribution
- In-trust accounts explained — how they're taxed and who they're actually for
- The RDSP — the most generous government program most families have never heard of
- FHSA and TFSA — how to set your teen up the right way at 18
- The RESP withdrawal strategy that can save thousands at tax time (EAP vs PSE)
- The common mistakes that quietly cost families money — and how to avoid each one
- A complete at-a-glance checklist you can follow year by year
Who it's for:
New and expecting parents, parents of young kids, and grandparents who want to set a child up the right way — without spending hours decoding CRA pages.
FORMAT
Instant digital download (PDF). Yours to keep and reference for years.
Educational resource for Canadian families. Not financial, tax, or legal advice. All figures current to 2026; always verify at canada.ca.