Brett Surbey

Contributor Advisor

Brett Surbey is a corporate paralegal and writer based out of Alberta. His work has appeared in Publishers Weekly, Thrive Insider, and various academic journals. He lives with his wife and two children.

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Archive

3 months ago

I Took A Home Trust Preferred Visa Card On Vacation And Paid No Foreign Transaction Fees

I made a last-minute decision to get the Home Trust Preferred Visa for an international trip. It was the right call.
3 months ago

American Express Membership Rewards: The Ultimate Guide

Forbes Advisor Canada takes a deep dive into American Express Membership Rewards points to find out everything you need to know.
3 months ago

How To Maximize Scene+ Points In Canada

Over 11 million Canadians are Scene+ members and here’s how to maximize Scene+ points in Canada.
3 months ago

CIBC Bank Review 2025

Forbes Advisor reviews one of Canada's oldest big six banks, CIBC–the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. Find out if it’s right for you.
4 months ago

CBDC Canada: What Is It?

If you’ve followed the latest evolutions in world currency, perhaps you’ve heard the latest on Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in Canada. If you haven’t, read this article.
4 months ago

Best Debt Consolidation Loans In Canada For February 2025

Forbes Advisor surveys Canada's best personal loans for debt consolidation.
5 months ago

Mortgage Broker Vs. Bank: Pros and Cons

Forbes Advisor helps you decide between a bank and a mortgage broker.
5 months ago

HELOC vs. Mortgage: What’s The Difference?

Forbes Advisor Canada breaks down the differences between these two types of loans.
6 months ago

Simplii No Fee Chequing Account Review 2025

Forbes Advisor Canada reviews Simplii Financial’s No Fee Chequing Account to see if it's a good option for everyday banking.
6 months ago

Best Business Credit Cards For Travel In Canada For February 2025

Forbes Advisor ranks the best business travel credit cards in Canada to help you choose the one that’s best for your wallet.
6 months ago

Home Trust Preferred Visa Card Review 2025

We review the Home Trust Preferred Visa Card to see if it deserves a spot in your wallet.
7 months ago

What Are Mortgage Terms And Amortization Periods?

Forbes Advisor breaks down what mortgage terms and amortization periods are so you can understand these key components of mortgages in Canada.
7 months ago

How To Buy GICs In Canada

We break down how to buy GICs in Canada.
7 months ago

The Value Of An Aeroplan Point

Forbes Advisor breaks down the value of an Aeroplan point to find out if the loyalty program is worth it over others that are out there.
7 months ago

Best Mortgage Rates In Nova Scotia For February 2025

Forbes Advisor ranks the best credit cards in Nova Scotia.
8 months ago

Equitable Bank Mortgage Review 2025

We review Equitable Bank's mortgage side to assess whether homebuyers should consider using it as their lender.
9 months ago

Best Credit Cards For Purchase Protection In Canada For February 2025

Forbes Advisor Canada ranks the best credit cards for purchase protection to find out, which one has the best coverage and what the other perks and benefits from these credit cards look like.
9 months ago

Credit Card Vs. Debit Card In Canada: Differences Explained

Most Canadians probably have debit and credit cards in their wallets, but do they really know what differentiates them?
9 months ago

Best Emergency Loans for Bad Credit In Canada For February 2025

We rank the best emergency loans for people with bad credit.
11 months ago

CIBC Costco Mastercard Review 2025: Avid Costco Shoppers Should Not Leave Home Without It

Here are all the details on the CIBC Costco Mastercard.
12 months ago

Best Private Lenders For Personal Loans In Canada For February 2025

Needing cash quickly and having trouble getting approved? A private personal loan may be an option. These are the best among them in Canada according to Forbes Advisor.
12 months ago

What Is A Student GIC And How Does It Work?

Everything you need to know about student GICs and how they work.
1 year ago

RRSP Contribution Deadline For 2025

The deadline for contributing to your RRSP is nearing. Here’s what you should know.
1 year ago

JA Money Card Review 2025: Earn Cash Back While Learning About Money Management

Find out whether the JA Money prepaid card is good for teens getting started on their credit building journey.
1 year ago

Best Personal Loans In Ontario For February 2025

We’ve ranked the best personal loans in Ontario.
1 year ago

Property Taxes In Canada: How Much They Might Cost You

A deep dive on how property taxes are handed out in Canada and how much they might cost you.
1 year ago

Best Personal Loans In Alberta For February 2025

A break down and ranking of the best personal loans in Alberta according to Forbes Advisor Canada's research.
1 year ago

National Bank World Elite Mastercard Review 2025

Forbes Advisor Canada reviewed the National Bank World Elite Mastercard. Here’s how it stacks up.
1 year ago

Best Mortgage Rates In Alberta For February 2025

With mortgage rates still climbing, you might be wondering if there are any rates in Alberta worth looking into. Turns out, there are. Forbes Advisor Canada has all the details.
1 year ago

Best Online Personal Loans In Canada For February 2025

These are the best personal loans you can get online in Canada, according to Forbes Advisor’s research.
1 year ago

Best 10-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgages In Canada For February 2025

Looking to lock in your mortgage for the next 10 years? Here are Forbes Advisor’s top picks for 10-year fixed-rate mortgages.
1 year ago

Visa Vs. Mastercard: The Main Differences

Forbes Advisor Canada breaks down the key differences between Visa and Mastercard, so you can choose the right one for you.
1 year ago

Amex Gold Rewards vs. Platinum: Which Is Better For You?

We compare these two popular American Express cards to determine which is the better one for your wallet.
1 year ago

Best TD Chequing Accounts In Canada For February 2025

Canada’s TD Bank has a myriad of chequing accounts to choose from. Here’s our research on five of TD’s most impressive chequing options.
1 year ago

National Bank Platinum Mastercard Review 2025: Travel Benefits With No Income Requirements

National Bank credit cards carry respectable benefits. Here’s the details on its Platinum Mastercard.
2 years ago

HSBC +Rewards Mastercard Review 2025

Low interest rate cards are a major boon for Canadians struggling with debt in this economic climate. HSBC’s +Rewards Card is one you might want to take a look at. Here’s why.
2 years ago

The American Express Business Edge™ Card Review 2025

American Express is well known for their selection of personal credit cards, but they also offer solid options for businesses. Here’s what we think of the Amex Business Edge.
2 years ago

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Review 2025: A Travel Card With Tons Of Additional Benefits

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege is one of the more high-end travel cards on the market, offering a myriad of useful benefits for travelers. Here’s Forbes Advisor’s take on it.
2 years ago

Simplii Financial Review 2025: A Comprehensive Product Offering For An Online Bank

Wondering how Simplii Financial, a division of CIBC, stacks up against its competitors? Here’s Forbes Advisor Canada’s take.
2 years ago

Wealthsimple Review 2025: Investments And High Interest On Accounts, In One Place

The well known investment platform, Wealthsimple, has taken the plunge into banking products. Here’s our take on their offerings.
2 years ago

EQ Bank Review 2025: Under The Hood Of A Leading Challenger Bank

EQ Bank has been making waves in the industry with its offerings. But, how does it stack up against similar institutions?
2 years ago

What Is The First Home Savings Account (FHSA)?

The First Home Savings Account (FHSA) came into force on April 1, 2023. Here’s everything you need to know about this new tax-free savings account.