Hey Reader ♥,

I almost missed it.

The Bank of Canada announced their rate decision today, and my inbox didn't explode. My phone didn't blow up. Social media was... quiet.

Because nothing changed.

The rate held at 2.25%.

And here's what I've learned after years of watching people's financial decisions: The biggest mistake you can make during a rate hold is assuming nothing's happening, so you should do nothing.

Let me explain why this matters more than you think.

What a Rate Hold Actually Means (In Real Talk)

A rate hold means "stay the course."

The Bank of Canada is basically saying that inflation is behaving and jobs are stable, so there's no reason to rock the boat by changing rates. The economy isn't running too hot, isn't running too cold—it's in that Goldilocks zone.

But here's the part most people miss, and I need you to hear this: A hold isn't permission to coast. It's your signal to optimize.

Think about it like this: You don't wait until the first snowfall to put on your winter tires. You do it when the roads are still clear, when you have time, when you're not scrambling. Financial stability works the same way—this calm period is when you get ready for whatever's coming next.

Financial stability gives you breathing room to move strategically. To review. To adjust. To get ready for what's coming—because rates won't stay here forever.

If You Have a Variable-Rate Mortgage or Loan

Listen, I need you to hear this: Don't get comfortable just because your payments are stable right now.

You're not getting relief through rate drops. But you're also not getting squeezed by increases. This is your window.

Make lump sum payments if you can. Even an extra $100 or $200 per payment goes straight to your principal when rates aren't dropping. You're essentially buying yourself insurance against future rate increases while getting ahead on your debt.

Every extra payment you make during a hold goes further because you're not competing with rate changes. That's the math nobody talks about during holds. But I'm telling you about it because you deserve to know.

If You're a Saver

Here's what I want you to know: Lock in GIC rates if they're attractive right now.

When rates eventually drop—and they will—you'll be so glad you secured today's higher rates. A rate hold means the good rates available right now aren't getting better, so if you've been waiting for the "perfect" moment? This might be it.

Don't wait for certainty. Use the stability you have. Even a 0.5% difference locked in for multiple years adds up to real money over time—money you'd lose by waiting for the "perfect" moment that never comes.

If You're an Investor

Rate holds can create market stability, which sounds boring until you realize that boring means predictable.

Predictability is your friend when you're building wealth.

This is the time to stay consistent with your contributions. This is when you keep investing even though nothing dramatic is happening. Because compound growth doesn't need drama—it needs consistency.

The investors who win aren't the ones who make big moves during volatility. They're the ones who kept contributing during the boring holds that nobody talked about.

Diversification and consistent contributions matter even more during stable periods, because it is during these periods that wealth actually builds. The exciting rate-change months get all the attention, but the hold months? That's where your portfolio quietly grows.

The Real Opportunity Nobody Sees

Here's what I really want you to understand, and I'm saying this because I care about your financial future: Those eight Bank of Canada announcement dates each year aren't just about rate changes. They're your financial check-in reminders.

Whether rates go up, down, or stay the same, these announcements are your prompt to ask:

• Are my finances "dressed appropriately" for the current climate?
• Do I need to add or shed some layers?
• What financial products do I have, and can I get a better rate somewhere else?
• Am I using this stability to optimize, or am I coasting?

Most people only pay attention when rates change. But stability is about having the bandwidth to review your situation, consolidate debt, build your emergency fund, or lock in good rates before they disappear.

A hold is not a pause button. It's a planning window. And I want you to use it.

My Advice for This Hold Period

Review all your financial products. Not just your mortgage—everything. Are you getting competitive rates on your savings? Could you consolidate high-interest debt while borrowing costs are stable? Is your emergency fund actually funded?

Use this breathing room to build your foundation. Your Security Bridge (emergency fund) needs 3-6 months of expenses. If you're not there yet, this stable period is your chance to catch up without competing financial pressures.

Consolidate debt if it makes sense. When rates aren't dropping and aren't rising, you have clarity on what your costs actually are. Use that clarity to make strategic moves.

Don't wait for the next announcement to take action. By the time rates change again, the opportunity to optimize during stability will be gone.

Why I'm Telling You All This

I wrote about this for Neo Financial back in October.

You can read the full piece here—it breaks down what happens when rates go up, when they go down, and why paying attention to these announcements matters even when you're not actively shopping for a mortgage.

But here's what I didn't say in that article, what I want you to really hear from me right now:

The people who build lasting wealth aren't the ones who react during chaos. They're the ones who optimize during calm.

They're the ones who used the hold period to lock in good rates, pay down debt strategically, and build foundations that weather whatever comes next.

They're the ones who saw "nothing changing" as an invitation to make everything better.

That could be you, Reader. Starting right now.

Here's to building wealth in the boring months (they're actually the important ones),

P.S. If you're not sure where to start with optimizing during this hold, the Bridge Spending Plan shows you exactly how to allocate your money so every dollar has a purpose—including building wealth while supporting family sustainably. No more reactive decisions. No more guilt. Just a system that works even when rates don't change. I want this for you. Get the Bridge Spending Plan

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