A Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) is often seen as an almost impregnable vault – something you break open only at great risk and with big penalties. In fact, your RRSP can be used as a source of tax-free funds under a couple of government approved plans (I detailed the Home Buyers' Plan in my last article). For example, under another special plan, you can withdraw RRSP funds tax-free to finance tuition. And you can also take out a loan from your RRSP using a special mortgage manoeuvre.

Stock markets advanced broadly on the truncated four-day week ahead of the Easter long weekend, as the S&P/TSX Composite Index rose 1.7% on the week, while the S&P 500 Composite Index rallied 2.7%, for its best weekly gain since last July. Investors regained some optimism after diplomatic discussions in Geneva unwound some of the tension between Russia and the Ukraine. In addition, positive economic indicators released last week bolstered Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen’s reassurances last week about continuing low inflation, suggesting that the Fed is unlikely to stray from its current policies.