Welcome to The Budgette
A conversation about money for solo earners. We cut through the jargon and address the unique financial challenges we face.
• 2,800+ subscribers and followers (Thank you!)
• Twice monthly
• Solo earner focused
Why The Budgette Exists
If you live alone or manage your finances solo, this newsletter is for you. Traditional financial advice often assumes you have a partner to share expenses, taxes, and retirement planning. But that's not reality for millions of us.
We address the unique challenges solo earners face:
• Saving more for retirement because we don't get spousal tax breaks
• Navigating survivor's pensions when you don't have a spouse or partner
• Understanding how common assumptions about finances don't work for single households
• Advocating for policy and tax changes including redefining the economic household
I share insights, research, and expert interviews that empower us to take control of our money and build wealth on our own terms.
That’s the professional answer. The unprofessional one is spite. I kept pitching stories and no one was interested. Then 2020 hit and I wanted to talk about this, so here we are.
What You'll Get By Subscribing:
Actionable financial strategies
• Step-by-step guides for maximizing RRSP contributions without spousal income splitting
• Tax optimization tactics specifically for single filers
• Emergency fund calculations adjusted for solo households (hint: it's more than the standard 3-6 months)
• Investment allocation strategies when you can't rely on a partner's income stability
Exclusive Expert Interviews and Analysis
• Financial planners who specialize in single-person households
• Policy experts breaking down proposed tax changes before they hit mainstream news
• Real estate professionals with strategies for solo home buyers
• Insurance specialists explaining coverage gaps that affect singles
Policy Deep Dives That Impact Your Wallet
• How proposed pension reforms will affect solo earners
• Tax credit changes and what they mean for your bottom line
• Housing policy analysis and its impact on single buyers
• Healthcare cost planning without spousal benefits
Renée Sylvestre-Williams
Canadian Journalist & Financial Strategist
I'm a Canadian journalist and strategist passionate about personal finance. My work has appeared in major outlets like Toronto Star, MoneySense, Wealthsimple, Canadian Business, Canadian Living, LowestRates, The Walrus and The Globe and Mail.
My books:
• The Money Myth - An audio book based on this newsletter, exploring financial myths that don't serve solo earners.
• The Singles Tax (Coming January 6, 2026 from ECW Press) - My upcoming book examining the financial penalties faced by single people and solo earners and what has and can be done about it.
