Stefani Balinsky

Stefani Balinsky is the former Editor in Chief at Hardbacon. She has been writing professionally since her days at McGill University and her summer internship at the Just for Laughs Festival. She has multiple degrees from McGill University and her PMP from the Project Management Institute. She loves data and research as much as she loves a good story. She has held marketing positions in publishing, health, and fintech companies. She also has an entrepreneurial mindset that feeds her curiosity. She can be reached on LinkedIn.

Credit Cards

Amex Cobalt Card Review for 2023: The Best Credit Card in Canada?

I’ve always said there’s no single “best credit card in Canada”, but I might have to eat crow. Why? Because according to math and rave reviews, the Amex Cobalt Card seems to be the runner-up for that top spot. In my defence, when a card sweeps up awards like a vacuum cleaner in a glitter […]

Stefani Balinsky. 15 Sep 2023

Credit Cards

The 7 Best Credit Cards for Amazon.ca

Want to know a secret, Canada? There are many credit cards that offer Amazon-related benefits in Canada. You just have to know how to find them. In addition to the Amazon Mastercard, many TD Visa and American Express cards offer a way to exchange their rewards points for Amazon merchandise. Amazon credit card Canada: free […]

Stefani Balinsky. 23 Aug 2023

Mortgage

How to copy the rich and use your house’s equity to build your own real estate portfolio

If you read Hardbacon, you know that a lot of the richest people in Canada have diversified into real estate holdings; names like Greenberg, Thomson, Rahi, Apostopoulos, Azrieli, and Goldhar. Some inherited their wealth, others built in from hard work and diversified risk. They did it and you can too. It is a mistake to […]

Stefani Balinsky. 20 Aug 2023

Credit Cards

BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard Review for 2023: It’s Made for Experiences

The BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard has a lot of perks relevant to Canadians in a digital age. The Card routinely makes the list of best cash back credit cards and best World Elite Mastercards. The BMO Cashback World Elite Mastercard differentiates itself with virtual experiences and app perks on top of cash back and […]

Stefani Balinsky. 10 Aug 2023

Credit Cards

BMO Rewards Mastercard Review for 2023

This credit card is beyond popular in Canada, if Google is any kind of expert on web searches. The BMO Rewards Mastercard is the Bank of Montreal’s basic credit card in a long line of rewards cards. The difference between this card and other credit cards where you earn rewards for purchasing specific services is […]

Stefani Balinsky. 10 Aug 2023

Credit Cards

BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard Review for 2023: A Travel Card for Investing

The BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard, formerly the BMO World Elite Mastercard, has the potential to be an outstanding credit card. It is a travel card with some points conversion features that makes it good to have for inflation and if you are building an investment portfolio. Is that enough to make you want to […]

Stefani Balinsky. 10 Aug 2023

Credit Cards

KOHO-HO-HO for the Holidays and Rein-Deer in Those Unfair Credit Card Surcharges

In Collaboration with KOHO The holidays are here and so are credit card surcharges, ready to add extra stress to your holiday budget. And surcharges are the ultimate nepo-baby. Hear me out: you give a 2.4% tip to your credit card for no real reason other than the credit card companies wanted it and the […]

Stefani Balinsky. 09 Aug 2023

Credit Cards

Survey: Canadians Are Turning to Credit Cards and BNPL Loans to Finance the Holidays

Cash is on the naughty list this year and inflation is putting a lump of coal in 50% of Canadians’ stockings. According to a recent Hardbacon survey about Canandians’ holiday shopping intentions, 50% of respondents say that inflation will have them spending less this year. And when they do spend, it’s credit cards and BNPL […]

Stefani Balinsky. 09 Aug 2023

Credit Cards

Tangerine Cash Back World Mastercard Review for 2023

The Tangerine World Mastercard is one of the best cash back credit cards in Canada for good reason. Cardholders get 2% cash back on up to 3 transaction categories and potentially unlimited money back. It also has no annual fees but all of the perks and benefits of being a Mastercard. So, should tangerine be […]

Stefani Balinsky. 26 Jul 2023