The Canadian dollar is a currency used by the people of
Canada. It is often considered the safest and most reputable form of currency in the
world. Whether you’re going on vacation, buying a house in the country, or simply
need to exchange dollars at a bank, there are a few tips you need to keep in mind
when you’re working with this currency.
History
The Canadian Dollar is the official currency of Canada. It has been issued since 1858.
Since then it has fluctuated between fixed and floating exchange rates. This makes
it a commodity currency. However, its value is influenced by changes in government
action and expectations of the economy.
The Canadian Dollar was originally backed partially by gold. This was the case with
the first notes that were issued in denominations of 25 cents, a dollar and two
dollars. Later, coins in denominations of five, one, ten, twenty and fifty dollars were
issued.
In the early years of the era, many different currencies were used in Canada. The
Dominion of Canada established the gold standard in 1854. Although this was a
temporary arrangement, it did allow the country to trade with sterling.
In the 1930s, Canada was affected by the Great Depression. As a result, the
government passed a statute that required all provincial accounts to be kept in the
dollar and cents.
There were also some concerns over counterfeiting. The Bank of Canada (BOC)
began issuing a new series of banknotes. These bills were made of polymer to give
them added security features.
When the Federal government was formed in 1871, it started issuing largerdenomination notes. Initially, the Canadian dollar was pegged to the US dollar.
Eventually, the Bretton Woods regime broke down, leaving Canada with a floating
exchange rate.
After the war, the British dollar became legal tender in Canada. This led to the
development of a more sophisticated barter system. Inuit and First Nations people
traded furs and wampum for goods. During the War of 1812, Spanish dollars and
Nova Scotia money were used to buy supplies.
Currency
The Canadian dollar is one of the most commonly traded currencies around the
world. It is a “free-floating” currency, which means that it moves freely in the
market. However, its value can vary depending on the international market and less
discussed currency issues.
The Bank of Canada is Canada’s national bank and helps to control the value of the
currency. They have the power to print and buy the currency, which is the reason for
its stability. In fact, it is one of seven currencies that make up the reserve currency
system.
Historically, the CAD has traded at a value of about US$2.78 in 1864. This is
considered to be the Canadian dollar’s record high.
Currently, the CAD is the sixth most traded currency in the global market. This
makes it important to track the price of this currency against the American dollar.
One of the reasons the CAD is a commodity currency is its major raw material
exports. This means that its value can be directly influenced by the oil prices in the
world market.
Although it is not as widely traded as the British pound sterling, the CAD is still used
in the Canadian economy. Many Canadians also use it to pay for goods and services
abroad, as well as a significant proportion of Indian students who study in Canada.
Among the many other things the Canadian Dollar does, its biggest is to provide
stability to the Canadian economy during times of economic uncertainty. As a result,
the Canadian dollar has become a reliable currency to transact in.
The Governing Council at the Bank of Canada has the power to change the monetary
policy of the country, as well as its currency value. A senior deputy, four deputy
governors, and the bank’s governor are all part of the Governing Council.
Converting CAD to USD
The Canadian Dollar (CAD) is a fine currency in its own right, but when the
opportunity arises to take a jaunt across the border you may want to change your
coin of choice. While it is not as widely accepted in the United States as it is in its
homeland, the US Dollar still commands a significant portion of the foreign exchange
market. For this reason, it is a good idea to be aware of the intricacies involved in
converting your hard earned loonie into dollars.
Luckily, there is a multitude of websites that make it a breeze to perform a quick
comparison shop. This is especially true of the online retail giants such as Amazon,
Walmart, and Target. Some of these websites offer a no-obligation, no-fee exchange.
Alternatively, you can do it yourself. If you’re not feeling adventurous, there are also
a number of online currency brokers that will do it for you. However, you should only
do so if you have the patience to wait for it to be processed. You can check out their
site for yourself.
Aside from the aforementioned comparison shopping, there is no shortage of other
activities to entertain you while you’re in this country. One of the more exciting is
watching your CAD to USD conversion swish in the air. Thankfully, there are several
sites that cater to this particular niche, like the currency-centric TorFX. They offer a
range of rates for all your travel needs, and a whopping PS2000 transfer is free.
If you’re looking for a little more than a pit stop, the plethora of banks and financial
institutions in your vicinity should have no problem swiping your business.
Exchange at a bank or credit union before your
trip
When travelling abroad, it can be a wise idea to exchange Canadian Dollars at a
bank or credit union before you leave. Banks and credit unions offer the most
competitive currency exchange rates. You can also use a currency converter to
check the value of your cash.
A bank or credit union will typically exchange the dollar for euros, dollars, or any
other foreign currency. There are also a number of ATMs available to exchange your
money. Using a debit card, you can access your bank’s network of ATMs when you
are traveling.
Some banks and credit unions may charge a fee for a small order. These fees can be
a significant amount if you are planning an extended trip. If you have a credit card,
you can call your credit union and find out what the fees are.
If you are traveling in a group, you should decide how much money each person
needs to carry. Bring enough cash for at least a few days. This will help avoid any
unnecessary fees.
While it can be easy to get caught up in the excitement of your trip, it’s important to
take a moment to think about your finances. By deciding how much money you’ll
need, you can ensure that your vacation is a success. Having an idea of what you’ll
need will reduce your stress levels.
Whether you’re traveling to a foreign country or you’re visiting an international
business, you can save a lot of money by making a few exchanges. Most travelers
recommend that you exchange your US dollars for foreign currency in bulk before
you leave. It’s also smart to bring a mix of debit and credit cards to help avoid
unnecessary fees.
Calculating the amount of Canadian Dollars
If you are a Canadian heading to the US, you may need to convert your canadian
dollars to US dollars. It can be done on the fly, or you can use a currency converter.
The latter is more likely to give you a better rate.
You can also use a calculator to perform the conversion. To do this, you need to
calculate the proper unit of measurement for your target currency. A good rule of
thumb is to take the amount of money in your currency of choice and multiply it by
the proper unit of measure.
Another option is to call your local caisse and ask for the exchange rates for your
country. As with any currency conversion, it’s best to consult with a professional to
get an accurate rate. For instance, a dollar in Canada is worth roughly $0.76 USD.
Fortunately, it’s fairly easy to convert your hard earned cash. In fact, many
Canadians make a point of converting their currency into their home currency once
or twice per year. This is especially true if you are spending more than you are
earning. After all, your dollar is a Canadian’s dollar, and it’s a good idea to make
sure you don’t lose too much of it!
One thing to keep in mind is the amount of time it takes you to do the conversion. As
with any other transaction, you’ll want to avoid rushing through the process, or else
you’ll end up paying more than you should.
With a little planning and a little sleuthing, you should be able to figure out the
correct amount of currency you need, which will allow you to rake in the cash you
deserve!