How to Invest Your $7,000 TFSA Contribution in 2024

Here’s how I would prioritize a $7,000 TFSA contribution for growth and income.

| More on:
ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund

Source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s premium investing services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

According to Moneysense, if you were born in 1991, have been a resident of Canada since before 2010, and have never contributed to a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA), your total contribution room for 2024 is $95,000. That’s a huge opportunity to grow your money tax-free.

Looking ahead, the contribution limit for 2025 will be another $7,000. But if you haven’t contributed to your TFSA for 2024 yet, start there first – another $7,000 is up for grabs.

There are countless ways to invest your TFSA contribution. My idea today could offer you either growth or income with just one exchange-traded fund (ETF). It all depends on how you choose to handle the monthly distributions it provides.

Bank stocks: A TFSA favourite

Canada’s “Big Six” banks – Royal Bank of Canada, Toronto-Dominion Bank, Bank of Nova Scotia, Bank of Montreal, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, and National Bank of Canada – are perfect candidates for your TFSA.

Why? As a group, these banks boast strong balance sheets, operate in a highly regulated environment, and have a century-long history of paying and increasing dividends. They also form an oligopoly, dominating Canada’s banking industry and benefiting from stable, recurring revenues.

When you hold these bank stocks in a TFSA, the dividends and any capital gains grow entirely tax-free. Plus, unlike U.S. stocks, there’s no 15% foreign withholding tax deducted from your dividend yield. It’s a win-win for long-term investors.

If you love bank stocks, you’ll love this ETF

Ever wanted more exposure to Canada’s big banks? In a non-registered account, you can borrow money using a margin loan to boost your investment.

For example, if you hold $10,000 in bank stocks, your broker might let you borrow an additional 25%, increasing your exposure to $12,500.

But in a TFSA, borrowing money directly to invest isn’t allowed. But there’s a next-best alternative: the Hamilton Enhanced Canadian Bank ETF (TSX:HCAL).

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Hamilton Enhanced Canadian Bank ETF PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALLwww.fool.ca

HCAL takes the same concept of leveraging and applies it within an ETF. For every $100 in assets, HCAL borrows an additional $25, giving you $125 worth of exposure. No margin loan needed!

The fund spreads this leverage across Canada’s “Big Six” banks, amplifying both the potential risk and reward. If you’re bullish on Canada’s banking sector, HCAL’s strategy has historically been a way to outperform the individual stocks.

On top of the potential for higher returns, HCAL offers an impressive yield – currently paying 6.4%. This yield is distributed monthly, and you have the flexibility to reinvest it for compounding growth or withdraw it as tax-free passive income in a TFSA.

Should you invest $1,000 in Bank of Nova Scotia right now?

Before you buy stock in Bank of Nova Scotia, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor Canada analyst team just identified what they believe are the Top Stocks for 2025 and Beyond for investors to buy now… and Bank of Nova Scotia wasn’t one of them. The Top Stocks that made the cut could potentially produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider MercadoLibre, which we first recommended on January 8, 2014 ... if you invested $1,000 in the “eBay of Latin America” at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $20,697.16!*

Stock Advisor Canada provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month – one from Canada and one from the U.S. The Stock Advisor Canada service has outperformed the return of S&P/TSX Composite Index by 29 percentage points since 2013*.

See the Top Stocks * Returns as of 3/20/25

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Tony Dong has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Hamilton Enhanced Canadian Bank ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Confidently Navigate Market Volatility: Claim Your Free Report!

Feeling uneasy about the ups and downs of the stock market lately? You’re not alone. At The Motley Fool Canada, we get it — and we’re here to help. We’ve crafted an essential guide designed to help you through these uncertain times: "5-Step Checklist: How to Prepare Your Portfolio for Volatility."

Don't miss out on this opportunity for peace of mind. Just click below to learn how to receive your complimentary report today!

Get Our Free Report Today

More on Dividend Stocks

A worker overlooks an oil refinery plant.
Dividend Stocks

3 High-Yield Canadian Stocks I’d Consider for a $5,000 Investment

These three dividend stocks are excellent additions to your portfolio, given their healthy cash flows and high yields.

Read more »

Blocks conceptualizing Canada's Tax Free Savings Account
Dividend Stocks

How I’d Use My TFSA to Invest in Canadian Value Stocks for Long-Term Wealth

TFSA investors can mitigate bearish trends by shifting to value stocks that can deliver long-term wealth.

Read more »

The TFSA is a powerful savings vehicle for Canadians who are saving for retirement.
Dividend Stocks

TFSA ‘Forever Holdings’: 4 Canadian Stocks for Sustained Tax-Free Growth

Add these four TSX dividend stocks to your self-directed TFSA portfolio to generate tax-free passive income for decades.

Read more »

Beware of bad investing advice.
Dividend Stocks

Where I’D Invest $1,000 in 3 No-Brainer Canadian Stocks Under $150

Want to invest $1,000 in some great stocks? Here's a trio that investors can buy at a discount right now…

Read more »

Blocks conceptualizing Canada's Tax Free Savings Account
Dividend Stocks

The 1 Canadian Stock I’d Buy and Hold Forever in a TFSA

This Canadian stock is a strong option for any TFSA, and here's why.

Read more »

Man holds Canadian dollars in differing amounts
Dividend Stocks

Invest $25,000 in These Dividend Stocks for $1,267 in Annual Passive Income

Dividend stocks are strong options, but these two could be some of the best long-term options.

Read more »

investor looks at volatility chart
Dividend Stocks

I’m Adding This 12% Dividend Stock for a Recession-Resistant Portfolio

Despite boasting such a high dividend yield, this 12% dividend yield stock might be an excellent pick to build your…

Read more »

Make a choice, path to success, sign
Dividend Stocks

1 Undervalued TSX Stock Down 51% to Buy and Hold

This TSX stock plunged, but don't count it out, especially at these prices.

Read more »