MoneySense's go-to analyst for household financial decisions, Rickard specializes in making complex monetary policies relatable to Canadian families. Her work focuses on three key areas:
Successful pitches combine:
Recent recognition includes a 2024 SABEW Canada Honourable Mention for her veterinary cost investigation that sparked parliamentary committee discussions about pet care affordability.
Ciara Rickard has carved a niche in Canadian journalism by blending accessible storytelling with rigorous financial analysis. Beginning her career at ELLE Canada covering lifestyle trends, she transitioned to MoneySense in 2023 where she now demystifies complex financial topics for mainstream audiences. Her work bridges the gap between technical financial concepts and everyday decision-making.
This investigative piece combines data from veterinary associations with consumer price index comparisons, revealing how pet healthcare costs have outpaced inflation by 37% since 2019. Rickard's analysis of clinic overhead costs and pharmaceutical pricing structures helped readers understand the economic pressures shaping veterinary care. The article became MoneySense's most-shared piece in Q2 2024, sparking national discussions about pet insurance adoption rates.
Published during the Bank of Canada's rate adjustment period, this guide compared fixed-rate mortgages using historical interest rate data and stress-test scenarios. Rickard incorporated insights from 15 financial advisors to create a risk-assessment framework for homebuyers. Her innovative "rate fluctuation tolerance index" helped readers visualize potential savings under different economic conditions.
This practical guide deconstructed life insurance calculations through case studies of different family structures. Rickard developed an interactive needs-assessment formula that accounted for debt obligations, education costs, and inflation projections. The article's downloadable calculator tool saw 12,000+ downloads within its first month of publication.
Rickard frequently grounds macroeconomic data in Canadian household experiences. Successful pitches might examine how specific provinces are adapting to rising interest rates, similar to her analysis of Ontario's mortgage renewal patterns in the 3-year vs 5-year mortgage piece. Include regional data sets from credible sources like StatsCan or provincial financial authorities.
Her life insurance analysis demonstrates how to make actuarial concepts relatable. Pitches could explore innovative insurance models through family narratives, particularly those addressing non-traditional households or gig economy workers. Avoid product-focused pitches without clear consumer benefit analysis.
The veterinary cost analysis shows her interest in service industry pricing models. Similar opportunities exist in childcare, home maintenance, or education services. Provide access to industry financial reports or association spokespeople to support claims about cost drivers.
"Rickard's work exemplifies the fusion of technical accuracy and public service journalism" - 2024 SABEW Canada judging panel
In 2024, Rickard received an Honourable Mention in SABEW Canada's Best in Business Awards for her contributions to personal finance journalism. The judges noted her unique ability to translate central bank policies into actionable consumer advice. Her mortgage analysis piece was shortlisted for the National Magazine Award in Service Journalism, competing against entries from established financial publications.
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Personal Finance, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
