Archive for March 2016
Flipp vs. Checkout 51: Grocery App Comparison
Scanning the weekly flyers and clipping coupons at the kitchen table will soon be a thing of the past as Canadians turn to their smart-phones to save money and find the best deals on groceries. At the forefront are two slick mobile apps – Flipp and Checkout 51 – which are designed to take the pain…
Read MoreFinancial Management By The Decade – The 70’s
Your 70’s is the decade in which you’ll find yourself slowing down somewhat and you may want to simplify your lifestyle. This means your spending will likely slow down too. Convert your RRSP You’ve worked hard to build your RRSP. Now it’s time to take your money out. By the end of the year you turn…
Read MoreThe Price of Staying Connected: Should Your Employer Pay Your Cell Phone Bill?
The last thing I want to do on Easter weekend, or any weekend for that matter, is take a call from work or answer an urgent email from a customer, boss or co-worker. Despite feeling this way I know that many employers want to stay connected with their employees outside of traditional office hours and…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: Easter Edition
I filed my taxes this week – both personal and for my small business – and came away pleased that I didn’t owe anything extra on the personal side and that my business taxes for 2015 came in less than expected. I’ve mentioned previously that I work with an accountant to help ensure that I…
Read MoreFrom The Boomer & Echo Mailbag: Your Tax Questions Answered
It’s tax time and we’re answering your burning tax-related questions, such as deductions for locked-in retirement, pension income, and medical expenses, filing your taxes before receiving all of your slips, and declaring income generated from a hobby business. Here we go: Q. The money in my locked-in retirement income fund (LRIF) came from an employer…
Read MoreManaging Multiple Financial Goals
Looking at your finances and trying to figure out how to deal with multiple goals can be frustrating. We want it all – who doesn’t? But for most of us it’s not that easy. Which goals do you save towards first, second, and so on? How do you prioritize retirement savings, children’s education, a new…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: Sell or Hold Edition
When faced with an investment that has substantially increased in value one of the hardest decisions investors have to make is whether to sell or hold. A reader of behavioural psychologist Dan Ariely’s blog asked this question about an investment he made in bitcoin that had increased in value by an incredible 4,000%. He wanted…
Read MoreHelp! Will My Air Miles Expire And Become Worthless?
The Air Miles rewards program underwent major changes back in 2011. First, the popular loyalty program phased out the ability to redeem Air Miles for gift certificates and instead introduced a new feature called Air Miles Cash as a way for its members to redeem their rewards instantly online or at participating retailers. The second and more controversial announcement…
Read MoreAre You Cut Out To Be A Landlord?
Buying an investment property is a popular option for many Canadians looking for different ways to invest their money. Rental properties can provide you with steady monthly income and could appreciate in value over the years. But are you cut out to be a landlord? Finding the right property Finding the right property as an…
Read MoreFiling Taxes: Free Software, Costly Accountant, or Something in Between?
We’re right in the middle of tax season, and while some keeners have already filed, Canadian taxpayers have until May 2nd to submit their personal taxes for 2015. The deadline to file taxes for those who are self-employed is June 15th. There aren’t very many strategies for individuals to save on taxes these days and so…
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