On Job Security And Preparing For The Worst
The funny thing about job security is that everyone thinks they have it until they don’t. Most of us can’t imagine a scenario where we’ll get laid off until something unexpected sneaks up on us. In 1993-94, Alberta Premier Ralph Klein set out to eliminate a provincial debt of $23 billion. I was only 14…
Read MoreAre Road Trips Really Cheaper Than Flying?
Canadians love to escape the cold, dark and slushy days of winter in favor of warm, sunny destinations. One popular option is Florida. With it’s beautiful beaches, water parks, golf courses, theme parks and more, the state bursts at the seams with Canadians in the winter. The path to Florida is well worn with lots of daily…
Read More5 Misconceptions About Retirement Planning
Are you planning to retire soon? Everyone is concerned about ensuring a good income in retirement, but, according to many surveys, very few are really doing much about it. Here are some popular misconceptions about retirement planning that will give you something to think about. You can get by on government pensions Yes, you probably…
Read MoreMy Biggest Home Buying Regret: Getting In Over My Head
I’ve made a lot of money mistakes over the years. One of my biggest regrets was getting in over my head as a first time home buyer. It was 2003 and, although the real estate market had been stagnant for years, the Alberta housing boom was about to begin. Getting in over my head The…
Read MoreDo We Need To Beef Up Our CPP?
“Because it has become increasingly difficult for individuals to build their own security single-handed, government must now step in and help them lay the foundation stones.” – Franklin Roosevelt You may be worried about your retirement finances – or feeling pretty good about them. Regardless of your personal situation, you know from ongoing media coverage that…
Read More3 Credit Card Products You Should Avoid
Credit card companies try to get you to sign up for secondary products and services, often forms of insurance or new and convenient ways for you to get at your credit and use it. These services are lucrative for the card issuers, but are not in your best interest. Here are three credit card products…
Read MoreNine Ways To Protect Yourself From Identity Theft And Cyber Fraud
More and more of our personal information is ending up online these days. Social media has been a big privacy battle ground with several law suits aimed at Facebook in recent years. Other services like Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn and Pinterest are disseminating our personal information to millions of people around the world. Related: Why Electronic…
Read More25 Tips For Filing Your Own Tax Return
With the plethora of tax preparation software available, many people file their own tax return each year. But even with the software questions and guidance, many deductions are commonly overlooked, so much so that H&R Block offers a free “Second Look” for any new clients’ past year’s tax return to check for anything missed. Related:…
Read MoreWhy I Cancelled My MBNA Smart Cash Card (And How They Tried To Keep Me)
When TD bought MBNA’s credit card portfolio I knew it spelled trouble for my favourite cash back credit card, the Smart Cash card. Sure enough, about a year later, MBNA announced some pretty drastic changes to limit the amount of cash back you could earn with Smart Cash. Related: MBNA Smart Cash MasterCard Review So…
Read More20 Tips To Save Money On Gas
Drivers are monitoring gas stations and consulting websites to find the lowest available gas prices in their area. Canadians will drive a few extra blocks, or even several kilometers, out of their way to save money on gas, even if it’s just a few tenths of a cent per litre. Related: 35 Ways To Save Money…
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