My wife and I first got passports prior to our wedding and honeymoon in 2006. I last travelled to the U.S. in 2011 when I attended a conference in Orlando, Florida, just a few months before the five-year passport expired. Since then, changes to Canada’s passport program include the new e-Passport, along with the option to apply for a 10-year passport. In addition, all children who travel need their own passport or travel documents.
Now that our kids are a bit older (6 and 3 this year), we’re considering more travel destinations outside of the country and have been looking into getting passports for the entire family. The fee for a 10-year adult passport is $160, while the child passport (0-15 years of age) costs $57 and is valid for five years. Altogether we’d be looking at $434 to get our travel documents.
We often visit Waterton Lakes National Park, which is just a 90-minute drive from Lethbridge, but we’d love the option to cross the border to Glacier National Park and take Going-to-the-Sun road through the mountains this summer.
This week’s recap:
On Monday I wrote about how we find joy in the little things – like cash back.
On Wednesday Marie asked whether you’re cut out to be a DIY investor.
And on Friday I looked at 9 money myths that experts wish you’d stop believing.
Promotions:
Earlier this year Capital One replaced its popular Aspire Travel World MasterCard with the Aspire Travel World Elite MasterCard. Gone is the 35,000 miles welcome bonus and 10,000 mile anniversary bonus. New applicants instead get a 10,000 mile bonus and right now when you sign up for the Aspire Travel World Elite MasterCard through Great Canadian Rebates, you’ll get a cash back rebate of $75.
Weekend Reading:
Dan Wesley highlighted a controversial money-saving technique for travellers called hidden city ticketing where the traveller books a cheaper multi-stop flight and departs before he or she gets to the final destination.
“In its simplest form, a passenger purchases a ticket from city A to city B to city C but does not travel beyond city B.”
Harvard Business Review explains why many of us work on the weekend – because it gives a productivity high and we enjoy it.
Why the secret to never being frustrated again could be as simple as ABCD.
Barry Choi disagrees with the idea that a stay-at-home mom’s “salary” should be pegged at about $74,000.
A University of Guelph professor argues that it’s a mistake for all grade-12 graduates to attend university as soon as possible.
Rob Carrick interviews an author whose new book suggests that moving back home is the single best economic decision that young people can make.
Changes to TFSA contribution limits may not be the only item on the conservative agenda in next week’s federal budget. Reports surfaced that the budget could also include changes to RRIF withdrawal rules. Seniors rejoice!
At the Findependence Hub, CFP Doug Dahmer looked at winning the tax game during your decumulation years.
Should you buy mutual funds from your bank? Downtown Josh Brown looks at the history of underperforming bank mutual funds.
A commission-based advisor sounds off over talk of banning trailer fees in favour of a fee-based or fee-for-service model. The advisor doesn’t think it’s any of your business how he gets paid.
Here’s what your fund fees and performance reports will look like under the new CRM2 guidelines. Still too confusing for my liking.
Canadian Portfolio Manager Justin Bender highlights two global ex-Canada ETFs in this war of the worlds comparison.
Michael James argues that the question of whether to pay down your mortgage or invest often fails to account for problem scenarios such as losing your job during a prolonged bear market.
Alan Whitton explains how the trend of employee pricing has moved beyond auto-sales and into mortgages offered by the big banks.
Million Dollar Journey features a net worth update from QCash, a reader who retired at 36.
Finally, Rob Carrick says there’s nothing wrong with banks offering fabulously low mortgage rates.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
