helping canadians be savvy, informed and thoughtful about their money
Posted in Uncategorized on Feb 28th, 2009
The Bank of Canada, along with most banks of the western world, have done all they can to get money into our economy. They’ve lowered interest rates pretty much as much as they can, but the banks aren’t loosening up credit, and there’s no indication of when that will happen.
Until it does (and I’m [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Feb 25th, 2009
This year, the adverts for RRSPs have sounded a bit hollow. It’s hard to convince *anyone* that your firm is the one firm that’s got it together and will handle your money prudently.
Nevertheless, I’m excited. For the first time in a few years, I’m going to be able to really sock away some [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Feb 24th, 2009
Photo Credit: preciouskhyatt This is a photo outside my work building, on a warmer day.
H-Frack -30 is cold! Those of you who have lived in Edmonton, Winnipeg, Minnesota, I bet you know what I’m talking about. The kind of cold where you unconsciously walk-run. The kind of cold where [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Feb 20th, 2009
At the Edmonton Int’l Airport enroute to Yellowknife, and want to give a quick shoutout to Westjet.
Anyone with pets will understand my anxiety – my 2 goofy, beloved weinerdogs were travelling with me in a crate, plus I had 3 big suitcases, plus 2 carry-on bags. Since Westjet and First Air don’t have an [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Feb 19th, 2009
Photo credit: RBerteig
I remember in my right-wing days smugly stating that if there wasn’t work where a person lived, they should just move to where the jobs were. Just like that. I was young, and had little concept of community, extended family, roots. “Just pick up, and move,” I thought.
This question [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Feb 12th, 2009
Books yesterday, other items today.
A few items I don’t want to take up north. It’s yours for the asking, except I do need a commitment that you’ll come get it either tomorrow (Fri), over the weekend (Feb 14, 15) or very early next week.
Wood bookshelf, deep brown paint. Decent shape, solid wood (not ikea – [...]
Posted in philosophy of $ on Feb 12th, 2009
Canadians, certainly Vancouverites, will likely recall the appalling story of the homeless panhandler who beat and robbed an elderly gentleman who had regularly given him some money, outside Holy Rosary Cathedral.
Here’s the extraordinary update on the story, courtesy of a newsletter from City in Focus:
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I was struck by a story in the Vancouver Sun Editorial [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Feb 11th, 2009
Plundered from book sutlers in various ports!,
originally uploaded by lunawhimsy.
I switched to audible downloads and don’t want to haul these up north with me. If you want any, they’re yours for the asking (but you’ll need to pick up). They’re all paperback unless specified, and all in decent condition. Any [...]
Posted in econ 101, philosophy of $ on Feb 10th, 2009
For the past 3.5 years I worked for Citizens Bank of Canada (bank esp. for progressive Canadians) which in turn is owned by Vancity Credit Union. The whole glory of credit unions is that they are cooperatives, and the members not only share in the profits (I’ll get mine in a month or so. yippee!) [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Feb 9th, 2009
Photo Credit: Susan Charlip
who can also be found at Charlip’s Web – check out her blog.
Friends, I do believe I’ve just enjoyed the steal of the year, and it was a BC getaway.
The Galiano Inn & Spa has a two-for-one weekdays through March and I can’t say enough good things about my experience.
For $125 a [...]
