helping canadians be savvy, informed and thoughtful about their money
Posted in Uncategorized on Jan 29th, 2010
Money Coaching tip, Jan 29, 2010
Canadians:
Look. There’s no downside and all kinds of upside to the Tax Free Savings Account. Become a saver, already!
Here’s how it works:
1. Set up a Tax Free Savings Account at any Canadian bank you like.
2. Every year, you can put in up to $5000. But $100 is [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Jan 26th, 2010
I’m investing in my health. Unless an entire medical profession is lying to us, things like losing weight, getting more exercise and eating more nutritional food will increase our odds by a long shot of avoiding expensive health issues. Diabetes would require insulin and a highly specialized diet – what would that cost us? Stressing [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Jan 16th, 2010
I subscribed for years to The National Post (yes me. progressive me. progressives like to be financially savvy too, you know!).
When I was a n00b to the world of high finance, I started this habit: Every Saturday I would dive into the financial pages for a half-hour. Over time they evolved from gibberish to English. [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Jan 14th, 2010
2009 is the only year in which we can claim renovation expenses on our Cdn income tax returns.
The deadline to have the work completed is Feb 1, 2010 so if you’re thinking of any of the following, time to make it happen!
Renovating a kitchen, bathroom, or basement
Windows and doors
New flooring – carpet, linoleum, hardwood, floating [...]
Canadians wanting to donate to help efforts in Haiti -
super easy via your cel phone.
Text 45678
Type: HAITI
$5 will be added to your cel phone bill, and all proceeds go through Salvation Army to relief efforts in Haiti.
I just did it and it was as easy as that.
Posted in econ 101, philosophy of $, praxis, tips on Jan 12th, 2010
Remember that delicious movie, The Devil Wears Prada? My favourite scene was the one where Miranda scorningly points out that while it may be politically correct amongst intelligentsia to dismiss fashion, at the end of the day, the colours we all select from our re-used, recycled clothing were determined months and months before by the [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Jan 11th, 2010
What’s important to you in life?
friends? hospitality?
travel?
a nice-sized nest egg?
causes?
the environment?
your home?
Take some time to clarify and prioritize these, then keep these in mind as you spend – are your hard-earned dollars going toward the life you want, or being frittered on things that don’t really matter that much?
My priorities have changed this year. In [...]
Posted in smart shopping, tips on Jan 8th, 2010
We’re nearly at parity again: $100USD will cost you only $103Cdn.
I plan to stock up on etsy purchases. I’m not quite ready to use borderlinx yet – that will happen if our dollar become 10% or so higher than the USD, but we’re not taking the hit we did even a few [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Jan 6th, 2010
What does your wallet / purse say about you and your finances? Is it cluttered? Well-organized? Full of credit cards? Cash only?
Before the week is over, take 15 minutes to unclutter your wallet. Put some zen there! By that I mean, eliminate any items you don’t need on a [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Jan 5th, 2010
Today’s tip is simply a friendly reminder that the RRSP deadline is March 1, 2010 (to claim on 2009 taxes).
Typically banks start putting their best foot forward in late January, and then through February to attract your contribution funds to them. You’ll want to be prepared to seize the moment when it comes, so pull [...]
