Is your RRSP contribution up to par? According to Statistics Canada, RRSP contributions rose 5.3 per cent to $34.1 billion in 2007 with the following trends. Newfoundland and Labrador The highest percentage increase in the number of RRSP investors (up 5.3 per cent) Quebec The largest increase in absolute number of RRSP investors, at almost 25,700 contributors, or... »
Freecycle – A Saving Strategy
What’s the Freecycle Network? The Freecycle Network – www.freecycle.org – is an online community where members give out items for free in a hope somebody else will be able to use or recycle the items. It’s absolutely free to join. First of all, you have to find out if there is local freecycle group in... »
Do you give money to parents?
I’m wondering if anyone gives money to their parents regularly. My parents currently at the ages of 60’s have retired ten years ago with very little savings, so I give them CAD$5000 (Canadian dollar) each month. I feel obligated to provide monetary support to them, because it’s my responsibility. My parents spent all their money... »
Understand Your Credit Report & Score – Part 1
What is a “Credit Report”? A credit report is a “snapshot” of your credit history. It is one of the main tools lenders use to decide whether or not to give you credit/loan/mortgage. In Canada, your credit history is maintained by at least one of three major credit-reporting agencies: Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian*. * Effective April 17,... »
Average Monthly Grocery Bill
I’m wondering…what’s the median monthly grocery bill for anyone living in North America? I guess the expense will vary, depending on where you live. I’m a single guy, and I have noticed I spent almost $200 each month on grocery in the past two years (ie, after I graduated from university). In contrast, I spent... »
JACKPOT Lotto 649 – how to win and predict numbers
Playing lottery is a quick way to become an instant millionaire. Despite the fact that the chance of winning is very small, you will not win if you do not buy a ticket. However if you buy one, at least you will have a chance, right? All investments carry some degree of risk, and... »
Top Cash Back Credit Cards
Below is a list of Canadian banks and credit unions that offer cashback credit cards. I’ll update this list on an onging basis. CIBC Dividend VISA Card $0 annual fee; interest rate 19.5% Tier one – 0.25% rebate for net annual purchases up to $1,500 Tier two – 0.50% rebate for net annual purchases from $1,500.01 to $3,000 Tier... »
Best Times to Buy
This article contains a brief summary for best times to buy in North America: airplane tickets appliances gold cars gym membership electronics oil real estate designer clothing& jewelry furniture USD currency Airplane Tickets Best Time to Buy: At Least 14 Days Before Departure Two week ahead of departure is the minimum to seize a good deal. However, even with this time frame, the quantitiy of low-priced tickets... »
My Networth: April 2009
This is my first networth report. Beware, it can be quite lengthy but it should be very interesting to see just how much has changed since I embarked on my first real occupation starting in June 2007 after my university training. After two years of working, I finally bring the whopping $160,000 education debts down... »