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What are some good ways to control costs for groceries?
I thought that there was recent legislation passed that forbid banks for jacking up rates as they had been doing from late 2008 into the first half of 2009. All of my credit cards have seen increases into the 25% range AND, at the same time, they have slashed my credit limit down to just above the debt level. I u...
Why Are Credit Card Rates Increasing / Credit Limits Falling?
First, you must prioritize what a "need" and what a "want" is. This is different for everyone but generally, I think most people will agree that impulse items are "want" items. Look at the item, hold it, put it back and wait 30 days. Put the money that the item costs $x into your savings account (transfer from ch...
Of course your situation is very hurtful at a personal level, and I sympathize. I just don't get your point about being driven further into debt? It would seem that with a lower credit score you are prevented from taking on more debt. That can absolutely be hurtful especially to someone who runs a business that relies ...
Switch to LED Christmas lights and use timers. This saves energy costs but don't go [overboard][1]. :-) [1]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBkY2dEJPog&feature=related
To avoid the fees on bond mutual funds or exchange traded funds I have been thinking of buying actual bonds inside of my retirement portfolio. Does that make sense or are there drawbacks to consider?
Should I buy individual bonds for my retirement portfolio, or stick to funds/ETFs?
Of course I know I should have a substantial sum of money that generates its own income, off which my spouse and I will live, when we retire. But what is the right amount to have, or even a range? I've heard $1,000,000 but that just seems so huge and unattainable. Is that the magic number? If not, what is? We ...
What size "nest egg" should my husband and I have, and by what age?
As a contractor, you realize how valuable your time is - but undoubtedly, an investment back into skills update training or in marketing your business is worth the time you would otherwise spend billing clients for your services. What is a recommended proportion of time to spend on these types of activities?
How much money/time should be re-invested in your own business, as a contractor?
I've started to generate a small amount of revenue on my [website][1], I'm obviously tracking my income and expenses, but I'm not certain whether I need to declare this income to Inland Revenue. Is there a threshold of earnings before I need to declare? and do I deduct my expenses from the income? [1]: http:/...
Do I have to pay taxes on income from my website or profits?
I have two bank accounts (checking and saving), some credit cards (3), a mortgage, an investment account, and an individual retirement account. Right now all of those accounts except two of the credit cards are held at the same bank. I did that to have some advantage in negotiating a better rate on my mortgage, and ...
Are travel point / reward credit cards worth the hassle and cost? Many such cards have fees, and when you try to book there are often restrictions. What has your experience been with these types of cards? How best to use them effectively, if at all? **6-Dec-09 / Any more opinions? Bounty added!**
Not sure about the UK, but if it were in the US you need to realize the expenses can be claimed as much as the income. After having a mild heart attack when I did my business taxes the first time many years ago, a Small Business Administration adviser pointed it out. You are running the site from a computer? Ded...
How do currency markets work? What factors are behind why currencies go up or down? What roles do governments, central banks, institutions, and traders have in the process?
How do currency markets work? What factors are behind why currencies go up or down?
When you started out on your own, whether it was moving out of home for the first time or getting that first job what things did you do that helped your credit rating/history?
What are good tips for someone starting out to establish good credit history?
If you simplify your life, and slow things down.. can you save money? I'm looking for opinions and experiences here.
Can slowing down your lifestyle save you money?
I'm trying to find out about businesses refusing $50 & $100 bills. Aren't they required by law to accept all legal tender? I had one person say it could be that it's not all legal- in that case shouldn't it be the stores responsibility to purchase one of those scanning machines?
Legal tender is by law any denominations of money printed by the Bank of Canada. There is an exclusion to this in that it must also be acceptable to both parties of the transaction. See the following link from the Bank of Canada on [Legal Tender][1] and look at the answer to the question of *What is "legal tender"?* ...
Can businesses lawfully refuse $50 & $100 bills?
How old must you be to apply for a bank credit card, store credit, or cash advance loan?
Legal tender is by law any denominations of money printed by the Bank of Canada. There is an exclusion to this in that it must also be acceptable to both parties of the transaction. See the following link from the Bank of Canada on [Legal Tender][1] and look at the answer to the question of *What is "legal tender"?* ...
I am able to save $1,100 a month, after all expenses and after paying the minimums ($225 a month on my 2.24% and 3.25% student loans). I want to make smart decisions with my money, but am not sure what to do. I currently have a secure job and have about $23,000 in these low interest student loans. I have no credit card...
Saving $1,000+ per month…what should I do with it?
If I run a home business and a portion of the home is used as an office for the business can I deduct a percentage of the mortgage?
In Canada, can I deduct my mortgage if running a business from my home?
If you can get a rate of savings that is higher than your debt, you save. If you can't then you pay off your debt. That makes the most of the money you have. Also to think about: what are you goals? Do you want to own a home, start a family, further your education, move to a new town? All of these you would nee...
I like the other answers. But, here's one thing that concerns me that hasn't specifically been addressed yet: You mentioned your student loans are at low rates of interest. Are those rates **fixed** or **variable**? If those interest rates are variable, I would *not* count on rates remaining low indefinitely. If...
Should I save up enough cash to do home renovations, or can I take out a loan? Our house needs a new kitchen floor as the linoleum is actually ripped in some areas, and the wood is exposed... This is going to cost $1500 to fix.. it's going to take a few months to save for that.. ideas?
Home Renovations are expensive.. Should I only pay cash for them?
Is it a safety thing? If the heat pump goes out you replace it immediately, if your floor looks bad but your aren't tripping, I would suggest saving. Use the extra time to find a great deal and educate yourself on your options. Maybe even take a class and learn to do it yourself. In these rough times, anything I ...
It looks like the HST will be in effect in Ontario on **July 1st, 2010**. As to whether it will replace GST with HST for all services, it looks like some sectors *may* get special treatment: [Ontario may exempt mutual funds from HST (National Post)][1]. But it doesn't look final yet. However, I would suggest t...
I agree with MrChrister about first considering how necessary the renovations are (is it a nice-to-have, or a need-to-have?), as well as the importance of consulting a Realtor, if you are selling your home, as they will advise you wisely. There are many types of renovations that simply don't pay off, and others th...
I agree with MrChrister about first considering how necessary the renovations are (is it a nice-to-have, or a need-to-have?), as well as the importance of consulting a Realtor, if you are selling your home, as they will advise you wisely. For instance, they might advise you to replace the linoleum with a neutral beige...
Is a fixed-price natural gas or electricity contract likely to save money? These types of contracts are often marketed to homeowners to save $$ on their utility bills. When would such a contract make sense for a homeowner? What are the "gotchas" for these types of contracts?
Is a fixed-price natural gas or electricity contract likely to save money?
Daniel, first of all, I'm jealous of your predicament. That said, I think you've gotten some good advice already, so I won't repeat what's been said. But I will throw out a few ideas that haven't come up. My first thought is that you may be underestimating upcoming expenses. It sounds like your current expenses are...
New legislation in the US aims to protect young borrowers. (Just what you were hoping!) See Title III [here][1]. My understanding of the new law is that individuals 18 to 20 years old applying for a credit card are required to either 1) have a parent/guardian co-sign, 2) prove they could independently repay the ...
For a while I tried shopping multiple grocery stores, checking fliers each week from three different stores and then making the trip to all three stores to save ten cents on each item. After a couple months, I decided it just wasn't worth it. So, I picked my favorite store. I shop once a week, after reviewing the fli...
I'm sure it's different every year (and may even differ by country?), but surely there must be a minimum increase salaried workers would have to earn in order to simply break-even, relative to the inflation rate?
How much is inflation?
Are all financial advisors compensated in the same way?
There is a thing called the consumer price index (CPI) There is a basket of goods that the people who keep the index basically shop for. It is much more detailed for the sake of accuracy, but bottom line is they shop for the same stuff each year. They measure the difference from year to year and that gives you a pret...
It's been said that currency markets are affected by the price of crude oil. Currencies such as the U.S. Dollar typically react to the rise and fail of the price of this commodity. Why are they linked so closely?
How does the price of oil influence the value of currency?
For instance, if one were to find receipts between 2-3 years old, are they still useable? Is there a fee for a re-assessment?
How long do I have to make an adjustment to my income tax filing?
This term has been proposed in economics, what exactly is it? I thought interest rates never fall below zero. How would this work? Wouldn't it actually be a penalty to depositor/investor or a bonus to the someone with a loan or mortgage?
How does the concept of negative interest rates work? Are there any examples of this?
What is the best online tutorial to learn calculating DCF (Discounted Cash Flow )for a stock?
Tutorials for calculating DCF?
What is the best online tutorial to learn calculating DCF (Discounted Cash Flow) for a stock?
Online tutorials for calculating DCF (Discounted Cash Flow)?
I've heard both these terms used - are they synonymous? Or is one for Canada, one for the U.K. (or U.S.)? What are the various factors go into determining an individual's "credit score"?
How do credit scores work? How do they differ from credit ratings?
I've read that it's important to check your credit score in order to keep a handle on your credit health, as well as to protect yourself from identity theft or fraud (for instance, in this [Lending Tree][1] article), but I've also read that that having too many inquiries can negatively-affect your score (see this post ...
How often should I check my own credit score? If I do so, will my own inquiry reflect poorly on my score?
I think so. I am doing this with our furniture. It doesn't cost me any more money to pay right now than it will to pay over the course of 3 years, and I can earn interest on the money I didn't spend. But know this: they aren't offering 0%, they are deferring interest for 3 years. If you pay it off before then gre...
Negative interest rates already exist. Like the after tax real interest rate on US T-bills has been negative for 60 years (Refer to [A Negative Equilibrium Interest Rate, by Moshe Levy, Haim Levy and Avi Edry][1]). And in periods of price inflation, of course, the monetary base is under a real negative interest rat...
what do you mean exactly? Do you have a future target price and projected future dividend payments and you want the present value (time discounted price) of those?
Q: How do currency markets work? A: The FX (foreign exchange) market works very much like the stock market where potential buying parties bid $Y of country 1's currency to buy $1 in country 2's currency. Potential selling parties sell (ask) $1 of country 2's currency for $Y of country 1's currency. Like the stock ...
Is there a tool to help people determine how much they need?
How much life insurance do I need?
what do you mean exactly? Do you have a future target price and projected future dividend payments and you want the present value (time discounted price) of those? Edit: The DCF formula is difficult to use for stocks because the future price is unknown. It is more applicable to fixed-income instruments like c...
what do you mean exactly? Do you have a future target price and projected future dividend payments and you want the present value (time discounted price) of those? Edit: The DCF formula is difficult to use for stocks because the future price is unknown. It is more applicable to fixed-income instruments like c...
what do you mean exactly? Do you have a future target price and projected future dividend payments and you want the present value (time discounted price) of those? Edit: The DCF formula is difficult to use for stocks because the future price is unknown. It is more applicable to fixed-income instruments like c...
From what I've read: In Canada, for tax purposes, a family unit (i.e. you, your spouse, and your dependent children) can only claim *one* property as **principal residence**, for the purpose of claiming the principle residence capital gains exemption. So, you need to pick *which* property you'll be claiming as your p...
I've heard that the options industry and options exchanges are making changes to options symbols effective February, 2010. What are the specific changes to stock option symbols? Why are the changes to stock option symbols being made? How will the changes affect individuals who trade (buy, sell, or write) stock opt...
What is the options industry changing about option symbols in February, 2010?
When a company is profitable and generating substantial positive cash flow, is it better from the company's perspective to have a dividend increase, or institute a share repurchasing program? From an individual investor's perspective, would it be any different?
Is it better for a public company to increase its dividends, or institute a share buyback?
I'm going through an exercise to restructure my retirement portfolio. To date, I've been using a mix of exchange-traded index funds. Some trade on the TSX, and others trade in the U.S. However, my choices have been somewhat **ad-hoc**, and one of my New Year's resolutions is to follow a more *disciplined* asset al...
What are the cheapest and most liquid index funds I should consider holding in my retirement portfolio?
This is related to my [other question][1]. There, I was asking what exchange traded funds I should consider for inclusion in my retirement portfolio. That got me thinking: **What kinds of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) should specifically be avoided?** There are thousands of ETFs and index funds out there now, and ...
What kinds of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) should specifically be avoided?
Say, for instance, diamonds, or gold? Watches?
Is there anything material I could own (aside from a house) that would increase in value?
Should I use RRSP savings to repay Line of Credit?
Say, for instance, diamonds, or gold? Watches?
Is there anything material I might own (aside from a house) that would increase in value?
Since I was a small child, my grandparents have given all of their grandchildren savings bonds on our birthdays. I'm not sure if it makes a difference, but they are always "EE" series. I had to use some of mine while I was in college (one of my scholarships didn't go through one year), but I have one left from 1993 a...
Has anyone found U.S. savings bonds to be effective investing?
I have made a good faith effort to keep up my mortgage payments on a condo that I no longer live in since Oct 2005. In 2005 I had to move out of state for my job and I listed the property for about 60 days before realizing that there was not enough interest in the market to sell it at a reasonable price. The property...
How can I minimize losses on an upside down mortgage for a condo I no longer live in?
Has anyone found U.S. Savings Bonds to be effective investing?
I have this exact same issue. Event the dollar amounts are close. Here is how I am looking at the problem. **Option 1:** Walk away. Goodbye credit for 7+ years. Luckily I can operate in cash with the extra $800 per month, but should I have a non medical emergency I might be SOL. With a family I am not sure I a...
I have this exact same issue. Event the dollar amounts are close. Here is how I am looking at the problem. **Option 1:** Walk away. Goodbye credit for 7+ years. Luckily I can operate in cash with the extra $800 per month, but should I have a non medical emergency I might be SOL. With a family I am not sure I a...
I have a credit card from Citibank, and I want to create an [Online Account][1] (a virtual credit card number) but it asks me for my "Credit Card Account Number". Upon entering my credit card number (without dashes) it fails with the error "Your entries do not match our records". Why is that? - Is my "Account Num...
How do I know my Citi Credit Card Account Number?
I have a credit card from Citibank, and I want to create an Online Account¹ (a virtual credit card number) but it asks me for my "Credit Card Account Number". Upon entering my credit card number (without dashes) it fails with the error "Your entries do not match our records". Why is that? - Is my "Account Nu...
How do I know my Citi credit card account number, for setting up a Virtual Account Number?
Many companies in Canada tend to pay out bonuses around Christmas time. If one is fortunate enough to get one this year what is the best strategy for the bonus? TFSA's have a limit of $5000 yearly. An RRSP will defer taxes and sometimes result in a tax refund.
What is a good place to park a Christmas bonus? Pay down the mortgage, TFSA or RRSP?
I have seen a little bit about the "Envelope System" for spending, and while I think I have the rough idea of it, how does it work in detail. I know there is [http://www.mvelopes.com/][1], but this site will neither tell me how it works nor explain how much they want. (I won't sign up with them at all until I know ...