Have you had your eye on a certain baked goodie at Starbucks for a few months now? (Well, hopefully not the same goodie, we assume these things get bought, sold, rotated...) Have you wondered if it was as good as it looks but couldn't quite bring yourself to spring for the added cost and calories?

Well, plan ahead and go for an extra run if you need to – next Tuesday morning you have a chance to indulge your taste buds and curiosity. March 23 is Free Pastry Day at Starbucks.

The countdown to an interest rate hike is on. Expectations of a rate rise grew even stronger Friday after official figures showed that the cost of living is rising faster than it should be.

The surprising news caused the Canadian dollar to jump above US99 cents as investors began to bet that an interest rate rise is close at hand. With the way the Canadian economy is going, it looks like U.S. dollar parity is inevitable.

The Bank of Canada has previously promised it would keep the key interest rate on hold at the record low level of 0.25% until at least the end of June, but the promise came with a 'Get Out of Jail Free' card that basically says it can raise rates sooner if inflation, or the rising cost of living, becomes a problem.

Drop $100 or more (before taxes and shipping and handling) at Roots.com and you'll receive a pretty little $20 coupon along with your order.

This promotion is on until March 21, so get surfing and spending this weekend if you want to take advantage.

The coupon expires on August 31, 2010, and can only be used for more online purchases.

Forget the recession; one look at the housing market and it's like we never had one. House prices are on the rise and they're not going to get cheaper anytime soon as buyers pile in to take advantage of low interest rates.

A recent report by Royal Bank of Canada found that buying a house became slightly less affordable at the end of 2009 and that was entirely due to higher prices because the other things that affect affordability -- mortgage costs and personal income -- were better.

The overall slip in affordability wasn't huge, we're talking a 0.3% rise in the index that tracks the affordability of a standard two-storey home, but economists expect costs to get worse as the year unfolds.

So what should you do if you're planning on buying a home?

Still basking in the adrenaline rush of hitting the slopes under warm sunny skies? Skiers who want to ensure they get time on their favourite mountain next spring should consider making plans now to benefit from the latest deal from Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH).

For the 2011 skiing season, heli-skiers and heli-boarders who book a ski package will receive a $100 daily credit for each day booked. For a five day holiday, a recipient would receive a $500 guest lodge credit, which can be used for a myriad of options including additional heli-skiing metres, bar, massage, or shopping.

Vacationers can choose this promotion for any of the 11 CMH heli-ski areas in the Columbia Mountains region of British Columbia, including Cariboo Lodge, McBride, Kootenay, Revelstoke and Valemont, reserving their booking before May 1, 2010.

For those who want an added bonus, if you pay for your entire package before May 1, 2010, the soon to be introduced BC harmonized sales tax will not be applied to the package total.

Do you shop online? I do. Love it. Honestly, it's some of the most basic currency hedging that you can do. (Don't be scared off by a crazy word like hedging. In this case, it's a concept a child can master, sort of.)

With half of my family living south of the border, I've grown up being really aware of how the Canadian currency's fluctuated over the years. Whenever we went to visit Grandma and Grandpa we'd always stop for certain groceries and a tank of gas if it made sense to do so. On the flipside of things too, I learned how to make the best use of any cash gifts I'd get for birthdays, etc.

Mall fashion powerhouses Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy are offering 30% off from March 18-21 during their Friends and Family event.

This printable coupon can be used multiple times over the four day period, and is also valid at Gap Generation and Banana Republic Factory Store. It isn't applicable to online orders.

Congrats, now you're officially part of the Friends and Family circle! But, um, don't expect an invitation to Christmas dinner.

You might wonder why WalletPop would post a story about breastfeeding, but there's a simple explanation. Not only is breastfeeding healthier for both mother and baby, it's a lot easier on the pocketbook as well.

The topic came up this week when a report by the City of Toronto's health department revealed that 40% of new parents leaving local hospitals are given baby formula to take home with them - whether they need it or not. A local MD and advocate of breastfeeding told CBC radio there are several reasons for breastfeeding an infant. Not only is mother's milk more nutritionally sound for the baby, but moms who nurse their babies have a lower rate of breast cancer as well. It's also more convenient than having to prepare bottles, and allows for mother-baby bonding that is beneficial for both. The doctor also mentioned that immigrant women are less likely to breastfeed as are low-income women. Yet to my surprise he didn't mention the cost factor. And the cost is considerable.

At the New York Times Travel show, WalletPop interviews a travel expert to South Africa about how to get to the FIFA World Cup in June, how to secure tickets, and what it will cost.