Had 'the Talk' with Your Kids Yet? Not That Talk, the Money Talk!
Filed under: Budgeting & Planning, Family Finances, Saving, Back to School
WalletPop doesn't usually promote specific financial companies, but today we're making an exception. American Express in conjunction with personal finance expert Jean Chatzky is sponsoring a National Money Talk Night on Thursday, September 16th 2010 to help tweens, teens and young adults get a better understanding of managing their finances independently.
As Chatzky points out in the introductory video, parents tend to have the sex talk and the drug talk with their kids, but few have the Money talk, and in these hard economic times, it's more important than ever to turn out financially literate kids.
I had a good look at the materials provided at the Money Night Talk website, and found them to be just as relevant to Canadian families as American, with just a few exceptions. At the website, parents can download and view available resources and ask as many questions as possible. Then, on September 16th, it's time to sit down with your kids and have the somewhat dreaded Money Talk.
The tip sheets are organized into three categories: middle school, high school and college, with excellent, age-appropriate advice for each group. Obviously American Express wants to get parents and their kids using their financial products, but the fact is, this is one talk parents tend to put off. And if this initiative helps some families have it, then we're happy to promote it on WalletPop Canada.
Have a look and plan to have a chat soon, even if it's not on Sept 16, which frankly is a little late for students heading off to uni this weekend.
Do Not Call List - A Joke?
Filed under: Consumer Complaints, Fraud, House & Home
It seemed like a good idea in theory and given response rates the public appears happy to have the National Do Not Call List in force, but there are some glaring gaps in the system and more people are raising criticism about enforcement and the list's effectiveness in general. One report earlier this summer puts the number of complaints received by the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) at well over 300,000. As of March 1, however, despite having levied around $73,000 in fines, the CRTC had only collected $250.
30% Off Fill-a-Bag Sale at Gymboree
Filed under: Bargains & Freebies, Bargains, Daily Deal, Family Finances, Fashion & Trends, Shopping, Back to School
Parents who lack self control when it comes to dressing up their munchkins might want to sprint over to Gymboree this weekend. The baby and kidswear shop is having a Fill-a-Bag sale from now through Labour Day. Simply fill a bag as carefully or impulsively as you like and 30% will be discounted at the register.
To locate a Gymboree, click here.
Five Ways to Stay Cool & Save Money
Filed under: Budgeting & Planning, Economizer, House & Home
If you don't want a shock when you open your next hydro bill, why not try these tips to stay cool while keeping a few coins in your pocket?
Organizational Help For The Rest Of Us
Filed under: House & Home
Some people are natural neat freaks. I'm envious. It's not that I want an office that would look good on the pages of Architectural Digest – that would make me a little crazy too... I mean, where do they keep their pens and scrap paper? It feels like I'd be committing a crime if I left my coffee cup behind on the desk. That said, every once in a while I need to do a serious sweep of my space to clear the piles. I'm bad for making piles. I know where everything is, which is a good thing, but eventually they all get too big, which usually causes several days of something like anxiety where my inner critic talks about nothing except what a mess things are, then a full afternoon off to set things right again.
Thinking there had to be a better way to manage things, I gave organizational expert, Colette Robicheau a call.
2 for 1 Urban Adventures in Europe
Filed under: Bargains & Freebies, Bargains, Daily Deal, Travel
Got your eye on the European map? If so, here's a snazzy sale that may help direct your travels.
For the entire month of September, you can buy an Urban Adventure in one of the ten European cities listed below and bring a friend for free. Urban Adventures are fun micro-tours within a city that range from a couple of hours to an entire day. You could eat a meal with a family in Istanbul, discover where locals find the best gelato in Rome or learn the legends of Tallinn.
The cities included in the offer are:
- Amsterdam
- Athens
- Thessaloniki
- Barcelona
- Rome
- Florence
- Budapest
- St Petersburg
- Tallinn
- Istanbul
The sale is on until September 30, 2010. Travel must occur between September 1, 2010 and December 31, 2011.
Hey Homeowners - Go Solar and Save Money
Filed under: Budgeting & Planning, Family Finances, House & Home
Trying to cut costs and still be eco-friendly? For homeowners, there's many options, but is it worth it to spend the money now to save the money later?According to a recent survey by TD Canada Trust, 91 per cent of Canadians know that using green energy will reduce a home's impact on the environment, but less than five per cent of homeowners have considered and installed solar panels in their homes.
The survey respondents said that although 33 per cent have considered solar energy, the cost is the main deterrent.
TD Canada Trust's Chief Environment Officer Karen Clarke-Whistler likens solar power to hybrid vehicles, saying that 10 years ago, cars using alternative sources of energy were a novelty. Currently, 47 per cent of Canadians are aware about the options that solar energy can provide homeowners, for example:
- solar energy can reduce a homeowner's dependence on the grid, and reduce bills
- in some provinces, excess solar energy not used by a homeowner can be sold to local utility companies
- solar panels will increase a home's value
- solar panels need very little maintenance and last on average a minimum of 25 years
TD Canada Trust has created Going Green: A Homeowner's Guide to Solar Energy to help homeowners understand how to use solar energy to their advantage.
TD Financial Services has also focused on homeowner's increasing interest in sourcing alternative energy sources, and has created a network of renewable energy installation companies that can work with homeowners interested in solar, geothermal or wind.
As Seen on TV: Topsy Turvy Planter
Filed under: Video
The Price: $19.99 plus $7.95 shipping and handling
The Claims: Grows delicious tomatoes without the back-breaking work.
Buy-O-Meter Rating: 4 out of 5
How to Have a Fun and Frugal Long Weekend
Filed under: Budgeting & Planning, Economizer, Travel

All it takes is a little research and initiative and soon you'll be having a great (and inexpensive) time.
Gold Predicted to Hit US$1,500 by December
Filed under: Financial Crisis, Investing
Gold is predicted to rise for a 10th straight year in 2011, making it the longest rally in 90 years, forecasters say. According to a Bloomberg article in the Financial Post, some top gold forecasters expect the yellow metal to rise 18% to about US$1,500 by December.It's a staggering outlook, but given gold's recent performance, it's one that may just play out. Gold is up 13% since the beginning of the year at about US$1,248. On June 21 it hit a record high of US$1,266.50.
Many analysts and professional investors cringe when they admit they expect the price of gold to rise, especially from its current levels. Being a "gold bull" in the investment community comes with a stigma. This is basically because gold usually performs well when everything else is going to pot.









