A Simple Packing Trick to Avoid Airline Baggage Fees
Filed under: Economizer, Travel, Holidays
There's something strangely satisfying and less stressful about flying with only carry-on luggage.The first snicker of satisfaction comes when you arrive at the airport with your boarding pass already printed off the internet and breeze past the line of people waiting to check in their bags. The second is knowing that you've avoided paying check-in baggage fees (this is not so much an issue on Canadian airlines, but you really need to watch out for them in the U.S. or on budget airlines around the world -- they hurt. Ouch!) Third is knowing that the airline won't lose your luggage (it's a slim chance, but it does happen.) And fourth is being able to walk straight off the plane, past those waiting for the baggage conveyor belt to start up, and straight out of the airport.
Before you say that there's no way you could fit everything you need into your carry-on, read on.
Parents Struggling to Afford Hockey Fees
Filed under: Budgeting & Planning, Economizer, Family Finances, Health, Saving, Back to School
One third of hockey moms and dads say they need to dig deep into their pockets in order to afford the costs of involving their kids in Canada's most popular sport, according to a survey.In other words, of the roughly 577,000 kids enrolled in minor hockey, the parents of about 192,350 of them are struggling to meet the costs.
So how much are Canadians paying to send their kids along to the game?
Google Offers Free Websites for Small Businesses
Filed under: Entrepreneurship, Technology, Small Business
Now there is no excuse for not putting your business online. Google, in conjunction with web host firm Yola, has launched its ¨Get You Business Online¨ campaign in Canada, giving small businesses the chance to trial their business on the world wide web for free.
The campaign, which has been running in Australia and the UK, is designed to help all those small businesses who think that creating a website is too hard, time consuming or expensive.
How to Survive a Personal Finance Crisis
Filed under: Budgeting & Planning, Credit Cards, Debt, Economizer, Family Finances, Financial Crisis, House & Home, Insurance, Investing, Saving
No one ever strives to find themselves strapped for cash, deep in debt or bankrupt, but the unfortunate truth is that it happens. People lose their jobs, become ill, injured or sadly lose a bread winner in the family.In any of these cases, the pain caused by the event is amplified by the ongoing financial struggle. However, there are some steps you can take to prepare your finances and minimize the stress.
Inspired by an article in the Globe and Mail, here are 10 steps you can take to help get you through a personal finance meltdown:
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Financial Complaints Hit Record High
Filed under: Banks, Consumer Complaints, Credit Cards, Fraud, Insurance, Investing, Loans, Small Business
The number of financial complaints made to Canada's Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI) reached a record high in 2010, despite the fact that the worst of the global financial crisis had passed.Last year, 1,024 complaints were made to the OBSI, which is an independent financial dispute resolution service for consumers and small businesses.
Complaints rose 3.4% in 2010, building on the enormous 48% jump in 2009 at the height of the financial crisis. The new figure marks the first time in the organization's 15 year history that complaints have risen above 1,000.
Rate Hike Fears Ease On Shock Inflation Figures
Filed under: Banks, Budgeting & Planning, Financial Crisis, Investing
A record low increase in core consumer prices was the last thing economists expected to see, especially given recent advances in the Canadian economy. However, a record low increase is what we got, taking the pressure off the Bank of Canada to raise interest rates anytime soon.Core inflation -- a measure of the cost of living -- rose only 0.9% in the 12 months ended February, the lowest reading since records began in 1984. In fact, a reading that low would usually cause the Bank of Canada to lower interest rates to stimulate the economy and price increases.
Improved Housing Affordability Won't Last, Says RBC
Filed under: Loans, Real Estate, Real Estate
The steady decline in mortgage rates combined with slow house price appreciation has made the past few months some of the most affordable in recent years to buy a home in Canada. In fact, a report by the Royal Bank of Canada shows that housing affordability improved for a second straight quarter at the end of 2010.However, as the Canadian economy continues to improve, the experts say that these attractive buying conditions will not last.
BMO Named Canada's Best Bank By Consumers
Filed under: Banks, Consumer Complaints
It's important to have a good relationship with your bank; after all, you're entrusting it with your life's savings, investments and debts -- and paying fees to boot. Luckily for Canadians, we've an array of good banks. But which one should you choose?In terms of general customer satisfaction, credit union customers are Canada's happiest bankers, according to a Financial Post article based on a poll of more than 2,000 adults compiled by Forum Research in March. The poll shows that 74% of credit union members are "very satisfied" with their institution.
Among the big banks, Bank of Montreal has the highest percentage of happy customers, with 72% saying they are "very satisfied" with the service they receive. But not all banks perform so well.
Why Canadian Stocks Are a Good Buy in 2011
Filed under: Budgeting & Planning, Financial Crisis, Investing
Canadian investors are in luck: our home stock market is predicted to chalk up some of the best returns in the world this year amid continued economic struggles in Europe and the United States and political turmoil in the Middle East.
"Relative to the U.S. or east Asia, Canada's equity market carries more insurance against a worsening geopolitical climate in the Middle East, in the form of a larger basket of energy stocks and safe havens like gold shares," Avery Shenfeld, the chief economist at CIBC, says in an economic report.
He says that while a diversified investment portfolio is always wise, this year it looks like Canadian stocks will offer you some of the best growth opportunities.
Interest Rates May Rise Sooner Than Previously Thought
Filed under: Budgeting & Planning, Financial Crisis, Investing, Real Estate
It turns out that Canada's economy is in much better shape than previously thought, causing economists to bring forward their predictions of an interest rate hike."The recovery in Canada is proceeding slightly faster than expected, and there is more evidence of the anticipated rebalancing of demand," Canada's central bank governor Mark Carney said in a statement Tuesday.
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