You are hereMonthly archive / March 2009
March 2009
Canada Loses a Credit Bureau
Competition is typically a good thing regardless of what market or industry you’re talking about. But in the case of credit bureaus, fewer players may actually be better for Canadian consumers. Here’s why.
What Are You Really Paying for Those Rewards Points?
Whenever you use reward cards, such as an AirMiles affinity card or President's Choice Financial MasterCard, you are giving retailers and marketers a detailed electronic profile of your shopping behavior. But is the tradeoff of personal information for rewards points worth it? Read on to see how customer rewards programs work, and whether Canadians who participate in these "affinity marketing" programs expose themselves to privacy risks.
What You Should Know about Credit Counselling
Credit counselling can be an alternative to insolvency for Canadians who find their income isn't enough to cover their monthly debt obligations.
55+ Age Group More Likely to Face Bankruptcy
New information shows the group at highest risk of insolvency in Canada is not younger Canadians, but those in the 55 and older group. This information stands in stark contrast to the expectation that older Canadians, as a group, have built enough wealth over their lifetimes to shield themselves from financial distress in their later years.
Making Happiness a Part of Your Retirement Plan
Most people’s retirement focus – if they’re planning their retirement at all – is financial. But many retirees, even those with a healthy nest egg, find themselves unhappy for the final stretch of their lives. In transitioning away from the working world, mental management is as much a part of post-retirement life as financial management. After all, it’s a life changing experience.
Expectation is the root of happiness, so a big part of building a rewarding post-labour life involves cultivating your mental landscape around realistic actionable hopes. Here are some problems you can expect, and some strategies for dealing with them...
Consumer Proposal: An Alternative to Bankruptcy
Are you considering bankruptcy? Are you aware of all your options? A consumer proposal may be the right solution for if you are struggling with paying back what you owe your creditors.
The Top 5 Online Resources for Fraud Prevention
With March being Fraud Prevention Month, it’s a good time to brush up on the various scams and fraud protection strategies out there right now. Here is a list of helpful resources to assist you in your quest to fraud-proof your life.
Facing Foreclosure? How to Keep Your Home
With housing values deteriorating across the country, the national unemployment rate inching skywards, and personal debt loads exceeding record levels, it’s not a surprise that foreclosure statistics are also increasing at a significant pace.
Credit Payment Ratings, or "What Does R2 Mean Anyway?"
You may know that it's important to regularly review your credit report, but do you understand the credit payment ratings that appear on it? Here, we explain the rating system used by the credit bureaus on your credit reports.
Canadian "Car Warranty" Phone Scam
If you live in Canada, chances are you’ve received a phone call – or ten – about extending your car warranty. Unfortunately, if you opt to purchase that policy, you’ll find out that the $175 per month doesn’t get you much. Learn to recognize a scam and how you can protect yourself.
