You are hereMonthly archive / May 2009
May 2009
Unsolved Mystery: Passport Applications Go Missing
Think of all the personal information you offer up when you fill out a passport application. You assume the Canadian government is going to fiercely protect this information, and there isn’t a risk of it getting into the wrong hands. Unfortunately, that's not always the case.
Canadians More in Debt than Ever
No matter how you look at it, Canadians are deep in debt. The Certified General Accountants Association has studied our debt-to-income ratio, our debt-to-assets ratio, and our debt-to-net worth ratio, and all have greatly deteriorated in 2008.
Controlling Your Credit: A Guide to Living Beneath Your Means
We work hard for the money, but it seems the second that paycheque goes through- we’re in the 100-meter dash to see how fast we can spend it. Interestingly, it isn’t just the people making less money that are living the paycheque-by-paycheque cycle. This type of spending behaviour is one that seems to cross all salary brackets. Even when one does obtain a raise or bonus, which are often hard to come by, the immediate inclination is to ‘upgrade’ in some way or another. The reality for most of us is that the more money we have, the more frivolous we are.
Should You Cancel That Credit Card?
What should you do if you have more credit than you need? Should you cancel an unused card, or keep it? What is the effect of unused credit cards on your credit rating? Take a look with us at the answers to some of these common questions.
5 Steps to Get a Good Mortgage Now
With interest rates at historic lows and housing prices dropping, the thought of purchasing your first home – or trading up to a larger one – has likely crossed your mind. Before you sign on the dotted line, however, keep these tips in mind when hunting down the best mortgage deal.
Are You Part of Canada's New Culture of Thrift?
Recently released survey data from the leading ad agency Bensimon Byrne provides a snapshot of how Canadians are thinking and feeling about the current recession. Survey results show whether and how we’ve altered our personal spending on the whole, and how we think we will fare over the next year.
7 Smart Things to Do with Your Tax Return
With the April tax deadline behind us, many Canadians have likely received or are expecting a tax refund from the government. Many financial experts believe that you should use your tax return to grow your net worth. If your tax return is burning a hole in your pocket, and you're looking for some sure-fire ways to get it working for you, here are a few suggestions.
Financial ABC's Preached, Not Practiced
A new survey report on Canadian financial literacy shows Canadians agree on the importance of good financial planning – but often fail to implement their own good ideas.
Canada to Crack Down on Spam (Finally!)
It took a while, but Canada is finally on the brink of joining other developed countries in implementing a law that will deter fraudsters from developing spam. The proposed Electronic Commerce Protection Act (ECPA), or Bill C-27, will crack down on various forms of electronic fraud including anything that resembles phishing, spyware, and identity theft.
Canadian Bankruptcy Rate Skyrockets
The number of bankruptcies filed by Canadian consumers and companies jumped 52% in March, according to the latest figures from the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy.
