Canadian Personal Finance Blog

Archive for December 9th, 2008

At 9:00 AM the Bank of Canada will announce their final rate adjustment (hopefully) for 2008 (I will be busy at that time but will comment on it, on Wednesday, a day later than my customary same day flash).

Given that stock markets seem to have rebounded a smidge in the past day, it will be interesting to see if the stock markets have hit bottom, and whether now is the time to look at getting back into the investing world.  Don’t take this as “advice” from me to buy, or sell, just my opinion, for what it is worth. I am still invested in what I was invested in previously, and have bought some modest amounts of other stocks (and have enjoyed buying lower priced stock with my DRiPs as well).

Experts are guessing at another rate drop, from the Bank of Canada, but I remain skeptical, since the Canadian Dollar is quite fragile and very low right now, and a lower rate, would send it back to the low 70 cent range compared to it’s American cousin.

Inflation may well be under control for now, in fact Deflation may kick in with gasoline prices now at rates not seen for the past 6 years, but lowering interest rates may not be in the cards for a lot of reasons, but again, it remains to be seen. If liquidity issues are the main reason then expect a rate drop simply to help out.

Advent Financial Calendar Box Day 10

This box has a cane in it? No, not a candy cane, a cane, like an older person might use. Retirement, and RRSP’s in specific, an excellent thing to take care of during Advent. Yes the RRSP deadline is in February, but if you buy now, you avoid the rush and general “hub bub” of the February RRSP season and you get two more months of growth on your investments as well.