Canadian Personal Finance Blog

Yes, I have posted this one before, but it is so good, and so off topic, and given that the Christmas season is upon us (at least the gift giving part of it), enjoy this story of the “wrong” present and a little boys love of hockey. The Sweater is a classic story of Quebecois life, and beloved across Canada.

In this animated short, Roch Carrier recounts the most mortifying moment of his childhood. At a time when all his friends worshipped Maurice “Rocket” Richard and wore his number 9 Canadiens hockey jersey, he was mistakenly sent a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey from Eaton’s. Unable to convince his mother to send it back, he must face his friends wearing the colours of the opposing team. This short film, based on the book The Hockey Sweater, is an NFB classic that appeals to hockey lovers of all ages.

NFB is launching a new web expose on the economy at the Micro level (i.e. your and my level) and what the macro changes do at the Micro level, it is called GDP , and looks to be an interesting project to watch, official web site.

OK the film from the NFB is actually HOW they make pennies, but as I asked last weekend, the better question is, WHY do they make pennies?

Well the CBC isn’t as “free wheeling” with their videos as the NFB is but here is an interesting video (you have to click on it), called Pity the Penny, which talks about the impending extinction of the dollar bill (back in 1985) and the eventual demise of the penny.

I’d like to note that Mr. Watson was very incorrect, in that the Penny is still alive and kicking in the 21st century! Unfortunately Mr. Watson is not around to see this, may he rest in peace.

I was unaware of the law about it being the right of any shopkeeper to refuse any payment of 25 cents or more in pennies, and you then can’t go back and spend any more pennies at that store, very interesting.

A Penny For Your Thoughts?

Enjoy your weekend.

Eight years ago the world changed.

For those who had loved ones who died on that day, my thoughts are with you. My thoughts are also with the folks in the Armed Forces who now are in harms way because of that day.

From the Blogosphere

• The Canadian Capitalist lamented the eventual demise of Microsoft Money, I use Quicken myself, but Money seemed to be an OK tool as well, but there are now free tools out there too!
• Michael James had a special guest post by his wife “The Wife”, about Splitting Book Orders to get Free Shipping, “The Wife”s reputation for Frugality borders on outright CHEAPness, so you should listen to her advice.
• Nancy Zimmerman writes about a topic near to my heart, Work Life Balance and she wonders whether the 9 to 5 day is an antiquated idea? Depends on whether you get paid for those extra hours, would be my comment.
• Preet at WhereDoesAllMyMoneyGo laments the Financial Advisor Retirement Plan, and how easy it is to make money for yourself, but not your clients.
• Larry MacDonald investigates the Cheapest Way to Invest? You could stuff your money in your mattress, that’s pretty cheap.
• Ellen Roseman writes about Telecom Troubles Part II, my only trouble is that between my home phone and cell phone I am being GOUGED terribly. No service is worth what I am paying for this.