Random Thoughts: Safe Journey Jack

Jack Layton lost his battle with cancer this week and that saddens me for a bunch of reasons, not the least of which anyone losing their battle with the Big C really pisses me off (I hate the Big C). I will state first and foremost, I did not agree with many of Mr. Layton’s ideas and concepts about how Government should work, but I do salute his dedication to his job and his constituents. I have heard folks call Mr. Layton, The Best Prime Minister Canada Never Had, but I don’t agree with that. Jack Layton is the Best Leader of the Official Opposition Canada Never Had (he died before he could act fully in his capacity).

Good night sweet Prince, your journey is over, hopefully your minions will fill your shoes and continue to act as the conscience of the nation. Please read his final letter which has some very poignant sections for those suffering from Cancer and their families.

Whole lot of shaking going on in the U.S., with earthquakes and now a hurricane bearing down on the East Coast, so Mother Nature is again reminding us that no matter how bad you think the economic world can get, she can make our lives infinitely more exciting if she so chooses. Do you have Hurricane and/or Earthquake insurance? Might want to think about it soon, by the looks of it.

With all the shaking and political news I did manage to stay relatively on topic with my posts:

• The Sunday best of post When great minds meet and best of Sunday pointed out that when financial bloggers meet, some great ideas can come forward (but not a lot of money is spent)
• Our friends at Stats Canada posted new numbers showing Inflation slows in July but still high-ish and again it is food and energy being the major culprits as well.
• I found out from my daughter who works part time there, that Loblaws has new rules on Gift Card Purchases to slow down the fraudulent purchases of those cards.
• Tried to see if I could stir the pot a little but no one really jumped at my odd statement that $2 per gallon gas IS possible
• With Great Stories about Gold (Au) I tried to see if other folks had favorite stories or movies about Gold (given it’s presence as being the de facto standard again in this economy)

I actually enjoy all comments (even the ones that question my intelligence), and will try to respond to most comments, so please feel free to comment away. For you spammers who continue to inundate me with your drivel, keep it up as well.

With all the shaking, winds and fun and games in the Political world down south (and HP cancelling their tablet computer as well) there were some very interesting ideas put forward by some of my favorite writers:

• Frugal Trader at Million Dollar journey gives us the ever risky Credit Card Arbitrage I – How Does it Work?, I don’t condone or recommend this, I only supply it for your information
• Gail Vaz-Oxlade implores us to Take control of our money, which is obvious but also good advice. It is your money so you should control it.
• Michael James wonders if University Students (and their parents) are losing sight of the purpose of insurance especially that offered by the University as part of their fees.
• Our Friend Canadian Financial DIY asks a very good question for this time of year Education Savings Options: RESP, TFSA or RRSP? and of course the answer is… it depends (that is always the answer isn’t it?).
• Canadian Capitalist has some good-ish news with BMO InvestorLine to allow U.S. Dollar Registered Accounts, which is good, but they are not extending this to all possible accounts yet (i.e. not RESPs), too bad.
• Rob Carrick warns us to Stop talking smack about coffee, and I don’t have a big issue with coffee the drink, I have a big issue with the price of said drink, but Smack is even more expensive, so I guess it is all relative.
• Larry MacDonald points out that some financial bloggers really should get their head out of their derrieres with Zero Hedge attacks Canada (again), Canadian Banks aren’t stable? If so, who’s banks are?
• The Wealthy Boomer Jon Chevreau tells that his readers agree: keep the old Volvo running my only issue with this is that I drive a Toyota.
• Preet has an interesting take on David Kotok’s comments with 1 cent drop per gallon of gas = $1.4 Billion in stimulous to U.S. economy which would mean that $2 per gallon gas would really stimulate our friends down south.
• Echo of Boomer and Echo, laments about Good Customer Service: Finish What You Started and the joys of moving (I hate moving).
• Our buddy My Own Advisor comments how online RRSP calculators freak him out and I have to admit they do tend to window dress the numbers a bit too much for my liking.
• And I could not end this list without my favorite site Hanzi Smatter with it’s new post Hemorrhoid Samurai?, you must check this site out, especially if you are ever planning on getting a tattoo

 

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Remember

“To other Canadians who are on journeys to defeat Cancer and to live their lives, I say this: please don’t be discouraged that my journey hasn’t gone as well as I had hoped.”

Author: Jack Layton eloquent even in the face of his own mortality.