Somewhere in the past few or next few days will be the anniversary of my birth that is somewhere over the number 50 (need to be vague for security and my vanity too). Birthdays are a mile marker in your life, and in my case many interesting things have occurred on my birthday (the most interesting was when I was almost expelled from University (along with my residence floor) ’nuff said there). My hope is that nothing too interesting happens this year (however I think that is a dubious wish, given my track record).

Other more interesting events are happening globally, with the GOP attempting to choose a candidate to attempt to unseat the current sitting President (never an easy task). We also have the Iranians rattling sabers about the Straits of Hormuz and whether the U.S. should be around there, and the question of what happens next in North Korea? All in all 2012 starts in a very confused way, let’s hope there is more clarity coming soon.

Weekly Recap

For this birthday week I was a little less financially oriented more slice of life but don’t worry I won’t be publishing recipes for raisin muffins, back to money next week:

• To start the week Year of the Dragon and Sunday’s Best I discussed how this is a new year for most folks, except for 1/3 of the world’s population
• Employment numbers still are not getting better and with Unemployment up to end 2011 the news is not getting that much better
• I started veering off course with Prices Going Up, where I playfully pointed out it costs nothing to read this site (and it will continue to be that way)
• I am sick and tired about reading how folks can get rich working at home so I had a go at those folks with Make Your Hobby Pay,  no you shouldn’t do as I say.
• I vented in Observations on Telemarketers these folks are like jackals constantly phoning me!

And thanks to those who added me on Twitter I am now over 980 folks who follow me, wow!. Check out my Facebook page as well.

Links for the Week

Luckily no one else was aware or commented on my upcoming birthday, however I did find a few new places to read in the new year too:

• One new site I am reading now is Mr. Money Mustache which has an interesting point with you can’t cure obesity with bigger pants a very prophetic statement.
• Another new site I am now checking out is The Blunt Bean Counter who tells us an Estate Planning:A Take of a Fathers Selfless Act of Love
• Ellen Roseman tries to help us figure out what’s the best way to get through to companies?, some useful ideas here.
• Larry MacDonald wonders if 2012 could be when Canada loses its shine, hope not Larry!
• Michael James puts on his Swami Turbin to give us some economic predictions for 2012 good stuff, you forgot to mention the Mayans might have been right too!
• Canadian Capitalist goes into his archives with performance of the currency-neutral MSCI EAFE Index Fund very technical, but informative too.
• Sandy at Yes I am Cheap rants that TLC’s Extreme Cheapskates is Just for Show, reality TV that is not reality? Next you’ll tell me the sun will rise tomorrow!!! I enjoy the TLC show OMG you can’t wear that it is hideous and you are a moron to wear it you out of shape person!
• Our happy finance caballo My Own Advisor divulges his ambitious 2012 personal finance and investing goals, which is more than I want to tell folks.
• Echo of Boomer and Echo tips us on spotting the crooks, you mean they don’t wear Top Hats and have handlebar mustaches?
• Mike at Money.Smarts give us RESP Canada Learning Bond (CLB) – Why aren’t more people claiming it?, Mike’s RESP book is a must have for anyone with kids
• Frugaltrader at Million Dollar Journey continues his discussions of the Smith Manoeuvre and his portfolio with why I don’t use a dividend ETF for my leveraged portfolio
• Miranda at Planting Money Seeds, asks the good query Taxes: Is that a Home Business or a Hobby? Given how little I am paid, I am embarrassed to call it a Hobby.
• Mrs. SPF at Sustainable Personal Finance gives us a case for Why Use Cloth Diapers I had this discussion with my wife 22 years ago, we started with cloth and ended up with disposable.
• Preet gives us the low down on investing with dividends make up 43% of S&P 500 historical returns

Carnivals this Week

I did make it into a few carnivals this week too:

A great RESP Book

• WealthyPilgrim.com hosted the Carnival of Personal Finance ask the right questions edition which included my article Lifespan of Resolutions

Other Bookkeeping

A Real Birthday Cake!

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Remember

“About the only thing that comes to us without effort is old age.”

Author: Unknown I think I am understanding that more now.