Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Of Inflation, space rock TZ3 and Interest which is most likely to do the most damage? Currently, Inflation and Interest rates are more likely, as TZ3 will miss the Earth by about 5 million kilometres. Rumour has it Pierre Poilievre is planning on firing TZ3 if Interest Rates go any higher (if he becomes PM). Maybe I have that story a little off, still need to confirm that one.
Inflation continues on at about 6.7% with gas prices in Ottawa high (between $1.85 and $1.99 per litre). Interest rates look to be putting a crimp in the “red hot” real estate world, but that remains to be seen.
The Ontario Provincial Election is a topic of conversation. Plenty of muck flying, accusations and outright lies being told (on all sides). Politics need to make everything a red panic button is becoming a bit overdone. The Ontario Party is attempting to add a more American feel to the election. Mercifully it is a relatively short election period.
Some Numbers for the Middle of May
| Inflation (year over year March 2022) | 6.7% |
| Bank of Canada Overnight Rate April 13th | 1.00% |
| Unemployment Rate (as of March 2022) | 5.3% |
| Real GDP By Expenditure (Q4 2021)(quarterly change) | 1.6% |
| The population of Canada (Est Q4 2021) | 38,526,760 |
| CIBC current prime rate | 3.20% |
| BMO current prime rate | 3.20% |
| Scotiabank prime lending rate | 3.20% |
| TD prime lending rate | 3.20% |
| Tangerine prime lending rate | 3.20% |
Stay on Topic!
Various folks, including one of the advertising firms I use continue to berate me for not staying on topic. Frankly, I ignore those commentaries, I write about what interests me. With that in mind, I am adding an exciting new section. I would also have to figure out what the main topic of this site is, which might be harder than I think.
Books I Am Reading
Those who know me, know I am actually listening to these books while I commute to the office. Yes, I am an “in the office” kind of guy.
Creativity A Short and Cheerful Guide by John Cleese (Audible)(OPL)
This is an hour-long audiobook or a booklet, so an easy read. It is Mr. Cleese chatting about what he thinks creativity is and how it works. The book reaffirmed a few ideas I had seen about your brain working on things, even when you didn’t think you were. If you really don’t want to waste your time reading this, just watch a YouTube video from 1992, which effectively is the same thing. I am not allowed to include it, so just click here to watch it.
Cheated: The Inside Story of the Astros Scandal and a Colorful History of Sign Stealing (Audible)
An interesting set of allegations about the infamous Astros/MLB cheating scandal of 2018. It is also a very interesting set of stories about alleged cheating (specifically sign stealing) in Major League Baseball throughout the years. There were many examples I was unaware of, so I found them enlightening. If you love baseball, this is worth a read. If you wouldn’t know a spitball from a hairball, you might want to give this one a pass.
The Latest from Me
Had a sudden eruption of writing the past few weeks, we shall see if I can keep up this momentum
- Three Solid Ideas For Your HeLOC was actually picked up by Rob Carrick in the Globe and Mail so it has had a fair amount of reads. Always nice to get a bump like that.
- School Fees as a Medical Expense is a follow-on, talking about how if the CRA agrees, you can claim your child’s school fees or tutoring as a medical expense.
Other folks’ writings
- Michael James does another book review (but on topic, as it is about investing.) with Trillions. Where did Index Funds come from? This book tries to help answer that question, sounds like a good read. (amazon link)
- Tawcan talks about Evermore Retirement ETFs (a review), which is a topic I was unaware of. ETFs, with dates on them when they change their investing focus? An interesting concept, and if they have low MERs, so much the better.
- For some very odd reason Hardbacon, a Canadian financial site, mentions me as one of the Top 70 Money Influencers in Canada in 2022 ? It even mentions me by my actual name, and I applaud them for “doing the research”. Oddly, Michael James isn’t mentioned? Strange, really.
- Vox points out that Over 60 million Americans have taxes so simple the IRS could do them automatically yet they can’t. I would bet the same (percentage-wise) is true in Canada, not sure why the CRA doesn’t do that one.
- ‘Buy now, pay later’ is sending the TikTok generation spiraling into debt, popularized by San Francisco tech firms points out a more nasty part of the new financial reality. Live now pay later, was popular in the 60s but it seems to be making a comeback.
Free Banking
Of course, there are plenty of folks that offer free banking
- EQ Bank
- Tangerine for another
- The National Bank does too
Social Media
When Oligarchs tweet, they really should let their “fixer” see it first. I had bosses that would insinuate this kind of, “you aren’t working hard enough” stupidity. Wonder why no one wanted to work for them?
Rounders is a movie I really liked. It was before the big Poker craze (which might have even caused it). Unfortunately (for Matt Damon), an adage he made has aged far too well.
Random Thoughts from the Past
- April Ends, Tax Time, Pandemics and #MoneyTalk is the first best-of posting of the year. A bit of a hack job, but not a bad read
- Happy New Year 2022 and #MoneyTalk how the year began, little did we know what fun that was to come?
- Emancipation Day and #MoneyTalk was a good long while ago, but still some interesting info.
- Good Friday, COVID continues, XRP, Tax Time and #MoneyTalk Good Friday was still during the odd time of full COVID lockdown too. (April 2nd)
- Happy New Year 2021 and #MoneyTalk wrapped up the year that was (2020) and talked of new and exciting days ahead (January 2nd)
- Vaccines, Here Comes Christmas and #MoneyTalk (December 11th)
- COVID19 Opening Up, Middle Aged Canada and #MoneyTalk (July 17th)
- Happy Canada Day #MoneyTalk (July 1st) 🇨🇦
- Fathers Day , COVID, Unsubscribe & #MoneyTalk (June 19th)
- Boxing Tuesday, Opening Up and #MoneyTalk (May 16th)
- Opening up, May Day, COVID19 and #MoneyTalk (May 1st)
- Unemployment Spikes, Easter and #MoneyTalk (April 11th)
- Covid-19, Stay Home and #MoneyTalk (March 27th)
