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Canajun Finances Home » Inflation , TZ3, Interest Rates and #MoneyTalk

Inflation , TZ3, Interest Rates and #MoneyTalk

Estimated reading time: 6 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 rate3.20%
BMO current prime rate3.20%
Scotiabank prime lending rate3.20%
TD prime lending rate3.20%
Tangerine prime lending rate3.20%
Some Useful Financial Data for Canadians as of May 13th, 2022

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


EQ Bank Savings Account
No Bank Fees here though

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


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?


Random Thoughts from the Past

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