Illness, K-Cups, Interest Rates and #BestOfThisWeek
Back in 2015 interest rates fluctuated little and usually only went down, ah for those heady days? Many other good finance stories, as well.
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Random Thoughts
Saint David’s Day and #RandomThoughts
Hope everyone is enjoying the festive last week of RRSP season and for those who enjoy getting that last-minute Income Tax break buzz, you have until Monday next week to get your last minute RRSP contributions in place, to get a break on your 2014 taxes. As I mentioned this week, maybe we should have this kind of excitement for TFSAs? It’s not necessary as the limits carry forward for you (another reason to like the TFSA more than the RRSP).
Sunday is Saint David’s Day for my Welsh brethren. Wales plays France on Saint David’s Eve, let us hope for a festive win to help usher in this happy day. Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus.
Dydd GwÅ·l Dewi (Sant) hapus
I gave blood again this week, and due to a small pimple on my regular “giving arm” I gave with my right arm this time. Always an exciting time, but it worked just fine, and I can now feel pious for Lent, knowing I helped someone out. Have you given blood lately? If you can, why not?
The Rideau Canal has set a record for a number of days open this year. We in Ottawa hope it won’t still be open in May.
My Writings for Week Ending February 27th
I did enjoy the festive feel for this final week of RRSPs, and my twitter feed was peppered with useful RRSP commentaries :
- Didn’t hear if anyone used my RRSP Bingo card for their RRSP purchases, I hope someone had fun with it.
- What order do you do your savings RRSP then TFSA ? I have a different idea, but if you are a regular reader you can guess my point of view on this.
- Lent Begins, Freezing Temps, Apples and RRSP and #BestOfThisWeek
Lent Begins, Freezing Temps, Apples and RRSP and #BestOfThisWeek
Lent began in 2015 with colder temperatures, and also it was the start of RRSP season for some folks, although they are not as in vogue.
RRSPs, Valentines, 50 Shades of Debt and #BestOfThisWeek
RRSP season is still ongoing with 16 days remaining to contribute to an RRSP account. Valentine’s Day weekend is a reminder to love without bankrupting oneself, despite pressure from the diamond industry. In light of the release of 50 Shades of Grey, the writer muses that sex toy sales could experience a significant boost. He commemorates his 2,700th post and shares his writings for the week. These include topics on Canadian part-time jobs, retirement, the concept of money being equivalent to love, and transitioning plans for a business.
Superb Decisions, Gas Going Up, Rugby and #BestThisWeek
Being a fervent football enthusiast, the game on Sunday emphasized the criticality of making prompt and confident choices, as anyone who witnessed the match can attest. Despite some justifications, it’s hard to deny that it could be one of the worst play decisions ever made, even surpassing Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg. However, the game was entertaining, but what gave me immense pleasure is the fact that the Giants remain the only team to have defeated the Brady/Belicheck Patriots in a Super Bowl. Regarding finances, it’s imperative to remember not to count our chickens before they hatch, as one erroneous decision can wipe out all our hard-earned money in no time.
Did you realize that the man who brought us Ketchup Potato Chips died this past week? Did you know he was Canadian? Herman Neff (a German immigrant) is that man, and I for one, thank him for that forbidden snack flavor.
Gas prices in Ottawa have jumped about 15% over the past week, and look like they will not be slowing down any time soon, which will make for very interesting stats on Inflation next month. Even with Oil going up in price, the Canadian Dollar has not started to rebound, which could make for some interesting “re-thinks” on the part of the Government in terms of tax breaks and such.
The RBS 6 Nations Cup starts today, with England playing Wales, and I’ll be watching (somehow). In 1972 the (then) 5 Nations Cup ended up tied each team went 2-2, so they all shared in the championship.
My Writings for Week Ending February 6th
Back to my regular 2 a week schedule, which is interesting because right now I have about 175 unfinished articles sitting in my “drafts” folder, I should have a contest to have a lucky writer finish one of those fine topics :
- I think a financial fit bit might be a cool thing to have, or at least some kind of interface to monitor spending, that maybe shares with your spouse, you spending habits?
- Car Insurance Savings Devices is me being a paranoid consumer, but there is an excellent (and civilized I might add) discussion with “Chris” who works in the industry about how this might all work. Well worth a read.
- One of my favorite old stories is the Financial Shock Collar as a spending control device. My view is that any time I can add Star Trek (the original series) into an idea, it makes it much better.
- CLBs, Weak Loons, Tax Time, Superb Owls and #BestThisWeek
