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Asteroids, Tax Cuts, Lemurs and #BestThisWeek

We have successfully landed on an asteroid! This is a tremendous accomplishment! Despite the challenges presented by the asteroid’s size and speed, the attachment mechanism is experiencing some glitches. Nevertheless, the team is working tirelessly to ensure that the dishwasher remains securely attached throughout the journey. However, concerns have been raised about the feasibility of a full rinse cycle. Nonetheless, it is an extraordinary feat to have a dishwasher onboard a fast-moving object in space.

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I must thank my parents that they pushed me to get a University Education, after watching those two window washers at One World Trade dangling 69 stories up. I’d need to be paid a lot more than I currently make to do that job, but I guess there are folks who don’t mind that kind of risk in their day-to-day jobs (but I am not one of them).

Plenty of talk about the coming tax cuts in the next budget, whether they deliver, is another question, and whether the Public can be bought off or not (sorry that is a cynical view of politics (or is it?)). Maybe they will cut our EI premiums a little more? A few other carrots being tested via “leaks” from the government. Start paying down the National Debt would be a very good thing.

Sad to read of the deaths of two of my favorite supporting characters on TV. First Carol Ann Susi passed away this week, you may not recognize her name, but she was the voice of Howard Walowitz’s mother, “HOWARD!!!“. Wonder what they will do about this on the show? The second passing was Jovian the Lemur from ZooBooMaFoo, who would leap around on the show. Jovian died of kidney failure.

My Writings for Week Ending November 14th

Remembrance Day in Ottawa is always an awe-inspiring event, and this year it was that much more, truly astounding to see that many folks come out to say thanks to those who defend our rights and freedoms.

Read More »Asteroids, Tax Cuts, Lemurs and #BestThisWeek

How Class B Shares Cured Me of Stock Picking

Stock picking for joe six-pack is a dangerous game to play, and for me the epiphany of this, was when I foolishly bought stock and they were class B shares

Unemployment Canada

Unemployment is like it is 2008 Again

Explore the StatsCan report on Unemployment for October 2014 , which shows employment numbers are up & unemployment is down – near 2008 rates! Uncover insights on the part-time economy & why young Canadians are turning to multiple jobs to survive. October 2014.

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Lame Ducks, Financial Literacy, Working for Free and #BestThisWeek

This week, our friends in the South have politically weakened their President by electing a Republican majority in both the Senate and Congress. This creates a situation where the President is essentially a lame duck. While there are discussions of “working together for a better America” right now, it is expected that by January, there will be talk of impeachment and attempts to undo Obamacare. These developments are likely to make the next couple of years in US politics very interesting. Although Canada has had some not-so-pleasant stories this week about harassment and overspending in elections, US politics always seems to be a more fascinating topic.

Vacation Photo
Me and Mrs. C8j on Vacation MANY Years Ago

For Montreal Expos diehards like me, MLB threw us a few more crumbs of hope, with the Blue Jays playing some exhibition games at the Olympic Stadium in the Spring. Might go down to watch, but I also remember just how old the concrete is at the Big Owe, so maybe I’ll just watch it on TV.

Remember that November is Financial Literacy month here in Canada, so look for Tweets with the #FLM2014 on them, for interesting stories about financial literacy. I am also growing back the Big C8j Mostache for Movember (I shaved it off, and four people thought I was Jim Watson, and no I can’t help you with the parking problem on your street in the Glebe).

Stephen Poloz the new Bank of Canada Czar had a novel way for todays youth to get jobs, that is to work for free. I have always wondered about this whole Intern Works for Free scam that has been going on at many companies, but Mr. Poloz thinks his exact quote is:

When I bump into youths, they ask me, you know, What am I supposed to do in a situation? I say, look, having something unpaid on your CV is very worth it because that’s the one thing you can do to counteract this scarring effect. Get some real-life experience even though you’re discouraged, even if it’s for free

I see where he might be coming from, and it does somewhat make sense (i.e. better to have experience working for free than, “I sat at home and played X-Box” as a statement about that time in your CV ) maybe he could have put it in a way that the media talking heads didn’t have such an easy talking point?

Mrs. C8j and I were immortalized on the Twitter, talking about my retirement plans (currently, not being dead by age 65 is the first thing on the list). Nice picture of us on our last vacation together in 1992 (yeh, that’s 22 years ago). The tweet is at the bottom of this article.

My Writings for Week Ending November 7th

Christmas ads are in the air, it’s dark at 4:30 PM, must mean it is Autumn in Ottawa.

  • Given this is financial literacy month, I felt it important to start with some Key Financial Rules, and then lampoon them as best I could. Remember a penny saved, is still worthless.
  • Most folks don’t think about how much it costs when you buy something with a credit card, but you are paying for that privilege, but luckily that transfer fee is now frozen The Cost of a Credit Card Transaction, outlines that.
  • Keeping in mind it is financial literacy month, maybe you want to ask, What is Financial Literacy ?
Read More »Lame Ducks, Financial Literacy, Working for Free and #BestThisWeek
Credit Card

The Cost of a Credit Card Transaction

Back in 2014 the big credit card companies agreed to freeze their fees, to sellers, to 1.5%.

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