Canadian Finance BlogFriday Links – Canadian Finance Blog

Friday Links

Tom Drake — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:00:10 +0000

There’s big news in the stock market this week concerning Facebook and according to CBC News, Canadian Investors Shut Out of Facebook IPO.
This week the Wealthy Boomer shared some great job-search advice with his post on why Job Seekers Should Look for Employers with DB Pensions.
Million Dollar Journey wants you to ask yourself a hard question this week with their article, Are Junk Bonds for You?
I couldn’t help but share this interesting advice from the Canadian Capitalist that suggests Under 40? Forget Retirement Planning.
Speaking of retirement, this week the Retire Happy blog shared a post for those Looking to Retire Early? CPP Changes May Make You Think Twice.
Home equity can be a tricky subject. Thankfully the Financial Highway revealed 6 Things You Might Not Know About Your Home Equity Line of Credit.
This week The Financial Blogger wrote an interesting piece about How to Overcome the Fear of Getting Rich Slowly.
It’s nearly tax time and that means it’s nearly time for a tax refunds. This week Get Rich Slowly gave out great financial advice on How to Spend a Tax Refund.
Going along with the preceding post, you may want to check out this Turbo Tax 2012 Online Review by Consumerism Commentary.
Free Money Finance dived into a tricky subject this week with its post on whether or not a “Good” LTC Insurance is All You Need.

Friday Links originally appeared on Canadian Finance Blog on February 3, 2012.

Friday Links

Tom Drake — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:00:44 +0000

This week Rob Carrick wrote a stirring post that asks you to Put Your Financial Knowledge to the Test. Yes, there will be a quiz.
Joining a pension plan can be confusing. Thankfully Million Dollar Journey shared an in-depth article, Joining a Pension Plan? A Closer Look at PAs, PARs, PSPAs.
Retire Happy Blog this week explained in a guest post how The Timing of Retirement is Different for Everyone.
The Financial Blogger gave out a ton of ideas and tips in their article on how it can only take 5 Years to Become Millionaire. Some of the tips will surprise you.
If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at high-frequency trading, you’ll want to read this post by Where Does All My Money Go. It gives a little peek into High Frequency Trading: A Professional Trader’s Take.
This week Group Benefits Online explained how Savings Rates are the Key to Success of Defined Benefit Pensions.
Investing can be difficult, especially when taxes come into the mix. This week the Canadian Couch Potato discussed how to go about Tax-Efficient Investing with ETFs.
We all know that we spend too much on our pets. But this post by Boomer and Echo might really surprise you when you look at How Much Do We Spend On Our Pets?
It’s nearly tax time and the Canadian Tax Resource was nice enough to share some great tips and advice to help you Get Ready to File Your Income Taxes.
This week Thicken My Wallet wrote an intriguing piece that delved into The (Really Tardy) Investment Rules for 2012. You might be surprised by what’s on the rules list.

Friday Links originally appeared on Canadian Finance Blog on January 27, 2012.

Friday Links

Tom Drake — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:00:54 +0000

Did you resolve to spend less this year? If so, you’ll want to read Financial Highway’s post that examines Why Are You Over Spending?
We’re all still recovering from the holidays and Gail Vaz-Oxlade explains how we need to take this month to get back on track and celebrate January as the Make Do Month.
Getting close to retirement? According to The Wealthy Boomer, Only One in Four Boomers Have a Clear Picture of Their Retirement.
This week the Canajun Finances wrote a post, Let’s All Sell Out, that takes a different look at Suze Orman’s new debit card.
In case you wondered how the markets did in 2011, Group Benefits Online released A Year End Investment Review of the Markets.
Recently ETFs have been growing rapidly but the Canadian Couch Potato asks, Are ETFs Growing for the Wrong Reason?
This week Balance Junkie shared some great advice for investing with their post on The Gene Mauch Rule for Investing Success. You might be surprised by this rule.
Boomer and Echo wrote an in-depth post that will answer any questions you have that center around Do You Have a Locked in RRSP?
Saving is hard but what if you could do it stealthily? This week Get Rich Slowly explained how to go about Stealth Savings: Sneaky Ways to Fatten Your Account.
Ever wondered about term life insurance? Thankfully Moolanomy posted an in-depth article that works as The Complete Guide to Term Life Insurance.

Friday Links originally appeared on Canadian Finance Blog on January 20, 2012.

Friday Links

Tom Drake — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Want to live debt free? The Financial Highway explains how you can Change Your Lifestyle and Live a Debt Free Life.
We all know that eating out costs money but did you know there are some great ways to save money while doing your regular grocery shopping? This week Gail Vaz-Oxlade explained some great tips on Eating Cheap.
Retirement is scary for all of us but according to a new article by the Wealthy Boomer, Canadians More Optimistic Than Americans About Retirement.
Speaking of retirement, the Retire Happy blog wants you to answer the difficult question: Almost Retired: Are You Ready for Retirement? You’ll want to read the post before you try and answer.
This week Million Dollar Journey released a great post that acts as A Primer on Equity-Linked GICs.
Do you ever get the feeling that your favorite products are getting smaller? You may not be losing your mind after all according to Squawkfox’s recent article, Beware of Shrinking Products with Increasing Price Tags.
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could make money from your hobby? The Canadian Personal Finance Blog may be able to help you get paid to do what you really love with their great post on how to Make Your Hobby Pay.
Curious which credit cards to flat out avoid? This week Your Money released What Are the Worst Credit Cards in Canada.
Tax time is coming and that means sending out 1099s. Thankfully Bible Money Matters wrote a helpful post that goes into How To Prepare And File A 1099 For Contract And Freelance Workers.
This week the Dividend Ninja gave out his advice on investments in his post, Ninja’s 2012 Canadian Stock Picks – Part 1. I can’t wait for the next part.

Friday Links originally appeared on Canadian Finance Blog on January 13, 2012.

Friday Links

Tom Drake — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 10:00:05 +0000

This week Get Rich Slowly wrote a nice article that shared the 12 Steps to Financial Freedom in 2012. This is a great place to start on your resolutions.
Nowadays losing your digital data when your computer crashes is one of the most frustrating things. Thankfully this week Bible Money Matters shared a few Free, Cheap And Affordable Ways to Backup Your Digital Data.
Jim Yih wants to help you with your Financial Resolutions over at Retire Happy Blog.
Was it your resolution to get credit card debt under control? Free From Broke wrote a great post to help you Stay on Top of Credit Card Payments – How to Make Sure You Pay Your Credit Card on Time.
This week Boomer and Echo wants you to think about a difficult question, Should You Keep Your Company Pension Or Take The Commuted Value?
The Financial Post took a look into the recent Urge to Splurge: Is it time for that Aston Marin?
Want to save some money for the new year? This week Gail Vaz-Oxlade explained how to Trim Spending and Save the Diff Next Year.
If you wanted to live on a little less this year, you’ll want to check out The Simple Dollar’s post on her book, Introducing “365 Ways to Live Cheap Revisited”.
Wise Bread examines The Best 0% Balance Transfer Credit Cards. If you’ve been considering a transfer credit card, you’ll want to read this post.
Worried about using mobile banking because of the fear of a security problem? This week Five Cent Nickel took a hard look at Mobile Banking Security.

AAAMP Blog included us in the Self-Directed Investing For Retirement Carnival.
Boomer & Echo included us in the Carnival Of Passive Investing.
Funny about Money included us in the Festival of Frugality.

Friday Links originally appeared on Canadian Finance Blog on January 6, 2012.

Friday Links

Tom Drake — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 10:00:09 +0000

This week The Financial Blogger listed the 20 Life-Changing Questions for 2012 that you should be asking yourself.
Want to know who is making big money through blogging? Dough Roller posted the List of Personal Finance Blogs That Have Sold for 1 Million or More.
The Retire Happy Blog wrote a nice post about the New Proposed Changes for CPP.
Ever wondered which form of money is best? This week Million Dollar Journey argues his reasoning Why Cash is King.
Now is the season for giving. But Bible Money Matters asks Is there Such a Thing as Giving Too Much? Finding Balance in Giving and Saving.
This week Balance Junkie delves into a tricky subject with their post On the Evils of Market Timing.
Boomer and Echo answered a question so many of us ask, Is Your Investment Loan Tax Deductible?
Setting your financial goals for the new year? The Globe and Mail shares What Should Your Financial Goal be fore 2012? Get That Debt to Zero.
Another thing you’ll certainly want to do to be ready for the new year is read Gail Vaz-Oxlade’s post on Scams, which delves into the most popular ones and how to avoid them.
Want to make a little extra money? Young and Thrifty has been working on a series of blog posts that tells you How to Rent Out Your Basement Suite.

My University Money included us in the Carnival Of Financial Camaraderie.
My Personal Finance Journey included us in the Cavalcade of Risk.

Friday Links originally appeared on Canadian Finance Blog on December 30, 2011.

Friday Links

Tom Drake — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 10:00:03 +0000

This week the Retire Happy Blog delved into a tricky question that all parents ask themselves, “Does Giving Kids Money Really Help Them?”
Gail Vaz-Oxlade shared a great post that explains what happens When Saving Isn’t Saving. This is certainly a must-read.
It’s that time of year when ski trips are at the top of your vacation list. The Canadian Personal Finance shared some great tips on How to Find Discount Ski Tickets.
Thirty Six Months wrote a piece this week that asks whether you Live to Work or Work to Live. Which are you?
This week My University Money discussed the concerns around Pension Envy and the Company Match.
We all have at least one rewards card in our wallets. Rewards Cards Canada explains how the best way to go about Using Loyalty Rewards for Holiday Gifts.
Looking at a career change? You’ll want to read this week’s post by Investorz Blog that tells you Why Being an Investor Isn’t an Ideal Career Path.
This week Balance Junkie asks when it comes to finances, Why Can’t We Have Our Cake and Eat it Too? An interesting article that will change how you view your investments.
Your Money posed an unusual question to readers this week, Could You Go an Entire Month without Using Cash?
Michael James on Money wrote an article that certainly helps clear up some of the confusion around investing costs. His post examines A Better Way to Explain Investing Costs.

Friday Links originally appeared on Canadian Finance Blog on December 23, 2011.

Friday Links

Tom Drake — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:00:29 +0000

A new year shouldn’t mean new mistakes and that’s why the Financial Highway shared these 5 Retirement Plan Mistakes to Avoid in the New Year.
Spending a ton on video games and consoles lately? Smart on Money released a great post about Saving Money On Video Games For A More Frugal Gaming Experience.
This week Get Rich Slowly shared the benefits of Avoiding Competitive Shopping for Fun and Profit. Definitely a must-read in this last minute holiday shopping rush.
Have a bad credit score or just want to improve your present number? You’ll want to check out Studenomics’ article this week that examines How Can You Improve Your Credit Score Right Now?
The Globe and Mail released a great article that answers the question, Do You Need Cash for Your Retirement?
It’s nearing the end of the year and that means it’s time to start thinking of taxes. The Million Dollar Journey this week wrote about some big Tax Considerations for Self-Employed People.
This week Mint Life wrote an interesting article that looks at the importance of visualization when it comes to goal. So when it comes to saving for retirement, The Secret to Saving More: Picture Gray Hair?
Most of us are masters at the art of procrastination. This week Boomer and Echo examines the consequences in their post, Financial Procrastination: Paying the Price.
Just in case you’ve already blown through your holiday budget, Money Ning wrote about 3 Ways to Recover from a Holiday Spending Hangover.
This week Moolanomy explained How to Get Rid of Your Private Mortgage Insurance. This one may surprise you.

Friday Links originally appeared on Canadian Finance Blog on December 16, 2011.

Friday Links

Tom Drake — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 10:00:41 +0000

Overdraft is a nightmare! Thankfully Get Rich Slowly shared an amazing guest post that tells one man’s tale of Getting Over Overdraft: How I Started Saving. An eye-opening article.
There’s no denying the allure of working from home. But what would you do? The Financial Highway released a list of 50 Home Business Ideas this week.
This week Studenomics tackled the difficult question of What to Do After College – 7 Alternatives to Spending a Fortune on Grad School.
On a happy note, Boomer and Echo says that Canadian Resources Are Where It’s At.
Social media allows business, even insurance companies, to try and be your friend. This week Young and Thrifty answered the tricky issue of Should You Accept Your Car Insurance Company’s Friend Request?
This week the Canadian Couch Potato wrote an eye-opening post that explains Why You Should Beware of First Dates. I’m talking mutual fund reports, not bad dates.
Nowadays every company has some sort of incentive program. Michael James on Money examines the new idea of Loyalty Points as Currency.
We work so hard to get rid of debt but then what? Money Ning wrote a great piece that explains just that: What to Do Immediately After We Become Debt Free.
This week Stupid Cents discussed the ins and outs of How to File a Tax Return Online. This is a good incentive to get an early start!
We’re all focusing on saving money but have you ever considered How and Why We Rationalize Spending? This is a great piece by Free From Broke that shows how rationalization may actually hurt us.

Friday Links originally appeared on Canadian Finance Blog on December 9, 2011.

Friday Links

Tom Drake — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 10:00:44 +0000

Banks are getting creative to get new customers. This week Boomer and Echo looked at the new trend: Packaged Bank Accounts in Canada.
We all want to save money while giving amazing gifts this holiday season. Thankfully Wise Bread shared 31 Great Gifts That Keep on Giving. Perfect timing for the upcoming holidays.
This week Free Money Finance shared Five Retirement Surprises. I was certainly surprised and I think you will be too.
If you’ve ever wondered about the alternative minimum tax, you’ll want to check out Moolanomy’s post this week that answers What is the Alternative Minimum Tax and How Does it Work?
Looking for a financial advisor? Make sure you read Bargaineering’s article to know the difference between Fee-Based vs. Fee-Only Financial Planners & Advisers.
This week Million Dollar Journey examines the benefits and risks of Company Stock Buybacks.
Let’s be honest: we love gadgets. But which ones are honestly worth buying? Squawk Fox compiled a list of 10 Ridiculous Gadgets Worth the Money. Maybe. Do you own all ten?
Stupid Cents took a big look at pension plans this week and declared RIP Pension Plans.
It’s that time of year where you start your financial planning for the coming year. This week the Canadian Personal Finance Blog shared some great advice with his Financial Planning: A Flowchart.
With the markets as they are right now, some of us wonder if the pros have it any better than the rest of us. The Canadian Couch Potato tried their best to answer the question, Can the Pros Time the Market?

Friday Links originally appeared on Canadian Finance Blog on December 2, 2011.