Valentine’s day is another one of those occasions during the year that lack detailed planning. I have never seen Valentine’s Day identified as a separate expenditure on a family budget. It’s a bit like birthdays. We wait until the event arrives and make a quick decision. Sometimes this shrug of the shoulders at the last…
Lots and lots of stuff happening last week. The high point was my community workshop on budgeting. Wow. What a great group!!! When I arrived Thursday night, January 31, there were only two women there. The one lady said, “Are we the only two broke women in Maple Ridge?” We all laughed. Soon the room…
Financial independence is a hot topic these days, especially for women, but what does it really mean? Financial independence for women is something that could have a different meaning for each of us, but how should we define it, in order to gauge whether or not we have actually reached this vague status?
Do you find that you are becoming an avid online shopper, bordering on addicted? While there are many benefits to shopping online, the ease of the process can lead you to shop more than you would otherwise, and spend more money than perhaps you should.
I just heard on the radio today someone wonder about what it is stay at home moms do all day. I was surprised because the less than dignified remark came from another mom. However, this mom works, shuttles her kids around after work and still finds time to send friends emails. Wow!
As the Christmas-spending credit card bills start to roll in, are you asking yourself how you’re going to pay them off in a reasonable time? Pay off your Christmas bills with these 6 tips. 1. Did you receive any money for Christmas gifts? If so, we recommend putting that money on your credit cards now, and…
If Santa has been watching the news around the world, then he might be thinking more about falling off a fiscal cliff than splurging blindly on everyone this holiday season. And this has nothing to do with Scrooge. There is a big difference between sensible shopping and Grinch-like cheapness.
Now that Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday has past, is there any money left for a budget? Oh oh. I think it’s supposed to be the other way around. Aren’t we supposed to organize a budget first before we spend money? To answer the very first question, it’s never too late for a…
Before you start: If your children are still too young to understand handling money (probably under 4 years, but you know your own child best), begin by teaching them that they won’t be rewarded with “wants” by nagging, whining and crying. Say no, and only reward good behaviour with treats, when it fits in your…
The Canadian Pension Plan pays to all Canadian seniors over 65 who have made a CPP contribution, however the payments are below the poverty line in most cities in terms of the cost of living. Do you want to work all your life only to be impoverished when you are old, and unable to do anything about it?…
Not long ago there was an article in the Vancouver Sun entitled, Women Have Unique Needs for the Fiscal Future. My immediate reaction was, “No kidding.”
Tips to Save Money this Holiday Season, starting Now! The holiday season is approaching, and with family gatherings, gift giving, increased travel and holiday splurges it’s an expensive time of year. We are rolling out a new series of great tips to help you save money this Thanksgiving and Christmas, and yes you should start…
With a sad heart I read an article in the Vancouver Sun recently about seniors divorcing. According to Statistics Canada, the phenomenon of “grey divorce” — or separation in one’s silver years — has been steadily increasing – up almost three per cent from 2006 to 2008. Once again the finger is pointed at the…
Some might ask, “What’s a Canadian doing watching an American political convention? “ Others might wonder what this might have to do with money and debt. Even worse, why would a Canadian be watching anything else but the Quebec election results happening at exactly the same time? Eh? The short answer, Michelle Obama. She is an…
Paying off your home shouldn’t take a lifetime or 25-40 years like the original amortization you initially took upon. By planning ahead and sticking to the plan, you have the opportunity to pay your mortgage off sooner and become completely debt free. Here are 7 ways to pay off mortgage sooner and decrease the amortization…
Due to the bank’s impersonal business practices and unnecessary fees, an elderly woman sent a hilarious revenge letter to her bank. Shown below is the actual letter that the 86 year old woman sent to her bank. Elder banking… priceless!
You can be the boss! Every business must have a financial game plan. It’s the same in daily life. No business would dream of entering a new year without some kind of financial game plan to give it an idea of how it’s been doing and where it wants to go. Treat your personal finances like…
Should kids be rewarded with money? This is a million dollar question. The Globe and Mail brought the familiar topic up in November. As I read the article I couldn’t help thinking about Pavlov and his famous experiments on conditioning behaviour. Money has been widely accepted as a positive reward, but how money influences human…
Would you turn down a marriage proposal if you found out your husband-to-be was heavily in debt? If you say yes, then money is more important to you than love, right? If you say no, then love is more important than money, right? If you substitute the word money for debt would this change your…
It often surprises me how little some women know about the big picture of personal finance, and how little they care to think about it. Often, the domain of investments and long term financial planning is claimed by men, while women are happy to pass that off and instead focus on the immediate family budget…
