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•Getting Tough on Debt
Are you feeling like your debts are overwhelming you, and you don't even know where to begin to address the problem? Don't leave debt stress to torture you for even one more day. The problem is not going away, and it will only become worse the longer it's ignored. So set about dealing with debt issues right now.
Start by making a list of all your debts. You need to know where you really stand. You need to know exactly how much you owe, and who you owe it to. Don't hide anything, and don't...
•Ways to Save on Energy Consumption
If you think your energy bill is too high, you're not alone. There are lots of ways to reduce your costs, and if everyone pitches in, you may find your bill dropping to shocking new lows-and wouldn't that be a nice start to the summer holidays!
Change the bulbs. If you're still not using energy-efficient bulbs, what's stopping you? Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are about one-quarter the cost to run as the old 60-watt variety. That means you can save about 75% for every light you...
•The Entitlement Trap
Somehow we have gotten it into our heads that because we work hard, or maybe we have a lousy job, we deserve to eat lunch out, drink fancy coffee, or buy whatever whim catches our eye. Unfortunately, that's just not the case. The fact is, a barrista-whipped cup of latte costs about 100 times (yup, that's o-n-e h-u-n-d-r-e-d) more to buy than if you make your java at home. For most of us, at least, our incomes just can't handle that cost.
There are other things that people often believe they...
•Re Commit to be Financially Fit
Have you put a lot of great budget changes to work for you only to find yourself backsliding time and again? Keep trying. Just like a work out routine, the more you do it, the easier it gets. Here are a few tips to help you re-commit to being financially fit.
Take it slow and easy
Don't try and do everything at once. It's easier to make small changes, and then only one at a time. Add a new change only when you think the old habit has really been set aside, once and for all. Use your new...
•30 Day No Spending Marathon
It was a Canadian from Vancouver who invented Buy Nothing Day, an annual 24-hour challenge to Canadians-and now people around the world-to not buy a single thing for one day. That means no gas, groceries, or any other kinds of purchases. Seems easy, doesn't it? But it takes a surprising amount of preparation, making sure you have the food you need and gas to get where you need to go, to not make plans with friends (that cost money) and so on. But this challenge is to try and go 30 days without...
•Do You Really Need It
? It can be difficult to save money. It's even more difficult when we spend our hard earned cash on items that we think will be either good products or somehow good for us. Everyday consumers are inundated with new products and services that they most certainly could live without. Everything from satellite television and frequent buyer cards to movie theater snacks are what many of us would refer to as rip-offs. As consumers we do have to choice to buy or not to buy; but when you're at the...
•Personal Property Protection in Tough Economic Times
It's not a secret that the recession is still upon us. Statistics Canada has just released its 2010 findings as of the month of February. The results show the unemployment rate increased from 6.6% to 6.9% in one of Canada's richest and most lucrative provinces. The recent 15,000 job losses in Edmonton, Alberta's capital city, most certainly does not help to reassure us the recession is over or that 'extra' spending is a wise idea.
Things such as personal alarms and property insurance may have...
•Canada Day and the New HST
Brace yourself. British Columbia and Ontario now have the much-anticipated HST implemented on July 1, Canada's birthday. The harmonized sales tax will finally go into effect eliminating the GST and provincial sales tax, combining them both to become the HST.
In British Columbia, the HST will be 12 per cent as the provincial sales tax is currently 7 per cent but in Ontario, the HST combo will total 13 per cent, adding the 8 per cent provincial sales tax together with the 5 per cent GST. This...
•Keep Your Car or Buy a New One
? What makes more financial sense: keeping your current car or buying a new car? When confronted with this decision, most people do not know which option to choose. Before you head to your local car dealership (or scrap yard) take a look at this financial breakdown.
Let's begin with those of you that are new car advocates. The price of the average automobile in Canada is constantly rising. Thus, you'll have to fork over a lot of hard-earned money in order to buy a new car, truck, or SUV.
Then...
•Maternity Leave Baby You
One of the many great things about this country is the maternity benefit provided through employment insurance, EI. If you're working, and a bundle of love is due to arrive at your home, then you might well be eligible for EI benefits. This social support can keep you out of now-I'm-a-parent poorhouse if you plan carefully.
The benefits vary a lot so be sure to check out the specifics for your own situation. That way you will know whether you are eligible and how much support you can depend...
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