Taxes: What to Do if You Owe the Government Money?

If you're self employed or had a business interest on the side last year and didn't deduct enough from your own income to cover your taxes, you might be facing a hefty bill right now along with a ticking clock of building interest charges.

Read my full article here: http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/06/28/what-do-you-do-if-you-owe-the-government-money/

Summer On A Shoestring

With the first long-weekend of summer fast approaching, many Canadians are feeling the pinch financially. With high gas prices grinding our road trips to a halt and hotel costs through the roof, what other ideas might you and your family entertain this summer?

Read on to find out! Catch my full article here: http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/06/28/summer-on-a-shoestring/

Try the Train This Summer

I just returned from a business trip that I had taken with my husband.

As we're both from western side of the country, neither of us have witnessed beautiful central Canada. My corporate travels included a stop in Ottawa, and then onto Toronto, before flying home to Alberta. So we decided to visit Toronto by train. Via Rail's tag line is 'A More Human Way To Travel' and indeed, we'd both have to agree.

Read my full article here: http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/06/21/try-the-train-this-summer/

Discounted Eyewear That Also Helps Those In Need

A company that offers glasses (frames and prescription lenses) for $99 plus, and with each purchase you make, gifts a pair to someone in need - brilliant! Let me introduce you to Warby Parker. Their name is as odd as their fantastic offer to help the world see while you save!

I first learned of Warby Parker from a local stylist I had coffee with, The Style Guy. Jared blogged about this company and was sporting a pair of their glasses. They looked great and I quickly pitched my husband on the concept of the company as he was in the market for a new pair of spectacles.

Read my full article here: http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/06/21/discounted-eyewear-that-also-helps-those-in-need/

Sell your home or stay put? Globe & Mail's Cash Clash

Catherine, 40, and Ben, 50, Victoria On their fourth home in their six years together, these West Coasters practically have their moving company on speed-dial. With the nest finally empty – Ben has two daughters from a previous marriage, but they have moved out – she wants to downsize to a condo and live the carefree life they’ve always wanted. He wants to stop playing real estate musical chairs. To sell or not to sell?

Read my advice and the full article here: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/personal-finance/mortgages/sell-your-home-or-stay-put/article2050112/

Asset Allocation 102 - Negative Correlation - It's as Simple as Suntan Lotion and Umbrellas

Negative correlation sounds like a complex notion, but it's actually quite simple and so essential to achieving the most effective rate on your portfolio with the least amount of risk possible.

When it comes to diversifying your investment portfolio, you want to ensure that not only are your eggs in different baskets but that you don't have a bunch of baskets and eggs duplicating themselves and thus, not providing any diversification at all.

Read my full article here: http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/06/05/asset-allocation-102-negative-correlation-its-as-simple-as/

Pre-Paid Credit Cards. Great Idea or a Waste of Money?

There are two main players on the market for your pre-paid gift giving pleasure (or for your own personal use). RBC's VISA Gift Card and somewhat newer on the market, BMO's prepaid MasterCard.

Read my full article here: http://www.walletpop.ca/2011/06/03/pre-paid-credit-cards-great-idea-or-a-waste-of-money/

Don't Get Caught Without Cash This Summer

We all know we need emergency savings for those inevitable rainy days, right? But if you're like most Canadians, you likely haven't socked enough (if any) away for life's urgent situations.

Not only do we know it's prudent to have 3-6 month's of our salary saved in a safe, liquid account, we also need to asses how much cash we should carry on our "person" and have in our home. Do you know?I was at my bank the other day and had to head into the branch (I rarely do as I always use the ATM or online banking). This was the second time in two months that I had to visit a teller for my banking needs and coincidence or not, the bank's systems were down each time. They literally couldn't do anything for any of the branch's customers. It made me wonder how susceptible each of us is in the event a store's debt or credit machines go down; how many of us carry cash any more? I'm from Alberta but have a plethora of friends in Toronto that can quickly remember the blackout not so long ago. Even the ATM machines were useless without power!

Continue reading and get the quick check list to run through with your family:
http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/06/02/dont-get-caught-without-cash-this-summer/

Spring Cleaning Your Investments - Asset Allocation 101

We hear this term all the time when referring to our investments and it's the foundation of any portfolio; asset allocation.

Simply put, we hope to purchase assets that will increase in value and, depending on our situation, how we allocate the percentage of those investments can make or break our retirement and help or hinder our sleep at night.

I'm sure you've heard the expression of not keeping all your eggs in one basket when referring to diversification. The problem is, with many investors that have investment accounts at several institutions or too many mutual funds, they often have a bunch of baskets with the same eggs doing the same things. Or, as Warren Buffet once said, 'put all of your eggs in one basket and watch that basket very, very, closely'. Most people would prefer not to do the latter when it comes to their investments.

Read my full article here:
http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/05/31/spring-cleaning-your-investments-asset-allocation-101/#comments