CategoryDebt

Posted July 11, 2024 Consumer Debt

Why your groceries, homes and rents cost more. A Critical Analysis

The Bank of Canada put out a report entitled What drives up the price of groceries?

They could have easily simplified the title to say “What Drives Up the Price of Everything”. Their answer is the cost of ENERGY and the cost of labour. I’m going to remind you that this report is from the Bank of Canada.. “a Crown corporation that is separate from the political process” as their website says.

Posted August 14, 20231 Comment Debt

How To Navigate Three Common Mortgage Scenarios

It’s a confusing time to be a homeowner. Rates are up, and everyone has an opinion on what will happen next. It’s easy to get sucked into social media rabbit holes and make decisions motivated by fear. But at times like these, it’s crucial to block out the noise and do what’s right for you.

To that end, here are three common scenarios along with my recommendations on how to save money and hang onto some peace of mind.

Posted February 2, 20231 Comment Bank News

Is This the End of Rate Hikes?

The last few months have been tough to say the least. Variable rates are at their highest levels in 20 years. The prime rate has gone up 4.25% in less than 12 months. Every Bank of Canada announcement feels like it could be another 50 point jump. If you’re a homeowner, it’s seemingly never ending. The news certainly doesn’t help you feel otherwise. But if you take a look at what’s happened in the past, you’ll see that the time we’re in isn’t so unprecedented. We’ve been here before and we’ve gotten out of it – and I believe we’re doing it all over again.

Posted June 28, 2022 Bank News

Death, Taxes, and Interest Payments: Part 2

There are some things in life you can’t avoid, but only two things you can’t avoid paying for: taxes and interest payments. In Part 1 of this series, we looked at owning a rental property as a great way to build your net worth while reducing your taxes. Now, in Part 2, we’ll be turning to interest payments.

Interest payments are a pain to deal with but a necessary evil nonetheless. Here are a few ways to make them a little less painful.

Posted June 21, 20221 Comment Consumer Debt

Death, Taxes, and Interest Payments: Part 1

“Nothing in this world is certain except death and taxes.”

Benjamin Franklin said this in 1789, and it’s just as true now as it was then. There’s just one thing I’d add given that the world has changed quite a bit since the 18th century: interest payments. Maybe not as certain, but just as stressful. If I could revise the quote now, I’d make it:

“Paying interest and taxes will be the death of us.”