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CategoryDebt

Posted Consumer Debt

Personal debt level concerns are overblown…!

record low ratesThere’s a lot of talk in the media about Canadians carrying too much debt.   We’re getting hammered with messages of ‘record high personal debt levels’.   It’s true.  Our mortgage balances are higher, car loans are higher, student loans are higher, personal loans and lines of credit balances are higher.

Is this a problem?  Are Canadians in trouble?  Is this a reason to panic?  Let’s try to answer…

Well, here’s one very interesting stat that might crush that statement once and for all.   Canadians, on average, spend 14% of after-tax income on personal debt. 

Did I surprise you?   I’ll bet most people thought that number would be way higher given all the negative reports in the media.  Continue reading “Personal debt level concerns are overblown…!”

Posted Debt

Historical low mortgage rates mean RECORD HIGH penalties for BIG SIX BANK clients!

greedy bankerMortgage penalty calculations continue to mystify Canadian consumers.  For years, I’ve posted numerous articles on penalties…  how they affect us… how they are calculated…..why you need to understand them.. and most importantly, HOW TO AVOID THEM!!

Today, I’ll give you explicit details on the great mortgage penalty mystery…

I’ve shared dozens of horror stories about average Canadians being hit with mortgage penalties of $12,000, $15,000, $20,000, $30,000 and more.   These examples aren’t from some obscure small financial institution. It’s your BIG SIX BANK.   Yet, the attitude from Consumers is that it won’t or doesn’t affect them….until it’s too late.

I’ve also shared the solution on how to avoid this… and I’m going to share that with you once again..  If you want to know how to avoid monster penalties, then take a few minutes and read this.. It could save you untold $$thousands…. Continue reading “Historical low mortgage rates mean RECORD HIGH penalties for BIG SIX BANK clients!”

Posted Case study

Rate shopping sites…tested again.. and failed again.

which mortgageA few years ago, I published a study on Rate shopping sites.   These sites were gaining popularity with consumers as a  place to go if you wanted to get the best rates.  And they attracted a lot of attention.

You know the sites… they have catchy ads like ‘shopping for the Best Mortgage rates in Canada’ or ‘comparing Canada’s mortgage brokers for the best rates’.  
Hey, who doesn’t want the best rate?  These ads work. Canadians were clicking these links to get more info.

Sounds great, right? Yet, it’s not.  
Continue reading “Rate shopping sites…tested again.. and failed again.”

Posted 5 Comments on TD green or TD GREED?!. as they refuse to lower the Prime rate!! Consumer Debt

TD green or TD GREED?!. as they refuse to lower the Prime rate!!

greedy banker Yesterday’s rate cut announcement by the Bank of Canada (BOC) governor, Stephen Poloz, caught all Economists by surprise.  The BOC cut their overnight rate by 0.25%.   Historically, and traditionally, this meant that the Bank Prime rate would follow.  Bank Prime rate is 3.00% and we expect it to fall to 2.75%TD.

But HOLD ON!…Today, it’s the BOC governor, Poloz, that will be surprised as TD Bank says they WON’T  be cutting their Bank Prime rate!  The BOC cut the rate to help stimulate the economy.  Businesses borrow commercial funds priced against Bank Prime… and consumers borrow lines of credit and Variable rate mortgages against Bank Prime. Continue reading “TD green or TD GREED?!. as they refuse to lower the Prime rate!!”

Posted Debt

Looking ahead to 2015 rates and trends

happyholidays (1) Seasons Greetings!  Happy New Year!   Quick thank you for making 2014 a great year!  Hope yours was just as special.  And I’m wishing you much success and happiness in 2015.

I’ll make this quick as I’m sure you have some New Year’s Eve celebrations to attend to.

QUICK YEAR IN REVIEW.

  • Interest rates haven’t really changed this year.
  • 5 yr fixed rates are under 3.00%.
  • Variable rate pricing improved to around Prime less 0.60% (less in some cases and dropping).
  •   In fact, looking at the big picture, interest rates haven’t really changed much in the last 4 yrs.   Yet, you wouldn’t know it by reading the newspaper headlines….(sorry to my media friends…)

Let’s get to it.  MY THOUGHTS ON 2015. Continue reading “Looking ahead to 2015 rates and trends”