It’s a scary place to be — in debt and afraid. A new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau report found that more than one in four consumers felt threatened when contacted by debt collectors. The first-ever national survey of consumer experiences with debt collectors found consumers often faced calls that cameContinue Reading
As you’ve probably heard by now, the stock market now finds itself in this, the ninth year of the current bull market dating back to the end of the 2008-2009 financial crisis. As far as history repeating itself, the data suggests that these cycles typically last only about six yearsContinue Reading
While the recent performance of the stock market may have been disappointing, the reality is that it has enjoyed a period of stunning growth. For example, the S&P 500 has risen by 3.5 times since its low during the financial crisis. And while this rate of growth may not beContinue Reading
Each of us is now responsible for saving for our own retirement, but many young people aren’t feeling particularly optimistic about their ability to do so. Most millennials (64 percent) say they don’t expect to be able to accumulate $1 million for retirement over their lifetime, according to a WellsContinue Reading
The month of March is fast approaching, but there’s still time to contribute to your RRSPs. Hop to it now if you want to bulk up your retirement savings and offset the hit from the tax man. 1. Remember deadlines are deadlines. March 1, 2017, is the deadline for contributionsContinue Reading
Tax planning may be the last thing on Canadians’ minds as they get ready for the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. But now is the time to take advantage of credits and benefits available to you until Dec. 31, says Jamie Golombek, managing director of tax and estateContinue Reading
From all the grumpiness over the “EMV” chip-card transition, you’d think that the circuitry embedded in our new credit cards delivered a small electric shock every time you inserted one into a terminal at a check-out counter. Customers say they don’t like chip cards because you have to leave themContinue Reading
Canadian households will close out 2015 carrying thicker layers of debt after worrisome gains over the past 12 months — extra padding that’s expected to get even fatter in the new year. But even with the borrowing binges, many experts still believe the finances of most Canadians remain in decentContinue Reading
An office worker walks past an Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) window. World markets are open for Monday trading, and they’re down. US futures are in the red with Dow futures down 120 points and S&P 500 futures down 13 points. Asian markets are also set to trade in the red.Continue Reading
More than half of employers (54%) said they planned to give holiday bonuses in 2015, up from 47% in 2014, according to a new survey from CareerBuilder. (Sadly, only 14% plan to give more than last year.) If you happen to be one of their lucky employees, perhaps you’re wonderingContinue Reading