Monthly Archives: January 2011

Fiscal Update – January 2011 – New Year’s Bump

By | 01/31/2011

Net Worth: Assets: Cash = $7,000 (-3000) Stocks = $34,500 (+2000 ) Home  = $243,000 (+6000 ) Liabilities: Mortgage = $212,000 (-300 ) Others = $0 (-4,000 ) Total Net Worth = $72,500* ( +15.26% MoM) Huge increase to personal worth this month because I adjusted my home’s price based on last year’s inflation rate. Stock market also… Read More »

Closed the Gap

By | 01/27/2011

Yes, we all know this. Canadian’s debt to income ratio is roughly 148%, higher than Americans by now. But stats are more interesting when presented on a graph. Notice in 1998 our countries were at the same level, but quickly separated. I wonder if that will be the case again this time. Personally I’m over the 400% mark… Read More »

Here’s a Better Tip

By | 01/24/2011

When the new sales tax was introduced last year in Vancouver, (they call it the HST), everyone who worked at restaurants complained about how the HST will negatively impact the food services industry because it will make eating out less affordable. But based on anecdotal evidence, all my friends who used to eat out before the HST, still… Read More »

Life Enhancing Tips

I recently found this list of recommendations to make everyday living more meaningful. I will try to incorporate them into my life. 🙂 -Memorize something everyday. -Develop an endless curiosity about this world. -Don’t take life so seriously! -Think positive thoughts. -Sleep less. -Figure out what your goals and dreams are. -Learn to be unaffected by the words of… Read More »

Moving Target

By | 01/17/2011

American retail chain “Target” is moving some of its business into Canada. It plans to take over more than 200 Zellers stores. This is great news for many reasons. Zellers’ parent company, HBC, will make a hefty profit from selling their Zellers business Canadian REITs, like RioCan and Calloway, (who own these buildings) will benefit from having a… Read More »

Expensive Rent

By | 01/13/2011

As lands in major cities around the world become more valuable over the decades so do the homes that reside on them. This means higher real estate prices and higher rent for tenants over the long term. Paying half your gross income for rent seems like a hard pill to swallow for some people. I’m only paying about a… Read More »