Debt: Be a Recipient of Interest Income, Not a Payer of It

Posted on January 11, 2012 by

One of the biggest causes of the financial crisis was debt: at personal, corporate and government levels. We all remember the 2008 stock crash and the corporate giants like AIG and Lehman Brothers that crashed and burned because of excess debt and leverage.

 The crisis was alleviated only by transferring corporate debt to governments – nowhere more so than in the United States. Here, late in 2011, it appears the crisis was never really licked. The can was merely kicked off into the future. Read Full by Jonathan Chevreau

Posted in Debt | Tagged , ,

Debt Consolidation Ontario – How to Deal Smartly With Post Holiday Debt

Posted on January 9, 2012 by

TORONTO, ONTARIO, 

Debt Consolidation Time

It’s the New Year and the post-holiday credit card bills are starting to come in. If you are feeling financially stressed as a result of overindulgent giving, here are some tips for using debt consolidation as part of a smart debt management plan for a fresh start this new year.

Make a declutter list – List the creditors to which you owe money, how much and at what interest rate. The debt consolidation process begins by prioritizing each obligation according to the highest rate. Clean up credit card debt – If you have several cards, the next step in debt consolidation is  read full story via market wire WSJ -

Posted in Debt, Home Equity, Mortgage | Tagged , , , ,

Pay debt or save? What a young couple should do

Posted on December 15, 2011 by

Like many young couples, after six years of marriage, Sara and Mike are ready to start a family. They would also like to buy a home and put aside money for the education of their future children, and for their own retirement. Yet they face many of the familiar obstacles that stand between young couples and those objectives: student loans, modest incomes and credit card debt. Full Story via Globe and Mail

Posted in Debt, Home Equity, Mortgage | Tagged

The Top 10 Mistakes New Home Buyers Make

Posted on December 10, 2011 by

 

When Karen Somerville and her husband Alan Greenberg showed up for the pre-delivery inspection of their brand new luxury home in Ottawa they were horrified. Electricians, drywallers, plumbers and a variety of other tradespeople were still busy constructing their home and, despite assurances from the builder, the couple seriously doubted their $443,000 new build would be ready for possession in 14 days.  Read Full Store Via Money Sense

Posted in Real Estate | Tagged

Credit Card Debt. Do we Sell our House?

Posted on November 30, 2011 by

Answer Man. I’m an Oakville resident in my mid 40’s now, married with three young kids that keep me on the go 24-7. My husband and I purchased a new home in Oakville about five years ago that we enjoy very much. The home is very close to great schools and many outside activity programs for my children.

About 18 months ago my husband was phased out Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Debt | Tagged

Looking for Yield in a Low Rate Environment

Posted on August 2, 2010 by

With interest rates and bond yields at record lows, the search for dependable, high-yielding investments has become increasingly difficult for investors. The challenge becomes how to secure the best possible yield without risking significant depreciation.

Given today’s environment, investors can take measures to pursue potentially higher yielding investments; however, it is important to note  that such measures may involve taking on more risk. The risk-return trade-off may become necessary to provide aging investors with the higher level of income, which may be required or depended upon.  Lets talk briefly about ScotiaMcLeod Portfolio Advisory Group Laddered Bond Portfolios. The laddered portfolio approach offers a solid, stable level of returns that investors look for  when investing in fixed income securities. Continue reading →

Posted in Banking, Estate Planning, Fixed Income, Portfolio Management | Tagged