Random Thoughts

What I wrote May 23, 2008 Week

• Debt Reduction is like Teenage Sex Debt reduction is like teenage sex, everyone talks about it, but no one knows how to do it, they fumble around and usually do it wrong.
• Inflation Jumps for April to 1.7% As suspected the CPI for April is up, says Stats Canada. 
• Debt is like Fat Debt is like fat . Getting rid of it is never easy and it has a lot to do with lifestyle changes (i.e. quick fixes are not going to get it done).
• Long Weekend Random Thoughts Make the most of your long weekend with these fun and entertaining stories. From hilarious barbecue mishaps to the high price of daycare, there’s something for everyone.

The Friday after a long weekend always feels good because you know it wasn’t a full week of work, and this week was no exception. There are many interesting posts from the talented Financial Blogosphere and here are but a few of my favorites from my reading list:

• Michael James wrote about a Credit Card Arbitrage scheme run where the author has floated her debt on zero interest credit cards and has managed to play the balancing act to make sure she never gets dinged with an interest charge, and has banked her mortgage payments instead. I do not recommend this in any way shape or form, however it is an interesting read.
• Our old friend Inflation returned this week with Inflation Jumping 1.7% for April year over year, thanks to higher gasoline prices. What is interesting is there is still a prediction of interest rates being lowered again next week? That seems a little odd, but we shall see.
• Gail Vaz Oxlade wrote about how You Measure Up Financially and the areas you might want to look at to make sure you are measuring the right thing. Remember the old carpenter’s adage, measure twice and cut once.
• Debt Reduction is like Teenage Sex was my attempt at telling folks that you need to discuss more with your family and trusted friends about Debt Reduction if you have a problem.
• If Debt Reduction is Like Teenage Sex then Debt itself is like Fat , where I outline my personal fight against obesity and how it is very much like my fight against debt.
• The Canadian Capitalist answered a reader’s question about Reinvesting Dividend Income, which is a subject near and dear to my heart.
• Anybody looking for a humorous stories about Bar B Qs, my post on Flames and Bar B Qs fits the bill nicely.

Have a great weekend.