Random Thoughts: Happy Canada Day!

Canada was 144 Today in 2011

The old girl doesn’t look a day over 135. Still, yes, Canada celebrates Confederation. Luckily, it falls on a Friday, so we can all enjoy a long weekend (except those in Service Industries who have to be at work tomorrow). This year in Ottawa, we have the added excitement of having the new hot couple with Prince William and his new bride. This means there is no reason to go to Parliament Hill (you won’t be able to get near it). It’s weird to watch the festivities on TV. I could take a bus, and then watch it from 700 yards away instead.

The year is pretty much half over now—holy cow! It’s been a tumultuous year for a lot of reasons, but hopefully, it will start calming down a bit. No, I am not that lucky. I get the feeling this is going to continue as another action-packed year of fun and frivolity. Oh, and you now have less than six months to plan Christmas as well (just being helpful).

With all the construction going on at my place, I did manage to get a full complement of posts out this week:

• On Saturday, I put up a simple post to stay with the previous week’s getting out of debt theme. How to Get out of Debt, pretty straight forward isn’t it?
• I first pointed out the impending Christmas in 6 Months ’til Christmas (and Oldie but Goodies)
• With Carnival of Personal Finance #315: Bring on the Long Weekends there was an anthology of good personal finance posts from the past week as well. Hopefully this hosting will be less controversial than the last time.
• Replacing windows can help the value of a house. With Model Home Version 0.1 I point out the advantages of new windows and the things you can learn about how your house was built, when you renovate too.
• A recurring theme on my blog is planning for the worst and with What is Your Financial Plan B I point out that sometimes life can make sudden drastic changes that you need to deal with, or at least have an idea of how you might deal with it.
• The most disturbing financial news for the week (other than all the fun in Greece) is in post Yikes: CPI hits 3.7% and Gas to Blame, now gas prices seem to be moderating, but not really dropping, so what will that do to the economy?
• Random Thoughts: State the obvious Week (Bonne Fete Nationale aussi) recapped last week’s best posts..

I actually enjoy all comments (even the ones that question my sanity), and will try to respond to most comments, so please feel free to comment away. For you spammers who continue to inundate me with your drivel, keep it up as well.

With the European economic system teetering on the brink of collapse, and with Canada Post returning to work there was a fair amount of good commentary this week in the financial blogging world:

• Gail Vaz-Oxlade had a guest writer that pointed out More Credit Core Misuses. I didn’t know I could be turned down for insurance, but evidently, I can (for having a bad credit score)
• Michael James points out that the Ontario NDP with their new platform have created an SUV subsidy by arguing to remove the HST from gasoline prices. NDP and SUV, there is two TLA’s you don’t see together much.
• Free From Broke points out that Debt doesn’t make you a bad person. That is their opinion, frankly it doesn’t make you a better person either.
• Canadian Capitalist points out the tricks that hindsight plays on us. You mean like, if I’d killed you when I wanted, I’d be out by now? (not that I am espousing homicide, simply quoting a Country and Western song, and making an awkward comparison)
• Echo of Boomer and Echo gives us 4 Sinful Stocks to Own which proves there is always money in vices.
• Larry MacDonald continues his discussions of the Canada Post situation with little has changed at Canada Post, even with the strike being over. On the positive side I have received a KFC flyer in the 2 days that mail has been back! Whoo Hoo?!?
• Our old friend Jim Yih brings us TFSA Basics: Contributions and Withdrawals, outlining some important points for this useful tool for parents. Also for those who want to help some kids get to post-secondary school.
• Preet wonders Who gets the family adviser (in a divorce settlement)? The simple answer is, depends on if they were sleeping with your spouse or not, I guess.
• Thinking about a new exercise regimen? How about a body weight work out for busy men (and women)? I love the Art of Manliness for this kind of stuff.

Carnivals this Week

Not only did I host a Carnival this week, I also submitted posts to a few carnivals:

• Tom over at Canadian Finance Blog hosted the Canadian Finance Carnival #42 which included my post More Tales of Indescretion
• Personal Dividends hosted Carnival of Wealth #44 which included my post Top 5 Reasons You are in Debt

Remember

“The essential ingredient of politics is timing.”

Author: Pierre Trudeau