Price Fixing, Civil Servants and Random Thoughts

It was an interesting week after one of the busiest weeks I have had on my website; with one or two posts, I seem to have kicked a hornet’s nest, which is kind of what bloggers hope they do. When I wrote the I am a Civil Servant post, I expected a reaction, but not to the level I received (and I appreciated the discussions).

We also learned about the Competition Bureau fining some smaller gasoline firms for Price Fixing in the Brockville and Kingston area. Does this mean there will be more fines in the future? Stay tuned, but I will be surprised to see if Petro Canada gets charged with anything much (but I hope I am wrong). If there are sudden cuts in the competition bureau, I might be less surprised (however).

In Ottawa it is so warm, that all the snow is gone, and I hear folks talking about turning on their A/C, really?!??! It ain’t that hot, and everyone knows it is “gauche” to have your Air Conditioning on BEFORE Victoria Day (it’s kind of like wearing white, not before Victoria Day or after Labour Day).

Weekly Recap

Some interesting newer ideas this week, and some rehash of some older chestnuts as well.:

• On Sunday my Twitter recap Stupidity, Saint Patrick’s, Sunshine in March and Sunday’s Best outlined some of the tweets I did of my older posts. If you are on my feed, you get to see some of these fine pieces of literary bilge.
• An e-mail from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation evoked a wrathful rant in Civil Servants: Another Point of View, to quote a comment-er “.. that is just the kind of response I’d expect from a Civil Servant…”, oh well, I am anything if not predictable.
• Every time I visit my bank I get at least 1 or 2 new posts out of it, maybe I should add them as a contributing factor for this site, Banks: What is with all the Paper?
• I wondered aloud, How Much Influence Does a Shareholder have these days? My guess is for a small investor, not much.
• The competition board handed down a ruling, thus causing another sarcastic reply from me with Gas Price Fixing in Ontario? Really?
• Comments, Stupidity, Me and Random Thoughts I get many comments, especially on my Random Thoughts about Money and Finances, but are they worth reading is the question?

And thanks to those who added me on Twitter. Check out my facebook page as well .

Links for the Week

Some quite exciting stuff happened this week, and as usual I can give you the 4-1-1 on where to find this great info:

• The Blunt Bean Counter gives us a headache, no, I forgot them, but here is the actual link, more Confessions of a Tax Accountant, and other interesting quips, mustn’t rush through editing these Friday things.
• Larry MacDonald continues his writing in the mainstream media, in the Globe and Mail with Widow had let her husband deal with the money, but it is always important for both parties to know what is going on with the money.
• Mr. Money Mustache makes the interesting point that Boxed Wine: Not just for your Alcoholic Aunt anymore. I drink from a box, bottle, carton, whatever it comes in, I’ll drink it (maybe I shouldn’t be admitting that one).
• Michael James points out how a lot of people are Messing up Good Financial Advice, and as the saying goes, “A fool and his money, gathers no moss” (I think).
• Canadian Capitalist gives us the tip that TD Waterhouse Launches Mobile Trading App, which is interesting, but I don’t do enough trading to really need that kind of App (now Smurf Village on the other hand, THAT I need).
• Our Financial Kin at My Own Advisor gives us a Story about Hiring a Professional (and getting amateur results), whoops, that don’t sound really good.
• Boomer of Boomer and Echo asks us How do You Choose Your Bank ? I simply go by name and whether it’s near my house, but that might not be the best methodology.
• Miranda at Planting Money Seeds, points out Before You Invest in Gold, know what you are buying, certainly don’t buy any fool’s gold!
• Gail Vaz-Oxlade helps us help figuring out how Saving for a Downpayment can work.  It is never easy, is all I can add.

Is Spring Springing?

“Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.”

Steven Wright (true Steven)