NFL Refs are Back, Free Tuition and Friday #Shoutouts

After my concerted efforts with both sides, the NFL referees have returned to work, well OK, I bitched about it on-line and an agreement went into place the same day, so I had nothing to do with it, but I am still happy to see this (if anything it will shut up those Packer fans about how they were robbed and such). I think that fan outcry helped resolve this situation, and the NFL decided it was hurting their product to have this hanging over their heads (they would have no refs if they could, but figured throwing the officials a bone wouldn’t hurt their bottom line too much).

I am glad to see Mrs. Marois is living up to her promises of rolling back the tuition increases in Quebec, but in true Quebecois fashion, the students are now on the streets protesting for Free Post-Secondary tuition, which just goes to show, give them an inch they will take your wallet (and hand it back empty). I could have predicted this one, but it will be interesting to see how this all plays out (my guess is not much will come of it, but I did have a good laugh about it).

Will Justin Trudeau follow in his Father’s large footsteps (speaking of friends of the PQ)? Don’t know, but it might add a few real personalities back into Canadian politics, which is about as exciting as a Wish Sandwich right now. What I wouldn’t give for a Judy Lamarsh, or John Crosby just to make life more interesting. We have a status of women minister who seems to be anti-abortion, that is about as exciting as we get these days.

The search continues for Jimmy Hoffa, one has to wonder, why? I suppose now that the U.S. presidential campaign has gone mute, thanks to Obama deciding that Romney can do more for the President’s campaign, he is staying very quiet.

Weekly Recap

The fall colours are starting in Ottawa, so much less green around (much like my wallet):

• New iPhones, iOS 6.0, Dead Blackberries and #Tweets had some of my better older posts and a few comments on the craze that is the new iPhone 5 and it’s OS (and it’s flaws).
• I rant about this often but Payday Loans the Crack Cocaine of Personal Finances still has not caused all these houses of ill repute down, so I will continue my vendetta.
• How easy is your PIN to Crack? or Spaceballs the PIN! what is your Personal ID Number? Is it easy to crack, you can check here, and see if you are asking for someone to steal your money.
• Our friends at Stats Canada gave us Inflation Slowing some more for August 2012 in Canada which is OK news, but what happens when the Bank of Canada raises interest rates?
• Showing my NFL colours I still blame the refs (especially NFL Replacement Refs) but luckily they went away after their flurry of incompetence on Monday night. As for you Packer fans, sorry, you still lost.
• MP Pensions, More Cuts, and Friday #Shoutouts Gangnam Style! This week Ottawa got back to work (I find that phrase interesting since it sounds like the entire City of Ottawa goes on vacation when Parliament is out, which is not the case). 

And thanks to those who added me on Twitter

Links for the Week

No mention of cartoons that infuriate folks, topless photos of royalty, or the lack of hockey:

• If you’d like to learn about pretty much anything, go try No Excuse List which has links to any site you might want to go find stuff out from. Pretty amazing stuff.
• The Blunt Bean Counter kibitzes about whether the CRA Should Reward Tax Snitches? I am not sure they should pay out the way the IRS does, but it might not be a bad idea.
• Our amigo the Canadian Capitalist seems to have returned from a hiatus and asks why ING Direct Lags the Competition ? Not sure why that is the case, but they had better get moving.
• Michael James points out that ETFs Offer a Variety of Investing Approaches , and you should read carefully before buying any ETF (as you should with all investments).
• Mark at My Own Advisor gives us Reflections and Highlights from CPFC12 which was a Canadian Financial Blogging conference in Toronto (I got invited, but was busy that weekend, and it sounds like I missed out on a lot of fun).
• Another new interesting site is the Deep End of Stupid with The Rules of Jo, well worth having a read.
• Gail Vaz-Oxlade is worried about our health with Don’t Worry, Be Healthy, which is true, worry will shorten your life.