Canadian Personal Finance Blog

So the CMHC came out with a report this week that confirmed what most folks looking for a house already know, and that is Most Canadian Housing Markets Overvalued, Price Growth to Slow Through 2018. Houses being overvalued in major areas of Canada (e.g. Toronto, Vancouver, etc.,) is nothing new, we have been talking about the housing bubble there for years, but now there is talk of this causing a domino effect where other areas housing prices are also increasing (for no clear good reason). Will the new regulations about Mortgages  slow this down? We shall see!

Interesting that Belgium is the one country stopping the new trade deal with Canada, and it is not even all of Belgium, it ends up being a small minority holding all of Europe hostage? Interesting how these things happen that way. Evidently there is a compromise that has been reached? We shall see.

Seems the CIBC (specifically CIBC Investor Services Inc) were caught overcharging their customers for Mutual Funds and ETFs dating back to 2002, but because they said it was accidental, they are hoping to not have to pay a penalty? I wonder what would happen if I accidentally forgot to pay my taxes? Food for thought.

Monday is Halloween, you know what that means? Christmas season has already started, to quote Count Floyd, “That sure is scary kids!“.

My Writings for Week Ending October 28^th

I did resolve this year to move away from the TD Mutual Fund accounts that I still have open, and the first step I took was moving my Emerg Fund from TD Mutual Funds to Questrade, but I had to wonder about 10 Day Investment Account Transferals, and why does it take that long? It is only one computer talking to another.

Read More »Overvalued Housing, EU Trade Deal, Overcharging Banks & Scary #MoneyTalk

This week I start with another big Thank you to Mark Goodfield for posting another helpful overview article (written by Howard Kazdan ) entitled, The Registered Disability Savings Plan A Government-Assisted Savings Plan for Family Members that Qualify for the Disability Tax Credit . I have written a great deal about my misadventures with this program, as well as my issues with TD Direct Investing (still the best RDSP out there, unfortunately), but this overview is a good read for anyone wishing to get a few hints to help out a disabled loved one (financially). Remember to read the Henson Trust Article as well.

The 3^rd US Presidential debate happened nuff said.

There are dire warnings that the new Mortgage rules  are going to hinder young folks ability to purchase houses, however, as usual Michael James had an excellent tweet in response (see the financial tweet area for that chestnut). The government seems to be attempting to gently let the air out of the bubble, we shall see whether it pops in spite of the gentle treatment.

The Bank of Canada announced that it is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at 1/2 per cent, which is nothing new. The reasons why are always interesting, so let us peal that onion a bit more. Interesting that the new house buying rules are mentioned in this report as well,

This is due in large part to slower near-term housing resale activity and a lower trajectory for exports. The federal government’s new measures to promote stability in Canada‘s housing market are likely to restrain residential investment while dampening household vulnerabilities

Interesting that the Bank is almost scolding the Government for bringing the new housing rules in place? Maybe not, scolding, but pointing an accusatory finger.

My Writings for the Week Ending October 21^st

Having watched the happenings down south, I had a small epiphany about how voting and financial planning are pretty darn similar (at least how we implement them), so I wrote, We Invest the Way We Vote . I have read a few articles that simply telling to populous to vote, without telling them to make an informed vote, is at best reckless at worst dangerous, and after watching what has gone on in the Republican Party, I think the theory is valid. Become informed on the topic, before executing!

New Mortgage Rules All Bad?

I think Michael James makes an interesting point with this simple tweet.

A lot of talk about new mortgage rules hurting 1st time buyers. Maybe new rules will save some from biggest financial mistake of their lives

— Michael James (@MJonMoney) October 19, 2016

Read More »RDSP , New Mortgage Rules Hurts Economy and #MoneyTalk