Do you know anyone who would drive their car for more than a few days with a broken fuel gauge?

Unless that person enjoys taking the risk of being stranded and hiking to the nearest gas station…

What do we want our last known address to be?

A while back when I owned a van its speedometer cable became disconnected. Until it was fixed it was difficult to know whether I was speeding. During that time my perspective on driving changed considerably.

So what does any of the above have to do with the topic that pushes people to spend years in school, days working and worrying, and is a principal cause of divorce and crime? How do car stories relate to the means that allow us fun and to do good for others? Does Cindy have auld lang syne hangover?

Read the rest of this entry »

Well here we are in the midst of another Canadian Summer. What has transpired in the financial realm that is of relevance? Let's do a recap of what's important to your bottom line.

First off I hope that all of you have done your 2007 tax return, especially if you owe money. Remember that the penalties for overdue taxes are an immediate 5% on the unpaid balance and daily interest thereafter. Putting that task in the procrastination pile will not make the problem go away! Most of you know you can ask for my help, moral support or otherwise.

Bursting at the Seams - Alberta Economy

Read the rest of this entry »

Well here we are in 2008 already. December and the Christmas season whizzed by. I was only able to get my Christmas tree a week before Christmas and decorated it only the weekend before!

Let’s start 2008 on a positive note; a different take on the list of New Year’s resolutions.

Here are the top 10 factors that will enable you and your family to be financially successful. These tips are invaluable because they come from experience working with real clients like you and I. Real people and families have increase dtheir net worth making great progress towards a future of financial independence because they've taken control of their money.

Top 10 Personal Financial Recommendations for 2008

Read the rest of this entry »

How many of you would purposely spill ten dollars worth of quarters down the grate of a sidewalk? Would you leave your five-dollar bill on a windy open windowsill?

Wallet Woes: The Rule of 72 in reverse.

Which would you prefer, paying a parking or speeding ticket or having strangers (*cough* the banks *cough*) help themselves to money from your wallet? Here's one of our more popular posts originally released in 2006.


Times like the holiday season involve buying gifts, parties, going places, spending paper, coin, or plastic money. Come January many people may greet the New Year with a big financial hangover. Well there's help! Forget the vitamin B and hair of warthog during the full moon.
Read the rest of this entry »

Hi and Lois Nov 25, 2003.

There are 3 types of people in life: The spender, the lender, and the investor.

"Poor people spend and buy stuff, the middle class buy liabilities, and the wealthy buy assets."

Let's take a look at these truisms.

The spender will buy stuff, putting off achieving their financial goals until they have more money. In fact habits become harder to break over time. The day they plan for their financial future may never arrive. The spender needs to realize that almost every wage earner is capable of both meeting their every day expenses and investing for their long term goals.


Read the rest of this entry »

Picking up where we left off from the first part of this article, remember, pay off debts which includes your mortgage. A good strategy for this room of the house is to take on a minimal amount of fixed debt. A person's ability to manage this aspect of their finances will impact their whole financial future. Remember: there is bad debt, and in some cases good debt. Be smart because much of easily accumulated and accessible debt is bad debt!

Read the rest of this entry »

Some First Steps to Secure Financial Planning

I am sure that none of you reading this would think that building a house by beginning with the roof would be a great idea. In fact it would be impossible. The roof would need support. Let's use the analogy of a house to see the elements of a financial plan and their priorities.

Every house starts with a foundation. The foundation of financial success is as follows:

Read the rest of this entry »

This is the story of Ernest and Serenity J. Ernest is a project manager at Dubblebubble Space Corporation. His wife is a teacher. They have 2 children, Cordelia 14 and Brent 11. Since the family came back from vacation in Halifax, Ernest has been working a few late nights and weekends as his company is expanding their information systems. As a result he and his wife have had to postpone their usual Saturday night dinner date. However, this gave Mrs. J and the children the opportunity to go to West Edmonton Mall for some back to school shopping. She is planning to surprise Mr. J with a 60 inch plasma TV for his upcoming birthday.

With her babysitting money Cordelia buys the latest trends from TuTutemon. Brent has already put in a request for a Playstation 3 for Christmas. He is too young to work but makes a few dollars from walking the neighbor’s dog when they are away.

Read the rest of this entry »