Search found 204 matches

by Stan_W
24 Feb 2024 14:08
Forum: Taxing Situations
Topic: T5008 questions
Replies: 24
Views: 910

Re: T5008 questions

I have a spreadsheet for each non-reg account in which I record every purchase and sale. I mirror this in Schedule 3 to make it easier to explain what I have done to CRA if I am ever audited. It would also be clear to my executor or the accountant my wife would hire if I go first.
by Stan_W
30 Jan 2024 10:36
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: ebook copy not allowed!
Replies: 29
Views: 1604

Re: ebook copy not allowed!

tedster wrote: 29 Jan 2024 19:04 I have found Kobo very hard to reach. Plus they want you to buy not borrow books.
Stan_W I am thinking of a Samsung A 7 tablet. Do I need to down load any special apps to read ebooks? or audio books. I have never tried the latter.
I have used an epub reader extension on Firefox to read books on a computer. I haven't tried it on a tablet. My wife uses a Kindle app to read books she gets from Bookbub.
by Stan_W
29 Jan 2024 10:11
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: ebook copy not allowed!
Replies: 29
Views: 1604

Re: ebook copy not allowed!

tedster wrote: 29 Jan 2024 09:00 I think my best alternative is to buy a small tablet with which I can read ebooks and listen to audiobooks, thus by-passing ADE. However, when i check these out it is unclear to me if any have a headphone port or can do both ebooks and audio books. This would mean that my Kobo would be for bought purchases and any borrowed books would go on the tablet. Any suggestions as to which I should consider??
I have a Samsung Galaxy tablet with only a USB-C port. The Dollar stores sell a USB-C to audio jack into which I can plug my headphones. You may also be able to get your tablet to connect to wireless headphones using Bluetooth.
by Stan_W
23 Dec 2023 09:32
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: RBC Direct Investing (formerly Action Direct) experience
Replies: 811
Views: 170620

Re: RBC Direct Investing (formerly Action Direct) experience

mewmew wrote: 22 Dec 2023 15:50
AltaRed wrote: 22 Dec 2023 12:09 I have never heard of any of the big banks charging for fund transfers within the corporate family. That would be self-defeating.
Well, HSBC Direct Investing did, to/from their HSBC bank savings account. CIBC IE and CIBC Bank too, between their USD bank savings and IE USD accounts.

As awkward as it seems, some banks just don't their their bank brokerages as a "family".
I withdrew US funds from my CIBC IE RRIF to my CIBC US bank account in November for a trip to Hawaii. I have done this several times and have never been charged a fee.
by Stan_W
03 Dec 2023 10:51
Forum: Financial News, Policy and Economics
Topic: How large should investment assets be for a couple to retire comfortably at 65 ?
Replies: 23
Views: 1419

Re: How large should investment assets be for a couple to retire comfortably at 65 ?

We don't own a home, but my DB pension is just about enough to pay the rent on a 3 bedroom home, so I'll consider that a wash. Our investment assets are in the $500k to 1M range and we have the same standard of living as when we were working. Our income consists of one OAS (deferred to 68) and one almost max. CPP (deferred to 70), the DB pension I mentioned, and investment withdrawals usually less than VPW suggests that we could take. We live in Winnipeg, so this may not be sufficient in a higher cost city. We have booked a week in Cancun in January and three weeks in Hawaii on February and we could travel more, but we don't want our dog to spend more time than that in a kennel, even though she seems to love romping in the fields with the o...
by Stan_W
25 Nov 2023 11:57
Forum: Retirement, Pensions and Peace of Mind
Topic: retirement portfolio
Replies: 9
Views: 1043

Re: retirement portfolio

Thanks PI. I had copied the link to put at the end of my post, but I was interrupted and forgot to paste it.
by Stan_W
25 Nov 2023 11:43
Forum: Retirement, Pensions and Peace of Mind
Topic: retirement portfolio
Replies: 9
Views: 1043

Re: retirement portfolio

I will need to start restructuring/deaccumulating the portfolio of investments ( that you all helped me grow) to fund my retirement life stlye, this will be pyscologically difficult as it is a complete 360 from the save save attitude I have. With the help of my wife who is aslo retiring, I hope to ease this mental transition. I'm not qualified to help you structure your portfolio, but I do have a suggestion regarding transitioning to using your investments to fund your lifestyle. I began using the VPW spreadsheet when I retired and it made me much more comfortable with withdrawing for my RRIF and non- reg accounts. I can see that the income will not run out, although it will fluctuate, fortunately upwards in the five years I have been draw...
by Stan_W
21 Nov 2023 13:38
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: Best Credit Card (2021 - 2025)
Replies: 515
Views: 33160

Re: Best Credit Card (2021 - 2025)

Thanks for the replies.

I will check with CIBC to see if they will wave their fee based on my US dollar account. The problem with even a $35 fee is that it would cost $70 to use the card for a three week trip every two years.

I may see if I can get a prepaid card in Hawaii and use that to pay for the car.
by Stan_W
21 Nov 2023 10:51
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: Best Credit Card (2021 - 2025)
Replies: 515
Views: 33160

Re: Best Credit Card (2021 - 2025)

Does anyone know of a no fee US dollar credit card from a Canadian issuer? We travel to Hawaii every second year and I would only use it at that time, so a yearly fee would defeat the purpose.

We want to load US dollars to it from a CIBC US dollar bank account, so the AC Conversion prepaid card won't work. TIA.

Added: I can use cash for everything except the rental cars, so I will use the no-FX Home Trust card as a fallback.
by Stan_W
13 Nov 2023 10:53
Forum: Financial News, Policy and Economics
Topic: Investors still don't believe in the new normal
Replies: 26
Views: 2210

Re: Investors still don't believe in the new normal

Many of us, myself included, have lived through the high inflation of the late '70's and early '80's, the housing crash in the early '90's. the dot com crash and the GFC. We've seen it all and today's situation doesn't seem all that surprising.

For anyone under 40, their normal has been 2%, inflation, 2% mortgages and strong equity gains. Interest rates were supposed to stay low and house prices only go up. In that context, 4% inflation, 6% mortgages and housing and some equities actually dropping in price is a very different normal.
by Stan_W
13 Nov 2023 10:36
Forum: Property: Owning, Renting, Managing, Investing and Mortgaging
Topic: Cash Back Realtor
Replies: 27
Views: 2136

Re: Cash Back Realtor

Another factor is that, if you have a million dollar house in an 800K neighbourhood, you likely won't get a lot of showings. People with a million to spend want to live in neighbourhoods with similar houses.
by Stan_W
12 Nov 2023 09:17
Forum: Property: Owning, Renting, Managing, Investing and Mortgaging
Topic: Cash Back Realtor
Replies: 27
Views: 2136

Re: Cash Back Realtor

rigger1 wrote: 12 Nov 2023 01:07
Insomniac wrote: 11 Nov 2023 15:37 Have you talked to these guys?
https://victoriaonepercentrealty.ca/

Yes, and he refuses to list the price I want!… go figure

And his team mate refuses to return my email.
That's because he doesn't believe it will sell at that price. He doesn't want to waste his time with someone who has an unreasonable idea of the house's value.
by Stan_W
09 Nov 2023 11:17
Forum: Property: Owning, Renting, Managing, Investing and Mortgaging
Topic: Cash Back Realtor
Replies: 27
Views: 2136

Re: Cash Back Realtor

Realtors have a lot of expenses. They advertise, buy signs and pay to have them put up, car lease and gas, etc. The commission is also split with the broker. The sellers agent has to deal with unreasonable sellers who want more than the house is worth and often are lose the listing when it expires because they couldn't sell it at the owner's price after spending their money and time. The buyers agent can show you one house or 20 as Norbert said and then find that you either bought from a private sale or at an open house when the agent selling the house did compromise on commissions. House sales are down, so you may find one who will cut their commissions just to get a sale, but you often get what you pay for. I tried selling real estate 30+...
by Stan_W
08 Nov 2023 11:04
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Feeling old(er)
Replies: 56
Views: 1704

Re: Feeling old(er)

With my previous car (2009 Elantra), I would have to creep out blind if I were parked between large SUVs or trucks hoping that anyone walking or driving by would see me and stop.

Now, when I back out, I know that I'll be able to see the roadway and hear a beep if there is any movement.

The backup camera is also helpful when backing into a dark garage from bright sunlight.

I use the tech in addition to the skills I used for the 50 years of driving before I got this car. When changing lanes, I check the mirror, signal and shoulder check, even though I know that putting on the signal will trigger the blind spot warning.
by Stan_W
05 Nov 2023 10:41
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Flu vaccines
Replies: 43
Views: 1960

Re: Flu vaccines

I have the RSV vaccine waiting at the local Costco. The cost is $246 plus $12 to have it injected which I will do next week. I needed a prescription in Manitoba.
by Stan_W
05 Nov 2023 09:09
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: High interest savings, GICs and MMFs (2023)
Replies: 1056
Views: 87817

Re: High interest savings, GICs and MMFs (2023)

Bylo Selhi wrote: 04 Nov 2023 10:31
Stan_W wrote: 04 Nov 2023 10:13
rocketboss wrote: 03 Nov 2023 14:08 Our tangerine offers of 5.25 ended Oct 31. Removed funds on Oct. 31. Today, Both Received offers of 5.5 till March 31. We will repatriate funds back into tangerine soon!!
How do you get these offers? Do you see them on the login screen or is it an email?

My initial offer ended in September and I haven't seen anything. TIA.
Look also under "Insights" on your home page.

In any case, not everyone gets them. The criteria are a closely-guarded secret (or completely random.) That's why many of us refer to this as a lottery.
Thank You. So far, nothing for me.
by Stan_W
04 Nov 2023 10:13
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: High interest savings, GICs and MMFs (2023)
Replies: 1056
Views: 87817

Re: High interest savings, GICs and MMFs (2023)

rocketboss wrote: 03 Nov 2023 14:08 Our tangerine offers of 5.25 ended Oct 31. Removed funds on Oct. 31. Today, Both Received offers of 5.5 till March 31. We will repatriate funds back into tangerine soon!!
How do you get these offers? Do you see them on the login screen or is it an email?

My initial offer ended in September and I haven't seen anything. TIA.
by Stan_W
22 Oct 2023 07:57
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Flu vaccines
Replies: 43
Views: 1960

Re: Flu vaccines

We have appointments this Friday afternoon at a local drug store.
by Stan_W
12 Jul 2023 10:41
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: Splitting Retirmenent funds across different institutions
Replies: 4
Views: 588

Re: Splitting Retirmenent funds across different institutions

My concern now is that things are easy for my wife if I go first. Everything is at a big 5 bank and we are moving into ETFs to leave fewer choices about what to sell. Like Bylo, we have money in HISAs at online banks for at least a year's spending.
by Stan_W
14 Jun 2023 12:37
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: A Final Financial Thread [from Shakespeare]
Replies: 70
Views: 6645

Re: A Final Financial Thread [from Shakespeare]

I'll add my thanks for your contributions and best wishes for your remaining time.
by Stan_W
03 Jun 2023 12:02
Forum: Retirement, Pensions and Peace of Mind
Topic: How are you actually using your TFSA?
Replies: 105
Views: 7977

Re: How are you actually using your TFSA?

Mordko wrote: 03 Jun 2023 11:52
Stan_W wrote: 03 Jun 2023 11:44
I invested in Canadian dividend payers from the start and the income last year was about $14k. Assuming we both live for another 10 years or so, this should more than double and provide at least the same income that both of us are living on now.
To me this seems optimistic, assuming you are thinking in “real terms”.
I should have said that we are continuing to contribute each year. 10 more years means another $130k or more of contributions plus the reinvested dividends.

Inflation could be a problem if it's not tamed.
by Stan_W
03 Jun 2023 11:44
Forum: Retirement, Pensions and Peace of Mind
Topic: How are you actually using your TFSA?
Replies: 105
Views: 7977

Re: How are you actually using your TFSA?

We are living on my pension (100% survivor benefit), and my OAS and CPP and withdrawals from my RRIF and our non-reg. Due to income splitting, we are under the OAS clawback amount. My wife is deferring her OAS and CPP until 70.

Our TFSAs will be untapped until one of us passes away. The survivor will draw from RRIF and non-reg up to the OAS clawback amount and then withdraw from TFSAs if more income is needed.

I invested in Canadian dividend payers from the start and the income last year was about $14k. Assuming we both live for another 10 years or so, this should more than double and provide at least the same income that both of us are living on now.
by Stan_W
29 Apr 2023 11:16
Forum: Financial Planning and Building Portfolios
Topic: General Pension Options
Replies: 15
Views: 1148

Re: General Pension Options

I had a similar choice when I retired 5 years ago. The only consideration was, "How much income will my wife have if I die first".

The 100% survivor option was the obvious choice.
by Stan_W
04 Apr 2023 14:12
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: university application for new permanent resident, foreign high school
Replies: 10
Views: 437

Re: university application for new permanent resident, foreign high school

crre wrote: 03 Apr 2023 15:25

my friend currently resides in winnipeg. she graduated from high school in the country in which i reside (being purposely vague for privacy reasons) and where she grew up, which is different from the country from which she is a refugee.

The University of Winnipeg has a collegiate where she could take Grade 12 Math and take 1st year uni courses at the same time.
by Stan_W
03 Feb 2023 09:34
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: How many credit cards do you have?
Replies: 50
Views: 2381

Re: How many credit cards do you have?

I have 5 cards. 1. HT Visa for the 0% FX. 2. CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite for the 4% on gas and groceries. Since our household has been reduced from 3 to 2, I am reevaluation the value of the $120 annual fee. 3. CIBC Costco MC for the 3% on Costco gas and 2% for online Costco purchases. 4. WestJet RBC Elite MC for the companion voucher and free bags. $119.00 annual fee. 5. Roger's World Elite MC for the 1.5% on everything else. I use an old copy of Quicken 2008 to track bank accounts and credit cards. I have a scheduled payment for each credit card of $0.01 a week before each card payment is due which will show as a red flag if I haven't already made the payment. I take the HT Visa, Costco MC and WestJet MC with me when travelling. My wife a...