Search found 2979 matches

by Koogie
27 Mar 2024 10:00
Forum: Financial News, Policy and Economics
Topic: Productivity Indicator
Replies: 13
Views: 821

Re: Productivity Indicator

I do know a little something about exporting and Canadian manufacturing for export. Let me assure you that any sector of the economy that can be categorized as "light" to "heavy" manufacturing in Canada has been gutted in the last 25 years. While it would be nice and easy to point the finger at one factor (productivity !!) it is considerably more complicated than that. The lions share of blame lies with provincial and federal government policies (energy, labour, regulatory, taxation, infrastructure) but Canadian business culture does share the blame (capital investment, R&D, marketing) as does Canadian culture in general (work ethic, willingness to train/retrain, labour mobility). Simply put, Canadian governments hav...
by Koogie
26 Mar 2024 15:54
Forum: Now Hear This!
Topic: Don't be afraid ... to start a new topic
Replies: 10
Views: 18934

Re: Don't be afraid ... to start a new topic

like_to_retire wrote: 26 Mar 2024 15:27 Every time I see a new topic, someone will respond informing the foolish poster that there's already a thread on that, intimating that if they use the Search function they could find lots of info.
These people must have access to a different search function on here than I do then... I can't even find stuff I posted using it.. :lol:
by Koogie
26 Mar 2024 14:50
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: Need to make $28k payment to dealership while outside Canada
Replies: 11
Views: 401

Re: Need to make $28k payment to dealership while outside Canada

^^ probably the best idea. My e-transfer limits at TD are 6k daily/15k weekly/35k monthly and they increased them as a passing courtesy.

If you ask them they can probably let you have a 30k limit for a week.
by Koogie
25 Mar 2024 14:59
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: VCIP (bonds) - why so awful?
Replies: 15
Views: 409

Re: VCIP (bonds) - why so awful?

So this is the return of $10,000 of VCIP (20% equity / 80% bonds) over the last five years: Sorry don't have exact figures but VCIP purchased May 2021 still down 6.94% VSB purchased July 18 2017 still down 7.31% (It may not have been dripped the whole period, can't remember) That's more or less my experience as well. I got out of the short bond funds intact (once accounting for distributions) but still sitting on the medium term and "real loss return" dogs. But essentially dead money (at least in nominal terms) for years. And years. And years. Short story.. bond funds suck. My fault for looking for "diworsification" in fixed income. At least I only ventured out into them with a medium sized portion of the FI. Probably t...
by Koogie
22 Mar 2024 08:48
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Printers
Replies: 21
Views: 488

Re: Printers

AltaRed wrote: 21 Mar 2024 14:37 I went big time several years ago (with a big discount) with a wireless color HP Laser Jet Pro MFP M117fw all-in-one. It has been flawless as it should be. I agree about ensuring one gets a scanner but I have never had to use the fax and see no need to ever do so.
These are what I equipped our offices with a few years ago. They work very well, especially the wireless feature, but are toner hungry. At least with what we do. The scanning is definitely flawless and that nearly as important to us as the printing.

The HP software, of course, is pretty rubbish but there are ways around that.
by Koogie
21 Mar 2024 09:06
Forum: Financial News, Policy and Economics
Topic: Inflation
Replies: 1010
Views: 155667

Re: Inflation

I have some questions about these numbers (I believe it refers to Federal government debt only for instance) but nevertheless, "interesting" in the context of the "surprise" inflation we are experiencing...

https://tradingeconomics.com/canada/government-debt
CA_Government_Debt.png
CA_Government_Debt.png (35.95 KiB) Viewed 219 times

Government Debt in Canada increased to 1173.01 CAD Billion in 2023 from 1139.98 CAD Billion in 2022. Government Debt in Canada averaged 360.71 CAD Billion from 1962 until 2023, reaching an all time high of 1173.01 CAD Billion in 2023 and a record low of 14.83 CAD Billion in 1962.
by Koogie
20 Mar 2024 11:39
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: 9 Lessons I’ve Learned About Death and Money
Replies: 14
Views: 701

9 Lessons I’ve Learned About Death and Money

9 Lessons I’ve Learned About Death and Money
https://kindnessfp.com/9-lessons-about-death-and-money/


American centric but a good read. He is very open about what he went through.
by Koogie
14 Mar 2024 17:10
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Electric Cars
Replies: 601
Views: 39601

Re: Electric Cars

The future of our planet depends on innovative solutions like this new tech. Let's invest in a sustainable future for our heirs. They need a planet to spend their inheritance. Consider being an early adopter and making a real difference. Spend a little of their inheritance today. I think this is the kind of "magical" "feel good" thinking that also does the debate a disservice. Are they demonstrably a magnitude better for the environment over their life cycle ? You increasingly see stories in the media that they are not. In fact, because of the cost inherent in fixing damaged battery packs (and the liability involved for insurance companies) battery packs and whole cars are being scrapped well before their end of life, u...
by Koogie
14 Mar 2024 10:04
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Electric Cars
Replies: 601
Views: 39601

Re: Electric Cars

Yes, it is a problem if you want to force people other than urban/suburban commuters to adopt EN MASSE in the short term (the point of my argument you avoided). And the creation of more infrastructure in urban, dense areas would help the other 80% of the country adopt EVs how exactly ?
More chargers for the technorati of KW doesn't help someone in Timmins or Truro.

As to electrical infrastructure, you once again conveniently avoid the MASSE ADOPTION that we are being told is necessary. There will then be no off peak hours as millions upon millions of EVs attempt to also charge overnight.
by Koogie
14 Mar 2024 08:53
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Electric Cars
Replies: 601
Views: 39601

Re: Electric Cars

"2023 sees ZEVs capture 10% of Canada's new-car market" https://driving.ca/auto-news/industry/zev-new-car-sales-canada-record-electric The precise figure is 10.8 per cent, and with a strong fourth-quarter share of 12 per cent or the market, following a Q3 market share of 12.3 per cent, there does appear to be some momentum behind ZEV sales. As always, British Columbia and Quebec led the way in terms of provincial figures, with a tie at 21.4 per cent of new-car sales over the course of 2023. From the article: """But new ZEV sales have struggled outside of these three provinces (ON,BC,QC), which accounted for 91.8 per cent of new ZEVs registrations in 2023.""" Lends credence to the argument that EVs ar...
by Koogie
13 Mar 2024 19:43
Forum: Retirement, Pensions and Peace of Mind
Topic: The government is considering changing investment objectives for CPP
Replies: 35
Views: 1506

Re: The government is considering changing investment objectives for CPP

Insomniac wrote: 13 Mar 2024 19:13 Article is pay-walled, but I can guess what it says.

Reminds me of the time WAC Bennett told the gov't employees pension plan to load up on BC Hydro bonds. He wanted the bonds sold - low returns be dammed! :wink:
That joke is a real lower water mark for the forum... :P
by Koogie
10 Mar 2024 17:36
Forum: Retirement, Pensions and Peace of Mind
Topic: How are you actually using your TFSA?
Replies: 105
Views: 7975

Re: How are you actually using your TFSA?

I think SQRT is right.. this is very much an FWF type problem, not a general population type problem. TFSAs will form a MUCH larger proportion of most average peoples retirement accounts. Especially if they are my age or of a similar youthful, vigorous, handsome disposition.. :lol:

These people will definitely be spending income out of a TFSA in their retirements. And therein lies part of the argument some of the "tax me more" crowd has against increasing TFSA limits to the same level as similar schemes in the US or UK. Once people are getting significant amounts of tax free income out of TFSAs, gubbermint theft taxation will decrease and they won't be able to waste bribe spend as much.
by Koogie
10 Mar 2024 15:13
Forum: Retirement, Pensions and Peace of Mind
Topic: Any questions about CPP?
Replies: 518
Views: 88123

Re: Any questions about CPP?

I have a lowish income acquaintance that took her CPP at 60 but said she is ""waiting until 65 to take OAS and the "third one"""

Third one ?! She assumed she would automatically be getting the GIS because everyone else in her extended family does.. :roll:

Really makes you realize the average financial (il)literacy out there. Not that gubbermint does much to make it simpler for people.
by Koogie
07 Mar 2024 22:08
Forum: Financial News, Policy and Economics
Topic: Clippings 2024
Replies: 129
Views: 10326

Re: Clippings 2024

This strategy fails because positive momentum is stronger than negative momentum.
Not in my experience but perhaps that is just my pessimism shining through.

Momentum being not the same thing as long term market direction.
by Koogie
05 Mar 2024 11:29
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: 5-year laddered GICs
Replies: 29
Views: 1393

Re: 5-year laddered GICs

The Finiki link on Fixed Income ladders . There is nothing wrong with building 1-2-3yr or 3-6-9-12 month maturities if they meet a person's investing needs. But they aren't a fixed income ladder as typically defined. Respectfully disagree. From the Finiki you linked: "A fixed income ladder is created by dividing a sum of money into several portions (usually equal) and investing them in bonds or guaranteed investment certificates (GICs) of varying maturities (usually equally-spaced)." The only reason most ladders are "typically" 5 year ladders in Canada is because historically 5 year term deposits have been the longest duration to receive CDIC protection. And therefore they have been the longest duration rungs that banks...
by Koogie
04 Mar 2024 12:50
Forum: Financial Planning and Building Portfolios
Topic: Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
Replies: 12
Views: 609

Re: Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)

As with anything gubbermint, it's complicated. RDSPs seem even more so...

Short answer, it seems you keep it. And can regain status. Or not.

Maybe.

:roll:

https://www.rdsp.com/tutorial/losing-di ... iry%20date.
by Koogie
04 Mar 2024 12:17
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: EasyWeb Online Banking
Replies: 162
Views: 14968

Re: EasyWeb Online Banking

optionable68 wrote: 04 Mar 2024 12:05 Down for me, again. :evil:
Me too but TDDI is working... :roll:

What's the saying ? One out of two ain't bad ?
by Koogie
04 Mar 2024 11:38
Forum: Financial Planning and Building Portfolios
Topic: Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
Replies: 12
Views: 609

Re: Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)

DTC also focuses on the longevity of the condition for which periodic updates are required. If their condition is "curable" or likely to improve the qualification for the DTC can be denied upon renewal.
by Koogie
03 Mar 2024 09:38
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: 5-year laddered GICs
Replies: 29
Views: 1393

Re: 5-year laddered GICs

Many of us do. Some of us have more than one ladder, in fact.

It feels more palatable during the current (nominal) interest rate environment of course.
by Koogie
01 Mar 2024 17:02
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Electric Cars
Replies: 601
Views: 39601

Re: Electric Cars

Fisker warns it’s running out of cash and may not make it through 2024
The EV company said it would lay off 15 percent of employees in a bid to reduce costs.
https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/1/24087 ... rn-warning
by Koogie
28 Feb 2024 20:36
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Lee Valley sale on gift cards
Replies: 13
Views: 1852

Re: Lee Valley sale on gift cards

Happy Leap Day!

Visit any of our store locations on February 28 and 29 and receive a $29 gift card when you spend $150 or more.*
by Koogie
28 Feb 2024 20:29
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Electric Cars
Replies: 601
Views: 39601

Re: Electric Cars

Wait until middle class plebes like me can buy a $20k Chinesium import EV.

And we all decide to plug them in at home. On a hot August night at 10 pm. Or the coldest January night at -20C.

When the wind turbines aren't spinning. And the sun hasn't been out in days and the solar farms aren't "solaring". And unfortunately we no longer use power plants powered by coal or horrible (for some reason) natural gas. And Greta says no to NUCLEAR !!!!!!!

A giant f*cking pipe dream. Imagined by idiots. Empowered by imbeciles who vote for handouts and are bribed with their own money.

"The most powerful argument against democracy is a 5 minute conversation with the average (low information/MSM consuming) voter...."
by Koogie
28 Feb 2024 12:11
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: High interest savings, GICs and MMFs (2024)
Replies: 200
Views: 16775

Re: High interest savings, GICs and MMFs (2024)

Bylo Selhi wrote: 28 Feb 2024 11:39 Shame on TING. And shame on Scotia for letting them do it.
Maybe you could stop enabling them ? They'll continue to do it as long as customers continue to play the game. It takes two....

I gave up on them years ago.. now if only I could convince DW to do so..
by Koogie
24 Feb 2024 14:57
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Science is amazing
Replies: 818
Views: 55673

Re: Science is amazing