Search found 12172 matches

by kcowan
12 Dec 2023 12:33
Forum: Financial News, Policy and Economics
Topic: Clippings 2023
Replies: 343
Views: 32755

Re: Clippings 2023

AltaRed wrote: 06 Dec 2023 13:14 While I recognize there is personal bias involved, both Diane Francis and David Rosenberg have written what appears to be well reasoned articles, with data, on how Canada continues its fall into the abyss. There is no end insight at the moment.

This should be a bit of a caution to those especially concentrated in both Canadian equities and currency hedged ex-Canada holdings. At a minimum, I have always advocated currency diversification in case the loonie drops another 5-10 cents or so.
Agreed! My equity split began at 50-50 but I let my winners run so it has become 75% US and climbing, especially in C$!

Too bad that Liberals do not read/understand Francis and Rosenberg!
by kcowan
12 Dec 2023 12:09
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: EasyWeb Online Banking
Replies: 162
Views: 14971

Re: EasyWeb Online Banking

Peculiar_Investor wrote: 11 Dec 2023 11:28 Yes and I'm using the current version of Microsoft Edge.

My guess is with the updated version they are having enough users complain that they've resorted to this generic message to anyone who lands on the page, regardless of browser.
Based on our experience, I assume such messages are CYA by the developers. They have probably never checked your browser.
by kcowan
10 Dec 2023 08:50
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: TD Direct Investing (was Waterhouse) Service
Replies: 3927
Views: 433391

Re: TD Direct Investing (was Waterhouse) Service

Bylo thanks for the tip! I also find that alternate ways in usually work: Easyweb to Webbroken and vice versa.

AR thanks for the report. It confirms my suspicions that TD seems worse. It might be driven by their US presence?
by kcowan
10 Dec 2023 08:39
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: RIP 2023
Replies: 99
Views: 10541

Re: RIP 2023

Ryan O'Neal at 82.
by kcowan
09 Dec 2023 08:46
Forum: Taxing Situations
Topic: UFile 2023
Replies: 28
Views: 3638

Re: UFile 2023

AltaRed wrote: 08 Dec 2023 22:55
kumquat wrote: 08 Dec 2023 22:11 WOW, I can save $3.50 on a 4-return license. That in itself is worthy of an entire thread on FWF.
Old habits of taking advantage of bargains enroute to 7 digit portfolios are hard to break. :wink:
We have to help Ufile manage their YE cash flow. They rely on early adopters.
by kcowan
09 Dec 2023 08:29
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: TD Direct Investing (was Waterhouse) Service
Replies: 3927
Views: 433391

Re: TD Direct Investing (was Waterhouse) Service

ghariton wrote: 09 Dec 2023 00:37 ….
I get this on average twice a month.

I wonder whether their competence with IT is a sign of their competence handling financial transactions.

George
I am pretty sure that Webbroken does not get the rigorous testing that the core banking system is subjected to. But it would be good to get comments from other banking users here. I suspect they skip over this thread.
by kcowan
08 Dec 2023 08:42
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: BlackBerry (Symbol-BB) formerly Research in Motion (RIM)
Replies: 745
Views: 87796

Re: BlackBerry (Symbol-BB) formerly Research in Motion (RIM)

Yes the insiders realized that their game was up when the iPhone was introduced and they were slow to react!

I believe they could have established space for networking before the telcos got their interest acts together.
by kcowan
07 Dec 2023 09:41
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: EasyWeb Online Banking
Replies: 162
Views: 14971

Re: EasyWeb Online Banking

Unwise wrote: 06 Dec 2023 13:47
kcowan wrote: 06 Dec 2023 13:42
Unwise wrote: 06 Dec 2023 11:46

I just checked and it is still showing me the cash amount in the From account when I try to do a transfer. I'm guessing I'm looking at a different screen than you? Where is it missing now?
RU using the new interface? The old one has not changed. Logon Easyweb then transfer from investing to savings.
Yes, I'm on the new interface. For me, it shows the from balance in the dropdown box when selecting the from account. Which page is it missing for you? If you provide the steps you use to get to that page I'll try it here and see if I can replicate the problem.
I don't get the drop-down box on my laptop.
by kcowan
06 Dec 2023 13:42
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: EasyWeb Online Banking
Replies: 162
Views: 14971

Re: EasyWeb Online Banking

Unwise wrote: 06 Dec 2023 11:46
kcowan wrote: 06 Dec 2023 09:58 I tried doing a transfer and they no longer include the cash amount in the From account. Another improvement! OK I can remember but it was a convenience now gone.
I just checked and it is still showing me the cash amount in the From account when I try to do a transfer. I'm guessing I'm looking at a different screen than you? Where is it missing now?
RU using the new interface? The old one has not changed. Logon Easyweb then transfer from investing to savings.
by kcowan
06 Dec 2023 13:27
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: EasyWeb Online Banking
Replies: 162
Views: 14971

Re: EasyWeb Online Banking

etacilpud
by kcowan
06 Dec 2023 09:58
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: EasyWeb Online Banking
Replies: 162
Views: 14971

Re: EasyWeb Online Banking

I tried doing a transfer and they no longer include the cash amount in the From account. Another improvement! OK I can remember but it was a convenience now gone.
by kcowan
05 Dec 2023 09:27
Forum: Taxing Situations
Topic: OAS • Subsidies to rich seniors make no sense
Replies: 198
Views: 8465

Re: OAS • Subsidies to rich seniors make no sense

pwm2 wrote: 05 Dec 2023 06:36 ...
4). The OAS itself. The OAS payment is included in total income even though I never actually see any money. This adds to my total income number which determines next year's payment.

It doesn't take much in dividend income and the other "phantom income" to exceed the max threshold.
The OAS payment helps with cashflow until it is clawed back.

I agree with your post. The points indirectly achieve the fairness that many of us on this thread argue for.

I suspect the CRA has sized this effect on net OAS benefits. It moves the income exemption targets up by including such phantom payments as income.
by kcowan
02 Dec 2023 18:21
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: You will own nothing ...
Replies: 5
Views: 746

Re: You will own nothing ...

Even worse at Apple Music. When DW stopped the service, any tracks that been moved into other albums caused the whole album including purchased tracks to be removed. I am waiting for a class action suit to join.
by kcowan
30 Nov 2023 08:41
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: Digital Canadian Dollar
Replies: 18
Views: 1011

Re: Digital Canadian Dollar

newin96 wrote: 30 Nov 2023 08:03 My issue was that the instruction was to ignore system generated flags (e.g. no SIN?!?, payments to 14 & 15 year olds, imprisoned, deceased, foreign addresses...) and just pay it out.
The expectation that they'd get it back was disingenuous.
Now, the cost and effort of trying to get it back is being considered too high.
If 140 CRA employees got caught, how large is the fraud? Not worth it? Only a socialist would conclude that!
by kcowan
29 Nov 2023 07:59
Forum: Taxing Situations
Topic: OAS • Subsidies to rich seniors make no sense
Replies: 198
Views: 8465

Re: OAS • Subsidies to rich seniors make no sense

… I tried asking questions about cost and quality of life now compared to 1980s or thereabouts and most people here (FWF) seemed to think life is easier now, not the view shared by people struggling at a very basic level. Yes! When my sons got their first jobs, $50k was a good starting salary whereas today it is $100k. So they will view cutbacks starting at $75k as regressive. And good luck with private pension plans! They are non- existent. And they understand that investing in Canada means lower returns (CPP)! Plus rampant inflation will eat away at savings ability. My only dog in this hunt is my kids and grandkids as I have not seen any OAS since my consulting days when I could manage my income out of any year. Like has been suggested o...
by kcowan
29 Nov 2023 06:28
Forum: Property: Owning, Renting, Managing, Investing and Mortgaging
Topic: Housing Market 2023
Replies: 321
Views: 26383

Re: Housing Market 2023

Our occupancy fees consisted of paying more for utilities and walking up 3 flights until the elevator was completed.
by kcowan
29 Nov 2023 06:19
Forum: Financial News, Policy and Economics
Topic: Define "rich"
Replies: 71
Views: 4268

Re: Define "rich"

I know some rich people. Their net worth is over $50 million! But they are normal in the lifestyle.

By that definition, we are comfortable because we can spend what we want. We gave up pinching pennies 25 years ago.

Do we care about what other people think? Not in the slightest!

Our net worth has grown by 50% since January 1, 2020 and that has caused us to “blow that dough” mostly by travels. Our biggest challenge is the need to liquidate equities to finance some of the travel.
by kcowan
28 Nov 2023 08:41
Forum: Property: Owning, Renting, Managing, Investing and Mortgaging
Topic: Housing Market 2023
Replies: 321
Views: 26383

Re: Housing Market 2023

Bylo Selhi wrote: 27 Nov 2023 13:00 I feel bad for the couple in the sense that they're victims. But they also didn't do any due diligence or hire a lawyer to do it for them.
In the FOMO world, a lawyer would just say no. Then they are no further ahead although they would not be behind either!
by kcowan
28 Nov 2023 08:28
Forum: Taxing Situations
Topic: OAS • Subsidies to rich seniors make no sense
Replies: 198
Views: 8465

Re: OAS • Subsidies to rich seniors make no sense

[OT]Like SQRT, I would like to see the overall welfare being provided through OAS, GIS, Pharmacare, Dental care maybe even add CPP and Child care so we can see how much we are providing to the less well-off by age groups. Even add food banks. Sadly the jurisdictions will prevent such a study unless the Fraser Institute gets motivated to do it. Even add assisted long-term care!{/OT]
by kcowan
27 Nov 2023 08:31
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Moral question
Replies: 72
Views: 1658

Re: Moral question

AltaRed wrote: 26 Nov 2023 12:18
Arby wrote: 26 Nov 2023 11:37 My conscience has now been assuaged.
Good on you. That would have been my approach too. If they want it back from an error they made, they have to make the effort and expense to recover it.
I think waiting on hold more than 15 minutes dealt with the needed assuaging!
by kcowan
22 Nov 2023 11:51
Forum: Property: Owning, Renting, Managing, Investing and Mortgaging
Topic: Housing Market 2023
Replies: 321
Views: 26383

Re: Housing Market 2023

chrisw wrote: 22 Nov 2023 11:43 It should be noted that there's already funding allocated for the Rental Construction Financing Initiative.
Yes it seems to me that it was more than double the current promise. How did that work out?
by kcowan
20 Nov 2023 08:45
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Cellphones 2023 and onwards [and plans]
Replies: 87
Views: 5411

Re: Cellphones 2023 and onwards [and plans]

hamor wrote: 19 Nov 2023 09:17 I use very little data, I am on 2 gb for $27, that's the cheapest I could find from a reliable provider (Zoomer/Rogers, however they've been going downhill since Rogers bought them, as everything they touch turns into $hit, as well all know).
We are under forced transition to Robbers and are not enjoying the decline is services! Shaw was much better in all aspects and they have lied about preserving our Shaw plan.
by kcowan
20 Nov 2023 08:19
Forum: Taxing Situations
Topic: Tax Instalments
Replies: 940
Views: 103719

Re: Tax Instalments

If your actual was less than $3000 over what you paid, then you owe nothing more but if it exceeds $3000 then you will pay penalty plus interest.

If you double up your December payment , then they will only charge you interest.

At least that is what has happened to me in different years back when their interest fees were reasonable.
by kcowan
18 Nov 2023 10:03
Forum: Retirement, Pensions and Peace of Mind
Topic: How much is enough?
Replies: 184
Views: 16877

Re: How much is enough?

When my older brother was in Sunnybrook with a broken femur, I shopped around for a suitable home. Found one on Yonge fist north of Bloor.

It had o workshop and a pool table. 25% male and the living quarters had a shared full kitchen with the next apartment. Bro declined and struggled in his bungalow until COPD got him 4 years later.

I decided that something like that but with good internet and internet TV in my unit would suffice.

For socializing, I would prefer backgammon and shooting pool.