In the last week of April I was recovering from dental surgery. The first step of a very expensive procedure was to remove a tooth that could no longer be salvaged. Unfortunately, our current dental coverage will not cover more than a small percentage of the cost,...
In the 1870s one of the first pension plans in Canada was sponsored by the Grand Trunk Railroad. Retirees could benefit from the plan at age 70 for a lifetime pension. Trouble was a Canadian’s average life expectancy was 55 years of age. This is what is called a...
If something cannot be detected by any of the 5 human senses does that mean it lacks value? Society today has access to a vast amount of information on any given subject. This availability has its pros and cons. The good point is that consumers could make more...
The motivation to begin this blog stemmed from a conversation with an accountant who is one of my resources. I had wanted her to confirm a tax fact for me. She did not know the answer, which surprised me. In my mind accountants were supposed to know more about tax...
The bee in the double-flowering plum
Have you ever had that feeling of being overwhelmed when looking at a buffet of 100 items with all the choices available to eat and enjoy? Ever walked out of a buffet restaurant with a slight case of upset stomach? Well it can happen in more than the food realm....
Heading reluctantly (at least me) into autumn let’s reflect on this past summer’s more noteworthy happenings. Earlier this year one family I advise went to the bank and turned down the tempting offer of a lower monthly payment when they consolidated their debt. They...
In no particular order of importance consider the following: One consequence of the financial crisis in the US is the inability of municipalities and states to stay in the black. Some of them have coped with their lack of cash flow by cutting pensions benefits to...
Not long ago a bank teller and I got into a conversation about hair. She asked me: What can I do to have nice hair? Mine is falling out and it’s thin. I told her make sure to eat enough protein and vitamins, giving her examples of some foods she could eat. Then she...
Hello 2012! Shortly before Christmas I had a conversation with a client who was in a dilemma. You know what a dilemma is. It’s when you have two choices and both of them are rotten. Yet the conversation, which lasted about half an hour ended with her deciding on a... 
