Sometimes I wish Aesop was still around today, he wrote, “Be careful what you wish for, lest it come true.” All too often we get what we wish for but often at the cost of unintended consequences. Actions with the absolute best of intentions sometimes lead to extremely poor unintended results. For example, the hidden costs of a higher minimum wage. I once had a … [Read more...] about Unintended consequences: The hidden costs of a higher minimum wage
Life
Navigating the facets of everyday life including managing finances, growing old, being single, staying healthy and more.
Seniors at the mercy of scammers
The phone call came around midday. “Grandma, grandma, I need your help! I’ve been in an accident!” Grace Smith* was alarmed and asked. “Jenna, is that you? “Yes, I was in an accident, and I need your help!” the caller explained. Grace knew that Jenna had a close relationship with her father, so she asked, “Did you call your dad?” “No grandma, only you can help me, they don’t … [Read more...] about Seniors at the mercy of scammers
What are your plans for your tax return?
In Canada, filing an income tax return is not required if you don’t owe tax unless you are specifically asked to file by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). However, many means-tested programs are based on data from the return, so it is often advantageous to file whether you need to or not. Have you filed your tax return yet? I hope so. The deadline for most people to … [Read more...] about What are your plans for your tax return?
Living in difficult times part 2: Practical tips
We are living in difficult times. At its most basic, managing finances is creating a balance between expenses and income. However, when money going out starts to exceed the funds coming in, that’s when we have to go back to the drawing board and re-evaluate what we can actually afford. Last month I shared four lessons that I learned early on in life that helped me get … [Read more...] about Living in difficult times part 2: Practical tips
Seniors keeping fit
It’s April and many of this year’s New Year’s resolutions have already fallen by the wayside. Reported to be one of the most popular resolutions, improving physical fitness is usually forgotten by the end of January. The year may be a quarter over but it’s not too late to start getting in shape. Improving your fitness level is important at any age but it is especially important … [Read more...] about Seniors keeping fit