Canadian seniors aged 65 or more are growing their debt-loads at faster pace than the young, a TD Economics report said Tuesday. It warns the trend to entering retirement with debt “raises questions about long-term financial security of these households.” The report by TD deputy chief economist Derek Burleton and economist Diane Petramala incorporates data from Ipsos-Reid in its Canadian Financial Monitor Survey. While all age groups have been borrowing more since 2007, “th ... Full Article...

Edmonton Real Estate marketplace snap shot September 2011 A tale of two segments of the housing market.   Single Family Homes: Increase across the board. 927 - homes sold in month (up from 822 in September 2010) 54% - sales to listing ration (up from 50% in September 2010) $348,000,000 sales volume (up from $302,235,000 in September 2010) $375,738 average sales price (up from $367,683 in September 2010)   Condominium: Sliding numbers. 655 condos sold (down from 705 in September 2010) 47 ... Full Article...

Before making a home-buying decision, calculate both the one-time and ongoing costs associated with buying and maintaining the home you want. One-time costs may include: • Appraisal fees • Cost to obtain a survey • Land transfer taxes • CMHC / GENWORTH mortgage insurance application fee and insurance premium (if applicable) – may be added to the mortgage amount • Moving expenses • Legal fees • Property and School Tax Adjustment • Heating, ... Full Article...

As the summer comes to a close and the pace of work and family life picks up, finding the time to stay on top of your everyday finances, like bills and statements, can be challenging. Here are some simple but effective things you can do to help you better manage your everyday banking and save money: 1. Make sure you’re in the right bank account – Accounts are tailored for different needs, so make sure you’re in one that gives you the right features and services for your ty ... Full Article...

Being debt-free by age 55 won’t just happen, experts say most people that age are still paying If experience is any indication many Canadians could find themselves in debt years longer than they originally expected, according to a new poll issued yesterday by CIBC. The poll, conducted for CIBC by Harris-Decima, reveals that, on average, Canadians holding some form of debt today feel they will be debt-free by age 55. But the poll also found that only about 35 per cent of Canadians currentl ... Full Article...

For those living in Alberta the correlation of oil price and economic activity may seem obvious. But how specifically does the price of oil affect the economy. Some experts believe that the price of oil in Alberta has a tipping point for economic activity. What is that price? Depending on the phase of oil sands production which is believed to provide 2.5 TRILLION dollars worth of economic benefits to the national economy in the next 25 years- $80 per barrel is a key figure, its where eyebrows ... Full Article...

If you’re looking for a silver lining to the housing downturn, you can find it in design. As builders and buyers have looked for ways to cut costs, many of the unnecessary—and sometimes bazaar—ornamental elements lavished upon homes during the boom have been stripped away, opening the way for pared down plans all the more beautiful for their simplicity. But while buyers want less of what isn’t necessary, they’re still looking for the best of what is—which mak ... Full Article...

1. Show off your curves. The hottest trend in deck design is curves, says Mel Karlson, senior marketing manager for composite decking manufacturer Trex. “They add drama to a deck,” says Karlson, who observes that most award-winners incorporate curves on edges and accessories. Tim Stephens, winner of multiple National Association of the Remodeling Industry Contractor of the Year awards, says a rounded deck is a natural extension of a landscape that features curved planting beds and ... Full Article...

There are actually two parts to a credit rating. The first is your score. The bottom line is this: a FICO score of more than 650 means you will likely qualify for most standard loans including a mortgage, line of credit and car loan. Less than that will probably send you into the arms of higher interest rate lenders. Aim for a score of 700 to give you some leeway. The second part of your credit rating is your profile. – debts, available credit, late payments, closed accounts and other de ... Full Article...

We have been noticing an increase in the number of Condo associations that are having to increase their condo fees but alarmingly we are seeing many boards having to resort to special assessments. The use of special assessments can come as quite a shock to home owners and we have seen these range from a few hundred dollars to TENS of thousands. The old adage buyer beware applies after the purchase as well. The best advice is to: Educate yourself and know the issues affecting your condo.

Did You Know Population Edmonton's population is approximately 752,400 residents, while its estimated that the greater metro area has a population of 1.1 million. Also: Edmonton, Alberta's capital city, is at the same approximate latitude as Manchester, England and Hamburg, Germany  

Curb Impulse Spending. Are you trying to save money for something special? If so there is a nifty web site that helps you do just that. Type piggymojo.com into your web browser and select the tool designed to curb impulse spending. Basically the tool helps you keep track of the choices you've made in not spending money. It allows you to track the amounts un spent and then at the end of the month you can transfer the savings into a savings account or a TFSA. Best of all: this system allows you t ... Full Article...

What’s the best way to save for a house? RRSP’s have been the go-to source for years. But TFSAs offer flexibility rather than flashy benefits Add RRSPs versus TFSAs to the list of decisions you have to make as a prospective home buyer. Some serious saving is going to be required to meet the minimum 5-per-cent down payment for buying a home, not to mention the 20-per-cent threshold for avoiding costly mortgage default insurance. Two ideal vehicles for saving are registered retireme ... Full Article...

Taste of Edmonton When: July 22 thru August 2 Where: Sir Winston Churchill Square, 100 Street & 102 Avenue Great food and live entertainment: what more could you ask for? Edmonton’s finest restaurants come together in Churchill Square to create menus that allow you to sample their culinary skills. These samples will leave you wanting so much more. The Taste of Edmonton also features restaurants from different backgrounds reflecting Edmonton’s diverse multiculturalism. Edmonton In ... Full Article...

Ongoing through 8/26, 9am Summer Daycamps Registration Ongoing through 8/7 Water's Extreme Journey Interactive Educational Maze Ongoing through 7/29 Berries and Blossoms Ongoing through 10/2 Pretty in Pink... Ongoing through 9/6 The Argentum Project- the 25th Anniversary of the Alberta Sculptors Association Ongoing through 7/24, 10:30pm Freewill Shakespeare Festival Ongoing through 7/29 Flowing Lines: Paintings by Trevor Sale Ongoing through 7/24 Artstrek Theatre Camp for Kids & Teens O ... Full Article...

 Jul 18 John Janzen Nature Centre Drop-in Programs Learn something new about our wild neighbours and discover Edmonton… naturally! John Janzen Nature Centre 7000 143 Street Whitemud Drive & Fox Drive Edmonton, AB  Jul 18 Sesame Street Presents: The Body Get to know what’s under your skin at Sesame Street Presents: The Body TELUS World of Science 11211 – 142 Street Edmonton, AB  18 Jul 18 Summer Camp Summer Camp/Kindermusik Adventures(On The Road)+Dance/ 3-5 years Moves and ... Full Article...

One of the fastest way to end a relationship is to avoid communicating about money. Monetary choices reflect a person’s values, like trust or greed, and relationships can only survive if values are aligned. According to Capital One Canada and Credit Canada, eight-in-10 couples fight about money and 48 percent feel their partner’s attitude towards money is different from their own. Stop your relationship from hitting the rocks and start talking about money! Set aside 20 minutes per ... Full Article...

Jul 8 to Jul 10 Doors Open Edmonton A celebration of our built heritage with free tours of buildings the public may not normally have access to. Various locations around Edmonton Jul 8 to Jul 17 Edmonton and Northern Alberta Historic Festival A celebration of our heritage with tours and special events for families. Edmonton and Northern Alberta Jul 8 to Jul 29 Flowing Lines: Paintings by Trevor Sale Visual Arts Exhibit Gallery at Stanley A. Milner Library 7 Sir Winston Churchil Square Jul 8 Ses ... Full Article...

In the real estate business there is an old adage about how people view the value of property. From a potential buyers perspective they see little value in your property. From your position as owner, you see modest and fair value, and from the tax man’s position he sees a castle. Its meant as a joke but when taxes are concerned it never is. Nothing seems to get people more fired up than property tax assessments. Without fail annual tax assessments create much debate about the value asse ... Full Article...

 Consider a Home Buying Partnership Agreement As an unmarried couple, it is important to put all financial agreements into writing. A qualified real estate lawyer can write a home buying partnership agreement (or other document) that clarifies how finances will be handled, including how much each partner will contribute to the down payment, monthly mortgage payments, and for repairs and maintenance. The agreement should also identify what happens if the partners decide to go their separate ways ... Full Article...