Not too long ago, the Bank of Canada raised the benchmark overnight rate by 0.25%. The ongoing sentiment at that time was that the Canadian economy was starting to heat up, and interest rates were about to start their long upward climb. People rushed to get into 5-year fixed mortgages, notwithstanding the fact that even… [Read More]
Purchasing Your First Home: Questions and Decisions to Consider
I’ve recently talked about some topics related to housing, such as the advantages and disadvantages between a house and a condominium, as well as the difference between a variable-rate and fixed-rate mortgage. I must admit that my interest was more than just academic, as I now have a personal stake in the matter as well:… [Read More]
How to Use Fear to Manipulate People
What is fear? Why do we experience fear, and how does it affect us? Well, fear is quite simply one of the most basic and primal emotions that we are capable of experiencing. Most animals share this emotion with us, from mice to men. Fear is the drive that takes us away from danger, and… [Read More]
Is It Time to Nuke the Spill?
Another week passes by, and another tens of thousands of barrels of oil gush out into the Gulf of Mexico, adding to what is possibly the U.S.’ worst environmental disaster. With the failure of one attempt to stop the leak after another, pundits are now starting to look at more drastic (and perhaps insane) alternatives,… [Read More]
Have a Lump Sum? Should You Pay Off the Mortgage Faster or Invest It Instead?
I have recently been considering buying a property (yes, even with the still-high real estate prices up north) since I have been renting for many years now and our rent is quite expensive, and no need to risk losing money and having to borrow or get online payday loans. We have managed to save enough… [Read More]