Long Distance Phone cards

If you have ever called anyone overseas, then you at some point have had to use a long distance phone card. There are hundreds of them out there, and depending on where you are calling, you can get one suited to that area of the world. The cards are meant to be an alternative to traditional long-distancing calling plans, where most times, you have a long or short-term commitment, depending on your plan. You buy these cards based on how long you think your call will be and whether you are calling to a cell phone or a landline. They cost anywhere from $2.50 to $20. If you don't use up all the minutes, they are supposed to be there for you to use next time. However, there is a daily fee that is charged and taken out of the money you have available on the card. You might find that, if you do not use your card within 2 weeks, this fee will eat up the remainder of your calling card and you will have to get a new one.

The problem with these cards is that in the beginning, they were a good deal, with no commitments and for considerably cheap, you could make a long distance phone call. But recently, these cards have not been working as well as they promise. I make long distance calls to Africa often, and have found that the connections have not been clear or I cannot get connected at all. Meanwhile, my funds were being eaten up. Eventually, I got tired of calling their customer service and have stopped using these cards altogether. While searching for a long distance provider, I ran into Comwave. I have found their rates cheap and their service very friendly and easy to use. The connection to Africa (at least) has been excellent. If in search for a long-distance plan and not getting much out of those phone cards, check them out.

Happy Shopping!!

Payday Loans

You may have seen companies around your city or town — or seen websites — that offer "payday loans". Payday loans are small loans that a borrower usually is required to pay back on or before his or her next payday (whether that payday is from a job or from some other income source, like a pension). Payday lenders often limit the loan to about 30 or 40% of the expected net amount (i.e., the amount after taxes and other deductions) of the borrower's next paycheque. Usually, the borrower writes a cheque to the lender for the amount that was borrowed, plus all of the interest and fees. The cheque is usually post-dated to the next payday, and is usually cashed at that time.

Before you consider applying for a payday loan, remember this: payday loans are the most expensive way to borrow money, so consider all of your options. To learn more about payday loans, please visit the website of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, where you will find an informative brochure entitled The Cost of Payday Loans. (courtesy of Industry Canada)

Gambling

With the state of the current economy, a lot of people are hoping to ride it through by either drowning their sorrows or hoping to win it big with gambling. Like with most difficult financial periods, people still find the money for alcohol, cigarettes and gambling. This is great news for lotto retailers and casinos but not so good for the rest of us who are hoping that by twist of luck, that is how we will make our millions. Already very addictive, lottos and casinos have not seen a downward swing in players like other venues and activities have. This is in part to the "maybe" factor. MAYBE tonight's my night; MAYBE I'll pick those lucky numbers; MAYBE I'll be at the right machine. The truth is, the likelihood of hitting it big with the lotto is 1 in 14,000,000 and the odds at a casino is just as big. This is not to say I am against gambling, absolutely not, I enjoy the occasional "scratch and win" and I am part of a lotto group at work. It is just sad to see many people who (these days) are so down on their luck, turning to something which in the long run will turn into a bigger problem. Play responsibly and as the OLG says, "know your limit, play within it".

Filing your Taxes

As tax season is fast approaching, popping up will be companies that can prepare your taxes for a "small" fee. To those that have others prepare their taxes, use reputable companies. See the Better Business Bureau for more information.

For individuals in the low income brackets, CRA holds tax clinics where your taxes can be filed for you at no cost. Contact CRA for more information.

You can also find out if the NETFILE service is an option for you.

Happy filing!!!

Life Insurance

I know life insurance is one of those things most families figure they can do without, but really, the truth of the matter is that, in this life you just never know, and you don't want to leave your family with debts.

My husband and I recently amended our life insurance policies. It's something we had been putting off, but with a third child coming, we figure no better time than the present. Our "insurance lady" was very helpful in explaining the different terms - term life vs. whole life vs. critical, 10 or 20 year policies.

When looking for an insurance agent, make sure they are licensed and that they take the time to ask about your needs and explain different options. Be wary of solicitors over the phone, these are usually the banks who promise that you can be insured without a medical exam. This is true, but when it's time for payout, these institutions have been known to find loopholes in order not to pay the client or their families. Be careful of this.

It's never too early to get life insurance, for us, we found the ideal time was when we got married and bought a house.

Remember the earlier you start, the better.


Happy Shopping!!!

Day Olds

Several years ago, I was expressing to a co-worker how expensive my grocery bill was becoming, she suggested I look at buying day-olds. Right away, I thought of old, hard, dry, crusty bread, that the grocery store couldn't get rid off, and now were reduced. She explained to me that they were still fresh and as the grocery store baked more and more, they had to get rid of the older ones. Well, I took her advice and ventured out to the day-old section of my grocery store. I was pleasantly surprised, not only did I find fresh products, but I found myself buying products which I normally wouldn't buy if they were regular priced, but because of the reduction, I could now I afford one or two.

Well, I didn't stop there, now when I shop, not only do I check the day-old section of the bakery, I also check for reduced fruits and vegetables and reduced meats. I find this greatly reduces my grocery bill, and my family has had some excellent meals out of these great finds. Look for these deals next time you go grocery shopping and think of it as the clearance sections of your grocery stores.

Happy Shopping!!

New Year, New Consumer

As we end another year, I can only say that it has been very eventful. Watching several banks collapse, some countries go bankrupt, car companies asking for money to continue operating, and pretty much leaving the taxpayer to pick up the tabs.

A new year is coming and as consumers, we hope that change (for the better) is in the works for us, but as we all know it's up to us to make the little changes that will take us and our dollar farther.


Happy New Year and Happy Shopping!!!!