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!!!!

Canadian Tire Money

I was at Canadian Tire the other day, and bought almost $100 in merchandise. I only received $0.05 back in Canadian Tire money. I thought the cashier had made a mistake and made a mental note to call Canadian Tire when I reached home. I spoke with customer service who informed me that when paying with a credit card at Canadian Tire, you get almost nothing back in their "money". Only paying by cash earns you big Canadian Tire "bucks". Good to know.

Happy Shopping!!

Me vs. The Bank - Part 1

Background - I took a business cheque into my branch to have cashed. I had received it from a part-time job. It was for the amount of $1330. The bank told me they could not cash the cheque and if I deposited it, I would receive my $500 cashback and the rest would be on hold. I have asked my bank on several occasions to increase my cashback limit or decrease the hold time on our account (currently 5 business days), they have refused. (Cashback is the amount the bank will "free" up to you when you deposit a cheque with the teller or at the ABM.)

I have been banking with this certain bank (they shall remain nameless - the red and white guys) for 2 1/2 years. I have both mine and my husband's paycheques directly deposited into the account. I also hold a mortgage with their subsidiary company. Most of our debit transactions and bill payment are done through this account. My bank has not attempted to even meet me halfway regarding this issue. I have been told fraudulent activity (which doesn't apply to me) and the "banking crisis" as excuses for not increasing my cashback amount.

How inconvenient is it, when you have bills to pay and you are waiting for cheques to clear. Therefore, I have had no choice but to write to their Ombudsman and the Canadian Bankers Association to get this issue resolved.

Wish me luck and I will keep you posted.

Happy Shopping!!

Smart Shopping

As we fast approach the holiday shopping season, millions of transactions will be processed using debit. It's important to remember that while buying all your goodies, when paying by debit, to protect your PIN (personal identification number).

As a frequent debit card user, I've always thought I looked kind of weird when shielding the screen as I am paying for a purchase, however, I cannot begin to tell you the amount of debit card fraud stories I have heard. Although in most of the cases the victims were re-compensated by their financial institutions, the process they had to go through before getting their money back was very time consuming. Shielding your PIN not only applies to debit purchases, but also to withdrawing funds at an ABM (automated banking machine.) It's also extremely important to check your financial statements on a regular basis and to notify your financial institution immediately if you find any discrepancies.

If you become a victim of debit card fraud, you are protected by the Canadian Code of Practice for Consumer Debit Card Services. Under this Code, victims of debit card fraud will not suffer any financial losses.

For more information about debit card safety, please visit www.protectyourpin.ca
(courtesy of 2008 Smart Consumer Calendar)

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Happy Shopping!!