Simple Ways to Improve Personal Finances

StarBuzzOnline.com

(Family Feature) As more Americans make strides towards responsible spending and debt management, there are still ways to improve the control of family finances.
According to a survey recently conducted by Bank of America, which asked respondents about their credit card usage, balance and rewards, less than half of cardholders always pay their entire credit card balance. With more than half of individuals carrying credit card debt, Jason Gaughan, card products executive for Bank of America, said to think about personal spending before taking on a credit card.

Financial planning: a GPS for your life

You’ve got to love those GPSs. Instant directions from anywhere to anywhere. Make a wrong turn, it just reorients itself and tells you exactly how to get back on track.

Canada Economy Set for Fastest Quarterly Growth Since ‘11 - Bloomberg

Canada Economy Set for Fastest Quarterly Growth Since ‘11 - Bloomberg: "Canada’s gross domestic product grew for a second month in February led by gains at potash miners and factories, putting the economy on track for its fastest quarterly growth since 2011.
Output rose 0.3 percent, matching the revised January gain, to an annualized C$1.57 trillion ($1.55 trillion), Statistics Canada said today in Ottawa. The median forecast in a Bloomberg survey of 23 economists was for a 0.2 percent expansion.
The report suggests economic growth in the first quarter was faster than 2 percent, about the pace the central bank says output can rise before inflation pressures build up. That’s up from the 0.6 percent annualized pace set at the end of last year as exports and investment slumped.
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'via Blog this'

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RRSP FAQs

Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) are a great way to save for retirement. If you already have an RRSP, you understand the basics about this retirement savings vehicle, but you may have other questions. In the tips below, expert Chartered Accountants answer some frequently asked questions about RRSPs.

India adds spice to global growth

Business Spectator

http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/Reserve-Bank-India-interest-rates-cut-market-pd20130130-4EQM9

 Stephen Koukoulas, January 30, 2013

In yet another sign of the go-for-growth objective of global policy makers, the Reserve Bank of India has stepped in with a further 25 basis point cut in interest rates. The policy repo rate now stands at 7.75 per cent, with yesterday’s easing coming after a nine-month pause from the RBI.

In cutting interest rates, the RBI indicated that it has revised its outlook for GDP growth lower, from 5.8 per cent to 5.5 per cent. If realised, this would be the slowest rate of economic growth in India for a decade. The RBI indicated that “it is now critical to arrest the loss of growth momentum without endangering external stability”. Despite the downgrade to GDP, the RBI noted, somewhat optimistically, that "overall, global economic prospects have improved modestly since the Reserve Bank's last review in October 2012 even as significant risks remain.”

API: IHI Study Shows Shale Gas Development to Generate New Jobs and Revenues (USA)>> LNG World News

API: IHI Study Shows Shale Gas Development to Generate New Jobs and Revenues (USA)>> LNG World News
API Vice President for Policy and Economic Analysis, Kyle Isakower, told reporters that an IHS study shows that future unconventional oil and natural gas development will generate large numbers of jobs and new revenue for government in nearly every state:

“Shale energy development has transformed the U.S. energy sector and been one of the few bright lights in our nation’s recovering economy. And it’s poised to do much more. The positive impacts are being realized in states with little or no energy development as well as in energy producing states.

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StarBuzz, Toronto

UPDATE HIGHLIGHTS CANADA'S ECONOMIC RESILIENCE AMIDST GLOBAL UNCERTAINTY

November 13, 2012

Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty was in Fredericton on Tuesday, November 13, 2012, to address the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce and to release an update of the Government's economic and fiscal projections.

Le ministre des Finances, Jim Flaherty, était à Fredericton, le mardi 13 novembre 2012, pour prononcer une allocution devant la Chambre de commerce de Fredericton et pour rendre publique la Mise à jour des projections économiques et budgétaires du gouvernement.

Fredericton, New Brunswick, November 13, 2012 2012-143

PRIME MINISTER HARPER ANNOUNCES CONCLUSION OF NEGOTIATIONS ON CANADA-INDIA NUCLEAR COOPERATION AGREEMENT

NEW DELHI, INDIA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper, together with Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, today announced the conclusion of negotiations for the Administrative Arrangement between Canada and India that will allow the implementation of the Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (NCA), signed between the two countries in June 2010. The announcement was made during the Prime Minister’s six-day visit to India from November 3-9, 2012.

Minister Oliver Highlights Successful Mission to Strengthen Natural Resource Opportunities with India

October 29, 2012

TORONTO — The Honourable Joe Oliver, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, today addressed the Indo-Canadian community in Toronto to highlight his successful economic mission to India, where he met with top government officials and industry leaders to strengthen investment, innovation and partnerships with Canada in the natural resource sectors

A privilege for which owners should be paying the federal government.

StarBuzz, Toronto-VANCOUVER—Liberal Small Business and Tourism critic Joyce Murray made the following statement today on Environment Minister Peter Kent’s plan to charge fees to local businesses located near federal lands:

“Peter Kent and the Conservatives are telling small business owners that it is a 'privilege' to operate near a national park—a privilege for which owners should be paying the federal government.

His plan to tax these small businesses is ludicrous as policy, probably illegal to institute and would be devastating to local economies. Owning a business is not a privilege; it is the right of every Canadian who dreams of being a successful entrepreneur.

Mr. Kent is the federal Minister of the Environment. If he wants to raise property taxes on small businesses, he should run as a municipal politician. Until then he should focus on his job of protecting the environment and stop threatening small business owners with higher Conservative taxes.”

Series of Bad Economic Reports Must Serve as Wake-up Call for Stephen Harper

StarBuzz, Toronto-OTTAWA—A string of negative economic reports should jolt Prime Minister Stephen Harper out of his complacent approach to managing the economy, said Deputy Liberal Leader Ralph Goodale today.

Preliminary Contract signed with Irving Shipbuilding for the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships

StarBuzz, Toronto-

Halifax, Nova Scotia, July 10, 2012 — The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, today welcomed the signing of a preliminary contract with Irving Shipbuilding Inc. as part of the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) project being implemented under the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS).

Harper Government Takes Further Action to Strengthen Canada’s Housing Market

www.insurancerate.com StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-
As part of the Government’s continuous efforts to strengthen Canada’s housing finance system, the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today announced further adjustments to the rules for government-backed insured mortgages.

PRIME MINISTER HARPER WELCOMES ALL-MEMBER SUPPORT FOR ENTRY INTO TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP

www.insurancerate.com StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-LOS CABOS, MEXICO – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today welcomed the announcement by TPP members of their support for Canada joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

MINISTER OF FINANCE HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF AN INNOVATIVE PAYMENTS SYSTEM IN KEYNOTE ADDRESS TO PAYMENTS PANORAMA

www.insurancerate.com StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-
The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today delivered a keynote address at the 15th Payments Panorama Conference, highlighting the Harper Government’s actions to foster an innovative payments system that keeps pace with the emerging digital economy.

New Young Farmer Loan to help next generation of producers

www.insurancerate.com StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-askatoon, Saskatchewan, April 12, 2012 – Young and beginning farmers will find it easier to start and grow their farm businesses with the help of a new $500 million loan program. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Farm Credit Canada (FCC) President and CEO Greg Stewart introduced the Young Farmer Loan today.

“Agriculture is a key driver of jobs and economic growth here in Canada, and young farmers are vital to the long-term prosperity of the agriculture industry,” said Minister Ritz. “Encouraging young farmers to invest wisely and contribute to a prosperous, modern sector is not only good for agriculture but good for Canada.”

This new loan offers qualified producers who are under 40 years of age loans of up to $500,000 to purchase or improve farmland and buildings. Producers between the ages of 18 and 39 make up approximately 16 per cent of Canadian producers, according to the 2006 Census. The FCC Young Farmer Loan includes features and options that address this demographic, and support their long-term success. These include:

• variable rates at prime plus 0.5% and special fixed rates
• no loan processing fees

CIBC Polls show OAS changes won't disrupt retirement plans for many Canadians

www.insurancerate.com StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-Many Canadians aged 45-54 were already planning to work past 65 - but some may need to revisit their savings and debt management plans

TORONTO, April 5, 2012 /CNW/ - Many Canadians aged 45 to 54, the first age group to be affected by the proposal to increase the age Canadians can collect Old Age Security (OAS) payments to 67, were already planning on working past age 65 according to CIBC polls conducted by Harris/Decima in September 2011. These findings suggest the proposed OAS changes won't cause these Canadians to rewrite their retirement strategies, however with some expecting to carry debt into retirement, more aggressive savings and debt management plans may be in order.

PRIME MINISTER HARPER LAUNCHES CONSTRUCTION OF PEDESTRIAN TUNNEL LINKING BILLY BISHOP AIRPORT TO DOWNTOWN TORONTO

www.insurancerate.com StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-Tunnel will boost Toronto’s economy and enhance access to airport

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today participated in a ceremony launching the construction of a pedestrian tunnel between the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and downtown Toronto. Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, and Toronto Port Authority Chairman Mark McQueen also participated in the ceremony.

Harper Government Acts to Further Protect Consumers

Minister of State (Finance) Ted Menzies and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance Shelly Glover, accompanied by Lucie Tedesco, Deputy Commissioner, Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC), and Estelle Forget of SOS Dettes, announce measures to better protect consumers on Sunday, March 4, 2012.

Minister of State (Finance) Ted Menzies and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance Shelly Glover, accompanied by Lucie Tedesco, Deputy Commissioner, Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC), announce measures to better protect consumers on Sunday, March 4, 2012.

www.insurancerate.com StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-The Honourable Ted Menzies, Minister of State (Finance), and Shelly Glover, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance, today announced the Harper Government is moving forward with several measures to protect Canadian consumers and help them achieve greater control over their own finances.

ICCC forms new Canada-India mining committee

Vishwapati Trivedi India's Deputy Minister and Secretary Ministry of Mines and Narinder Chauhan, Deputy High Commissioner of India in Ottawa with Board of Directors of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce