Commentary
Engen’s Annual Letter To Householders
Inspired by the folksy wisdom in Warren Buffett’s annual letter to Berkshire shareholders (scheduled for Feb 27, 2021), I decided to write my own letter. I don’t have any shareholders so this letter is written to my family, or my householders. Alas, I don’t expect anyone to make the pilgrimage to Lethbridge, Alberta for our…
Read MoreCanadians Have An Income Problem, Not A Debt Problem
It’s not hard to find a report about the growing Canadian debt problem. Canadians owe $1.77 for every $1 they make. The average consumer owes $31,400 in installment and auto loans, while borrowing for credit cards and lines of credit average $18,500 per consumer. Finally, there are reports that nearly half of Canadians won’t be…
Read MorePreparing for the Next Recession – A Guide For The Canadian Middle Class
As a CPA and Licensed Insolvency Trustee, I had a front row seat during the Great Recession of 2009 – 2011. I saw the devastating impact it had on the lives of ordinary Canadians. These were everyday people who were for the most part honest, hard working, and played by the rules. Yet they found themselves…
Read More38 Thoughts On Turning 38
I turned 38 today and I wanted to share some random thoughts about money and life, along with some lessons I’ve learned along the way. 38 thoughts on money and life 1. Start the habit of saving when you’re young – I started putting money away for retirement when I was 19 years-old. Every paycheque…
Read MoreBanks Behaving Badly
The media has been all abuzz lately about the Big-5 Banks and the shady practices they are using to dupe unsuspecting customers. I was approached twice by CBC for an interview which I declined both times. The reason? First of all, the mere thought of appearing on live national TV gives me a full-blown panic…
Read MoreBanking On A High Pressure Sales Culture
Canada’s big five banks continue to post record profits and the pressure to achieve ever-increasing sales targets has filtered its way down to the front line. Three TD Bank tellers went to CBC Go Public and explained how the bank’s high-pressure sales culture has them relentlessly pushing new products on unsuspecting customers. Suggestive selling, cross…
Read MoreWe’re Buying New Vehicles At A Record Pace, And It’s Killing Our Finances
The auto industry is thriving as Canadians bought 1.95 million new vehicles in 2016, the fourth consecutive record-setting year for automakers. Yet despite the robust sales figures some dealers already seem desperate to keep this new car buying binge going. For years we’ve been bombarded with 0% financing offers, cash back incentives, used car buy-backs,…
Read MoreThe Case For A Universal Canadian Drug Program
A recent CBC the fifth estate report featured the current high cost of prescription drugs in Canada. A growing number of advocates (including CARP) would like to see a national drug program become a reality. Canada is the only country in the world that has a universal health care system that doesn’t include universal drug…
Read MoreMillennials Don’t Get The Latte Factor
Financial author David Bach introduced the Latte Factor as a metaphor for all the small indulgences we regularly treat ourselves to that add up over time. It wasn’t meant to single-out Starbucks as the main culprit for our financial woes, but somehow millennials feel the need to stand up for their beloved coffeehouse and defend…
Read MoreCanada Pension Plan Expansion: Why It Matters
Finance Ministers from across the country meet today in Vancouver to discuss CPP expansion. At stake is not just about whether we should expand the Canada Pension Plan, but how it should be phased-in and who will benefit. One proposal will see sweeping changes across the board both in terms of higher benefits and premiums paid…
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