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S C

5 Things to do when you're unemployed. Hint: It's not job hunting. | Penelope Trunk Blog - 0 views

blog.penelopetrunk.com/...loyed-hint-its-not-job-hunting

things to do unemployed job hunting

shared by S C on 16 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • the interview question: What happened at your last job?Here's the answer you should always give: “I left to do x.” And you fill in for x
  • what you should be really focusing on when you are unemployed: Learning and growing
  • Because this is what you are going to talk about in job interviews
  • ...13 more annotations...
  • when you talk about why you left the last company, you spin it in a positive light by talking about how you are excited about doing what you are doing. Your interview should include you telling a good story about focused personal growth, and no one will get stuck on why you left your last job
  • During one stint of unemployment, I worked for free for my boyfriend's company for a couple of hours a day. That way I didn't actually have a gap in my resume; a resume doesn't show part-time or full-time and it doesn't show pay or no pay
  • ocus on ambition and execution and not so much on work per se
  • The company that never got out of your parent's basement can sit on your resume as professionally as a stint in the Fortune 500. It's all about how you write the bullet points: talk about accomplishments and learning
  • Put your ideas out into the world and connect with people that way. This is why you want to be hired, right? For your ideas. So show them.
  • The reason that people who blog have great careers is that bloggers are always thinking about issues in their industry. Show that side of yourself to people. Blogging takes a lot of time, sure. Bu you have a lot of time. So use it.
  • Do you have a company idea? Try it now. During unemployment. There's nothing stopping you.
  • whether or not your company does well, you'll be able to talk about it in an interview as a huge learning moment
  • Blogging is a great way to keep up in your industry, network without looking desperate
  • High performers practice for interviews
  • Practice talking about yourself with everyone
  • So now you know what you're aiming for, but you need to talk about it with everyone — parties, at the gym, on the phone with friends. When they ask how you're doing, talk about what you're doing like you are in the job interview.
  • What's important to remember here is that no one can tell you what experience you can gain and what you can't. You don't need a job in order to learn cool stuff and be on cool projects. You control what you do with your time and you can make it useful. Talk about that. There is no reason to talk about why the last job didn't work when you can talk about the great things that leaving opened up to you
  • S C on 16 Jan 13
     
    Job hunting for 8 hours a day isn't the ideal way to get rehired. Instead, focus on spinning a positive light on negative questions your next interviewer might ask. For example, when asked why you left your last job, quickly get to why you're interested the one you'er applying for.
S C

10 Things You Need To Do While You're Unemployed - Forbes - 1 views

www.forbes.com/...d-to-do-while-youre-unemployed

unemployed forbes what to do

shared by S C on 16 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • zimbello If you can accomplish the writers list you don’t need corporate. Corporate needs you. Put your skills to work for yourself…far more rewarding. Glen Loock Read the article and loved what it says, “Rely on yourself”. This is a new time and it requires a change in our thought pattern. All ten are great ways gai [...] Philippe Scheimann These are indeed 10 excellent points. I would actually expand in the point of ‘start a professional blog’ by actually ‘establish your presence on the Inter [...] Henry Cameron Chang Great article with a great message. This has been something I’ve been telling people for a long time. Fredick Anquandah Interesting piece of advice there…Thanks for that on ma way to the first step and hope it gets me there… Laura Ede I agree – taking a temporary/contract role is an option that job hunters should consider. After spending 10 years in the Public Sector I was made redundant [...] Susan Keefe Unfortunately, I find myself among the unemployed so articles such as this have consumed a good deal of my time lately. These are great tips, especially fo [...] 20 comments, 12 called-out Comment Now Follow Comments Following Comments Unfollow Comments Comment Now Follow Comments Following Comments Unfollow Comments 2.9k 1.2k 888 gigya_share_button_li
  • vast majority of employers are sympathetic to such circumstances.
  • More than 40% of unemployed job seekers have been out of work for six months or longer
  • ...10 more annotations...
  • But this doesn’t mean you can sit around and wait for a sympathetic employer to offer you work.
  • The key is to get people to see your work and to see what you’re capable of doing
  • “The worry is that employers may think job seekers are losing some of their skills because they haven’t been utilizing them. By volunteering, taking temporary work, or signing up for a class that develops your professional tool kit, you show employers that you’ve made the most of your time and will be ready on day one
  • If you fill the gaps with activities and experience that illustrate how you are still developing your skill sets, the overwhelming majority of employers will look past your unemployment and focus on what you can bring to their team
  • Take a temporary or contract assignment
  • If you do a great job, even if it’s for a temporary job, whoever hired you is more likely to recommend you for a permanent position
  • You never stop learning in your career, so the more technical competence you have, the better
  • showing that you are serious about your work and that you take initiative.” Another advantage to taking a class: It’s a great networking opportunity.
  • When you volunteer for something, you are telling potential employers something about you as a person
  • When companies are hiring, they are looking not only for people who can get the job done but also for people with character and integrity
  • S C on 16 Jan 13
     
    Many employers understand that the recession may worsen some parts of the resume, but they are sympathetic and some ways to better your chances are to take temporary assignments, take a class and volunteer when unemployed
ShiyuandCristina SC

Canada's organic food certification system like 'an extortion racket,' report says | Ca... - 2 views

news.nationalpost.com/...n-extortion-racket-report-says

Commodities and Resources organic food

shared by ShiyuandCristina SC on 27 Nov 12 - No Cached
  • Annual organic agricultural sales in Canada exceed $2.6-billion, by recent estimates, with supermarket chains joining alternative stores in stocking an ever-widening array of organic-labelled products.
  • Canada’s legislated organic certification process is an invitation for fraud and abuse, the report argues, with consumers paying an often hefty premium for a designation that requires no proof.
  • In response to the organic industry’s growth, Canada enacted a labelling requirement: Since 2009, products making an organic claim must be certified by an agency accredited by the Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
  • ...6 more annotations...
  • The organic certification industry’s “dirty little secret,” they write, is that “organic crops and livestock are not tested in Canada before they are certified, thus making organic certification essentially meaningless.”
  • The CFIA said organic products are subject to its regular chemical residue monitoring program, along with all other food products. The federal agency, itself, does not provide certification, but rather accredits private businesses to do it. Most are for-profit businesses.
  • “There are a large number of consumers who have misperceptions of what organic means, attaching to it things that generally aren’t true,” Mr. Campbell said in an interview.
  • The analysis did find organic food was 30% less likely to contain trace levels of pesticides, with the researchers saying it was uncommon for any food in the U.S., organic or conventional, to have unsafe levels.
  • But the Frontier Centre authors say that without proof, organic authenticity should be questioned. When large amounts of money are involved, they say, such things as honour systems and the like cannot be relied upon.
  • “The certification bodies are responsible for verifying that organic operators are producing organic products in accordance with Canada’s organic standard,” the CFIA said in a written response.
  • ShiyuandCristina SC on 28 Nov 12
     
    1. Is it fair and better for organic food "businesses" to undergo their own inspections or should the government be responsible for our food safety? 2.The market failure mentioned in this article is an informature market failure. The definition of an informature market failure is when one side of the market has more information than the other. What are some visible solutions to this market failure?
  • ...2 more comments...
  • Aron Joshua Tolentino on 29 Nov 12
     
    1.) It is not fair for organic food businesses to inspect their own goods. By doing that, it will create bias in the inspection results. The government specifically the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) should be regulating the quality of every type of food that can be consumed by human beings. This minimizes bias in the results. 2.) There should be an open relationship within the market the sets the equality information in the market. Technically, trade should be fair, no secrets are valid. If they do not comply with this, law suits can be filed. E.g. fraud, copy right, etc.
  • Dyena Huynh on 30 Nov 12
     
    1. No i don't think it's fair that only the businesses themselves inspect themselves because in doing so, you'd assume that your products are good and therefore put less effort in inspecting them. The government should has some responsibility in inspecting the food because they need to make sure it's safe for people to eat, if they aren't careful with the things they're letting people consume they will run into a lot of health problems. More health problems mean more money to be used. 2. A visible solution to this market failure is to share information so this way it's fair for everyone.
  • Valentina Padure on 14 Dec 12
     
    * It is not fair for organic food companies to inspect their own products since they will obviously never reveal anything bad that could potentially damage the company. It would be like a student marking his own quiz or test, they would do anything they could to benefit their mark. This is why governments should be responsible for our food safety. * A visible solution would be that companies must to share all the information they are aware of with the consumers.
  • Samson Luong on 17 Dec 12
     
    1. It would not be the best idea for businesses to inspect their own food because there is a high possible margin of bias and committing unethical acts such as labeling their foods safe when they aren't are likely to occur. The government should be responsible because they would inspect each business in the same manner without bias and utilize the same procedures, ensuring fair inspections. 2. Visible solutions to this market failure would include sharing product information and inspection information to all producers and consumers.
S C

Youth unemployment: a serious problem in Canada - Yahoo! Finance Canada - 1 views

ca.finance.yahoo.com/...-problem-canada-182837006.html

youth unemployment canada yahoofinance

shared by S C on 16 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • Canadian job market is faring well unless you're a student seeking well-paying summer work or a graduate
  • Canada's total jobless rate currently sits at an acceptable 7.4 per cent. But for those in the 15- to 24-age bracket, the unemployment figure is much higher: 14.7 per cent.
  • Typically, youth unemployment is double that of the national average
  • ...24 more annotations...
  • the obstacles youth must overcome to finding gainful employment — be it temporary summer work or a permanent position — has never been more daunting.
  • the youth are always the hardest hit and they take the longest time to get out from under the recession impact on employment.
  • There's just not enough (jobs) to go around. So if students aren't out there early and aggressively they won't get one
  • f you've graduated (from college or university) and you want to start paying off your (student loan) debt and get on with your life, it's very difficult to do that on a part-time job."
  • "There's a lot of part-time activity happening but i
  • Parents would've expected their 20-something children to be independent but they're just not able to do that
  • "Hopefully, both parents are working and they're able to stay at home but for a lot of young people that's just not possible."
  • in big cities like Toronto, there are more youth seeking out homeless shelters
  • Job experience tends to be the biggest hurdle for the 15- to 24-year-old age group when it comes to impressing an employer.
  • "There are a lot of youth that are still demanding that they get paid for entry-level work assignments. I think that that is a bad choice for youth.
  • The first couple of jobs they do by way of an unpaid intern gives them a leg up," Parker says.
  • Many of those unpaid intern programs end up as full-time, paying careers for them and every major employer across the country has dedicated unpaid intern programs.
  • Work experience is absolutely critical. No matter what you graduated with, if you don't have real work experience you're going to have a challenge."
  • Meanwhile, there's little help coming from provincial and the federal government these days it seems. Austerity budgets at the both government levels are seeing civil servants laid off.
  • there's no encouragement at this point by the federal government for the private sector to do job creation (for youth).
  • What you study can be the difference
  • If young people choose to go the route of college, they can get excellent job skills and they have a higher placement rate directly from college into work.
  • current and future post-secondary students need to take a hard look at what their course of study is and whether or not it'll lead to employment upon graduation.
  • "When I talk to high school teachers and guidance councillors about the kind of programs being offered to youth talk about 'what's your dream job?' versus educating kids on what jobs will be available to them," she says.
  • Know how to sell yourself
  • the secret to landing a job is in knowing how to sell oneself.
  • "You have to be as competitive as someone who's been in the job market for 10 years," she says. "You've got to know how to do a job search, how to write a résumé, and you need to convince the employer that even though you haven't done a job before that you're a quick-learner and you're creative."
  • *Target respected employers that best matches your skill set
  • *Offer to do free summer work for the sake of gaining experience and don't be picky about what's offered *When applying to post-secondary institutions, choose schools that provide intern programs *Be knowledgeable about where employment demand will be in the future and ensure your skills are also in demand
  • S C on 16 Jan 13
     
    Youth unemployment is high because of little or no job experience, type of major isn't in demand, and not knowing how to sell oneself, which causes problems like 20 year old people living with their parents
burmangabriel

Fiscal cliff: Obama, Boehner trade proposals - 1 views

www.abc15.com/...-obama-boehner-trade-proposals

Gabriel Ami trade proposals obama cliff

shared by burmangabriel on 12 Dec 12 - No Cached
  • prevent economy-damaging tax increases on the middle class at year's end, conferring by phone after a secretive exchange of proposals.
  • to reduce his initial demand for $1.6 trillion in higher tax revenue over a decade to $1.4 trillion
  • The longer the White House slow-walks this process, the closer our economy gets to the fiscal cliff," he said, declaring that Obama had yet to identify specific cuts to government benefit programs that as part of an agreement that also would raise federal tax revenue
  • ...14 more annotations...
  • attempts to avert a "fiscal cliff," across-the-board tax increases and cuts in defense and domestic programs that economists say could send the economy into recession
  • numerous proposals Obama has made to cut spending, including recommendations to cull $340 billion from Medicare over a decade and an additional $250 billion from other government benefit programs
  • Republicans "sent the White House a counteroffer that would achieve tax and entitlement reform to solve our looming debt crisis and create more American jobs
  • a deal to prevent damage to the economy,
  • Republicans struggle with Obama's demands to raise taxes, but Reid has privately told his rank and file they could soon be feeling the same distress if discussions grow serious on cuts to benefit programs
  • we need to strengthen Social Security, we need to strengthen Medicare for future generations, the current path is not sustainable because we've got an aging population and health care costs are shooting up so quickly
  • Republicans want to curtail annual cost-of-living benefits for Social Security and other government benefits, as well as raise the age of eligibility for Medicare from 65 to 67 beginning at some point in the future
  • president seems to think that if all he talks about are taxes, and that's all reporters write about, somehow the rest of us will magically forget that government spending is completely out of control and that he himself has been insisting on balance,
  • Obama's plan would raise $1.6 trillion in revenue over 10 years, in part by raising tax rates on incomes over $200,000 for individuals and $250,000 for couples. He has recommended $400 billion in spending cuts over a decade.
  • seeking extension of the Social Security payroll tax cut due to expire on Jan. 1, a continuation in long-term unemployment benefits and steps to help hard-pressed homeowners and doctors who treat Medicare patients
  • Obama last year signed legislation to cut more than $1 trillion from government programs over a decade, and was proposing $600 billion in additional savings from benefit programs.
  • health care law that Obama signed into law showed savings of $100 billion. Much or all of that funding came from Medicare, even though Obama's aides insisted during his successful campaign for re-election that he had not made any cuts in that program
  • Boehner's plan, in addition to calling for $800 billion in new revenue, envisions $600 billion in savings over a decade from Medicare, Medicaid and other government health programs as well as $300 billion from other benefit programs and another $300 billion from other domestic programs.
  • It would trim annual increases in Social Security payments to beneficiaries, and it calls for gradually raising the eligibility age for Medicare from 65 to 67, beginning in a decade
  • burmangabriel on 12 Dec 12
     
    1) Which proposal do you think is better? More cuts or more taxes 2) Do you think that going off the "cliff" is less detrimental than picking the other parties proposal?
  • Aron Joshua Tolentino on 14 Dec 12
     
    1.) More taxes because people in the lower bracket income won't get affected as much. Thus, not further hardening their way of life. 2.) No. they believe the measures negatively affect them. It would affect defense spending, domestic spending and taxes negatively. All the citizens of america will get affected. No exceptions.
  • Samson Luong on 17 Dec 12
     
    1. I believe more taxes would benefit the economy more because it would be geared more towards the higher income earners that have the foundation to deal with the taxes opposed to the lower incomes earners that already struggle. 2. Not exactly because going off the "cliff" affects several important factors such as federal tax, boarder tax, domestic spending, etc. Thus, it would seem that going off the "cliff" serves the economy and citizens more negatively than siding with the other parties' proposal.
A SN

Tom Thorne's ejournal: Economic stagnation in US means whoever wins the US Presidential... - 1 views

tomthorneejournal.blogspot.ca/...ation-in-us-means-whoever.html

Stagnate Economic Growth

shared by A SN on 28 Nov 12 - No Cached
  • The real threat to Canada is not who is in the White House but what they do about the mounting US Government debt now at $16 Trillion plus. To this point there is no will apparent to cooperate for a solution.
  • The real threat to Canada is not who is in the White House but what they do about the mounting US Government debt now at $16 Trillion plus. To this point there is no will apparent to cooperate for a solution.
  • The real threat to Canada is not who is in the White House but what they do about the mounting US Government debt now at $16 Trillion plus. To this point there is no will apparent to cooperate for a solution.
    • A SN
      A SN on 28 Nov 12
       
      Represents the real threat to Canada; USA's economic stagnation
  • ...8 more annotations...
  • The real threat to Canada is not who is in the White House but what they do about the mounting US Government debt now at $16 Trillion plus. To this point there is no will apparent to cooperate for a solution.
  • If the US literally prints its way out of its economic mess, the mess will be compounded. 
    • A SN
      A SN on 28 Nov 12
       
      Problems caused by overprinting money
  • Such an action is guaranteed to create inflation and a rise in interest rates charged to service the debt and also generally for business and lenders of all kinds.
  • Lenders will want more interest to cover the risk of carrying US Government debt loads expressed in diluted valued bonds and currency.
    • A SN
      A SN on 28 Nov 12
       
      The proves that the USA is in really bad debt.
  • Serious debt reduction is needed in the US Congress and Administration.  And there is very little wiggle room to cut US government expenditures. However failure to do so will mean in the middle range of time that the US will become more and more an economic lightweight and hence its world presence will be diminished. That is bad for Canada.
    • A SN
      A SN on 28 Nov 12
       
      If USA falls into a deeper economic stagnation Canada will be widely affected.
  • The US is making itself militarily and financially vulnerable. Canada, no matter how well we manage our financial affairs, will be forced into the same situation as our major trading partner.
    • A SN
      A SN on 28 Nov 12
       
      The US is losing it influence throughout the world. This is a problem.
  • It will be tougher for Canada to retain our natural resources.  Potential deals like the Chinese State taking over Nexen in our oil sands, will become more likely if we want to maintain our own economic performance independent of a financially errant US.
    • A SN
      A SN on 28 Nov 12
       
      problems caused by USA economic stagnation.
  • It really is time for the United States Government and its politicians to bite the economic bullet. Failure to do so means a downsizing of the United State’s influence on the world stage and that can only mean that Canada will need a more independent economic policy as China grows in influence. In short the lack of action on the economic front by our major trading partner is taking us more to Europe and into the arms of the Chinese Government’s hegemony.
    • A SN
      A SN on 28 Nov 12
       
      The consequences if the USA does not change.
  • A SN on 28 Nov 12
     
    Questions: 1. Do you think that eventually Canada will have no choice but to sell its natural resources to the other world powers? Can this be a good change? 2. Canada and the USA share a lot of history and do a lot of activities together, do you think that being financially independent will make us rely less on the US ?
JJ Igra

'Dead' cash to blame for Ontario's stagnant growth, task force warns - 2 views

www.theglobeandmail.com/...article5779990

JJ King Stagnate Growth

shared by JJ Igra on 03 Dec 12 - No Cached
  • JJ Igra on 03 Dec 12
     
    "A new status quo of slow or stagnant economic growth for Ontario's economy is developing," warns the Task Force on Competitiveness, Productivity and Economic Progress. "If economic growth languishes at less than 2 per cent annually, everything from government funding and programs to private sector competitiveness and employment will be impacted." The issue of dead money surfaced this summer when Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney said Canadian companies are sitting on cash when they should be investing or returning it to shareholders - comments that sparked an avalanche of criticism from economists and executives. Canada's relative stability should make businesses more willing to invest. Instead, they are sitting on large cash reserves. Ontario's GDP per capita ranks 14th among 16 North American peer jurisdictions and lags the median of the peers by $7,500 Roger Martin, chairman of the task force and Rotman School of Management dean, in a release. "But the gap in GDP per capita with North American peers shows that Ontario needs to move now to push for more growth." Dead money could be used "to invest in the physical and human capital we need to increase our productivity and close the prosperity gap," he added. Key Concepts: GDP- gross domestic product Stagnate- Showing no activity; dull and sluggish: "a stagnant economy".
  • ...2 more comments...
  • JJ Igra on 03 Dec 12
     
    Questions: 1) What incentives can the government provide for businesses to invest in other company's? 2) Do you think the government should intervene more or should they let those company's do their own decision making?
  • anonymous on 06 Dec 12
     
    1) Subsidies so that businesses will be willing to take a risk and invest in other companies. 2) Canada is a mixed economy. Government should intervene if the situation is critical but it should also be up to companies to make the rational decision for their company. Netan
  • Cristina Raileanu on 07 Dec 12
     
    1) A crazy one would be to not corporate tax, them, if only for the beginning. Maybe subsidies the companies the government wants businesses to be involved in, and to be willing to invest into.
  • Valentina Padure on 14 Dec 12
     
    2.I think the government should not intervene in the decisions different companies make unless it greatly affects the country's economy.
S C

Dealing with Debt: A Consumer's Guide - Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada - 0 views

www.ic.gc.ca/...br01861.html

debt consumer guide canada government

shared by S C on 17 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • You have a debt problem, or are going to have one, if: you continually go over your spending limit or you use your credit cards as a necessity rather than a convenience; you are always borrowing money to make it from one payday to the next; your wages have been garnisheed to pay for outstanding debts; you pay only interest or service charges monthly and do not reduce your total debt over many months; creditors pressure you for payment, threaten to sue or repossess your car, furniture or television, or hire a collection agency to recover the money for them; or utility companies cut off service because your bills have gone unpaid.
  • Possible Solutions
  • Contact your creditors Explain why you can't make your payments and suggest making lower payments over a longer period of time. You may be surprised by how many creditors are willing to accept such arrangements.
  • ...5 more annotations...
  • It is important to stop buying on credit. Continuing to use credit could make your debt load too great for you to handle.
  • Under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act you may make a consumer proposal to your creditors to reduce the amount of your debts, extend the time you have to pay off the debt, or provide some combination of both.
  • If none of the above methods solves your debt problem, you may choose to declare bankruptcy. Bankruptcy should be a last resort if you cannot meet your financial obligations through affordable payments over a specific period of time. Bankruptcy is a legal process performed under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. Because of your inability to pay your debts, you assign all of your assets, except those exempt by law, to a licensed trustee in bankruptcy. This process relieves you of most debts, and legal proceedings against you by creditors should stop.
  • How does one declare bankruptcy? First, you meet with a trustee in bankruptcy who will assess your financial situation and explain the options available to you as described earlier. If you decide to declare bankruptcy, the trustee will help you complete several forms that you will have to sign. You are considered a bankrupt only when the trustee files these forms with the Official Receiver.
  • What is the effect of a bankruptcy discharge? The bankrupt is released of most debts. Some debts are not released, however, such as an award for damages in respect of an assault; a claim for alimony, spousal or child support; any court fine; a debt arising out of fraud or misleading representation; or debts or obligations for student loans if the bankruptcy occurs while the debtor was still a student or within seven years after the bankrupt ceased to be a student
  • S C on 17 Jan 13
     
    Canadian government article advising consumers about debt, such as recognizing danger signs, various methods to deal with it, and information on declaring bankruptcy in case consumers are unable to pay off their debts.
lebiez piranaj

Ontario Income Inequality: Canada's Largest Province Facing Growing Poverty, Cuts To So... - 4 views

www.huffingtonpost.ca/...equality-report_n_1839075.html

growing poverty cuts inequality canada income

shared by lebiez piranaj on 17 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • "Ontario's budgets for the last 15 years have repeatedly prioritized tax cuts while casting concomitant cuts to social programs as necessities rather than choices,"
  • there is a growing income gap among Ontarians
  • between 1981 and 2009, Ontario had the country's second highest increase in the poverty rate
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • the percentage of Ontarians living below the low income measure rising from 9.4 per cent in 1981
  • It blames tax cuts coupled with reductions in social programs for many of the problems it outlines."Ontario's budgets for the last 15 years have repeatedly prioritized tax cuts while casting concomitant cuts to social programs as necessities rather than choices," the report states.
  • lebiez piranaj on 18 Jan 13
     
    There is a widening gap in terms of inequality in Canada and it goes on to say that its being blamed on tax cuts for such inequalities, the article goes on to state that the inequality may be the reason for the province to be facing this growing poverty. 
lebiez piranaj

What are some good reasons to borrow money? - The Globe and Mail - 1 views

www.theglobeandmail.com/...article4184887

tips saving money debt

shared by lebiez piranaj on 18 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • 2. Buy a car
  • Some people pay cash for a car, but most of us borrow or lease. Always weigh the cost of borrowing against using your own savings.
  • 3. Save for education
  • ...5 more annotations...
  • Student loans are one of the cheapest forms of debt. They are also a good investment
  • Another way to finance part of your child's education is through a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)
  • 7. Pay off debt at a lower interest rate
  • A consolidation loan is a loan at a low rate, which you use to pay off several older loans that have higher interest rates
  • Others pay off their loans and credit cards by increasing their mortgage, which may have a low interest rate.
  • lebiez piranaj on 18 Jan 13
     
    The article talks about strategies on how to save for things like education, on saving for a car, how to pay off your debt at lower rates as well. 
S C

7 Tips for Avoiding a Lifetime of Debt | PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement - 2 views

www.pickthebrain.com/...or-avoiding-a-lifetime-of-debt

tips avoiding debt

shared by S C on 18 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • Buy what you need
  • The $70 dollar test
  • If you have a real problem with excess spending, try this test. For a week, give yourself $70 cash, and put away all credit cards. This forces you to live on $10 a day. When you are faced with a strict income, it forces you to be very careful in what you spend. It will make you realise what is really indispensable and which spending is mere extravagance.
  • ...8 more annotations...
  • For example, maybe you get two takeaway coffees per day and one pastry. This can easily add upto $15 a day, which is nearly $100 a week – that’s $5000 a year! We may be reluctant to spend $2000 on a computer because it is a big outlay. But, at the start of the year, would we be so keen to put aside a lump sum of $5000 just for the purchase of coffee and pastries
  • It is easy to forget how much we spend. For example, with credit cards we don’t see the money leave our wallet so it, somehow, seems less real
  • Quite often, by taking these steps we realize our previous spending habits were not at all essential to our happiness.
  • spend some time to learn about the workings of financial issues
  • Make sure you move the debt to the lowest interest paying account possible
  • By keeping interest payments as low as possible, it enables you to pay money to reducing the amount of debt, rather than just paying interest.
  • Spending does not equal happiness
  • If you rely on spending money to gain happiness, you need to think very carefully about whether this is a good way to get satisfaction in life. This is not to say shopping is always bad; the point is that spending money does not equate to real happiness.
  • S C on 18 Jan 13
     
    Some ways to deal with debt are limiting yourself, thinking before spending (do I really this?), using cash instead of credit cards and getting educated about finance to minimize debt when it has to be paid.
Rohan Zahur

Teacher Bashing: The Inequality Psychology | Inequality.org - 1 views

inequality.org/-bashing-inequality-psychology

inequality

shared by Rohan Zahur on 22 Nov 12 - No Cached
  • Rohan Zahur on 22 Nov 12
     
    Q1: What would be your solution to this inequality? Would it really affect people(help teachers; students; any consequences)? Q2: Would your choice be efficient to the state? What would be opportunity costs for your solution?
  • Dyena Huynh on 22 Nov 12
     
    1. my solution to this inequality would be to increase taxes on the wealthy and decrease for the poor and focus the use of taxes more on public schools because that's where it's needed most. Since the problem isn't really about the taxes, it's the rich people themselves and their attitude toward public services so there should be a policy where rich have to support at most, public schools. 2. Yes my choice would be efficient because this way you can at least reduce the wealth gap between the wealthy and poor. The main opportunity cost for my solution is paying more taxes but for a better result in education and basic necessities needed in schools for students to be educated properly.
lebiez piranaj

Canadian Household Debt: Poll Finds We May Be In Debt Longer Than We Think - 1 views

www.huffingtonpost.ca/...n-household-debt_n_940426.html

canadian debt poll finds money saving tips

shared by lebiez piranaj on 18 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • TORONTO - If experience is any indication, many Canadians could find themselves in debt years longer than they originally expected, according to a new poll issued Monday by CIBC.
  • For example, Canadians 25 to 34 on average told the pollsters they expected to be debt-free by age 44. However, the poll found that only 18 per cent of those now in the 45-to-54 age group were, in fact, debt-free.
  • "Being debt-free is a long-term financial goal for many Canadians, and this poll suggests Canadians are actively looking ahead to the stage of life they will be in when they successfully pay off all of their debt,"
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • the poll also disclosed that many Canadians see themselves as having debt for the long term, with eight per cent of poll respondents believing they will be into their 70s before their debts are paid off and 10 per cent of respondents saying they will never be debt-free.
  • lebiez piranaj on 18 Jan 13
     
    According to a poll disclosed from CIBC, tells us that many Canadian are finding themselves in debt for longer periods of time then they had originally expected. 
Brijesh Patel

Bank of Canada flags lenders' role in consumer debt - 1 views

www.theglobeandmail.com/...article6930721

debt

shared by Brijesh Patel on 16 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • Canadian families owe nearly $1.65 on average for every dollar of after-tax income, the highest level in 22 years of tracking those figures.
  • the government would no longer insure mortgages that are amortized over a period longer than 25 years.
  • fierce competition for customers caused some major banks to begin offering five-year mortgages at 2.99 per cent, triggering a price war in the sector.
  • ...5 more annotations...
  • You should be cautious about your lending practices, because this is the type of practice that led to a mortgage crisis in the United States several years ago,
  • Statistics Canada saying in December that the most recent data suggest Canadian families owe nearly $1.65 on average for every dollar of after-tax income.
  • physically present also have a greater proportion of consumers with too much de
  • The Bank of Canada has been scrutinizing whether competition among
  • The governing council was told about the role that discounting plays in how much individuals pay for their mortgage and notes that there is “substantial dispersion in rates across people, institutions, and markets.”
  • Brijesh Patel on 18 Jan 13
     
    Funding costs rose dramatically during the financial crisis when liquidity dried up, pushing up the costs of consumer and business loans Finance Minister Jim Flaherty tightened the rules on mortgages for a fourth time in four years, saying the government would no longer insure mortgages that are amortized over a period longer than 25 years "Neighbourhoods with more bank branches and payday lenders per capita (i.e. more competition) have looser lending standards (higher leveraged households) and experience greater bankruptcies"
S C

10 Things You Need To Do While You're Unemployed - Forbes - 0 views

www.forbes.com/...2

unemployed forbes what do to

shared by S C on 16 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • Start your own business.
  • If you have the means to do it, it’s a great résumé booster and a wonderful marketing tool.
  • you can
  • ...11 more annotations...
  • work part-time or full-time depending on whether or not you are able to land a job working for someone else
  • You are also going to learn skills that are transferrable if you do end up working for someone else again.”
  • information technology, engineering, health care, sales, and customer service are among the top areas for hiring nationwide
  • include specific words from the job posting
  • candidates who show up at an interview with ideas demonstrate that they are passionate, knowledgeable, and excited about the opportunity.
  • t’s important to take that extra step to let the employer know you’re interested, and make sure you always send a thank you after an interview
  • set you apart from the pool of candidates
  • most employers use electronic scanning devices to screen and rank candidates
  • A résumé handed to the hiring manager directly from someone within the company is more likely to get noticed
  • tailor your résumé for each position you apply for
  • These types of activities tell the employer that the job seeker is serious about their career development and made the most of their time off
  • S C on 16 Jan 13
     
    The key to getting hired is to make sure employers know you've been using your time and that you're serious about getting the job. It's also important to know how employers hire and build more connections to increase your chances.
Cristina Raileanu

Commodities and resources - 0 views

www.theglobeandmail.com/...article7263013

Economics commodities resources

shared by Cristina Raileanu on 17 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • Out west, we’ve had it pretty good. Unemployment is low, incomes are high, and the GDP is set to grow faster than almost anywhere.
  • We are not here for ourselves alone.
  • we focus on what immigrants can do for us (fill jobs) rather than on what we can do for them (provide beautiful communities and the chance to participate in building something amazing).
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • “We must build pipelines. The world needs our oil. Nothing can get in the way. This is not negotiable.” Oil and pipeline companies are running headlong into some unanticipated opposition from folks who don’t see it the same way.
  • That means being a world leader in environmental stewardship, rather than arrogantly comparing ourselves to Nigeria or Sudan and patting ourselves on the back because our human rights are better than theirs.
  • Alberta is in a unique situation. It’s been blessed enormously in resources, wealth, natural beauty and smart people. We really can do anything if we set our minds to it, but not if we do it only for short-term financial gain.
Cristina Raileanu

Raising Interest Rates? Canada's Impending Household Debt Crisis | Global Research - 0 views

www.globalresearch.ca/...5318278

crisis canada consumer debt

shared by Cristina Raileanu on 17 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • If the bank feels you can pay $2,000 a month on a mortgage, then you generally qualify for the loan, if you have the right credit record and collateral.
  • It is worth noting here that the money your bank loans for a mortgage is created out of thin air at the push of a button. They do not lend the money of their depositors for this.
  • interest charges are built into just about every product and service available. Higher interest rates means businesses would have to charge more to recover their loan costs.
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • For an extreme example of what can happen one only has to turn back the clock to the 1980s, when 20% interest rates destroyed many businesses and individual lives;
  • it is the average consumer that is blamed for the problems created by the so-called experts.
  • one could take each aforementioned quote by the experts, reword it to mean the exact opposite, and thereby have a better understanding of the situation.
Erica Yeo

Crude Oil Rises on Gaza Conflict Amid Declining U.S. Stockpiles - Bloomberg - 2 views

www.bloomberg.com/...-weeks-as-stockpiles-fall.html

crude oil gaza conflict u s bloomberg challenges currentevents

shared by Erica Yeo on 29 Nov 12 - No Cached
  • boosting speculation that the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians of Gaza may disrupt crude supply from the Middle East.
  • Prices advanced earlier after American Petroleum Institute data yesterday showed crude inventories fell for the second week in three. An Energy Department report today is forecast to show supplies increased.
  • “Crude trade will remain choppy until we have some clarity on the Israeli-Gaza conflict,
  • ...5 more annotations...
  • Societe Generale SA raised its predictions for global oil prices next year,
  • Crude for January delivery was at $87.58 a barrel, up 83 cents, or 1 percent, in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange at 1:38 p.m. London time. The contract dropped $2.53 yesterday to $86.75, the biggest decline since Nov. 7. Prices are down 11 percent this year.
  • The bank increased its price outlook for Brent to $110 a barrel from $103 previously, according to an e-mailed report.
  • Crude stockpiles in the U.S. slid 1.9 million barrels in the week ended Nov. 16, the API’s report showed.
  • Gasoline slid 4.8 million barrels, compared with a gain of 1 million barrels in the Bloomberg survey. Distillates, including diesel and heating oil, declined 4.4 million barrels, compared with a projected 1 million-barrel decrease.
  • Erica Yeo on 29 Nov 12
     
    1. What affect do you think the american stockpiles of crude oil have on the supply and demand graph of crude oil? 2. Since the middle east contributes to most of our oil resources, what are the possible solutions to the price increase of crude oil if the conflict between israel and palestine continues?
lebiez piranaj

Euro crisis opens old wounds for Greece, Germany - 0 views

edition.cnn.com/...index.html

austerity measures Euro Greece Germany

shared by lebiez piranaj on 10 Dec 12 - No Cached
  • A country's economy devastated, unemployment endemic and suicides rising -- this is the reality in Greece
  • Greece -- the birthplace of democracy -- is now reliant on eurozone bailouts and subject to political decision-making in Brussels and Berlin.
  • Merkel met with Greek Prime Minister
  • ...14 more annotations...
  • a Greek pensioner took his own life outside parliament citing austerity measures for his desperation.
    • lebiez piranaj
      lebiez piranaj on 10 Dec 12
       
      austerity measures- when a government reduces it's spending and/or increases its user fees and taxes so that the country can pay back creditors
  • she pledged German support for Greece but made it clear that Greece cannot -- and therefore will not -- yield on its austerity reforms.
  • Greek police were deployed to keep the protests under control.
  • Some demonstrators evoked bitter memories of the brutal Nazi occupation of Greece from 1941 to 1944
  • Spyros Economides, a senior lecturer in international relations and European politics at the London School of Economics, said Greeks are "not very positive at all" in their views toward Germany.
  • it's also younger people who are unemployed and suffering economic dislocation
  • To stay, the Greeks are coming under intense pressure from eurozone peers --- led by Germany -- to implement further austerity measures of 13.5 billion euros [$17.7 billion].
  • the projected cuts could break down into 11.5 billion euros worth of cuts
  • from pensions and wages as well as the sale of state property
  • and the remaining 2 billion euros from additional taxes.
  • Frank Schaeffler, a German member of parliament in the Free Democratic Party, has previously advocated the sale of uninhabited Greek islands to fund creditor repayments.
  • Schaeffler said: "I am afraid Germany has softened its stance on Greece lately ... Samaras himself has said that Greece is willing to sell off its uninhabited islands."
  • Germany is concerned that a Greek exit from the eurozone could lead to a domino effect
  • could lead to a full break-up of the monetary union.
  • lebiez piranaj on 10 Dec 12
     
    Q1: Do you think putting up their uninhabited islands is a good recompensation method in case Greece doesn't pay off their loans and are the Germans indebted to Greece for their misactions during World War 2? Q2: Do you think Greece should be toughening it's austerity measures even though it might mean increasing Greece's current unemployment rate?
  • Samson Luong on 17 Dec 12
     
    1. If Greece's economic situation worsens I believe putting up their uninhabited islands would be a great way to compensate because they are likely to be worth a lot and currently are not being used. 2. In my opinion, I feel Greece's unemployment rate is at a very risky point and doing anything to further detriment that would be unwise.
JJ Igra

Budget watchdog finds average public service job costs $114K - 0 views

www.cbc.ca/...p-page-cost-civil-service.html

JJ King Goverment

shared by JJ Igra on 12 Dec 12 - No Cached
  • JJ Igra on 12 Dec 12
     
    The average public servant costs taxpayers $114,100 a year in total compensation. "Total compensation (per full-time employee) in the federal workforce outpaced not only CPI (inflation), but also that of the Canadian business sector and provinces and territories over the study period," the report states. Although the government has recently announced new restraint measures that will cut the number of public servants, the PBO estimates that average compensation for salaries and benefits will reach $129,800 in the next three years. Canadian Taxpayers Federation federal director Gregory Thomas said he found some of the numbers "staggering," particularly since average household income growth is in the neighbourhood of one per cent. "This government has been in office for six years, you wonder when are they are going to get serious about controlling payroll costs," he said. Ottawa recently announced it has already shed about 11,000 in the first six months of the program. When the current austerity measures are completed, the public service will decline to 349,000, if Ottawa sticks with the program. "The period between 2012-13 and 2014-15 resembles those of the mid-1990s, as both personnel expenses and federal employment (are) reduced," the report states. "The PBO expects a significant slowdown in personnel expenses, given assumptions about baseline employment." Compensation is expected to continue to grow, although not at the rate of the past 13 years. The report projects that by 2014-15, the average annual compensation for a federal employee will rise to $129,800, a growth rate of 4.4 per cent per annum. That is a few thousand dollars less than would have been the case without the restraint program. The PBO complains, however, as it has in the past, that it has not been given sufficient information about how the restraint program is being implemented, or its impact. "As such, parliamentarians do not have the resources with which to determine areas of priorit
  • JJ Igra on 12 Dec 12
     
    Questions: With the government cutting off public servant, how will this effect the distribution on public services provided to Canadians Is there other alternatives the government can consider rather than laying off public servants to decrease the government's expenditure?
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