Welcome to the Globe and Mail Personal Finance Reader. I’m Rob Carrick, personal finance columnist at The Globe, and each week I compile a list of articles, blog postings and websites that represent the best of what the online world has to offer on money-related subjects.
I’m not the coupon-clipping type, but I do appreciate an insider tip or unique offer that lets me spend or save more efficiently. That’s why we’ve been collecting Aeroplan points at our house through a promotion with Quaker and its Tropicana juice division, and why I recently went online to print a coupon that gave us a decent-size discount on a restaurant meal. Small stuff, true, but it adds up.
I hope the tips in this edition of the Reader add up for you. You’ll find information about a low mortgage rate offer from a big bank, a new discount program aimed at families, a new travel rewards credit card and more. There are also some tax tips, a pointed reminder about the dangers of investment fraud – March is fraud prevention month – and the usual intelligence for investors trying to make sense of the markets.
Found something on the Internet that your fellow investors might enjoy? Talk to me at rcarrick@globeandmail.com
From The Globe and Mail and Globe Investor
Is buying in bulk worth it? Personal finance blogger Chaya Cooperberg explores some myths, including that buying a larger package means that the cost per unit is lower
Test your fraud ID Thousands of Canadians claim fraud each month. Protect yourself with a few simple steps from Smart Cookie Angela Self
Preparing for the what-if scenario Many Canadian couples fail to establish a plan for what will happen when one of them is no longer there
Before you hit 'buy' With the explosion in online trading, discount brokers are working hard to make clients more comfortable with the experience, says Rob Carrick
File your best tax return ever In this online discusison, certified general accountant Ryan Rawluk answered your tax return questions
ETF's: What could go wrong John Heinzl explains tracking error in this Investor Clinic video
Welcome to the new GlobeInvestor.com Find out what's changed and why -- and how it can help your money grow
Must Reads From Around the Web
Attention, Parents
Myparentrewards.com is the name of a new website offering access to coupons for a variety of Canadian and U.S. retailers in exchange for a $20 membership fee. Suggestion: check out the bargains available in your area before you sign up.
Mortgage Must-See
Bank of Montreal has launched a highly aggressive offer of a five-year fixed rate mortgage at 3.75 per cent, but it has a catch. You have to limit your amortization period to 25 years at most, rather than choosing the popular 35-year payback period.
Reward Yourself
The Million Dollar Journey blog offers a lukewarm analysis of a new American Express card that earns you Starwood Preferred Guest points. Starwood is the hotel chain that includes such names as Sheraton, Westin and Four Points.
If you’re comparing credit card reward programs, don’t forget to visit the BankNerd.ca website.
You can now earn Aeroplan loyalty points by purchasing chocolate and ice cream from Nestle and Purina pet food. A similar Aeroplan promotion with Quaker has helped net me about 2,500 Aeroplan points.
Tax Tips
The Financial Highway blog explains why students should file a tax return.
The Canada Revenue Agency has created this website to help seniors with income tax-related questions.
A review of the latest edition of the ever-popular QuickTax software product by the Canadian Capitalist blog.
