Globe and Mail personal finance columnist Rob Carrick brings you the Personal Finance Reader, his twice-weekly picks for the best online reading about money, the markets and more. If you're having trouble reading this newsletter or want to read the archives, click here.
Found something on the Internet that your fellow investors might enjoy? Talk to me at rcarrick@globeandmail.com.
Must reads from The Globe and Mail
Brokers not keen on long-term fixed-rate mortgages
Despite the risk of rising interest rates, most mortgage brokers still say variable-rate mortgages are the better deal.
How global turmoil will affect real estate in Canada
From the violent protests in the Middle East and North Africa to the earthquake and unfolding nuclear crisis in Japan, global turmoil is going to "directly affect specific real estate markets across the country," argues real estate expert Don Campbell. He was here for a live discussion this week.
The do's and don'ts of avoiding an audit
There are various red flags that will alert the watchful taxman to put your return under a microscope, writes tax expert Tim Cestnick. Here are some tips to help you avoid an audit.
10 ways to prepare for a personal financial crisis
Life is unpredictable, but if there's anything you can do to stave off disaster, it's to be prepared and be careful. Here are 10 steps you can take.
How 24-hour news affects your investments
As markets react to crisis in Japan, investors who can keep their heads could benefit, writes financial adviser Ted Rechtshaffen.
Want to minimize damage to your portfolio? Stick to the plan
The investing approach you take is up to you, but it's important to be consistent, Preet Banerjee says.
Spending decisions: If only there was an app for that
Angela Self offers some advice on how to weigh the purchases we want to make today against our goals for the future.
Protect your passwords from fraudsters
Sign-ins need to be stored securely, not on scraps of paper or in Excel documents on your computer, especially for personal and financial information, writes Angela Self.
Must Reads From Around the Web
When The Housing Market Tanks
An American personal finance blogger reports on what it's like to sell your house and take a $50,000 loss. Could that happen here? I recall losses in that zone in Toronto about 20 years ago.
Bugged About Drugs
A highly effective diatribe aimed at persuading people that generic drugs are just as good as name brands, only cheaper.
Some TLC For GICs
Why are GICs a good substitute for bonds? This post by the Balance Junkie blog argues that GICs can offer higher rates in many cases, and they won't fall in price as interest rates rise.
The Rundown on Renting
The potentially nasty tax implications of renting out your home.
You, Yoga and Your Money
Why yoga is a lot like personal finance, according to the Young and Thrifty blog.
RRSPs Forever
The Blunt Beancounter blog comments on a column I wrote a month or two ago on how TFSAs can in some cases beat RRSPs for retirement saving. His point is that TFSAs are too easy to pull money out of before retirement.
Portfolio Inflation Protection
A pair of U.S. listed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that will help protect you bond holdings from inflation. One invests in junk bonds, the other in inflation-protected bonds, also known as real return bonds.
Both the BMO and iShares family of Canadian ETFs have junk and real return bond ETFs as well.
Editor's note: If you don't receive Rob Carrick's newsletter twice weekly by email, you can sign up to get it for free at The Globe and Mail. All you need to do is register for the site, or if you've already registered, login and go to your profile at the top of the homepage. Once you're in your profile, look under Newsletters and Alerts and look for the Personal Finance Reader and other newsletters. Other financial newsletters include:
Business Ticker, a summary of the day's top business stories
Berman's Market Update, a summary of the markets at the open, noon and close
All-Star Investor, investment ideas from the best and the brightest minds in the business using StarMine's equity analyst rankings and Lipper's mutual fund manager rankings.
Rob Carrick