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, videos and websites that represent the best of what the online world has to offer on money-related subjects.
It's March break this week, so many of you have probably been off work and enjoying yourselves. Perhaps with a little retail therapy? If anything from an Apple iPad to a new house is on your buy list, then be sure to check out this edition of the Reader. Don't be an early adopter of the iPad, one blog advisers. Also, read about why buying a house is a bad investment, how to fire your bank and the lowdown on 3D TV.
There's also a pair of financial outlooks - an optimistic take on the economy and a scary look at the stock markets - plus lots of analysis for investors. Read about why one fund manager likes BCE, but not the banks, and how high-yield bonds could be in for some trouble in a couple of years.
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
Mortgage refinancing penalties prompt backlash Ombudsman for Banking Services sees spike in complaints from Canadians upset about size of penalties - or fees that weren't clearly disclosed
Where to find free stuff Getting something for free feels good, says Angela Self. And make no mistake, there are significant savings to be found online
Don't just fall into a debt hole "People have no idea how much money they are earning or how much money they are spending. They are clueless," says TV host and author Gail Vaz-Oxlade
Who are the smartest value investors? In this third segment of our Let's Talk Investing series, Professor George Athanassakos tells Rob Carrick who some of the best are, in both Canada and the U.S.
Celebrating kids' birthdays on a budget Does a two-year-old really need a party with 40 friends, asks personal finance blogger Chaya Cooperberg
Must Reads From Around the Web
Saying Good Buy This Canadian Business article asks a question that I wonder about myself: Why are people so gung-ho to buy real estate at a time when prices are high and rates are set to rise?
Should you be an early adopter of the Apple iPad? Yes, if you want to pay top prices and don't mind technological glitches.
OK, now what about 3D TVs?
Now, see what Consumer Reports has to say on the iPad and 3D TV.
and
The Ratebot website says you can get an eight-year mortgage for 4.9 per cent at the online bank President's Choice Financial. Bet that'll look like a steal five years from now. FYI, the best five-year rate is 3.59 per cent.
Thinking of firing your bank? The Squawfox blog offers this checklist on how to go about it.
Bargain Junkie is a blog by Annie Korzen, who you may well have watched on the TV show Seinfeld in her role as Doris Klompus. OK, she's not the Meryl Streep of television. But her blog's a fun read for people looking for ways to enjoy life on the cheap.
Looking Good The guy behind the Today's Economy blog explains his newfound optimism about the Canadian economic outlook.
Looking Scary A noted technical analyst says the stock markets may crash in April.
Investorville Watch the veteran mutual fund manager Kim Shannon explain why she thinks the banks are over-priced, and BCE looks good.
An explanation of why the rate of return on your investments should be driven by the amount of money you need to reach your financial goals. In other words, take on only as much risk as you need to.
There's reason for caution if you've invested in a high-yield bond fund. Most of these funds have lots of exposure to the U.S. high yield market, where a massive $700-billion (U.S.) in bonds start coming due in 2012. Will the issuers of these bonds be able to pay up?
I love insider stuff like this analysis of the way in which investment advisers are compensated by their firms. Rule One: big sellers get the biggest rewards.
The strength of the Canadian dollar means it's an opportune time to buy U.S. stocks.
The Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF) protects up to $1-million in client assets against a broker going bankrupt. CPIF recently revamped its website and it's worth a visit if you're not familiar with the organization or want to know if your firm is a member.
Working Forever A survey suggests that 43 per cent of Americans have $10,000 or less saved for retirement. Yikes.
For Crying Out Loud Money-saving tips for parents who have just had a baby.
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