Canadian Tire has a bank? Who knew?

It also turns out they’re offering the highest interest rate in Canada right now (summer 2012) on a high-interest savings account with no fees.

The Canadian Tire High Interest Savings Account has no fees and pays 1.8% interest.

The best interest rate on a savings account in Canada is at Canadian Tire

Sounds interesting. I’ve banked with ING bank for years – they’re currently offering a ho hum 1..35% on savings…. I presume that the Canadian Tire online experience will be similar.

The Toronto Star spelled out the best current rates in Rob Engen’s Moneyville account on April 29, 2012.

Canadian Tire and  Ally both have high interest (1.8%) savings accounts with no fees and no minimum balances.

Other rates were lower (next up was Manulife Advantage Savings Account offering 1.75% interest) and/or involved transaction fees (Manulife charges 1.25 per debit) and/or minimum balances.

How did I miss this? Parents of artsy kids take note: there’s a new tax credit for Ontario parents which gives a refundable tax credit for the cost of kids arts and education programs – we’re talking piano, art class, tutoring, drama and all those other great arts programs you put your kid in. You can claim up to $509 in eligible expenses and get up to $50.90 back for each child under 16 for 2011. Great news for parents who were happy enough about the federal sports tax credit – but a bit miffed that arts programming was not equally supported.

The Ontario Government Lists these eligibility requirements for the Ontario Children’s Activity Tax Credit:

The Ontario tax credit covers activities that fall into two categories: fitness and non-fitness. Eligible activities must be supervised and suitable for children. The criteria for fitness activities is the same as for the federal Children’s Fitness Tax Credit.

Eligible non-fitness activities must fall under one of the following categories:

• Instruction in music, dramatic arts, dance and visual arts.
• Language instruction.
• Activities with a substantial focus on wilderness and the natural environment.
• Structured interaction among children where supervisors teach or help children develop interpersonal skills.
• Enrichment or tutoring in academic subjects.

You’ll find more information on the Ontario Government Website: sww.fin.gov.on.ca/en/credit/catc/index.html

Why IS gold valuable? We all know that gold is used in jewelry, but really, why is it that a simple element of the periodic table can command such huge piles of cash, when no-one really uses it for anything other than accenting their wardrobe?

The answer lies deep inside some of the biggest and most secure vaults in the world. That’s where most of the gold that has ever been mined is sitting right now. (more…)

New parents may wonder how to get free baby samples online. Turns out there are hundreds of websites where you can get free baby samples, trial products and other goodies like free diapers, formula, wipes and baby food.

Free Enfamil Samples and Diaper Bag

Just go to Enfamil’s website  and log on, register and get a free diaper bag full of baby products.

Free Parent’s Choice Baby Formula Samples

Breast is best, but if baby needs to be formula fed, you may wish to try some of them out before you commit.  “Parents Choice” website has a free sample available to parents who logon an register at their website.

Free Diapers

All the major diaper and pull up manufacturers have coupons and freebies available to anyone who registers. Visit Pampers and Huggies websites for all the info you need.

Sell your gold in the comfort of home… or the comfort of your neighbour’s home. What the heck? We’re talking about gold parties, the latest craze among the TupperWare party crowd. Old rings, out-of-date Mr. T style bling and any old bit of the  precious metal you’ve got lying around are all fair game.

Sell your gold at a gold party

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What is Canada PRO and why did I get a bank deposit from he/she/it?

(Editor’s update: This post about getting a Canada Pro Bank Payment was written a few years back, but it still valid. The Canadian federal government still direct deposits some federal tax credits directly to your bank account and identifies itself as Canada Pro.)

Many Ontario residents will receive a “mystery” bank payment directly into their bank accounts in mid-December 2010. (And you might remember a similar one that landed earlier this year on Thursday, June 10, 2010.)  The mystery payment of $100 or  up to $330 for families is usually labelled “Canada PRO”. What the heck is it?

Canada Pro

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Be sure to compare savings rates before you choose your Tax Free Savings Account – rates and fine print are different at various Canadian Banks. But first, you might be wondering:

What is a Tax Free Savings Account?

Tax free savings accounts were introduced by the Canadian government in 2009 and they are different from normal savings accounts in a couple of ways.

What causes inflation

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I saw an amazing close-up picture of the leaking oil well in the Gulf of Mexico while I was watching the live footage being streamed over the internet.  Most of what I could see was blurry and confusing, but for a few short moments, there was an excellent close-up shot of the leaking oil well…

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Streaming video of the leaking oil well in the Gulf of Mexico has been made public.  I’m watching in horror.  Scary pictures.  Most of the news outlets do not even mention that this video stream is available, much less pipe it to their viewers.  So I’m unsure how many people have the chance to see this shocking, scary picture of the oil, gushing out of little holes in the well apparatus.  This scene appeared briefly between blurry footage of robot-like things working on the ocean floor.

Scary Picture of Leaking Oil Well in Gulf of Mexico

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What is the truth about inflation?  How can you believe the “official” numbers, when your experience at the supermarket and the gas pump tells you otherwise?  When you’re always told that inflation is around 2%, how can you believe it when the prices of so many things have doubled in less than 10 years?

Inflation is calculated based on a theoretical “basket of goods”.  For example, a gallon of gas, a quart of milk, a loaf of bread, a dozen eggs, a pound of chicken, and a newspaper would (more…)