Thanks to low interest Calgary mortgages, many people will be able to go into retirement without certain types of debt. However, according to a recent survey, back payments are something that many Canadians will still have to deal with.

The survey, which was conducted by Leger Marketing on behalf of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, found that one in every four Canadians who are between 50 and 59 years of age expect to have some debt in retirement. In addition, of these people, 80 per cent said that these cost obligations would likely last throughout their retirement years.

"While some Canadians may feel they can incorporate monthly debt payments into their retirement, the reality is that repaying debt before retirement remains an integral component of maximizing cash flow," said Christina...

SEEDS

It’s time to harvest the remaining vegetables from our garden.  While we enjoy the taste of garden fresh vegetables, a big reason for planting the garden is for our grandchildren.  They are excited to pull carrots, get them washed and then eat them with the tops still attached.  Whenever they get the chance they like to pull their own, which many times results in the tops being in their hands while the carrot is still in the ground.  This is particularly true of the larger carrots.  Often there will be a large carrot and right next to it a small one.

How can this be?  The seeds we planted were all the same, put side by side in the same soil, at the same time and cared for in exactly the same way.  Yet they have not all matured at the same...

Geese

Have the courage to change the things you can

If you are a seller, there are plenty of buyers in the market for a home they consider priced correctly. You have to decide what the correct price is for your home if you truly want to sell. If you want your house sold, you must list it at a price a buyer will pay for it. Not a buyer from 2006 but today’s buyer who has plenty of homes from which to choose. It will take courage to sit with a real estate professional and honestly decipher the true value of your home. If you want to sell, you must have that courage.

If you are a buyer, and you believe now is the right time for your family to purchase a home – DO IT! Prices are back to pre-bubble prices and interest rates are at historic lows. That means that your monthly housing expense...

10 Questions to Ask BEFORE Renting Your Home

1.) How will you respond if your tenant says they can’t afford to pay the rent this month because of more pressing obligations? (This happens most often during holiday season and back-to-school time when families with children have extra expenses).

2.) Because of the economy, over ten percent of homeowners can no longer make their mortgage payment. What percent of tenants do you think can no longer afford to pay their rent?

3.) Have you interviewed a few experienced eviction attorneys in case a challenge does arise?

4.) Have you talked to your insurance company about a possible increase in premiums as liability is greater in a non-owner occupied home?

5.) Will you allow pets? Cats? Dogs? How big a dog?

6.) How will you actually collect...