Why?

2008-11-30T16:31:00.000-08:00

Canadian Money Lessons

Why write a blog on such a well covered topic?
Why try to learn such a difficult topic when I could pay someone to tell me what to do?
Why have I spent the last 6 months reading sites and Blogs, about Canadian tax and Canadian investment strategies?
Why at 35 years old have i suddenly started worrying about my financial future?
Why do people use RRSP's and what does it stand for?
Why are people talking about TFSA?
Why is my girlfriend looking at me and asking what a blog is??

And the answers.....

Why write a blog on such a well covered topic?

Similar to the other Bloggers covering the topic, First and foremost it is for me! It is a method for me to track my ideas and plans. It is a way for me to show people these are my ideas, 'What do you think??'. Then secondly if this helps just one other person then i will be happy that the hours I spent learning contributed to someone else.

Why try to learn such a difficult topic when I could pay someone to tell me what to do?

I like to think of myself as an educated person, if I am going to do something I will research it first before making a decision. Be it buying a car, a TV, or planning the financial future for my family. Sure I can ask an expert on what i should do with my money. BUT if i'm going to pay someone money for that advice I want to maximise the value of the discussion. Which means i need to ask educated questions on the topic, as well as challange the response. I don't want to look back in 30 years and say what did I do wrong. I'm not saying don't use financial advisors, as I most certainly will, just make sure you can talk the same language first.

Why have I spent the last 6 months reading sites and Blogs, about Canadian tax and Canadian investment strategies?

Having just moved to canada from the UK, I find myself confronted with a new tax system, new methods to pay your retirement and overall a very confusing financial situation. As an expert in the Food Industry, my income is in the higher tax brackets. I guess it doesn't matter your nationality as everyone hates paying the taxman their hard earned cash. At 48% I am keen to find ways to get some of that hard earned money back. Which has mean't that i have spent the last 6 months reading and teaching myself canadian finance.

Why at 35 years old have i suddenly started worrying about my financial future?

The easy answer is I don't know!!!, well thats not quite true...
Since moving to canada, I am now earning more money than ever before, I have had to buy a new car, I have bought a House, I am in love with a wonderful Canadian Lass and we plan on getting married and having kids. So i guess for the first time I have to worry about the financial future as it no longer only affects just me. That and i truely hate giving the taxman my money!!

As for the other questions, well I guess you will find out those as i post more in this blog.

One final Question is probably needed, 'Why name your blog Canadian Money Lessons?', well thats what i want to post here as an easy reference source. All the lessons I have learnt on Canadian money matters in one place, rather than Scouring all the blogs out there.

Canadian money Lessons