1. The Star profiled the five venture capitalists — Jim Treliving, Kevin O’Leary, Arlene Dickinson, Robert Herjavec and Brett Wilson — who appear on CBC’s popular show, Dragon’s Den. I found Brett Wilson, who is projected as a dragon with a heart on the show to have the most colourful profile. Mr. Wilson depiction of Mr. O’Leary as the “moronic outlier of capitalism” is also spot on.
  2. Spain’s debt problems might trigger a perilous second phase of the global financial crisis, weakening the Euro, dragging down economic growth and spread the contagion to other large economies like Italy, says this report on Knowledge @ Wharton.
  3. Should you refinance your mortgage early to take advantage of today’s low rates, especially with BMO and CIBC offering competitive five-year fixed rates? Rob Carrick crunched the numbers and reported his findings.
  4. Canadian Couch Potato explained how to divide your portfolio between RRSP, TFSA and taxable accounts. You can always rearrange your portfolio at any time but if you want to avoid tax headaches, you are better off locating the assets properly in the first place.
  5. Larry MacDonald draws attention to a frequently overlooked tax credit — the disability tax credit.
  6. Canadian Personal Finance blog draws attention to a two recent interviews featuring Harry Markopolos, who blew the whistle on Madoff long before the Ponzi scheme unravelled.
  7. Mike from Four Pillars debates whether a zero-based budgeting system, where you track every penny of your income and expense is worth his time.
  8. Michael James grapples with a rent-versus-buy decision for his hot water heater. Years ago, I decided that it makes much more sense for us to just buy the water heater outright as well.
  9. Superbad advice is an entertaining new website on the seamier parts of the investment industry. In a recent post, the author who goes by the moniker Gordo wonders why fund managers go on TV offering stock pick advice.
  10. Million Dollar Journey finds out how capital gains within a corporation are taxed.
  11. Ending the Rat Race offers his take on choosing between a RRSP and a TFSA.
  12. It is not exactly a secret that they are a cash cow but it’s surprising how profitable extended warranties are.
  13. Gail Vaz-Oxlade wonders if many investors who are leveraging to invest have Clue One about the risks they are taking.