Royal Canadian Air Farce’s Roger Abbott passed away recently. Thanks for all the laughs Roger and may you rest in peace. In the following skit, rich sheiks are wondering how they are going to survive low oil prices.

Now on to this week’s selection of interesting articles:

  1. Rob Carrick reports that insurance companies have actually been going easy on people buying home insurance. As a homeowner whose rates went up 14 per cent and 28 per cent in the past two years, all I can say is: Gee! Thanks guys!
  2. In a column in The Star, Morningstar’s Rudy Luukko blames Canada’s “world-class bundling” for our high mutual fund fees. He urges investors to shop around and make price comparisons.
  3. Larry MacDonald highlights the five most overlooked tax tips courtesy of tax-preparer H&R Block.
  4. Canadian Financial Stuff reminds us to regularly change the password for online access to bank and credit card accounts.
  5. Thicken My Wallet wears his lawyer hat to answer the question: Can you lose your home as a victim of real estate fraud?
  6. Michael James doesn’t think eliminating GST on mutual funds will help investors all that much.
  7. Money Smarts Blog takes a closer look at the claim that Canadians are withdrawing from RRSPs at an alarming rate and finds that the fears are overblown.
  8. The Blunt Bean Counter explains why it is important to include valuable collectibles in the will.
  9. In a pair of related blog posts, Larry Swedroe explains why even very conservative investors should include some stocks in their portfolio and why even very aggressive investors should have some bonds.
  10. A Canadian Money Forum member shared his experience with literally flushing money down the toilet.
  11. My Own Advisor explains why he hates debt. I hate it too and it’s a great feeling not owning anyone a single red cent.

That’s it for this week and have a great weekend everyone!