Comments for Thicken My Wallet http://www.thickenmywallet.com/blog/wp Everything to do with thickening your wallet by entrepreneur turned President of an Investment Company Fri, 04 Jul 2008 06:35:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 Comment on Top personal finance stories for 2008 (so far) by Potato http://www.thickenmywallet.com/blog/wp/2008/07/03/top-personal-finance-stories-for-2008-so-far/#comment-12780 Potato Fri, 04 Jul 2008 02:52:24 +0000 http://www.thickenmywallet.com/blog/wp/2008/07/03/top-personal-finance-stories-for-2008-so-far/#comment-12780 In the immortal words of Chief Wiggum: "No, dig <i>up</i> stupid!" Predictions... well, I'm guessing right now that oil stocks are not trading as though oil is going to stay in the $140 range for long... the iShares XEG ETF hasn't gone up as much as oil has. Part of that is probably that some of the companies are not pure producers, and refinery/retail is probably hurting a little. Nonetheless, to my way of thinking there's some fixed cost to getting the oil out of the ground, so if at $100/barrel they're making $20 profit, then at $140/barrel the profit would be $60/barrel, increasing more at the top end... So I suppose my prediction is that the oil stocks will continue to do well (and also that oil itself will be above $130/barrel next year as long as Nigeria remains unstable). Of course, I'm not quite confident enough in that to buy a "full position" in the ETF (partly because I'm afraid I might just be justifying chasing performance), so I just put a little money in the TD energy fund, creating more demand for a fund with a 2.17% MER. D'oh! In the immortal words of Chief Wiggum: “No, dig up stupid!”

Predictions… well, I’m guessing right now that oil stocks are not trading as though oil is going to stay in the $140 range for long… the iShares XEG ETF hasn’t gone up as much as oil has. Part of that is probably that some of the companies are not pure producers, and refinery/retail is probably hurting a little. Nonetheless, to my way of thinking there’s some fixed cost to getting the oil out of the ground, so if at $100/barrel they’re making $20 profit, then at $140/barrel the profit would be $60/barrel, increasing more at the top end… So I suppose my prediction is that the oil stocks will continue to do well (and also that oil itself will be above $130/barrel next year as long as Nigeria remains unstable).

Of course, I’m not quite confident enough in that to buy a “full position” in the ETF (partly because I’m afraid I might just be justifying chasing performance), so I just put a little money in the TD energy fund, creating more demand for a fund with a 2.17% MER. D’oh!

]]> Comment on A primer on dealing with collection agencies by Brian http://www.thickenmywallet.com/blog/wp/2008/07/02/a-primer-on-dealing-with-collection-agencies/#comment-12777 Brian Fri, 04 Jul 2008 02:08:25 +0000 http://www.thickenmywallet.com/blog/wp/2008/07/02/a-primer-on-dealing-with-collection-agencies/#comment-12777 A friend of mine is a collection agent. Actually, he manages a collection agency. He told me that the way he runs things is to never be abusive to the people you are trying to collect from. Try to get them to make some kind of payment arrangement. If they refuse to pay, he informs them that he will be suing them. Then he does. Once he has a judgment he will put a lien on the home or the car, or garnish the paycheque. He wants you to work with him, it's cheaper and easier for him. However if you won't pay your debt he will be a very pleasant and non confrontational kind of guy who will make you regret not working with him. A friend of mine is a collection agent. Actually, he manages a collection agency. He told me that the way he runs things is to never be abusive to the people you are trying to collect from. Try to get them to make some kind of payment arrangement. If they refuse to pay, he informs them that he will be suing them. Then he does. Once he has a judgment he will put a lien on the home or the car, or garnish the paycheque.

He wants you to work with him, it’s cheaper and easier for him. However if you won’t pay your debt he will be a very pleasant and non confrontational kind of guy who will make you regret not working with him.

]]> Comment on Top personal finance stories for 2008 (so far) by This and That http://www.thickenmywallet.com/blog/wp/2008/07/03/top-personal-finance-stories-for-2008-so-far/#comment-12766 This and That Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:35:35 +0000 http://www.thickenmywallet.com/blog/wp/2008/07/03/top-personal-finance-stories-for-2008-so-far/#comment-12766 [...] Thicken My Wallet’s take on the top personal finance stories of the year so far. [...] […] Thicken My Wallet’s take on the top personal finance stories of the year so far. […]

]]> Comment on Top personal finance stories for 2008 (so far) by GIV http://www.thickenmywallet.com/blog/wp/2008/07/03/top-personal-finance-stories-for-2008-so-far/#comment-12762 GIV Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:13:20 +0000 http://www.thickenmywallet.com/blog/wp/2008/07/03/top-personal-finance-stories-for-2008-so-far/#comment-12762 Very true about death of suburbs. I'm already seeing those stories. If it's not "real estate values in cottage country are tanking because people don't want to spend $80 to go there and back every weekend" it's "that monster home you bought in Milton was a bad idea because now it costs you $15 a day to get to work" And yes, Lost will be one giant tease. Very true about death of suburbs. I’m already seeing those stories. If it’s not “real estate values in cottage country are tanking because people don’t want to spend $80 to go there and back every weekend” it’s “that monster home you bought in Milton was a bad idea because now it costs you $15 a day to get to work”

And yes, Lost will be one giant tease.

]]> Comment on Top personal finance stories for 2008 (so far) by Canadian Capitalist http://www.thickenmywallet.com/blog/wp/2008/07/03/top-personal-finance-stories-for-2008-so-far/#comment-12729 Canadian Capitalist Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:12:48 +0000 http://www.thickenmywallet.com/blog/wp/2008/07/03/top-personal-finance-stories-for-2008-so-far/#comment-12729 Thanks for the mention Thicken. I'm not sure that the fund industry is dying. Far too many are still unaware of how much fees they are paying and for the ones that are wising up, the industry will point out that fund fees are falling (though in reality, it is falling marginally). And, of course, in the grand old tradition of Bay Street, we'll still be sold on what's "hot" today. Though, in fairness, as investors, we should also share some blame for creating the demand for these products. Thanks for the mention Thicken. I’m not sure that the fund industry is dying. Far too many are still unaware of how much fees they are paying and for the ones that are wising up, the industry will point out that fund fees are falling (though in reality, it is falling marginally). And, of course, in the grand old tradition of Bay Street, we’ll still be sold on what’s “hot” today. Though, in fairness, as investors, we should also share some blame for creating the demand for these products.

]]> Comment on Regulation or education? by Thicken My Wallet » Blog Archive » Top personal finance stories for 2008 (so far) http://www.thickenmywallet.com/blog/wp/2008/04/11/regulation-or-education/#comment-12709 Thicken My Wallet » Blog Archive » Top personal finance stories for 2008 (so far) Thu, 03 Jul 2008 09:01:42 +0000 http://www.thickenmywallet.com/blog/wp/2008/04/11/regulation-or-education/#comment-12709 [...] earlier this year that the Securities and Exchange Commission (the U.S. securities regulators) spent less than 0.5% of its budget on investor education. The rest was spent on important matters-regulation, policy-making, enforcement- but not budgetary [...] […] earlier this year that the Securities and Exchange Commission (the U.S. securities regulators) spent less than 0.5% of its budget on investor education. The rest was spent on important matters-regulation, policy-making, enforcement- but not budgetary […]

]]> Comment on I owe someone money and can’t pay it. What are my options? by Thicken My Wallet » Blog Archive » A primer on dealing with collection agencies http://www.thickenmywallet.com/blog/wp/2008/06/25/i-owe-someone-money-and-cant-pay-what-are-my-options/#comment-12603 Thicken My Wallet » Blog Archive » A primer on dealing with collection agencies Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:01:35 +0000 http://www.thickenmywallet.com/blog/wp/2008/06/25/i-owe-someone-money-and-cant-pay-what-are-my-options/#comment-12603 [...] I owe someone money and can’t pay it. What are my options? [...] […] I owe someone money and can’t pay it. What are my options? […]

]]> Comment on Where should this blog go? by Four Pillars http://www.thickenmywallet.com/blog/wp/2008/06/19/where-should-this-blog-go/#comment-12512 Four Pillars Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:53:17 +0000 http://www.thickenmywallet.com/blog/wp/2008/06/19/where-should-this-blog-go/#comment-12512 I agree - great content. As Guinness said your posting frequency is not that important. Unfortunately if you want more readers, you have to go and get them. Guinness - you mean you like this blog better than QFFP? Sniff... :) Mike I agree - great content. As Guinness said your posting frequency is not that important. Unfortunately if you want more readers, you have to go and get them.

Guinness - you mean you like this blog better than QFFP? Sniff… :)

Mike

]]> Comment on High-Yield Dividend Stocks or Bonds? by Phantasmix http://www.thickenmywallet.com/blog/wp/2008/06/24/high-yield-dividend-stocks-or-bonds/#comment-12434 Phantasmix Sun, 29 Jun 2008 13:30:35 +0000 http://www.thickenmywallet.com/blog/wp/2008/06/24/high-yield-dividend-stocks-or-bonds/#comment-12434 TMW, I'm against diversifying "because I have to". If you clearly see that bonds don't have any advantages **at the moment**, then why bother? What's the advantage of bonds over a simple GIC? As I see it, both offer the same level of security and yield is a bit better on GIC's right now. Yes, no? TMW,
I’m against diversifying “because I have to”. If you clearly see that bonds don’t have any advantages **at the moment**, then why bother?

What’s the advantage of bonds over a simple GIC? As I see it, both offer the same level of security and yield is a bit better on GIC’s right now. Yes, no?

]]> Comment on How bad will the economy get and what can I do? by Pro-caliber Posts of the Week 6/22/08-6/28/08 | Sentient Money http://www.thickenmywallet.com/blog/wp/2008/06/26/how-bad-will-the-economy-get-and-what-can-i-do/#comment-12382 Pro-caliber Posts of the Week 6/22/08-6/28/08 | Sentient Money Sat, 28 Jun 2008 23:02:36 +0000 http://www.thickenmywallet.com/blog/wp/2008/06/26/how-bad-will-the-economy-get-and-what-can-i-do/#comment-12382 [...] How bad will the economy get and what can I do?  -  This question is on everyone’s mind, and though there is no one perfect answer, take a [...] […] How bad will the economy get and what can I do?  -  This question is on everyone’s mind, and though there is no one perfect answer, take a […]

]]>