Thanks for visiting our blog. Money Matters is a site where various contributors and commentators can quickly share news and views relating to consumer money issues. While the majority of our topics revolve around finance, real estate, financial planning, economics & banking... we encourage discussions around the "Greening" of our economy and any other information that you feel should be shared. If you feel inclined to post please send us an e-mail.
July 27, 2009
Launching Sufficiency
I want to share a powerful initiative that is launching a global conversation for "sufficiency."
It is called the Global Sufficiency Network that has Lynn Twist - author of "The Soul of Money", as special advisor.
If you think about it - a belief in scarcity lives under practically every persistent issue we face as human beings. We say there is not enough money, enough resources, enough jobs, enough opportunity, enough time, enough effective and responsible government, enough personal responsibility, enough love, enough freedom and enough quality programming on television.
Most of us turn this promotion of scarcity on ourselves. We are not good enough, smart enough, compassionate enough or sufficiently skilled to have the lives we want.
But this is just a position we share, an agreement in our world view - and it has almost no basis in fact. We face many challenges - and they are real - but if the history of our species and for that matter life on this planet - proves not only that nothing is impossible - but that life always finds a way.
So with those facts in mind - we are launching a movement for sufficiency - one that has actually been building for years - and we invite you to participate.
Coming soon, on Wednesday, July 29, the Global Sufficiency Network will host launching events all over the country. People from all over the world will gather to celebrate the message, the promise, and the possibility of a world working on behalf of all beings - a world grounded in sufficiency instead of scarcity, accumulation and never enough.
Here in Toronto, we will be hosting this event and I invite everyone to join us in creating a powerful new conversation that has the power to change the world. To find out how you can support this work and become involved - RSVP here.
There will also be a live streaming video event at all locations featuring Lynne Twist. So join us in launching this powerful new conversation. The events are free, but bring your checkbook. Sufficiency begins within each of us - and becoming a founder of the Global Sufficiency Network is a powerful way to declare your own sufficiency.
In the meantime, take a look at this video explanation by Lynn Twist of what sufficiency as a conversation is - and learn how you can shift your own view of life in a powerful way by creating a conversation for abundance.
Here is another video by Miriam Hawley - CEO of Enlignment Inc. - sharing her own take on the "Power of Enough."
It is called the Global Sufficiency Network that has Lynn Twist - author of "The Soul of Money", as special advisor.
If you think about it - a belief in scarcity lives under practically every persistent issue we face as human beings. We say there is not enough money, enough resources, enough jobs, enough opportunity, enough time, enough effective and responsible government, enough personal responsibility, enough love, enough freedom and enough quality programming on television.
Most of us turn this promotion of scarcity on ourselves. We are not good enough, smart enough, compassionate enough or sufficiently skilled to have the lives we want.
But this is just a position we share, an agreement in our world view - and it has almost no basis in fact. We face many challenges - and they are real - but if the history of our species and for that matter life on this planet - proves not only that nothing is impossible - but that life always finds a way.
So with those facts in mind - we are launching a movement for sufficiency - one that has actually been building for years - and we invite you to participate.
Coming soon, on Wednesday, July 29, the Global Sufficiency Network will host launching events all over the country. People from all over the world will gather to celebrate the message, the promise, and the possibility of a world working on behalf of all beings - a world grounded in sufficiency instead of scarcity, accumulation and never enough.
Here in Toronto, we will be hosting this event and I invite everyone to join us in creating a powerful new conversation that has the power to change the world. To find out how you can support this work and become involved - RSVP here.
There will also be a live streaming video event at all locations featuring Lynne Twist. So join us in launching this powerful new conversation. The events are free, but bring your checkbook. Sufficiency begins within each of us - and becoming a founder of the Global Sufficiency Network is a powerful way to declare your own sufficiency.
In the meantime, take a look at this video explanation by Lynn Twist of what sufficiency as a conversation is - and learn how you can shift your own view of life in a powerful way by creating a conversation for abundance.
Here is another video by Miriam Hawley - CEO of Enlignment Inc. - sharing her own take on the "Power of Enough."
July 17, 2009
July 16, 2009
July 10, 2009
Unemployment On The Rise
As a mortgage broker in Toronto it is important for me to keep on top of significant economic data. This data can be very useful for me to advise my clients on decisions about interest rates and predicting opportunities and pitfalls in regards to their mortgage financing and real estate options.
The Globe & Mail reports an increase in the unemployment rate in their article "Jobless Rate Inches Up To 8.6%" The articles suggests that while the unemployment rate increase to 8.6% from 8.4% in May the numbers are better than expected.
The Globe site hosts two interactive maps which break up the unemployment numbers by region, province and city.
Map 1
Map 2
While unemployment numbers may not have a direct impact on real estate, from a practical "coffee table" economist point of view it should be telling you something. Currently the real estate number (especially in Toronto) are very positive and it seems like real estate hasn't really been affected by the global recession. However, it would be a mistake to believe we are invincible. With unemployment on the rise there lies the risk for the following:
#1- Increase in bankruptcies
#2- Increase in power of sales on homeowners who can't pay their mortgage anymore
#3- Decreased real estate values as fewer and fewer consumers will have the appetite or ability to purchase and afford a home
#4- The only positive is that with fewer consumer dollars circulating we may experience deflation which would mean interest rates will stay low.
July 09, 2009
July 08, 2009
July 07, 2009
Blogroll
Market Update
- 50/50 mortgage 3.50% ask me more about it
- P+.35% best five year variable rate. 2.60%
- 4.39% best 5 year fixed interest rate.
Tip #31
- Avoiding the high cost interest trap requires knowledge, making a plan based on that knowledge and making a commitment to follow the plan.
TIP #27
- Prepayments is one of the most important features to look for when you are getting a mortgage. Having the prepayment privilege that works to your specific needs could mean a difference of thousands of dollars over the life of your mortgage.
