Money Talks

Ellen Roseman: How To Fix OAS

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:07:43 -0500

Prime Minister Stephen Harper set off an alarm last month, when he suggested that Canada couldn't afford to pay Old Age Security benefits for boomers who will be retiring in the next 20 years.

Government finance experts were aghast. They wanted to know why Harper was creating a crisis when none existed before.

Kira Vermond: Humour on the job

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:45:43 -0500

Hey, have you heard the one about the employee with a great sense of humour?

Maybe he's on to something. Numerous surveys and studies tell us a good sense of humour is an asset on the job.

Ellen Roseman: Beware of internet scams

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:31:19 -0500

You get an email from your bank, saying your account has been compromised. Do you clink a link to get more information?

No way. The email may be from a fraudster and the link may lead to a phony website, where you're sharing confidential data with someone who can raid your bank account.

Welcome to email phishing (spelled with a PH), also known as brand spoofing...

Kira Vermond: The good, the bad and the ugly-Performance Reviews

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:00:04 -0500

A pat on the back, or a slap on the wrist? Is that how your boss manages you?

It can be tough to know how well you're doing at your job day to day. Some managers wait to spill the beans until that all important performance review at the end of the year. That's when you sit down and find out if your work makes the grade.

Ellen Roseman: How to protect investors

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:32:10 -0500

The Supreme Court of Canada said a national securities regulator would be unconstitutional. The decision came out late last year.

I'm not terribly disappointed. The United States had a national securities regulator for decades, but fraudster Bernard Madoff still pulled off the biggest Ponzi scheme in history.

So, how do we improve the outcomes for Canadians who save and invest their money? How do we ensure they get redress when their trust is abused?

Kira Vermond: Resolutions for Work

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:50:43 -0500

New Year, new you. At least that's what you're shooting for in 2012 at your workplace. This is the year that you're going to ditch your wallflower ways, speak up in meetings and take the initiative.

Ellen Roseman: Air Miles-Use them or lose them!

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:12:18 -0500

If you're collecting Air Miles, you now have only five years to use them. And if you don't redeem in time, you'll lose them.

Kira Vermond: New Year's resolutions

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:18:06 -0500

Sure, Hanukkah has begun and Christmas is still a few days away, so it feels a little early to fast forward to the New Year.

But that's exactly what you've got to do if your resolution is "find another job."

Ellen Roseman: Getting away from winter on the cheap

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:57:28 -0500

The cold weather is getting you down. You want to escape to a warm place, but you want to keep costs in line. So, how can you save money on travel?

Kira Vermond: Gift Giving At Work

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:17:41 -0500

To gift, or not to gift? That's the question many of us are asking ourselves at this time of year. Especially when it comes to the workplace.

After all, there's a lot to consider. Who gets a mug? Are gift certificates okay? Should you buy a bottle of vintage port for the boss, or is that overkill?

Ellen Roseman: How to get through to big companies

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:32:13 -0500

If you have a consumer problem, how do you get through to a decision-maker at a large corporation?

In my experience, many executives try to insulate themselves from public contact. They outsource customer service to call centres, which follow company policies but never challenge them.

Kira Vermond: Office etiquette can be treacherous

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:39:38 -0500

You walk into your company washroom one day and your co-worker's there. She's got a toothbrush in one hand, a tube of paste in the other. and she's spitting into the sink.

Brushing teeth at work. Good oral hygiene? Or an office faux pas?

Anyone who has tried to wade through the murky waters of business etiquette can tell you that knowing right from wrong, isn't always easy.

Roseman: Credit education week asks the right questions

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:22:06 -0500

This is Credit Education Week, which is holding many events across Canada. It's sponsored by Credit Canada, a non-profit counselling service, and Capital One, a credit card issuer.

Author and TV host Gail Vaz-Oxlade wants to spoil the party. Angry to see credit cards with big spending limits handed out to young people, she thinks you should write to your MP about passing laws to curb irresponsible lending.

Kira Vermond: Success is in the eye of the beholder

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:45:59 -0500

What is success? A hefty paycheque? A corner office? For years they were both good indicators that someone was successful.

And why not? As benchmarks go, physical objects work. Especially money. The bigger your stash, the more successful you are compared to everyone else.

But there's an obvious problem here.

Roseman: E-Readers make a comeback

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 07:48:46 -0500

If you love to read, you probably have an electronic reader or you plan to buy one soon.

I predict this will be a popular gift for the holiday season.