This week, the hot topic was pension reform because of some comments by Stephen Harper in Davos.  I was contacted by various media all week to comment but the most interesting set of interviews happened on Wed morning for CBC Radio.  I had to get up at 4:30am to talk to 10 radio shows across the country from Vancouver to Fredericton.  Although it was early, I had a lot of fun and had some great conversations about CPP, OAS and pension reform.

This Week I Wrote:

• On Monday I wrote about a recent financial debate that’s been raging: Tax Free Savings Account or Paying Down Debt?  (Thanks to Rob Carrick for featuring this in his weekly Reader)
• On Tuesday I asked Does Old Age Security Need Change?
• On Wednesday I shared with you an Online Guide to Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS).
• On Thursday I posted an article from Cleo Hamel of HR Block on Retiring Early – New CPP Rules May Make You Think Twice.
• This week, I also posted an article at Group Benefits Online on overly lucrative MP Pensions funded by taxpayers

Other Great Reading This Week:

• This week the Blunt Bean Counter shared an interesting financial advice post that looks into Multiple Accounts, Multiple Advisors, Minimal Returns.
• Best Rates In asked a question most of us wonder at one time or other: How Does That Credit Inquiry Affect Your Credit Score?
• Nelson Smith wrote an interesting article questioning the continued popularity of expensive actively managed investments
• Over at Financial Uproar, Nelson also wonders why people are scared about being rich
• Micheal James on Money has some nice things to say about Steadyhands.  I like the folks at Steadyhand too.
• This week at MoneySense, Canadian Couch Potato  shared some great information on why Market Forecasts Prove Worthless – Again.
• Donna McCaw wrote a great review of Gordon Pape’s new book, Retirement’s Harsh New Realities.
• Speaking of retirement, this week Canadian Dream Free at 45 discussed the steps to Transitioning to Retirement.
• This week Get Smarter About Money shared how you can go about Cashing in on Commissions.
• A must-watch video this week by Morningstar Advisor.  If you’re an investor, you’ll want to watch this to discover why you Don’t Underestimate the ‘Bad Behavior’ Drag.
• Moneyville dispelled some of the secrecy behind investing this week with their post on Being Honest About Investing Risk Tolerance.
• Where Does All My Money Go posted a nice guest post this week that shares the Breaking News: Major Changes in Mortgage Market in Canada?
• Canadian Personal Finance talks about Facebook facts in light of the upcoming IPO

Blogging for Charity is still open.  If you want to write a guest post for Retire Happy Blog, please submit a bid to donate money to a charity of your choice.  For more details on how to participate in this great cause, read my Blogging for Charity post.

This Week’s Articles:

• On Monday I talked in-depth about One Big Misconception of a Guaranteed Income Funds.
• On Tuesday, Despite some criticism, I talked about the benefits of Pooled Registered Pension Plans
• On Wednesday I shared my advice about investing and explained a few Model Investment Portfolios.
• On Thursday Frank Weiler discussed and important question for retirees – Do You Need Income From Your Investments?

Other Great Reading This Week:

• This week the TSI Network Daily shared an amazing resource with their Investor Toolkit: Sound Investing Advice Begins with Three Good Habits.
• We would all like to add to our investment portfolio but how and how much is the big question.  Andrew Hallam explains How to Add 50 Percent to Your Investment Portfolio.
• Canadian Couch Potato says to be careful about mutual fund advertising and gives a great example to prove his point.
• Bank Nerd gives a great comparison of three no fee chequing accounts.  I don’t know why anyone pays monthly bank fees.
• Rob Carrick featured my article in his Personal Finance Reader newsletter this week for The Globe and Mail – Financial Advisor’s – The Operating Manual.
• Micheal James on Money tackles the math of calculating returns on you investments
• If you have been thinking of retiring soon, you’ll want to read Ellen Roseman’s article in The Star that warns, January CPP Changes May Affect You.
• This week My Own Advisor is having a giveaway and a review of the book, Millionaire Teacher.  You don’t want to miss this My Favourite Takeaways – Millionaire Teacher and FREE Book Giveaway. (I started reading this book and I like what I have read so far).
• The Canadian Finance Blog gave great advice on 4 Ways to Deal with a Home that Won’t Sell.  Sadly, many of us need this advice right now.
• Looking to save some money to pay off debts?  The Financial Highway explains how to go about Downgrading Your Vehicle to Save Costs.
• This week, Rob Carrick of The Globe and Mail released a must-read article that shares Five Big Blunders of ‘Do-It-Yourself’ Investors.  Have you done any of these?
• Banks are becoming increasingly creative at getting new customers.  This week Boomer and Echo walked us through the appearance of new Packaged Bank Accounts in Canada.
• If you need a break from math and a good laugh, check out Big Cajun Man’s thoughts on Financial Bloggers

Thanks to everyone who included me in their round ups this week

• Short takes from Michael James on Money
• What’s around the blogosphere from Boomer and Echo
• Thanks to Rob Carrick for including me in his Personal Reader this week

What an amazing week.  I’m writing this week’s best of blogs from the Bahamas (tough to find a nicer place to write from).  Normally, this is a destination for a great Caribbean vacation but I am here working, talking about group savings plans and sharing my financial education programs.  Thanks to Kevin and the ladies at ICCI for making this trip very memorable.

This Week’s Articles:

• On Monday I posted about the interesting topic, Do we need a new word for Retirement?
• On Tuesday, I posted an article at Canadian Finance Blog on working hard for financial success.
• On Wednesday, my friend, the Blunt Bean Counter discussed How to save tax with flow-through shares.

Other Great Reading this Week

• This week Andrew Hallam wrote a very interesting post that asked the question, Should We Really Teach Our Kids to Gamble?
• Boomer & Echo posted about  The RESP book, by Mike Holman from MoneySmartsBlog.com in an article entitled, The RESP Book: Interview and Giveaway.  It’s a wonderful review of a great book.
• While it’s not a pleasant topic, Million Dollar Journey offers advice and help to many of us with their post about Surviving a Divorce Financially.
• Getting ready for retirement isn’t just about saving, it’s also about spending.  This week Squawkfox released and Expense Tracker Worksheet that will allow you to Track Your Spending.
• As the new year comes around, you may have set a goal to get your finances under control.  If that’s the case, you’ll want to read Financial Highway’s post that shares 3 Tips for Choosing the Right Financial Planner.
• This week Money Smarts explained the difficult subject of Separating Financial Advice Fees from Mutual Fund Fees.
• The Canadian Couch Potato wrote a very interesting blog post this week that tries to demystify The Next Financial Time Bomb?
• Canadian Personal Finance Blog discussed Canada Learning Bonds and TD RESP.  Some really good advice here!
• The Wealthy Canadian talks openly about diversification and the number of holdings he has in his portfolio
• My Own Advisor talks about which bank stock is the best.

Thanks to everyone for including me in their weekly roundups

• Weekend reading from My Own Advisor
• Carnival of Personal Finance at Squirrelers

This week I felt a little like Gail Vax Oxlade as I worked with a couple that claimed they had no money and could not cut expenses at all except for the new skis, eating out for lunch twice a week, Starbucks coffee daily, a new laptop computer, the super duper cable package, 4 video games for the kids and a new hot tub.  It’s no wonder why there is a debt crisis on our hands!

This Week’s Articles:

• On Monday I asked if you know How to Avoid Probate Fees.  Or better yet, do you know what probate fees are?
• On Wednesday I covered the importance of money mentors and what they can offer you.  Do You Have a Money Mentor?

Other Great Reading This Week

• This week Canadian Personal Finance Blog discussed the fact that many seniors now are retiring with debt.  What do you know about seniors and debt?  And what can you expect when you retire?
• Donna McCaw released a new book, It’s Your Time, that raises the point that we need a new word for retirement because.
• It’s nearly the end of the year and that means soon we’ll all be setting new financial goals.  This week Michael James talks about Evaluating Financial Goals, which will help you set new goals for the new year.
• Financial Highway shares the 5 Ways a Financial Planner Can Help You.  Always great advice from them.
• This week The Wealthy Canadian went back to the basics with its Personal Finance 101: Tax-Free Savings Account article.
• BankNerd reviews The Wealth Cure by TV Actor Hill Harper
• Many of us talk about ‘staying the course’ as a way to manage our finances but the Canadian Couch Potato explains this week, Why Staying the Course Isn’t “Doing Nothing”.
• With the economy as it is, Balance Junkie rightly addressed the issue: You’re Young, The Economy is Bad, Time to Invest in the Stock Market?
• The Globe and Mail shared some bad news this week when they announced The Cost of Life Insurance Set to Jump.  At least we have some warning this time.

Thanks to everyone for including me in their weekly round ups

• Short Takes from Micheal James on Money
• Weekend Reading from My Own Advisor
• This and That from Canadian Capitalist
• What’s New around the Blogosphere from Boomer and Echo
• Carnival of Personal Finance also at Boomer and Echo
• Totally Money Carnival at Bucksome Boomer