This and That
Well, the book, A Woman of Independent Means, is almost ready for y’all who want to buy it. It’s been a journey, I’ll tell ya! I was determined not to write any more books since a) publishers can’t sell their way out of a paper bag, and b) my last publisher sold the rights to one of my books without even telling me, and then went bankrupt! I thought I was done with publishing. But I love this book. It’s thorough, it’s chock full of information and it’s CANADIAN! So why does Suze Orman sell more books in Canada than I can? Whazzup with that?
Anyhoo, I had a lot of women asking for this book, and decided to bite the bullet and republish it. Nathalie, who went from Continuity Queen and Research Wizard to Madame Director on the show agreed to do my editing. I did a rewrite and Nathalie went through it with her fine-tooth comb. Then I went to Lulu.com and self-published it.
The whole experience was at once interesting and frustrating. Every time I thought I was close to done, something else cropped up.
Hey, isn’t that just the way it is with life. Every time you get close to achieving some end you’ve been longing for, something comes along and pushes you out of the zone. Man, that’s frustrating. At one point, Nathalie called to say there was yet one more thing I had not done right for the upload to Lulu and I responded, “F…, just shoot me now!” (Yes, I swear like a truck-driver… and it has nothing to do with a lack of vocabulary, as y’all well know. I just feel better when I execrate.)
After weeks of work rewriting, editing, formatting, creating a cover, and uploading, I’m happy to say the book is this close to done. I’ve ordered a copy from Lulu to make sure everything is copacetic before I tell you guys were to go to find it and buy it.
If y’all don’t buy it, I won’t bother to do edits and republish the rest: The Retirement Answer Book, The Money Tree Myth (how to teach kids about money) or Dead Cat Bounce (investing). If Woman sells and y’all show interest in any of the other titles, I’ll get to work on one of them this fall.
Speaking of swearing, I got a call from a “collection agency” yesterday. The company that called, NCO Financial Systems, claims I owe $46 to a company I know I haven’t dealt with. When I asked for the details, the young woman on the phone just kept repeating that I owed the money and she was putting it on my credit bureau. Hmmm. Sounds like a threat to me. I guess everyone is so obsessed with their credit score now that they’re even willing to pay bills they don’t owe to keep in the 700’s. I’m not. Finally, she hung up on me. Whazzup with that?
So I called back. I asked to speak to a supervisor who told me his name was “Andrew.” When I asked for a surname, he wouldn’t give it (but he knew mine, does that seem fair?) I told him I needed his name so I could tell the president of NCO Financial who I’d been dealing with when I called. Andrew assured me the president would know who he was by his first name. Ha!
While I was on the phone, Ken looked NCO Financial Systems up on the internet and came up with websites devoted to them. No, not corporate websites. Websites warning the public about them. Here’s a excerpt from one site:
In case you are getting calls from the wonderful people at NCO Financial Systems. You should read some messages people have posted about this company. Apart from having to pay $1.5 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), there are also many claims of state and federal violations of legislation like the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The company purchases old debt from people like your cell phone provider, hospitals and the government for pennies on the dollar and then tries to collect it. You may have even already paid the bill, like I had, but that is really a minor irrelevant point. The reality is, much if not most of this debt is so old no one has any obligation to repay any of it, least of all not to NCO. Many people have been harassed for debt belonging to neighbors, relatives, old residents of the same address, and co-workers. Don’t pay NCO a penny.
At NCOFinancialSytemsFraud, there’s a warning that reads:
If you receive a letter from NCO FINANCIAL SYSTEMS, DO NOT use your home phone, your personal cell phone, or your office phone to call this company. NCO will use their Caller ID to record your phone number, and call and harass you daily at whatever number you called from!
There are more websites devoted to the vilification of NCO Financial Systems. I will only say that I won’t deal with anybody who won’t give me his name. I’d recommend that if you get a call from NCO Financial Systems, that you find out as much about their claim as possible before you agree to pay anything. And if they’re trying to collect from you for another family member (older parents seem to be targeted), then you should simply hang up.
You might want to pass this on to family and friends.
Gailvazoxlade.com is about six months old now, and I’m doing a very unscientific survey. I’d like to know how often you visit my site, and what you find most useful. I know y’all want to see some follow-up on my fams so you don’t have to tell me that AGAIN; I’m working on something now for the site. I’d also like to know the three financial topics you’d like to see more info on - anything from investing to estate planning, kids and money to buying a house. Whatever is on your mind and makes you go, “hmmm.”
Well, I’m off to get pretty. I’m hosting the Moon Over Monaco fundraising event for the Northumberland Services for Women. I bought a gown (my first in maybe 30 years) when I was in Florence. Someone asked me what shoes I planned to wear and I realized I’d made no provision for shoes, so I’m going to wing it. The dress is long and will hide all sorts of mis-matches.
Hope y’all have a lovely weekend.
TTFN
April 12th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Maybe your last publisher should have READ your book, perhaps they might not have gone bankrupt, eh?
April 12th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Hi Gail,
Just responding to your question on how often I use your web site: it is set as my homepage — how about that!
Three things that make me go “hmmm”
1. What exactly happens to RRSPs and investments if we enter a Depression and is there anything a regular person can do to avoid being wiped out if economies totally tank?
2. We have a floating interest rate PLC instead of “regular” mortgage. Should we switch to a regular mortgage while interest rates are relatively low?
3. Suggestions for planning time management in terms of keeping ones finances in order. For instance: once a week you spend half an hour doing A; once a month you take this long to do B; every day you do C for so many minutes. I wouldn’t mind having a suggested schedule.
Thanks, Gail!
Sue
April 12th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Hi Gail,
In response to your questions:
1. I check your website daily (the “Blog” and “your questions”) sections.
2. I like the variety of topics you cover (keep doing what you’re doing)
3. It would be great if you could date or flag as “new” the articles that are new…I look through the articles about once a week, but might miss if you have a new one in there
4. I like when you refer to other websites of interest (yes, I am a financial info junkie)
Thanks, Gail!
April 12th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Gail,
LOVE your show, website and blog. I visit as often as I can & find the info quite interesting & meaningful.
The 3 financial topics I would like to see more on would include:
1) Anything about retirement savings. What to invest in, strategies for saving, what NOT to spend your money on now (mid-40’s) so that you have a decent reserve at time of retirement.
2) Strategies for single females and money management.
3) Anything about paying off mortgages faster (same as the your April 4th blog).
4) Tips as in today’s blog about NCO.
Keep up the great work!
Cindy G
P.S. Do you take on private clients outside of the show?
April 12th, 2008 at 11:47 am
I visit the site daily, checking the blog and the questions section.
I find the information helpful as it is Canadian. While I love watching Suze Orman on Saturday nights, much of the information doesn’t apply to me.
I can’t wait for your book to be re-published.
April 12th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Gail, love the blog. Google offers a free analytics program that your webperson can install for you that may help you in your search to understand what is popular on your site, especially their site overlay function.
April 12th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Gail, love your site. Read the blog daily and check back often to read the comments. Also read the questions section. Love the variety of information. Would love to see more articles about ways to boost RRSP savings and paying down the mortgage.
Keep up the great work. You’re an inspiration to us all.
April 12th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Gail,
Visit almost daily for the blog, peruse other areas weekly or so.I find coming here helps keep me on the “straight and narrow”…when I find myself getting lazy with the spending it is like a dose of reality, or a “What are you doing” call
My areas of interest are similar to Cindy G. :
- Retirement savings. (I too am in my 40s)
-Single females and money management
-Paying off mortgages faster
-Tips on things or companies to beware of, as in today’s blog about NCO or the credit card thing and carryon interest a few weeks ago
I do enjoy the blogs where you get people to share their ideas too (except I do not live in Ontario so some suggestions of named stores or places do not mean much!).
I am so happy to hear you are republishing the “Woman of Independant Means” book. I got it from the library before you came here for one of your sessions, and of course now there is a long waiting list for it!
Helen
April 12th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Gail, I read your blog every day. I find tons of information on your site. When I signed up to attend your session at the Museum of Civilization (great place to have a session on financial management BTW!), I couldn’t find any of your books here in town to read before I went to Ottawa and I couldn’t understand it either! I didn’t want Suze Orman’s books I wanted yours!
Three things I would like more information on:
Right now, I am trying to show my son that most ‘things’ don’t just happen’. A budget will get him where he wants to go and that he can control most of the financial things that happen in his life. I guess it would be good to show more detail on the budget section…fixed expenses, variable expenses, budget line items. I know your shows work Gail because he was talking to a friend awhile back about how much debt some people have. In fact, today, we had this discussion about a collection agency and I told him to call and negotiate for a lower debt load since most of it is interest and to set up a payment plan. Where did I get that information….from you, thank you very much!
Talking more about how ‘paying yourself first’ is so important and how by setting aside money for an emergency fund will allow you not to take on credit for unsecured debt.
I think if there is one thing you can and do teach people through your tv programs is to show them that they do have power, ie contact credit card companies to lower their overall debt, to get another job to make more money or to go back to a school (my favourite is a trade school because it has a specific job you can do when you get out) so they can actually have the opportunity to make more money in the long run. So many people live in fear and so many times I have seen it on your program and once they face up to their situation they can change their lives. I have had the same job for 40 years and the same second job for 18 years. I know I have kept these jobs and haven’t pushed myself because I lacked the confidence to make changes. I feel comfortable where I am but I know for young people Gail, you can show them different ways of doing things that will improve their lives.
April 12th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
I watch episodes of TTDUP online, and I usually check your website at least once a day for new articles and/or comments on articles I am interested in.
Areas of interest: hubby would like to see a show(s) on couples who aren’t as in debt as some of your couples, but those that are transitioning out of debt and preparing for home buying, travelling, etc.
You’re awesome, Gail.
April 12th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
I visit the website daily and read every blog and every comment. My husband and I are in pretty good financial shape right now. We’re working on the emergency fund to cover repairs and stuff like that.
Whenever I find something that my two daughters can use - especially on the RRSP front and mortgage topic, I email them right away so they can read it too.
No matter what the topic, I’ll be reading and absorbing. Thanks for all of it.
April 12th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Hi Gail!
I visit this website daily same as most people (sometimes more if I’m working on my budget, etc…). I would love to see more information for young people just starting out. My husband and I are looking into RRSP’s but we are only in our early twenties. Our biggest issues are school debt and such, not so much worried about the retirement yet.
Keep up the great work Gail! We watch your show all the time!
April 12th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Hi Gail - NCO has been harassing me non-stop for bills that belong to someone with a similar name. They are slime… criminal bottom feeders who harass people like me as long as it takes to get money out of them. They call people so much that they have to change their phone numbers weekly. CallFerret has a NCO Financial Systems profile with over 400 comments, dozens of business names and hundreds of numbers about them. I wish you luck. Sadly, it probably won’t be your last phone call from NCO.
April 12th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Gail, I think when you publish things like your encounter with NCO, you’re really helping people. I’d appreciate hearing more warnings that take advantage of people and how to head them off or recover from them. For instance, mortgage and title fraud. I know these get mentioned from time to time in the news but it’s good to keep reminding people what to check to make sure they aren’t victims. And if they have been victimized, what steps to take to get clear. Then, if there were links on your web site to the authorities to contact for these situations, that would be helpful.
April 12th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
I’ll be buying your book the moment it’s available. Thank you so very, very, very much for doing this.
I have your blog emailed to me as soon as you post, so I “visit” every time you post.
I’m interested in
• financial / tax advice for self-employed people (both my husband and I are self-employed)
• saving for retirement
• keeping unavoidable costs low (do you sign up for that locked-in hydro / gas rate? Is a used car better than a new car under warranty)
Thanks again for making your book available again. I’ve been trying to buy it used and the prices start at $269!! Not a good investment knowing you’ll have it selling for half that price
All the best,
Charmian
April 12th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Hi Gail
I log in daily to your website. Although things like the tax system, superannuation, etc are a little different over here in Australia your general principles for money management are so helpful.
One thing I would love to see more of is educating children on money. We have young, influential children whom we are trying teaching the value of money to yet they still seem to want to blow their allowance on junk. We do force them to save 10% and contribute towards extra curricular activites (ballet, swimming, etc) but they still want everything now. Arrrgh !
BTW, love your show and all your helpful advice.
Dawn
April 12th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Hi Gail –
I stop by on a weekly basis: I’m going to buy your book PDQ.
I am merrily retiring my debt and balancing my budget, which is great, but would also LOVE to see information on
1) single women & money management
2) basic, beginner level investment strategies (for those of us who don’t want to invest in housing, which right now looks like a great way to lose money)
The NCO debacle is horrific: from the websites like CallFerret and others, it sounds like these dingleberries are simply picking up on old debt, paid off or not, and pestering people into paying. Given that they are in the US, how can a Canadian deal with them?
Also, when’s the book going to be out?
April 12th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Gail - I love the show and your website (which I visit daily) but I am sorry I won’t be buying your book. Please don’t take offense. I just don’t buy books. I think borrowing it from the library is a much wiser financial decision for me. So while I do hope it is successful please don’t take the lack of sales as a sign we don’t want you to keep writing!
I would love to see info on RESPs. And whether it is a better choice to contribute to a individual child plan, a family plan or our RRSPs. What are the choices with RESP plans - is the bank the best? or a company? mutual funds? bonds?
Another would be couples who have dug their way out of debt and aren’t sure what to do now.
April 12th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Sally:
Will you recommend the purchase to your library?
Gail:
I would go bold and recommend: what would you tell those ready to leave the home nest? What do you wish they would have been told in high school? Who knows, if there were to be a high school textbook ready to use, maybe it would be easier to integrate those teaching in classroom and make it part of the curriculum?
April 12th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Hi Gail,
I check out your website daily and sometimes twice a day, I find it a graet source of money knowledge. Hubby and I are about to start our 6th month on the jar system and we love it. It totally works, we find it less stressful, I recommend all have a go!! I will certainly watch out for your book but may have to order it in especially from here in Australia. I watch your show everyday, that is my time no interruptions, love them.
Keep all the great ideas and tips coming Gail.
You’re AWSOME
Regards Kay
April 12th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Bravo Gail for republishing your most excellent book. I’ve purchased and given away at least four copies of A Woman of Independent Means to various friends about have life changing events. I’m so glad that you are updating and republishing it!!! Wonderful book that helped me tremendously when I was working through a couple of life changing events myself! Thank you so much for such a great book, and for such an informative blog!!!
I read your blog several times a week and love the combination of personal finance and personal that you blog about. As others have stated here, I too would like to see more for single women and money management, single women and home ownership, as well as some coverage of the scenario of having too much in an RRSP (while this last scenario is rather rare, if one has maxed out the RRSP every year during a 30 year career, one could definitely get into this situation!).
Keep up the good work!! I love what you do!
DC
April 12th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Hi Gail,
I visit your website daily to read your blog and the comments posted. I will definatley be buying your books as soon as they are re-published as I am having a hard time finding them in the library.
I would love to see more information about how to effectively work towards mulitiple financial goals. (ie. buying first home, saving for retirement, as well as starting to prepare to have a family) My husband and I are both in our mid 20’s and have been married just 7 months. We are working at paying off our student loans fast, and we are currently contributing to our RSPs while trying to get some money away for emergencies and to buy our first home soon. Although we aren’t in a hurry to start a family, we will want to soon.
Love the show, love the website, please keep the good advise coming!
PS. My husband and I have dealt with NCO Financial. They were horrible. They refused to allow us to arrange a monthly payment plan with them (my husband rightfully owed the money, and was more than willing to get it paid and back on the right track) NCO made it SO incredibly difficult to resolve anything, as they would not accept anything but FULL payment ASAP. The letters and telephone calls were intimidating, thank the lord we were able to arrange for a line of credit from our bank to pay off what was owed and NCO has left us alone. Bad, bad experience to deal with these guys.
April 13th, 2008 at 12:01 am
Gail! I visit your site daily and sometimes more. Never miss a blog, and have literally read every single one of your articles, caught up on all of the episodes of Till Debt Do Us Part on Slice (on-line). I dont know what Id do without the inspiration you provide me with. I have saved so much money re-iterating your advice. Husband thinks I go over the top, but thats alright by me…lol
April 13th, 2008 at 9:30 am
So why does Suze Orman sell more books in Canada than I can? Whazzup with that?
I’m going to take a guess that your past publishers have been CANADIAN and if that is the case, there’s the difference. Suze would have an American publisher who is in the business to make a profit, thus markets the heck out of her books. Here, in Canada, publishers do much better financially if they loose money. Our Government grants for the arts (publishers get many large grants if they are Canadian) basically suck the motivation out of the publishing industry to do overly well:) It’s a bit like the welfare system, instead of encouragement to grow financially, your discouraged by the cheque being cut back accordingly. Sadly too, if the books put out specifically speak to Canadian income tax laws, they won’t sell in the US, without US sales, a book will have a hard time making back it’s costs.
I can’t believe the rights sale, then bankruptcy thing Gail, that’s awful… did you find out who they sold the rights too and did you try to get those rights back? They really can not sell you to another party without your permission, as they do not OWN anything but the rights to publish. You are the one who OWNS the copyright. It’s basically then, copyright infringement for one publisher to sell to another and that other to continue pubishing without your consent. Typically all rights revert back to the author (or, in my case, with kids books, the illustrator) when a book either goes out of print or a pub goes bankrupt… of course, it sounds like these creeps thought of all that and sold while the book was still in print and BEFORE they claimed!!!
I think this new book (that I am very excited to buy and read by the way) should do very well (and subsequently the others should too, by vertue of the newest one) because of your very high profile now. I think if you do a book tour, people will come out in DROVES for copies. Lordy, if Mike Holmes can pack Costco to the brim with his book signings, you’ll surely have the lines snaking through the parking lots!!!:)
As for the show…. I can’t think of a thing, I just love it and would like MORE episodes per season, to lessen the reruns, is all:)
April 13th, 2008 at 9:40 am
my laptop is always open so i probably check an average of daily. looking forward to the books, which i will buy. increasing your ‘intellectual property’ is always a good investment (and a good reference to have around the house). maybe set something up to buy online from your site and skip the enormous corporate middle man? that way we can find it quick and easy too.
while i appreciate the title Til ‘DEBT’ DUP, i think more info on what to do when you part with your debt would be great, outside of mainstream savings account/rrsps etc. what’s out there? tips for not re-offending. also, anything kid related and teaching related for us parents is priceless.
April 13th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Gail, your blog is incredible, lots of down to earth, plain language financial advice which has been proven time and again.
I’d love to know more about estate planning. Things like what happens to joint accounts if one dies, or what to do about a solo one. What about a safety deposit box? Vehicles in the other’s name but you’ve always driven it? What about a joint mortgage? Do you have to re-do the mortgage for 1?
No one wants to talk about this but I do believe advance knowledge would be very comforting in such a stressful time.
Love your books…I read all the ones I could track down but I’d love to have some in my own library!
April 13th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Gail!
I also adore your blog, website and show - I check the blog daily (basically every morning on my blackberry over breakfast!).
I am interested in just about everything you have to post - I’m at an age where I have the MAJOR financial decisions ahead (when to purchase housing/why not rent, RRSP savings (how to invest them and when to w/d), wedding spending etc etc).
So keep up all your phenomenal work! I just love this blog, as it’s always so interesting, and your honesty shines through!!
Thank you Gail!!!
April 13th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Every single day I read your blog entries, then I tell my husband the “latest news from Gail” at dinner.
Everything you post about is great! Helpful, grounding and very relevant to today’s money and family! It is a terrific blend of getting to know you and just tonnes of useful information too! I feel like we can trust you both as a professional and as a genuinely worthy human being.
Thank you.
I will be requesting your book at my library (and telling all my friends to ask for it too, so they have to order a book for every branch). It will be on my Christmas wish list as well.
Here are questions I am interested in
1 (to quote Susan): What exactly happens to RRSPs and investments if we enter a Depression and is there anything a regular person can do to avoid being wiped out if economies totally tank?
2: How do we talk to family members that we love and trust about “getting on track”? (you know a disaster prevention technique?)
3: How important is real estate in long term investing? Is real estate more depression-proof than some other investments?
April 13th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Hi Gail.
I’ve found the interactive budget most beneficial; the worksheet for debt repayment next beneficial and most beneficial is tips for paying mortgage down faster.
Like many of the readers, I have to have my Gail Fix first thing in the morning over coffee and then later in the day after having digested thoughts from the morning. I send information from your site to everyone I know, usually articles dealing with mortgages (40 year bad idea; paying off quicker, etc.).
I appreciate the topics you cover and your honesty about good, bad and ugly ideas, companies, etc.
Your book will be used as gifts for birthdays this year - couldn’t think of anything better!!!
April 13th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Wow, lots of comments on this post. It was a good read. Look forward to getting your books. I was looking at Suz’s books, but figured most of her info was American. I was particularly concerned when she said that this wife who’s husband had no will and committed suicide could collect on his life insurance policy. Not sure if that’s true for the Canadian Market.
Personally, I’d like to see investment advise for the single woman without dependents. Paying down debt, saving for special things, for a home, etc.
Keep up the good work! Are you coming to Sudbury soon?
April 13th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Gail,
Big fan of the show. One tip I’d throw out there to all your readers - when it comes to telecommunications providers (i.e. Bell, Rogers, etc), the market is very competitive right now and they are constantly calling to get you to switch from the competition to them. I had been with Bell, switched to Rogers about a year ago, and still found my prices were relatively high ($160/month for internet/TV/home phone).
So, I called up Rogers, said that I was considering switching back to Bell if they didn’t sweeten the deal considerably (making them believe that I had a great deal on the table from Bell - not necessarily true;) ) End result, I am now saving about $35-40/month on services - works out to nearly $500 a year!
Alex
April 13th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Hi Gail, I look at your website every week day.
I am in Australia though so not sure if you need to include anything to help me out!!!
April 13th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Hey Gail –
I just did a search for the title of your book — and found that it’s also the title of a book by Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey that Lifetime made into a movie-of-the-week!
So everyone will have be sure to get YOUR book, and not the “sweeping saga of a mother and a daughter locked in conflict” (dear lord help us all….)
April 13th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Oh, but ABE books has several used copies, starting at 69.01 USD, and going up to 209.01 USD.
*urk!!*
Please let us know when the reprinted copy is due out
April 13th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Hi Gail
I have you on RSS feed on my iGoogle page, so I read you just about every day. Actually, if you could have an RSS feed on the “Your questions” page also, I’d add it too
Currently, because my finances are doing well (I only have a low interest car loan and an investment loan), I’m mostly interested in investment related topics… but I read everything!
Thanks for all the time you put into this website
April 13th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
HI Gail! I check your blog almost every day!
3 financial topics I would like you talk about? It’s difficult to say. But I guess I would not like you to talk about the technical side of investing. Sure, most of us know about how to open a high interest saving account or an RRSP account. But I would like to see more tips — more coaching — on saving. I think your previous post on what makes people spend outside their zone is excellent. For me, more of those similar posts would be great.
Good luck with dealing with NCO!
April 14th, 2008 at 12:29 am
How often - blog ~1 or more x/day, have your say and questions ~1x/day. My sister called me a Gail-o-holic the other day.
What I find most useful - it’s all excellent and interesting information, though the admonishing and strategies related specifically to debt aren’t quite as useful since it’s not an issue in my household.
I’m very happy that “A Woman…” is being republished, so that I can spread the good word. Which brings me to what I might like to see on the site
- some advice for those of us in the “miser” category, as listed in your book
- advice re: talking about money with parents/older relatives
- some kind of filter to stop people from asking if you
a) do private consultations
b) will come to their town
c) will do follow-up shows… very few reality shows do these, and I’m doubtful Slice would buck the trend
April 14th, 2008 at 1:18 am
I have added your website to my RSS feeder so I get updated every time you update your website.
I also watch the show. I wish you would give a better breakdown on the show on where the debt money goes (how to divide up who to pay off etc.) I know its important to pay off the highest interest ones first but I often wonder what looks better to creditors. In my case I have two student lines of credit and a provincial loan. The the difference between the interest rates are 7.25 and 8.75 (they change monthly). I want to pay off the higher (OSAP) but I thought it was a better debt to have than stupid consumer debt. (haha - i KNOW - NO debt is good debt)
My partner and I are in our late 20’s and are getting ready to buy a house. More information on how to do that and NOT end up on your show in 5 years would be perfect!
April 14th, 2008 at 7:33 am
I must say I have to agree with “H” on the filter thing. People need to read through the website before posting something. You mentioned many time that you do not do personal consultation and you only work in the GT area.
As for the whole “follow up show”, while I would love to know what is happening with the people you have worked with, I doubt anyone who did not follow your advice is really going to want to admitt they are worse off then they were before on television, and the ones who did, have helped us keep up with them through this website and Facebook. So really, I don’t see one happening. I’m just as happy seeing any new episode of TBDUP.
Love the show gail!!! Keep it up!!!
April 14th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Visit blog and website daily. Love the show…only program I watch religiously.
I also find it difficult to filter through the information…however it is well worth the time going through because I always stumble across something I haven’t read.
Recently seperated and a single parent here are the three topics I would love to have more information on:
1) Teaching my child about money management. How can I start at 3 years old to program her for financial success.
2)As others have indicated…Where to invest, type of RRSP’s etc. for long term financial stability.
3)Continue to provide links to other websites/blogs etc…for me I would love to find a site that would help me to organise a grocery/mealplan/budget so that I reduce the amount of waste/urge to go into the grocery store.
Can’t wait for the book! Perhaps you should think of a preordering system…just a thought that you probably have already had.
April 14th, 2008 at 8:36 am
Hi Gail, I visit your website/blog/comments daily which I discuss with my husband. I also look forward to every new episode of TDDYP.
As far as topics go, I’d be interested in advice for those living on fixed income (long-term disability), as well as tips such as in today’s blog on NCO.
As others have mentioned, I can’t wait for the book and think a pre-ordering system would be great. Keep up the good work!!
April 14th, 2008 at 10:57 am
In terms of topics, I’d be interested in teaching children and teens about money management, as well as the financial steps for getting ready to go on maternity leave.
Thanks for all you do!
April 14th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Actually, the Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey book (’A Woman of Independent Means’) is considered quite the classic of epistolary style, and is worth a read! (I won’t comment on the movie, as I haven’t seen it.)
April 14th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Answers to your survey
1) I visit about 3-4 times a week
2) I find all of your information is great!
3) Favorite subjects: Smart shopper is my favorite topic, then What were they thinking and then Debt Traps.
Congratulations on your new season and your upcoming book!
I also enjoy everyone’s responses to your articles!
April 14th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
After reading the comments on mortgages, I remembered I had a question about RRSP use for a down payment, first time homebuyers only. When is appropriate/not appropriate to use this approach? What other cons other than lost return on investment is there from using your RRSP to make the downpayment, vs saving for the downpayment?
Have a great day?
April 14th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Hi Gail,
I try to read your blog every day. I’m 23 years old, pile of student loan debt, planning a wedding, and hopefully buying a house sometime within the next 5 years. I find your advice helpful and I try to get my friends and family (those with not so great spending habits) to read your blog as well. Please keep posting advice about RRSPs, buying a home, and general budgeting.
Thanks!
April 14th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
I also visit the blog and questions section daily. I watch the reruns daily and cannot wait for Thursdays to roll around to watch new episodes! I really enjoy reading everything that’s posted even if it doesn’t apply to my current situation. Topics I’d like to “hear” more about:
1) economy(national and global) specific tips-like Susan’s post questioning financial strategies during a recession/depression
2) the possibility of having a forum where Gail-o-lites can share information that isn’t prompted by one of your posts ( for example: create a “no-spend” month and participants can share their spend and no spend stories and hold themselves accountable throughout a month or where the best bargains can be found or meal planning 101…)
Thanks Gail! You are truly an inspiration!
Monia
April 14th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
How often do I check your site? Try at least once daily. I only discovered the website about six weeks ago, so I am still reading a lot of the older stuff. I take notes as I am going of things I want to know more about.
1. RRSP options. I’m a financial chicken so all my RRSP’s are GICs so some suggestions on how to safely branch out would be nice.
2. Whether or not you think Canada Savings Bonds are a good way to save money for an emergency/savings fund.
I think it would be fabulous to have your books back on the market, I nwo I will buy them.
April 14th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Hi Gail!
Me and my husband are currently doing the Magic Money Jars. It’s week 2 for us and we are doing fab-u! it’s really not as hard as I expecting (well, so far–let’s just wait until something big breaks and see how we handle it then).
I visit your site almost daily. I like checking the blog for entries. I would LOVE to see an online forum that we could all join and discuss money matters.
Some things I’d like to know more about:
1. How to build up that emergency fund–for example we went to our credit union that we do our investing with and they didn’t really have any savings programs for anything less then 100 dollars a month and a 500 or 1000 dollar base. Right now we are focussing on paying down our consumer debt and could only contribute about 25 dollars amount to something. anyways…i’m rambling now. where should you keep your emergency fund? short term gic? money market? savings account? under the mattress?
2. how to live successfully on a budget–i’d like to hear stories from folks who have lived by the jars (or other budgeting ways) successfully for six months or years. what are their tips? what are their stories!
3. savings for dreams/goals/wishes–i’d like to know more about vehicles for short term investing for that trip to europe i’ve always wanted to take.
me and my husband are in our early 30’s and we have a little boy who is 3 years old.
April 14th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
KellyAnne:
For the chicken investor: talk to your bank/financial establishment about index-based (market growth) GIC. The principal in guaranteed, the return is usually not guaranteed. The return may be based on one or multiple indeces (Canadian index, US index, mix, composite of an index). Make sure that it is in-line with your investor profile. These GICs are not necessarily cashable, so once you sign, that’s it. If you hold these outside an RRSP (and possibly TFSA), it is interest income which means that it is fully taxable. [insert disclaimer about meeting with a professional here]
April 14th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
I visit your page almost every day, whether it be to jig our budget (yours being the only one that has worked for us yet) due to a raise or to remember where to allocate what when I get paid. We actually bought jars, too…what is it about those MAGICAL jars????
I love the interactive worksheets, I’m pretty decent with spreadsheets, but if I had to put together your spreadsheets it would take me a day to get all of the cells and formulas calculated, especially the budget sheet, and I would never get the debt one, I still don’t understand how interest works on credit cards and loans all I know is it SUCKS! One small suggestion for the budget sheet, the part that calculates the % you spend on transportation, housing, etc. and then says what it should be, can you move the “should be” to in brackets right behind the words. IE: Transportation (s/b 25%). It’s the only part that doesn’t print when you hit print and it’s very hard to show my boyfriend how ridiculously we’re spending our money if I can’t compare what we’re doing to what we SHOULD be doing
As for the 3 topics I would love the most: 1) budgeting a blended family — my bf and I have been together for 5 years, I have a 6 year old from a previous relationship, we often “heatedly discuss” who is responsible for what bills, what is joint, what he should chip in for, what my son’s biological dad should chip in for… it makes for some uncomfortable moments. Am I the only one with this issue???? 2) How to allocate your savings — how much goes to RRSPs, vacation, emergency, repairs and what do you with it? IE: should 50% of my RRSPs go into stocks and bonds (keep in mind I don’t really know what stocks & bonds are), 25% into a “high-interest” (insert giggle here) account and 25% into GIC’s and more reliable investments? Emergency money should be easily accessible, that I’ve got figured out. Where do I find investments that can give decent returns in a short time (say for a wedding that could be a bit more fancy???) 3) An RRSP/savings calculator — if I put $600 away for the next 25 years (maybe I WILL retire at 48??) how much will I have for retirement? $1000 for 35 years at 5%??? I want to go on a $12,000 vacation in 15 months, how much do I put into savings if the interest is a whopping 3.75%??? How do I budget and save for my wedding?
I could keep going, but I will leave you.
April 14th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
i forgot in my previous post (like, 200 posts ago now) that when new articles and what not get posted, perhaps they could be viewed in a ‘new’ section or flagged in some way for a month maybe? it’s hard to see what’s there and sort through what i’ve read and haven’t read.
just a thought. also, maybe alerts on interesting events and talks coming up too?
thnx
k.
April 15th, 2008 at 8:06 am
Hi Gail,
I check your blog 4 or 5 times a week. I really appreciate your “no-nonsense” approach. Shot from the hip!
I would like to see more tips on:
1. Educating our children about money. What habits can we encourage when they start to work for the first time? My son is 2 1/2. Right now when he gets money for gifts etc he knows we put it in his piggy bank. Should we save a portion of his allowance once he’s old enough to get allowance?
2. Pensions. I have an employer sponsored pension. Should I contribute to it aswell, or put my money in only RRSPs?
3. Reducing costs.
4. How much is realistic for emergency savings? It feels impossible to save several thousand dollars in a short amount of time like 1-2 yrs. I assume you would recommend more savings before paying down your mortgage? I pay bi-weekly now, but I don’t make extra payments at the end of the year yet.
5. Tax tips are always a help!
Thanks Gail!
April 15th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Hi Gail.
Now that I’ve found your site, I’m checking it whenever I have money on my mind….so daily!
I would like to know who best to ask for help with my student loan. Do you know of a reputable company or agency who specializes in student loans who can explain to me what I did so wrong that I’m in such a mess now?
As a single mom of two teens, I’m very much looking forward to getting my hands on a copy of your book(s). I’m determined to teach those kids something good about money before they move out…and back.
As far as Suze Orman selling more books in Canada…it’s just exposure. The “Oprah Factor”. I can’t tell you how glad I am to find a Canadian money guru.
Thanks Gail
April 15th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Hello-
I usually check out the blog and questions about 5 times a week, and wander through older articles sporadically. I’ve found tons of useful information, and particularily like the interactive budget worksheet.
In future topics, I’d love to see more information student loans and long term financial planning for people in their 20’s,
Thanks!
April 15th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Hi Gail,
I love the show and was SO happy when I discovered the website! I have started checking out the site about 2 - 3 times a week, and have read through some of the articles, and have started checking the blog regularly. I really like your style and approach.
I have been on a “cash diet” since last September, and things have been up and down with it. I recently received a raise and have re-worked my budget according to your Build a Budget worksheet. It really helps to put everything in perspective. I am hopeful that it will keep me on track now.
Take care and keep up the good work!
PS I got your Independent book from the library last year and read it - very useful! I am looking forward to the re-written/updated version!
April 17th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Gail,
To help with your survey, I check in on your blog at least once or twice a week. (along with watching the show weekly).
Your methods have helped change both my and my wife’s spending habits over the past year - we can now officially say we have eliminated consumer debt (our only true debt right now is the car and mortgage)
Topics of interest for me:
Mortgage - tricks to optimize paying down, and how to negotiate a better deal upon renewal
Investing (RRSP, Mutula funds) etc. The is still a very new thing for me - and any insight is always welcome.
Saving tips and making more money - you always provide great examples on the show on how to squeeze every penny out of an expense. And we’re always looking ideas on how to increase our income.
Thanks again for all that you do!
April 17th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
I’m with Glen on what to see in the future.
We are currently in the process of buying our first house, and any help with paying down that mortgage would be great. RRSP advise is always welcome as well.
I check your blog daily and look at the questions and rest of the website every few days. I was so excited when I learned I could get my “Gail-fix” more regularily! The re-runs of TDDUP just weren’t cutting it.
Thanks for making a difference in so many lives Gail. You rock!
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:22 am
Hi Gail,
I’ve been a fan of yours for some time now, and was so glad to find your website and blog! Now I quote you regularly to my family and friends! I check your blog everyday, in the morning.
One topic I would love to hear your opinion on is whether or not it’s good to have separate accounts for spouses. When I moved in together with my boyfriend (now my husband), we had decided that the best way to pay our joint expenses was to create a joint account into which we both deposited a percentage of our income (I don’t remember the exact ration we used). We’ve kept this system once we got married. Now that we are planning to have a baby (we are saving for it right now via automatic savings account that we both contribute to), I’m not sure if this arrangement will still work once the baby is born. I’d love to hear your take on this!
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:35 am
Hi Gail,
I check your website twice a day. It is really useful and I love that you have such a worldwide appeal. I haven’t bought any of your books , I check them out of the library instead. Sorry. Suze Orman is popular because of the Oprah factor. Perhaps you could ask your agent about a spot on Canada AM or another Canadian show that will give you wider exposure here. Your definitely a treasure that shouldn’t be hidden!
I’m recently back at school after many years raising the children and expect to re-enter the workforce next summer. Topics of interest are women and investing. My husband has a great pension (he’s a teacher) and doesn’t think it necessary to put money aside elsewhere but I want something of my own. His pension is only good to me while he is alive. I can’t survive on a survivor’s pension. Also, we ladies know that “a man is not a plan”. What should I do on my own in terms of retirement savings and insurance.
Thanks Gail, you are terrific!