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Friday, January 6, 2012

TFSA Interest Rates Comparison Chart for Canadian Banks 2012

Since interests rates are always changing I am provided you with a link to the TFSA information for each bank.

Bank of Montreal Tax-Free Savings Account (click to read more)
TFSA Current Interest Rate: 1.25%
Minimum Investment: $50.00 Cad
Maximum Investment: $5,000.00 Cad / yr

CIBC TFSA Tax Advantage Savings Account (click to read more)
TFSA Regular Interest Rate: 1.15%
TFSA Bonus Interest Rate: 0.35%
Minimum Investment: $25.00 Cad
Maximum Investment: $5,000.00 Cad / yr

ING Direct Tax-Free Investment Savings Account (click to read more)
TFSA Current Interest Rate: 2.00%
Minimum Investment: no minimum
Maximum Investment: $5,000.00 Cad / yr
No fees, no service charges and no minimum balances

RBC Tax Free Savings Account (click to read more)
Information Not Clear
Excellent TFSA Write up
At RBC, we don't charge any TFSA withdrawal or annual administration fees.

Scotiabank Tax Free Savings Account (click to read more)
TFSA Special Rates 2.00% Cash Rate on new deposits
Read Frequently Asked Questions

TD Canada Trust High Interest TFSA Savings Account (click to read more)
TFSA Current Interest Rate: 1.15%
Minimum Investment: N/A
Maximum Investment: $5,000.00 Cad / yr
Earn a special 1.5% interest rate on all new balances until March 30, 2012.

HSBC TFSA High Rate Savings Account (click to read more)
TFSA Current Interest Rate: 1.25%
Minimum Investment: N/A
Maximum Investment: $5,000.00 Cad / yr

PC Financial Tax-Free Interest Plus™ Savings Account (click to read more)
TFSA Current Interest Rate: Not Clear


Canadian Tire Financial Services - TFSA (click to read more)
TFSA Current Interest Rate: 2.75%

Scanner Price Accuracy Voluntary Code - Smart Frugal Shopping

The Scanner Price Accuracy Voluntary Code is a voluntary code that most major retailers in Canada follow. It guarantees accurate prices at the checkout scanner.

The policy states: 'If the scanned price of a non-price ticketed item is higher than the shelf price or any other displayed price, the customer is entitled to receive the item free, up to a $10 maximum. When the item has a price tagged, the lowest price applies. When identical items are incorrectly priced, the second one will be sold at the correct price.'

If the item scanned has wrong price at the participating retailer, you will get it for free or $10 off if the item is more than $10. Ensure to ask, it may not be promoted, all that for pointing out the error. Participating stores should have a sticker around the checkout register and entrance doors.

For more information about Scanner Price Accuracy Voluntary Code visit Competition Bureau Canada.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Baby Teether for Teething Baby - The Truth About Them

TEETHER is an item that sooths baby's gums during the teething period. The item is usually some kind of polymer made ring or other shaped object filled with liquid or gel. The liquid inside must be pure and free of any type of bacteria or contamination. This is just in case the teether gets punctured. Health Canada requires that baby teether is free of any living micro-organisms. However, looks like approximately 11 brands that arrived Canada did not pass this test. The question is how is that we decided to test the product when already in the consumer hands, or more so in baby's hands.

How is this possible? Everything is possible if you do not perform right tests or skip process steps, and most of all looks like importers or distributer do not think about the safety, rather think about how fast they can sell it to the stores. So this is one loose end. Another might be is that the design of each teether passed the failure test, so the manufacturing decided to be easy on the filling material of the teether. I wonder what kind of failure tests they performed that made them think to be ignorant of that step in the process. Looks like someone is paying for the screw up, and good thing there were no illness incidences in this matter. Another loose end is that they Health Canada tested first one in 2006, and no body got the idea.

The following stats were compiled based on the 2009 recalled list from Government of Canada - Healthy Canadians. The numbers are kind of scary how many different brands were recalled. We were fortunate that there were no incidences posing health issues on the baby. My suggestion, find other way, I am sure that the polymer the teether is made of may be not be good for baby to chew on either.

Interesting Number Facts About Recalled Bacteria Contaminated Teether in 2009

Total Brands Recalled: 11
Total Incidences Reported: 0
Total Health Issues Caused: 0
Total Sold In Canada: 252,963
Total Different Types of Bacteria Found: 11
Total Filled w/ Water: 10
Total Filled w/ Gel: 1

About Bacteria Types

Bacillus sphaericus - generally is not harmful; however, may cause infection in children with weakened immune systems if the teether is punctured and the liquid filling from the teether is ingested or enters open wounds.

Bacillus fusiformis - generally is not harmful; however, may cause infection in children with weakened immune systems if the teether is punctured and the liquid filling from the teether is ingested or enters open wounds.

Bacillus thuringiensis - generally is not harmful in healthy individuals; however, the bacteria can affect children with weakened immune systems, causing stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea, if the liquid from the teether is injected in case of being punctured.

Bacillus mycoides - generally is not harmful in healthy individuals; however, the bacteria can affect children with weakened immune systems, causing stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea, if the liquid from the teether is injected in case of being punctured.

Bacillus cereus - can cause severe nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea if the liquid from the teether is injected in case of being punctured; however, some strains generally are not harmful. Individuals suffering from compromised immune systems are more vulnerable to infection by this bacteria.

Burkholderia tropica - generally is not harmful; however, the bacteria may cause infection in children with weakened immune systems, if the liquid from the teether is injected in case of being punctured.

Bacillus circulans - generally is not harmful; however, may be harmful to children with weakened immune systems, if the liquid from the teether is injected in case of being punctured.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa - can affect children with weakened immune systems, causing various infections, if the liquid from the teether is injected in case of being punctured.

Staphylococcus warneri - generally is not harmful; however, it may cause infection in individuals with weakened immune systems, if the liquid from the teether is injected in case of being punctured.

Bacillus coagulans - exposure to various moulds may cause allergic reactions in some individuals; however, exposure to Bacillus coagulans generally does not cause illness.

Bacillus licheniformis - generally is not harmful; however, can affect children with weakened immune systems, causing stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea if the liquid from the teether is injected in case of being punctured.

Source: Healthy Canadians

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Long Distance Low Rates - Dial 1011295

Long distance rate, as low as 2 cents per minute in Canada and United States.

Places like Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia Barranquil, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Guam, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea South, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia - St. Petersburg, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey - Ankara, UK, United States - Virgin Islands, Venezuela as low as 3 cents per minute.

Visit 1011295.com to check more countries and their long distance rates. Rates are subject to change.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Free Energy Saving Kit For Low-Income Households From BC Hydro

Offer valid in British Columbia only. If you qualify you can receive a nice list of energy savings items from BC Hydro.

The kit contains following easy to install energy saving items: compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). CFLs use up to 75% less energy than regular light bulbs whic can also last up to 10 years; weatherstripping for your windows and doors to keep out drafts; fridge and freezer thermometers to help you set your refrigerator and freezer at an ideal temperature for the food to stay cold; and a low-flow shower head that uses significantly less water than a standard shower head.

Read more details and how to apply.