MONEY MATTERS
Canadian Savings Accounts – Some Tips
May 5, 2012
The Toronto Star recently ran a column on Canadian bank savings accounts. While the column is not complete in terms of defining which account offers the best return, it is a handy tool. Here is the summary of the article. It’s tough to find a good interest rate on your savings these days. The big banks pay next-to-nothing for their basic savings accounts – between 1.2 and 1.5 per cent … [Read More...]
RBC Rewards Points Conversion to Shoppers Optimum Points: An Analysis
April 30, 2012
The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) is giving an opportunity to convert its RBC rewards Points to Shoppers/Pharmarprix Optimum Points. For the first conversion, you will get 8000 Optimum Points for a minimum 1,500 RBC Rewards Points. Thereafter for every 500 RP, you will receive 2,500 OP. I have an RBC Signature Rewards Visa Card, so I get one point for every dollar spent. Generally, you … [Read More...]
Credit Card Users Opting for Cash Back
April 22, 2012
SOURCE: THE GLOBE AND MAIL It’s better to have some cash in your jeans than to wait for the trip of your dreams. Call it the show-me-the-money approach to credit card rewards. A growing number of people are using cards that generate cash rewards paid every year instead of trying to accumulate travel points redeemable for flights and vacations. An example mentioned by Ms. Heustis is … [Read More...]
CAREER/ EDUCATION
Resume Tips
May 13, 2012 Leave a Comment
Resume writing has become a science. Most managers, studies claim, spend less than a minute in going through a resume before deciding whether it is worth pursuing or not. So, you have to make your impression within that time. You have to be grammatically correct and the laws of the language are universal. What is not universal though is the prerequisites of the reader of the resume – in this … [Read More...]
MentoryCity — A New Tool Help Careers Blossom
March 4, 2012 Leave a Comment
A new on-line tool is available for those who seek mentors and, for those offering mentorships, in career. The MentorCity.com is a complete package bringing both together. Whether you have just entered the labour force, or will be entering shortly, or are already in the labour force, a good mentor can help you realize your career dreams. Alternatively, you can also make your own life fulfilling … [Read More...]
Loan Program to Help Foreign Professionals
February 26, 2012 Leave a Comment
The Canadian government has launched an 18-million dollar loan program to help immigrant professionals get their foreign credentials recognized in the country. The three-year program, called The Foreign Credential Recognition Loans Pilot, will run in three provinces – British Columbia, Ontario and Saskatchewan. It will be run through selected community agencies, and will provide loans to help … [Read More...]
IMMIGRATION
Canada Mulls Start-up Visa System
May 2, 2012
The Canadian government is considering starting a new program to allow immigration of foreign entrepreneurs with great business ideas but not enough money. The new ‘start up visa’ program will allow entrepreneurs who have great ideas in IT and other sectors to be matched with Canadian investors. If everything goes well, the entrepreneur will be given a visa to move to Canada to establish the … [Read More...]
Opportunites to Immigrate to Quebec, Canada
April 15, 2012
Quebec’s Investor Immigration Program, part of the Business People stream, has been closed until end of March 2013. This follows receiving 2,700 applications, which was the cap set for the current year. However, according to the Quebec government,which runs an immigration program fairly autonomous from the federal government of Canada, two more streams under Businesspeople are still available. … [Read More...]
Immigrant Aspirants in Dubai Feel Cheated
April 8, 2012
SOURCE: EMIRATES 24/7 NEWS Immigration consultancy is a big business in Dubai. People insecure of how to go about the big move to another country often choose to adopt the services of an ‘immigration consultant’, who facilitates the process from assessment to settlement. However, many of the emigrants end up feeling cheated and disappointed with what they get in return for the large sum … [Read More...]
POINTS & MORE
RBC Rewards Points Conversion to Shoppers Optimum Points: An Analysis
April 30, 2012 By smartcanadian Leave a Comment
The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) is giving an opportunity to convert its RBC rewards Points to Shoppers/Pharmarprix Optimum Points. For the first conversion, you will get 8000 Optimum Points for a minimum 1,500 RBC Rewards Points. Thereafter for every 500 RP, you will receive 2,500 OP. I have an RBC Signature Rewards Visa Card, so I get one point for every dollar spent. Generally, you … [Read More...]
MBNA WorldPoints TravelRewards MasterCard Discontinued
April 8, 2012 By smartcanadian Leave a Comment
MBNA is replacing its MBNA WorldPoints TravelRewards MasterCard with mbna rewards travel MasterCard as of April 20, 2012. According to a letter sent to customers by MBNA, nothing else changes – the same redemption options and same points system. Reward Options You can ask for cash-back, at a rate of $100.00 per 10,000 points. You can receive this as an electronic statement, … [Read More...]
Costco Membership With Aeroplan Miles
March 4, 2012 By smartcanadian 1 Comment
Costco is offering new members up to 1,500 Aeroplan Miles plus more. If you sign up to become an Executive Member, you will earn 1,500 Bonus Aeroplan Miles plus a $ 10.00 Costco Cash Card. Membership costs $ 110.00 plus taxes, if any. This includes a free spouse card. Executive Members also enjoy an annual 2% reward, of up to $ 750.00, on most Costco purchases. If you sign up for a Gold … [Read More...]
