Only 51% of Adults in BC have Legal Wills

The Delta optimist

A properly executed will can create certainty of yours intensions, such as the guardianship of children, pets,distribution of assets and personal effects… See full story on this topic »

Canada and household debt: Almost the worst among G7

The Globe and Mail- Much has been said recently about how Canadian families are ringing up huge amounts of debt, and consumers have been warned repeatedly that they may be in over their heads as interest rates rise. A snapshot of the developed countries by Scotia Capital today shows just where Canada ranks in terms of leverage: As a share of total household assets, Canadian families are carrying more debt than those in five of the G7 countries. Only the United States ranks higher, and American consumers are beginning to get their act in gear after the recession…

Canada and household debt: Almost the worst among G7 – The Globe and Mail

Wealth effect is anything but

Ottawa Citizen- There is something about our stock portfolios and homes being worth more that makes us want to spend.

“It’s called the wealth effect. If you feel you have more, you are more willing to spend more,” says David Onyett-Jeffries, an economist with Royal Bank of Canada.

“When people see their house value increase, they are more willing to spend because there is less requirement to save. They view these assets as being marketable and gaining value.”

Statistics Canada said this week that household net worth increased by 1.3% in the first quarter to $6-trillion — a fourth consecutive quarter of improving wealth. Household net worth has recovered 96% of what was lost during the recession…

Wealth effect is anything but

Household worth rebounds after recession

Times Colonist- Rising stocks and home prices have helped restore almost all of the value Canadians lost in household net worth during the economic downturn.

Household net worth rose 1.3%, or by $74-billion, to $6-trillion, as the growth in the value of assets, particularly equities and residential real estate, exceeded the increase in liabilities, Statistics Canada reported Monday.

“This marks the fourth consecutive quarterly improvement in household net worth and reflects a 96 per cent recovery off the net worth lost during the recent economic downturn,” David Onyett-Jeffries, economist at RBC Economics Research, wrote in an analysis.

“The increase of household net worth continues to repair the cumulative $552-billion decline.”

Household debt has also risen as low interest rates have encouraged Canadians to increase borrowings, but that has led to strengthening in demand and asset prices, particularly housing, said Mr. Onyett-Jeffries…

Household worth rebounds after recession

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