Did you catch news of the mob in Kingston the other days, clamoring for medical attention? No, not the city in Jamaica. Ontario. They lined up before dawn. They stayed there all day. They were still there as evening fell – people trying to get on a list for a family doc.
The Kingston area contains 172,000 souls. Over 30,000 of them have no primary care. So when a new clinic was announced, the place was besieged.
Source: CBC
In a first-world country with an expensive public health care system this is unacceptable. So, thank Dog for this blog clinic where abusive treatment is swiftly delivered. Just ask. Nurse Jiggles will always find a way to squeeeze you. In, that is
Yo, Vanessa. Come on down. We hear you work for a big bank. What else?
“I’m divorced (in a relationship), my partner and I have our finances separated (and will remain that way). We own our own properties (separately) living in between the two for now. Don’t plan on buying one together unless we find a huge deal if the housing market tumbles completely and then i (maybe move into his & I’ll rent mine out, we buy one jointly, or if we do this then its half all the way down the middle, and or I move into his then I will sign a disclosure document and any investment I make into his home will be documented to come back to me with % earned up to the rate of inflation at that time depending so I don’t lose purchasing power) that will mean my place remains I refi and have rental income but that’s not the questions at this time”
Enough! How is that even a relationship? Just get to the damn question.
“My total portfolio is about $225,000, (mainly invested in bank shares). I have a mortgage of $160,000, my rate is 2.24% coming due Oct 2024. I make $75,000, and am 45 at the moment and would like to retire at 55. My question – does saving less towards my retirement goals and paying more down on my mortgage (so) to be mortgage free in 7 years make sense? My condo currently is valued at $750,000’ish. I paid high $400k in 2018, I get this is paper wealth not real wealth. If you were me, would you keep saving the same amount towards retirement or focus on paying off the mortgage as quickly as I can to be mortgage free by age 52?”
First, you ain’t retiring in ten years with a current portfolio of $225,000. The only way is if you sell the condo, invest the $550,000 in equity and turn the boy-toy into something more useful. If you put together a proper B&D portfolio you might have about $1.4 million in a decade, which would roughly replace your salary while retaining the capital value. A few years later CPP, then OAS, would click in. Not so bad. But keeping the condo would mean financial struggles.
So, keep saving. Sell the condo by October when the cheap money runs out. Tell him to man up and take care of you.
Now, let’s turn to Dan. And his folks.
“My parents are in their 70s and have very little savings & almost no pensions,” he says. “They had difficult life circumstances and it’s mostly not their fault, they are wonderful people, although they are not great money managers.”
“I am very fortunate with combined income >350k, and we will take care of them – my base case is just to provide them with whatever cash flow they need (but I am not a fan of giving them lump sums because I don’t know that they understand how to invest & manage it). Question is, as compared to just giving my after-tax cash, is there any way to structure this more tax efficiently? Instead of further saving inside my own unregistered account (where we are being taxed in the highest possible brackets), I could open an unregistered account in their names and contribute there & manage myself. Or Dad could loan me his modest 150k, upon which I would agree to pay him a high rate of interest (7%, 8%?), which would effectively create a generous annuity. I could then invest & manage the money, and write off the loan interest?”
Fuhgeddaboudit, Dan. More trouble, complexity and CRA hassles than you need. The first idea might have been okay until Ottawa brought in the new bare trust regs. Just read Sinan’s blog here of a few days ago – arrangements like this must now be documented routinely and subject to federal tax scrutiny. As for the family investment loan, the CRA has a prescribed rate of interest (currently 4%). Your father would have to receive that level of return. Doubling it (then writing it off your income) would invite trouble.
The best solution is paying their living expenses with after-tax income. Just like they did for you.
Next!
“Thanks for the great info on your blog,” cries Gustavo in Victoria, “it helps a lot.”
“I’m 38, happily married, with a newborn and before I ever heard of your blog, I gave 5% down payment on a 460k condo in 2020. Now that same unit is worth somewhere near 600 but getting too small. Debt is still 420ish. Because of the little one, we are planning to upgrade into a SFH but seems like prices are moving north again. I was wondering, maybe selling our place and take the money after realtor mafia payments and invest or getting that money plus the 50k I currently have invested and give a 20% down?
“The wife is on mat leave but her income is around 90k and mine 140k. And we’d love to have a bunch of storage and backyard for our children to play. So I’m divided between, renting out my place, or sell it, then renting a place or purchase a 700ish one. What would you recommend?”
Seriously? You have only fifty thousand, a wife on mat leave, $420,000 in debt, no RRSP and a family to support. If you sell and use the proceeds (plus your current liquidity) to buy a place costing over $700,000 the debt will still be close to $500,000.
Think about it. Half a million in debt. No savings. No investments. One job loss, layoff, illness or second pregnancy from disaster. You’re delusional. Rent a storage locker somewhere and take your kid to the park. Sheesh.
About the picture: “This is Skye,” writes Allen. “She was so abused before we got her that we never saw her tail for the first 5 months we had her. So, we got her a puppy. This is her now. a happy-go-lucky playful almost normal dog who loves to play with “her baby”. He has grown to be a HUGE play toy. “MSU” My wife and I have now been following your blog since your parliamentary days. Only your good advice has kept us on the straight and narrow for this long. We enjoy our retirement with the fruits of our investments and will not panic with the minor ups and downs of the markets. Thank you.”
To be in touch or send a picture of your beast, email to ‘[email protected]’.
96 comments ↓
“Rent a storage locker somewhere and take your kid to the park.” – GT
Good advice.
Build more parks and storage locker facilities!
Hi Garth,
If Dan is indeed supporting his parents he might be able to claim one or both as eligible dependents and get a bit of tax break. Of course they’ll need to fit the criteria. We were able to do this with my mother in law who had Parkinson’s, and was even able to go back a few years with a form from her doctor.
Love the Dr. Garth posts.
Just to pre-emp the comments – Sail will come on and tell us how he has taken care of the dynasty. TurnerNation will show how these examples are a conspiracy to turn us all into government zombies. Many will blame the Liberals. That pretty much sums it up, right?
Thanks Garth!
Doctoring ain’t easy. Especially when terminal patients come in with hopium on one shoulder and the Grim Reaper on the other.
As a nod to Chris #3: Luckily, in the Sail Away dynasty, we take care of our own.
Looking at Kingston, and honestly the Canadian medical system as a whole, I much prefer the US system where we get fully justified priority care for cash. No first come/first serve behind tweaking junkies when I’m contributing hugely disproportionately.
In interesting news:
Starship #3 launch tomorrow morning!
https://news.yahoo.com/watch-spacexs-3rd-starship-launch-120000055.html
Will this one make it? If not, there are around 21 spares ready to go. Elon da man!
Based on a majority of of comments yesterday people wish the Middle Class Destruction continued. Via taxation and price inflation.
Keep driving Docktors away, out of practice, out of country. Limit their earnings.
No companies have IPO’d on the Toronto Stock Exchange this year. Let’s keep it this way.
I am begging our Rulers, we need a Socialist Dictatorship ASAP. Corvid proved that Kanadians LOVE pointless rules and the enforcement thereof. They stepped up, with yelling, rule enforcement, shunning. This brings them pleasure. Waking up, following The Rules is a way of life.
Look guys Cuba’s model is sustainable. A popular tourist destination. Infant mortality is on par with Kanada, it’s not so bad there.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_infant_and_under-five_mortality_rates?wprov=srpw1_1
Our Rulers weep for the socialist dictators.
https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/statements/2016/11/26/statement-prime-minister-canada-death-former-cuban-president-fidel
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the death of former Cuban President Fidel Castro: “It is with deep sorrow that I learned today of the death of Cuba’s longest serving President. “Fidel Castro was a larger than life leader who served his people for almost half a century
After reading V’s comments, I think I’m going to stay single…
Stop giving terrible advice Garth
I don’t know why people in Canada are so against private health care.
Down here in the USA we have it, and it is very good. I have a private clinic through my employee plan, that is like going to a country club. I do remember Canadian medical clinics, with their mobbed wait rooms, full of sick people crammed into a tight, uncomfortable space waiting to see one tired, over worked doctor who maybe had ten minutes for you before they had to push you out and bring in the next person. Wait times were hours, if you were lucky. I waited all day once.
Come down to the USA and see how health care should be done.
And yes, we do have public hospitals if you don’t have a private insurance plan.
They are the same as the public hospitals up in Canada, packed, long wait times, poor service, hall way medicine, emergency rooms where people sit for hours because there is no doctor available.
The difference is, down here you have a choice.
Dr. Garth:
Maybe you can explain the recent meteor rise in the casinos-oops! I meant the stock exchanges.
The inflation print came higher than expected. Conventional expert opinion was that higher than forecast inflation would mean a lesser chance at a rate cut, and not good for stocks.
But stock rallied.
Please be nice.
I’m trying to learn this stuff.
Russia is quaking in their boots guys!!!!
ZOMG unleash the Kanadian Supersoldiers.
Prepare!
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/military-aptitude-tests-medical-standards-recruitment-trials-1.7141214
Military ditching aptitude test for some applicants, will start accepting recruits with medical conditions
Military launching trials to address its recruitment crisis
#4 TurnerNation on 03.13.24 at 12:00 pm
Based on a majority of of comments yesterday people wish the Middle Class Destruction continued. Via taxation and price inflation.
Keep driving Docktors away, out of practice, out of country. Limit their earnings.
No companies have IPO’d on the Toronto Stock Exchange this year. Let’s keep it this way.
I am begging our Rulers, we need a Socialist Dictatorship ASAP. Corvid proved that Kanadians LOVE pointless rules and the enforcement thereof. They stepped up, with yelling, rule enforcement, shunning. This brings them pleasure. Waking up, following The Rules is a way of life.
————–
On that note, last week I watched a town meeting on Airbnb regulation. This second meeting dealing with AirBNBs took over 5 hours. The town staff have been working on a framework for months, but once again nothing was decided and they’ll table any decision for another day. The BNB owners are faced with an unknown future as far as the town by-laws, but it gets worse. They also have NEC (Niagara Escarpment Commission) to deal with, which is another duplicate level of local bureaucracy, even though the town mayor in this meeting states she doesn’t really care about them, and now the feds, all on top of AirBNB’s fees and regulations. Here’s the thing though, check out minute 3:30 of the meeting where the counsellor states he’s never had a complaint, never, we’re talking like Taylor Swift never, ever. All this fuss to shut down Airbnb in a town which is desperately trying to attract tourism and compete with NOTL. It’s insane. What the hell are these folks thinking? More rules, more tax, please.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVs9ZaPa4X4
Thanks, Garth!
HC in Canada right now is an absolute joke. I guy can pay a GP’s salary with his tax bill yet can’t get care for his family. All the while we run massive deficits, and are focused on dental and pharma. But not primary care.
Guess who does have primary care? Majority of politicians and their families.
Total mess.
My life seems so ordinary and mundanely boring compared to these other people.
#7 Boondoggles on 03.13.24 at 12:28 pm
I don’t know why people in Canada are so against private health care.
Down here in the USA we have it, and it is very good. I have a private clinic through my employee plan, that is like going to a country club. I do remember Canadian medical clinics, with their mobbed wait rooms, full of sick people crammed into a tight, uncomfortable space waiting to see one tired, over worked doctor who maybe had ten minutes for you before they had to push you out and bring in the next person. Wait times were hours, if you were lucky. I waited all day once.
Come down to the USA and see how health care should be done.
And yes, we do have public hospitals if you don’t have a private insurance plan.
They are the same as the public hospitals up in Canada, packed, long wait times, poor service, hall way medicine, emergency rooms where people sit for hours because there is no doctor available.
The difference is, down here you have a choice.
———————————
Sounds great.
Please provide details of the Hospital that is like a Country Club.
Message for the poor dude in a ‘relationship’ with Vanessa. She’s using you for leverage. Pure and simple. Notice every move she is making is designed so she can cut and run at a moments notice. All except for moving into your place, which is convenient for her because now she gets free accommodation while renting out her place. Ask her if you can move into her place and you rent yours and watch the excuses fly. That’s your sign.
This relationship is going to fail. Don’t get tangled up! Make sure to broom her first before she gets the chance.
#8 Quintilian on 03.13.24 at 12:34 pm
Inflation is good for stock prices since corporations revenue has increased.
This revenue increase also increase the operating profit, also knows as as Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), an important variable to calculate if a stock is under or over valued.
I read about the Kingston clinic lineup. The fact that 17% of the local population is without primary care is a sad state of affairs. Have to wonder how many qualified immigrant physicians there are in the area who are barred from practice due to the exclusionary rules that demand said folks basically redo all the training before being permitted to practice here.
Household Net Worth x $ million (from National balance sheet and financial flow accounts, fourth quarter 2023)
Q4 2023:
16,419,902
Q3 2023:
16,130,145
Change:
+289,757
YA BABY!!
————————-
Great to see and a BIG CHANGE from Q2 2023 at 16,419,451 (Q2 —> Q3 change = -289,306).
Clawed that loss back with a bit of spare change to boot. Mostly due to Mr. Market investments recovering.
April 17 StatCan report will provide details by Quintile as to how that Household wealth gain was divvied up (Wealth, Income, Age, Generation, etc.). Will probably show the wealthy got wealthier. Prose from the first link below and unusual for Milquetoast Demure StatCan to say this about the Q4 2023 gain:
“The accumulation of assets and liabilities is not distributed evenly across wealth quintiles as most wealth is held by relatively few households in Canada.”
April 17 it is then when we find out about the divvying up.
StatCan discussion:
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/240313/dq240313a-eng.htm?HPA=1
StatCan detailed numbers (Unadjusted as usual for Household Net Worth):
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=3610058001
[under Sectors, select Households, click Apply]
Guess who does have primary care? Majority of politicians and their families
Professional hockey players and federal prisoners too.
Oh, and me and mine. In my community we are both adding Doctors and opening new clinics.
“Tell him to man up and take care of you”……WOW
45 years old,no kids,((i am guessing)(here’s my sexism))a degree paid for by her parents…..and she needs a man to look after her!?
Just wow!
Is there a clarification coming???
They lined up before dawn. They stayed there all day. They were still there as evening fell – people trying to get on a list for a family doc.
The Kingston area contains 172,000 souls. Over 30,000 of them have no primary care. So when a new clinic was announced, the place was besieged.
– Garth
———————————–
THAT’S obscene.
Canada is one Mother of a Wealthy country.
WTF has happened???
Yes Italy is either #1 or #2 in the World for Healthcare, still, it is like night and day here vs. the above pathetic indictment of Govs in Canada and their mismanagement of healthcare.
To get a new/change General Doctor in Pordenone Italy, where I used to live, I would go here:
https://asfo.sanita.fvg.it/it/medici/index.html
Input Pordenone or a Name if you know it. Pick a Doc from the list returned, they even provide a map where the office is:
https://asfo.sanita.fvg.it/it/medici/ricerca/?tipo=G&comune=PORDENONE#blog-listing-medium
I would first search in Google Maps “Medici vicino a me” (Doctors near me) and then cherry pick from the list. Email ASFO or phone them to get signed up (even Snail Mail works).
5 minute process, tops.
24 hrs later you get a confirmation and if your selection not OK, they provide alternative Docs to pick from. 3 days later in the mail, you get a health card amendment showing your new Doctor (present to the Doc when visiting and used by pharmacies).
INSANE to me Cdns have to put with healthcare rationing. Nuts. Just nuts.
DELETED (Ad hominem)
I was watching CNBC, I know you said never watch that thing, but I was curious. So it’s 6 something pm and it’s this Jim Cramer show called Mad Money or something like that. The dude was giving advices for trading and investing and asking to join his Club for 400 USD a year. That was the most insane thing I’ve ever watched about money and investing. Really sad to be honest, can’t believe people trust that obnoxious person. I guess he gave a tip on FootLocker and it slumped, so his excuse was mistakes happen.
Anyway, thank you one more time for the sound financial advices you and your colleagues give!
I wonder what the median and average amount owed per household is when you factor out households which don’t owe anything. $1.79 owed for every dollar of disposable income seems low.
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/households-owed-1-79-for-every-dollar-of-disposable-income-in-q4-statistics-canada-1.2046242
The auditor general’s office has fired two of its employees after learning they were earning money from Government of Canada contracts on the side.
“The employees did not disclose this information to their managers. None of the employees involved were auditors,” said a statement from the Office of the Auditor General (OAG).
“In two cases, an investigation was conducted, and the employees no longer work for the OAG.”
The OAG confirmed that a third employee is also being investigated in relation to outside work.
As first reported by the National Post, the investigations led the OAG to revoke the employees’ security clearances and then terminate their employment.
Both cases were first referred to the RCMP in early January 2024. On the advice of the Mounties, the OAG referred them to the Ottawa Police Service the following month.
The OAG said it will not comment further on the case of the third employee because it remains under investigation. cbc
==========
Trump wanted tik tok banned and now for some reason …? who is paying his fines i wonder hum…
Club for Growth Action, a political action committee affiliated with the nonprofit.
Club for Growth and the Club’s PAC work for economic freedom, which creates prosperity. The Club educates and advocates. The Club PAC works to elect candidates.
Non-Governmental & Nonprofit Organization Washington, DCclubforgrowth.orgJoined April 2008
#ShrinkWashingtonGrowAmerica
Jeff Yass, an American billionaire options trader who has emerged in recent years as a major donor to Republican candidates and causes.
The bill passed 352-65, with bipartisan support, but it faces a more uncertain path in the Senate where some favor a different approach to regulating foreign-owned apps posing security concerns. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the Senate will review the legislation.
https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/jeff-yass-billionaire-donor-investments-tiktoks-parent-company-rcna142531
https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/jeff-yass-tiktok-bytedance-ban-congress-15a41ec4
…”On Friday, the group magnified a post on X from Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in which he agreed with former President Donald Trump’s unexpected announcement that he opposed the TikTok ban.
During the 2022 midterm elections, Yass donated $47 million to help Republican candidates and committees, making him the third-largest conservative political donor in America.
Trump’s about-face on TikTok came just a week after he briefly met with Yass and his wife. The former president told CNBC Monday that their conversation did not turn to TikTok, but rather covered education-related matters. ”
The meeting took place at the Club for Growth’s donor retreat in Florida, the source familiar with the matter explained. At the retreat Trump delivered a speech praising Yass and McIntosh, according to Politico.
DELETED (Anti-immigrant)
A cross section of the society I could have been a part of if I hadn’t been such a loser and moved to the middle of nowhere with no prospects, five years into my twenties!
Vanessa and Gustavo are slaves of leverage, by choice.
DELETED (Anti-immigrant) ???
C’mon Garth – how was my post anti-immigrant? I was criticizing this governments immigration policy as an immigrant myself.
So you want the door shut behind you? – Garth
The line up looks like something out of the old Soviet Union.
You get what you vote for, it doesn’t have to be this way. It isn’t in Europe or most East Asian Countries.
Remember, socialism doesn’t spread the wealth, it destroys it and spreads the misery.
The never-ending attack against any private healthcare delivery astounds me.
I’ve been here long enough to know you routinely find a way to mingle generous amounts of “innuendo” with finance. But your use of “boy-toy” was a laugh out loud moment for me today. Anyways, you’re creative and an excellent writer. Love the tongue in cheek nature of all your posts. Keeps the mundane nature of the topic fun to read. Kudos.
Best financial advice:
Exit the cult of delusional dog lovers. Get a cat.
Your wealth will increase exponentially.
MEOW
#17 Shirl Clarts on 03.13.24 at 1:59 pm
Message for the poor dude in a ‘relationship’ with Vanessa. She’s using you for leverage. Pure and simple. Notice every move she is making is designed so she can cut and run at a moments notice.
=======
I am an eternal optimist and as a previous divorcee mylsef (even as a guy) I can definitely see where Vanessa is coming from with keeping the finances separate ,especially after 40 . We have separate finance as well and a joint account for living expenses.The related piece of mind only contributes to the relationship being stronger and commited.
I do have to agree with you there that it pays to be a bit jaded and if the guy doesn’t have an exit plan and no living agreement I would be concerned.
Even with best intentions second marriages break down twice as often as first ones so legal paperwork and open communcation are a must.
Trust but verify and always have an exit plan.
September. Interesting.
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/video/the-boc-to-start-easing-in-september-expect-3-cuts-before-year-end-earl-davis~2884364
#64 Robert B on 03.12.24 at 3:01 pm
3 – Claw back OAS and CPP to income of about $70-$75,000.
=========
The CPP is already “clawed back” to the reference point of YMPE .
OAS should be clawed back to that range as well IMHO.
From Service Canada :
What’s new for January 1, 2024?
The maximum pensionable earnings under the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) will be $68,500—up from $66,600 in 2023. The basic exemption amount for 2024 remains at $3,500.
Starting in 2024, a higher, second earnings ceiling of $73,200 will be implemented and used to determine second additional CPP contributions (CPP2). As a result, pensionable earnings between $68,500 and $73,200 are subject to CPP2 contributions.
====
A note from my friend for yesterdays post where Garth is preparing to meet PP
I Second it!
I know the solution to pretty much all big problems for governments and
individuals alike: devise a plan, start small, be consistent in action: many
baby steps for a long time.
Everybody’s always looking for the magic bullet – doesn’t exist.
People don’t like baby steps because
1) They actually need to be part of the solution, rather than depend on
someone else to solve the problem
2) They cannot see far in advance: “This will never get us anywhere”
Wealth creation (and by extension debt reduction) is a good example. Rather
than start at age 18 and invest $10 a month and reinvest the dividends for
40 years, many think lotto tickets are the answer.
I saw a good meme the other day. The gist of it was: Everyone is afraid to
travel back in time in case they do some small thing that inadvertently
changes the future. But people also think things like, “Take the bus? Huh?
How is my stupid bus trip going to make any difference to climate change?”
I thought of this because Baillingsford suggests to “cut the carbon tax,
Canada’s effect on global warming is insignificant”. Wrong attitude.
Can you impress mom, dad, and your jealous friends by installing quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances in a storage locker? No, you can’t Garth – so what’s the point?
26 Travelling
“I wonder what the median and average amount owed per household is when you factor out households which don’t owe anything. $1.79 owed for every dollar of disposable income seems low.
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/households-owed-1-79-for-every-dollar-of-disposable-income-in-q4-statistics-canada-1.2046242”
—————————————————————-
Years ago, Statscan had a great table. it showed income for 3 groups of Canadians.
Renters (30%ish of total)
Owners with no mortgage (30%ish of total)
Owners with mortgage (40%ish) of total
Now the only ones that count are in that last group.
Who do you suppose had the highest income? That last group did. I think I did a quick calc and their debt to income ratio was higher, but still very manageable (on
average).
So the real info we needed was the distribution of that debt, which I could not find.
In regard to Vennesa, I’ve been separated for 24 years. MY ex has a live in for the same amount of time. I have a partner of 20yrs, but we too live in separate homes. Both mortgage free. I have 700k invested, he’s probably over $2 mill. This has worked out great for us. There’s no way in hell that I could cohabitate. I’m happy, he’s happy. Forever after amen.
Sheesh indeed. « I have 50k $, two sticks and a bit of string and I DEMAND to live in a 700k house with a massive yard for my kids.
So 2024.
Yogism #209: “If claw backs are pay cuts are roll backs overweighted?”.
Advice to Gus from personal experience.
Congratulations on the newborn! There is no greater source of joy or stress.
Kids are more expensive than you think, and houses are more expensive than you think. Be wise.
If you can sell the (too small) place do so. Max out your, and your spouse’s, TFSAs, start an RESP and put at least $2,500 per year in it to get the most out of the grant.
Rent for awhile. If you are anything like me, in a few years your biggest concern governing where you live is going to be your kid’s school. If you buy now you’re taking a big gamble because schools can change a ton in 5 years, for better or worse.
If you invest properly, in 5 years you should be in a much better position to move where and when you want.
Paging TurnerNation. Comment on our great health care system. No two tier “American style” system. Remember, there’s no other alternatives. Coming to an election near you. The next government going to fix wait times.
Vanessa, you’re well on your way. Retire at 55? Why not 50? You deserve it. You’re a power woman. Anything men can do, women can do better. Live? Women live longer? Work? Career? They get it done in a decade or so less. I’m the stupid one, I should just trans.
Find another sucker to divorce. The courts are on your side.
You’ve outdone yourself today, Garth. Long time (15 years) reader, and laughed from start to finish. Garth’s a national treasure!
The Ides of March are almost upon us.
PREPARE
kids don’t need so much space. we’re all so spoiled.
I have 2 kids, 5 and 7, that share a room in our rental.
They don’t know any different, and they are happy.
Keep your costs low. its much a more enjoyable way to live… and instead of paying more living expenses you can buy your kid more useless toys.
“More Canadians worried about defaulting on their mortgage or major loan payment, says poll”
The poll reflects recent data from the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy that showed consumer
bankruptcies in January rose 17.9 per cent from December and 18 per cent from the year before. Consumer proposals, which are a renegotiation of terms, rose 19.7 per cent month over month and 25 per cent from January a year ago.
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/money/topstories/more-canadians-worried-about-defaulting-on-their-mortgage-or-major-loan-payment-says-poll/ar-BB1jPoxZ?cvid=d47fc0be117f4e2a9cd52dfd6bcb1a8e&ei=41&ocid=hpmsn
Interesting .
US House voted to ban TIKTOK if Chinese owner does not sell in 6 month.
Right before the Election.
170,000,000 TIKTOK users will not be happy.
It ain’t over, till it’s over. folks.
#4 Sail Away on 03.13.24 at 11:46 am
Thanks Garth!
Doctoring ain’t easy. Especially when terminal patients come in with hopium on one shoulder and the Grim Reaper on the other.
As a nod to Chris #3: Luckily, in the Sail Away dynasty, we take care of our own.
Looking at Kingston, and honestly the Canadian medical system as a whole, I much prefer the US system where we get fully justified priority care for cash. No first come/first serve behind tweaking junkies when I’m contributing hugely disproportionately.
—————-
Why are you here?
Time to back up and leave.
Just saw on the news that Vitaly Robertus who is the Vice President at Russian oil giant Lukoil has “died suddenly” at the age of 54 . He is the fourth executive at Lukoil who has mysteriously died since the start of Russian war on Ukraine. He and his predecessors have tried to encourage the Kremlin to negotiate an end to the war on Ukraine (sanctions have capped the oil price on Russian exports) , thus their demise. With the big rigged election next week in Russia , any one not willing to kiss the ring of the mafia boss is being eliminated.
#7 Boondoggles on 03.13.24 at 12:28 pm
I don’t know why people in Canada are so against private health care.
Down here in the USA we have it, and it is very good.
=====================
It should be better than very good. You spend about 17% of GDP on it, compared to 11% by Canada (most comparable cpuntries are in the 9 to 11 % range).
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_spending_as_percent_of_gross_domestic_product_(GDP)_by_country
Maybe you could explain how, despite your very good health care, US life expectancy is so middling at 79yr (place 37, between Maldives and Lebanon) vs Canada at 82yr (place 15, between Norway and Luxembourg).
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_life_expectancy
More than a doctor’s medical training ago, there was pressure from Ontario, in cooperation with the doctor’s trade union, to suppress entry to Ontario medical degrees.
So we have inherited what we sowed. Cost suppression for one party and competition suppression for the other.
@#23 Dolce
“INSANE to me Cdns have to put with healthcare rationing. Nuts. Just nuts.”
+++
Well, when the sheeple have been told for decades that their “free” healthcare is world class….
Eventually they believe it.
Almost 1 million British Columbians waiting for a family doctor….
https://www.timescolonist.com/local-news/thousands-still-waiting-to-find-a-doctor-through-bc-registry-8287093
I’m sure the federal Liberal tax changes in 2017 when they first came to power affecting self employed family doctors had nothing to do with it…
https://nationalpost.com/opinion/health-care-system-pushed-to-breaking-point-with-recent-cuts-proposed-tax-changes
The story from 2017 was just the tip of the iceberg.
Covid and Fentanyl overdoses have just sped up the disappearing doctors to make a decision .
Retirement, relocation, reduced hours……
The shocking realization that still hasn’t sunk in to the Federal Liberals…..
Doctors dont need Canada.
Canada needs doctors.
But you can be sure our PM has never, ever, had to wait 8 hours in an emergency waiting room….like the rest of us doctorless rabble.
https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/african-cocoa-plants-run-out-beans-global-chocolate-crisis-deepens-2024-03-13/
_____________________________________
Time to over-stock your Kahlua or Tia Maria supply!
#40 Brunett43 on 03.13.24 at 4:46 pm
In regard to Vennesa, I’ve been separated for 24 years. MY ex has a live in for the same amount of time. I have a partner of 20yrs, but we too live in separate homes. Both mortgage free. I have 700k invested, he’s probably over $2 mill. This has worked out great for us. There’s no way in hell that I could cohabitate. I’m happy, he’s happy. Forever after amen.
*******
Sounds more like a friend with benefits.
Whoa! Back up the truck, those are coffee liqueurs.
Chocolate is for girls, they think it is more than just another flavor.
Finally I can go back to Spotify and listen to Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World.
@#46 Apocalypse 2024
“The Ides of March are almost upon us.”
++++
You’re quoting Shakespeare?
I’m very disappointed!
No mention of Putin’s latest Nuclear threat….?
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-says-russia-ready-nuclear-war-not-everything-rushing-it-2024-03-13/
@#52 Sally Anne
“Maybe you could explain how, despite your very good health care, US life expectancy is so middling at 79yr (place 37, between Maldives and Lebanon) vs Canada at 82yr (place 15, between Norway and Luxembourg).”
+++
Bwahahaha
You switch from the “healthcare” conversation to “life expectancy” stats….
Nice try.
OK
Lets look at international “healthcare ” rankings shall we?
https://wisevoter.com/country-rankings/best-healthcare-in-the-world/
I checked several.
Canada ranks 32nd in one list ( China was 5th, Cuba was 31st)
Canada ranks in most lists around 25th in the world.
The US is either slightly ahead or behind.
I’d dare to suggest that obesity and gun deaths in the US are slightly higher than Canada, thus affecting “life expectancy”.
But we are discussing healthcare or, in Canada’s case….the LACK of healthcare.
I just have one question about our ‘superior” health care in Canada.
Why is BC sending Cancer patients by the hundreds down to the USA for treatment if our system is better than theirs?
https://www.fraserinstitute.org/article/bc-government-sends-patients-to-us-while-fighting-private-options-in-bc
I’ll wait.
Say it ain`t so, first-world country, stand in line all day in the age of
Hi-tech. Don`t these folks have an X data plan / implant ?
Here in the newly transformed Niagara Falls Refugee Camp , the illegals and cue jumpers get VIP hotel shuttle service to the clinic.
Mean while in Crystal Beach The blue box scavengers are shooting
each other for aluminium cans.
https://tinyurl.com/2u994dxc
A real friend :
https://x.com/schuld_eth/status/1767873313299386515?s=20
#46 Apocalypse 2024
The Ides of March once signified the new year, which meant celebrations and rejoicing.
So yes Prepare to celebrate
Dr Garth! Wow, Hitting it out of the park or what! Go Doc!
“Enough! How is that even a relationship? Just get to the damn question.”
“You’re delusional. Rent a storage locker somewhere and take your kid to the park. Sheesh.”
For Gustavo and squeeze, wouldn’t it make sense to sell the condo, invest the 150k or so in proceeds after paying off the lawyer and realtor mafioso (they probably have accumulated enough RRSP and TFSA room to make it entirely tax-free), and rent a nice house in the outskirts of Victoria, backyard, storage attic and all? I’d bet there are plenty of greaterfool landlords in the area willing to bear the pain of ownership and maintenance in return for 2k+change/month rent.
#52 Sally Anne on 03.13.24 at 7:04 pm
Maybe you could explain how, despite your very good health care, US life expectancy is so middling at 79yr (place 37, between Maldives and Lebanon) vs Canada at 82yr (place 15, between Norway and Luxembourg).
————————————————————
These types of comparisons get trotted out by Canadian leftists to help make themselves feel good.
Many a working professional has moved south and won’t return, other than to see family from time to time, and there is a reason for that.
To compare things like health outcomes and other quality of life issues, you need to take out the 13% of the US population that basically lives like a 3rd world country.
Re-run the numbers with people who don’t live like that and see the difference.
I’m with Garth, #43 Nate, and #47 Yorkville Renter
Kids don’t need much space until they’re teenagers, and don’t care if you rent. By the time they start school, half of their friends/classmates will be in the same position.
As long as you get them out of the house for some sports/fun every now and then, they’ll be fine.
Canadian health care is even worse than was in Soviet Union. I grew up in 70s in USSR and there were no huge lines. If you need to go to ER it was fast and efficient. I had a sport injury in 1978 and had to have a surgery and hospital stay for two weeks. Everything was free and no wait times.
shames me to say it, but
schadenfreude x 3.
My best friend back in the day still lives in St. Catharines and his two kids have recently become doctors……we might leave Victoria and move back for instant patient status…..how sad is that LMAO
#68 Yuri on 03.13.24 at 10:03 pm
Canadian health care is even worse than was in Soviet Union. I grew up in 70s in USSR and there were no huge lines. If you need to go to ER it was fast and efficient. I had a sport injury in 1978 and had to have a surgery and hospital stay for two weeks. Everything was free and no wait times.
^^^^^^^^^
Not exactly a meaningful comparison since health care in Canada was much different in the 70’s than it is today.
Number 68 Yuri you are free to return to the USSR
when ever you want.
Has anyone been following this?
Inside an alleged plot by the Indian government to kill Sikh activists in Canada – The Fifth Estate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSC4Bc8LHGM&rco=1
To compare things like health outcomes and other quality of life issues, you need to take out the 13% of the US population that basically lives like a 3rd world country.
Re-run the numbers with people who don’t live like that and see the difference.
Unbelievable.
You don’t like the stat so it’s leftist propaganda and furthermore you want to manipulate the data in order to prove your point?
Intellectually bereft of any rigor at all.
An retired physician , named Dr. Kantharaj from southern India has said in an interview that when he was in the medical college, 90% of the students came from low income families and other 10% is middle class. The reason is free tuition and living expense while they were in the uni and completion of their studies they have to work in the government funded general hospital or community care all paid by the state. Private hospital or clinic were never existence.
So the medical doctors are paid and work just as police officers or firemen in Canada.
In the Last 20 years all have change , big pharma lobbied and brought private practice then doctors have become pharma’s lucrative salesmen.
Once this business is booming and high income potential, the wealthy want to send their sons and daughters to medical college. If they can’t get the admission in India with a poor marks , the wealthy bribe the college officials or send them to some Eastern European universities.
Think about how fireman run his own business in Canada.
This is getting interesting to watch, wait and see, more information saying higher for longer. Rates will most likely held with a slight chance of one cut this year, sucks to be waiting and waiting for the pandemic rates to come back.
I know people are hurting from working multiple jobs to keep treading financial water, but soon, if no life preserver is thrown to them they are going to drown.
https://wolfstreet.com/2024/03/13/higher-forever-even-yellen-starts-to-get-it-the-low-yields-before-covid-are-over-higher-inflation-higher-yields-are-here-to-stay/
“In a first-world country with an expensive public health care system this is unacceptable”
That means it is NOT first-world anymore
Here is a great news story on how Vienna does world-class, low-cost residential housing. With the costs and how it’s funded. Could Canada ever be that progressive? The new threat – you guessed it – residential real estate as an “investment” is now driving up costs. Sound familiar? Also, look at expectations – it is OK to raise a family in a 750 sq ft flat and be very happy.
https://www.euronews.com/2024/03/08/social-housing-in-vienna-is-it-as-good-as-it-seems
Happy Pi Day !
3.14
https://x.com/gunsnrosesgirl3/status/1768187240818057620?s=20
“I’m divided between, renting out my place, or sell it, then renting a place or purchase a 700ish one. What would you recommend?”
Thanks Garth, #43 Nate and #65 Jens –
But, does anyone pays attention to what they read??
I’m not DEMANDING a 700k place (which is a small box here in Vic), and it’s there
“THEN RENTING A PLACE…OR…” (which seems like
the best option.)
The email was a little edited there, I guess for entertainment/fitting purposes…first I’m Angus and not Gustavo and although I’ve arrived in Canada from Europe
only 10 years ago I DO have RRSP money, just NOT
using it towards buying a house.
If I was delusional I wouldn’t be here looking for advices! Delusional are the prices
Canadians have to pay for real estate. Which now, unfortunately exceeds what is paid in Portugal!
An interesting snapshot of Putins’ Russia
28% of people say they can’t afford to buy both food and clothes. They must choose between the two.
9% of people live below the poverty line.
Life expectancy is 73 years
The Russian govt has used billions of dollars from its dwindling “strategic reserves” to support the war time economy.
Inflation is rampant due to a lack of workers driving wages higher
https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/putin-grows-war-economy-incomes-suffer-lost-decade-2024-03-14/
The Russians go to the polls in a few days.
To vote for …Putin and not much else.
Voter turnout will be interesting.
@47 Yorkville Renter
“Keep your costs low. its much a more enjoyable way to live… ”
+1 you Smart Person. :-)
For the vast majority, It’s (much) easier to reduce costs than it is to increase income.
Get more income, get taxed more. Like, that 10% increase in hourly rate manifests itself into 5% in your pocket.
Many have to buy a bigger house to store the “stuff” they’ve accumulated. The costs keep adding up for these suckers.
Learn to live slightly below your means and invest the difference, and you’ll be set for life.
Yorkville Renter, you’ve got it! :-)
(Sounds like Skye has found a forever home – well done Allen)
#58 B from Q
Finally I can go back to Spotify and listen to Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World.
———————————————————————————————————–
If listening to overrated has-been narcissistic hypocritical socialists is your thing, hey, knock yourself out!
@ #66
“To compare things like health outcomes and other quality of life issues, you need to take out the 13% of the US population that basically lives like a 3rd world country.”
Sure, because that is what Jesus would do.
AM in MN, you are completely lost as a human being. But good news, you appear frequently in the New Testament as the character of the Pharisee.
No wonder you are so delusional about Trump.
@#79 What would Jesus do?
He probably would have opened a free private clinic because the Roman govt healthcare bureaucrats couldn’t do the job…..
900,000 British Columbians don’t have a family doctor.
6.8 MILLION Canadians don’t have a family doctor.
Govt provided Healthcare is failing in Canada.
Only a fool would deny what is happening in this country.
More information showing that rates most likely to stay elevated, should have gone Volcker and raised rates more to hammer inflation down.
The economists keep saying rates are coming down and “the markets” are pricing it in, yet all the indicators show elevated levels of inflation all gaining traction. If inflation does take hold, do we now disregard any economic forecast from the experts who continue to be wrong or are they now broken clocks and will be right twice a day, someday.
https://www.fxstreet.com/news/us-annual-ppi-inflation-rises-to-16-in-february-vs-11-expected-202403141235
Three rate drops in 2024 is the current consensus. – Garth
Liftoff… and orbit! Starship was flawless. And it was glorious. History has been made.
Another Elon first for the human race. This man is unstoppable.
#83 Dharma Bum on 03.14.24 at 8:54 am
#58 B from Q
Finally I can go back to Spotify and listen to Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World.
———————————————————————————————————–
If listening to overrated has-been narcissistic hypocritical socialists is your thing, hey, knock yourself out!
————————-
Neil Young and CrazyHorse coming to the Dear Lake Park music festival July 23.
I’ll be there.
Keep on Rocking in the “free” World.
Hi Mr. Turner
I am loving your Dr. Garth posts!!!!
Thank you.
#86 Millmech on 03.14.24 at 9:42 am
Millmech says:
Garth responds:
Garth,
Millmech points out with solid logic and contradictory evidence that the “experts”- “the markets” are wrong, yet you reply with a dismissive empty platitude normally spewed by politicians.
I respect opposing points of view, that is not the issue, but you have set the bar high for yourself, and this type of flippant response does not reflect well on you.
Quintilian- the truth teller
I can lie if you wish. But most people prefer facts. – Garth
#9 Boondoggles on 03.13.24 at 12:28 pm
I don’t know why people in Canada are so against private health care.
Down here in the USA we have it, and it is very good. I have a private clinic through my employee plan, that is like going to a country club.
================================
Well, goody for you. But IMO, access to decent, timely health care services shouldn’t be dependent on having a high paying job and/or an employer with a good plan. That’s not the Canadian way. Let’s fix our universal health care system, instead.
#83
“If listening to overrated has-been narcissistic hypocritical socialists is your thing, hey, knock yourself out!”
OVERRATED? says the poser who calls himself Dharma Bum.
Neil Young – rock & roll HOF inductee.
Appears in 2 of the greatest rock movies ever made (Woodstock & The Last Waltz)
How many times have you appeared on stage next to David Crosby, Steven Stills, Graham Nash, Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, Levon Helm and Richard Manuel?
You don’t like the man’s politics – fine. Show some class and common sense – Live Rust, Harvest, After the Gold Rush, Rust Never Sleeps – anyone of these makes Neil a genius.
Maybe those bobcats ate your brain?
Happy Pi day. Happy Birthday!
#84 What would Jesus do? on 03.14.24 at 9:16 am
@ #66
“To compare things like health outcomes and other quality of life issues, you need to take out the 13% of the US population that basically lives like a 3rd world country.”
Sure, because that is what Jesus would do.
AM in MN, you are completely lost as a human being. But good news, you appear frequently in the New Testament as the character of the Pharisee.
No wonder you are so delusional about Trump.
———————————————————-
What have I ever said, ever, that is delusional?
I live in the real world, and make it my business to understand it. Along with keeping track of the political and economic situations in most of the world, I take some significant time to try and figure out what Jesus would do.
How much time do spend studying the Gospels, the rest of the old & new testaments, taking time for church on Sundays?
I’ve had significant experiences with the healthcare systems in several states that I’ve lived in, both before and after Obamacare, and no shortage of friends and family dealing with healthcare in BC and elsewhere in Canada. I do a lot of business in BC & Alberta, on the phone daily.
I now live in a Blue State where I had a front row seat to watching a once great city burn for days on end.
You want to debate what’s delusional? Do you really think you live in the real world and have a good grasp of reality?
A woman brought a limp duck in to the vet.
After a brief examination, the vet shook his head and said, “I’m sorry, your duck has passed away.”
The distressed woman wailed, “Are you sure?” “Yes, I am sure. Your duck is dead,” replied the vet..”How can you be so sure?” she protested. “I mean you haven’t done any testing on him or anything. He might just be in a coma or something. Can you please do some tests?”
The vet left the room and returned a few minutes later with a black Labrador Retriever. As the duck’s owner looked on in amazement, the dog stood on his hind legs, put his front paws on the examination table and sniffed the duck from top to bottom. He then looked up at the vet with sad eyes and shook his head.The vet patted the dog on the head and took it out of the room.
A few minutes later he returned with a cat. The cat jumped on the table and also delicately sniffed the bird from head to foot. The cat sat back on its haunches, shook its head, meowed softly and strolled out of the room. The vet looked at the woman and said, “I’m sorry, but as I said, this is most definitely, 100% certifiably, a dead duck.”The vet turned to his computer terminal, hit a few keys and produced a bill, which he handed to the woman..The duck’s owner, still in shock, took the bill.
“$400!” she cried, “$400 just to tell me my duck is dead!”The vet shrugged, “I’m sorry. If you had just taken my word for it, the bill would have been $120, but with the Lab Report and the Cat Scan, it’s now $400.”
Rent now, pay letter is a thing?? Just fell off the turnip truck here in Bunnypatch.
https://myzenbase.com/