My Own Advisor

 

Let’s face it, a good work-life balance is one in which you work to live, not live to work.  Maybe that’s just me though.  I feel this way because I have bills to pay and food to put on the table like most people however after that, when I’m not working, not working on paying down debt - I want to have fun.  Lots of it.  I want to spend time with family and friends.  Heck, I want to take a vacation now and then and spend some cash!

This past week was an example of that.  I was in Florida and it was a great vacation.  I didn’t know Fort Lauderdale had so many bars!   Kidding aside, during my annual “guys trip”, I enjoyed some sun, sand, some golf (a bunch of rain as well), some great food and had some great laughs.  It was an excellent vacation, thanks to my friends of course but I wouldn’t have gone in the first place if it wasn’t for my philosophy:  working to live, not living to work.  Vacations are necessary.  I think they make work just that much more tolerable.

What about you?  Do you have the same philosophy?

I didn’t get a chance to read all of the great blogs I usually enjoy every week but I did manage to sneak in some reading while I was away on vacation.  Here are a few gems you should check out over the next few days.

Until next week, have a safe, happy and healthy weekend!

Andrew Hallam wrote about why he dislikes rising stock markets.  I feel the same as my Millionaire Teacher friend, I want my stock prices low for the next 20+ years

WDAMMG wrote about a common amateur technical analysis mistake.

Financial Highway wrote about how politicians are like credit cards, for example, they “have your best interests at heart”.  Uh-hun…

Canadian Capitalist told us what iShares is planning to do after acquiring Claymore.

CMT said fixed rate mortgages are growing in popularity.  We’re locked-in for the next 4 years.  How about you?

The Loonie Bin reported his dividend income for April.  My turn next week Loonie!  Oh yeah, great work!

Finance Fox asked how do you tip?  For me, usually via credit card and about 15% for good service.

Invest It Wisely shared his top personal finance posts.  This was a great roundup.

Big Cajun Man had a post for you procrastinating tax payers.

Canadian Oil Stocks discussed some Canadian oil companies drilling down under in Australia.

CPF shared some facts behind the Canadian banking bailout.  Part of the blogpost said “The report said support for Canadian banks from various agencies reached $114 billion at its peak.”  Wow.

Dividend Ninja took another brief departure from dividend paying stocks, to compare ETFs:  XIC vs. XIU.  I like XIU personally; a fund to replicate the 60 largest and most liquid securities listed on the S&P/TSX 60 Index.  I love XIU’s low management fee.

Y&T decided to take a step back from writing and maintaining her blog, and handed the reins over to the guys at My University Money.  Sounds like it was the right decision for Y&T and all parties involved.  I look forward to the future of Y&T.

Michael James had a post about ego protection for investors.  I must confess, I don’t check all my stocks diligently against a comparable index but to Michael’s advice, I probably should.

Boomer & Echo suggested combating inflation with rising dividends.  I like it, since after inflation was factored in over the last 6 months the TSX Composite Index is running in the negative.

Passive Income Earner discussed the battle of the railroads.  I plan on owning CNR or CP at some point.

Thanks for reading and sharing this article.