FL remodeling company takes deposits on dream kitchens that evaporate into thin air — along with cash. How Tampa Bay homeowners are fighting back and what you can do to avoid contractor scams
You saved up for a kitchen reno. You decide to purchase cabinets from a local company with great reviews. You deposit thousands of dollars for the cabinets and installation. Then … crickets. That’s the situation Tampa-area homeowners find themselves in after forking over thousands of dollars to the local company One Stop Kitchen & Bath […]
‘I wasn’t even looking at a real screen’: Florida man conned out of $38K after a message on his laptop claimed a gambling loan had been taken out in his name — here’s how to avoid such scams
John Klingel lost $38,000, and it all started when he saw a pop-up on his computer. He told WPTV 5 in West Palm Beach that because the message appeared to be from a cybersecurity company he normally does business with, he was more apt to believe that it was real. Don’t miss I’m 49 years […]
Canada’s history up for sale: Hudson’s Bay artifacts head to auction as museums struggle and investors move in
As the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC ) — North America’s oldest retailer — undergoes an historic wind-down, its extensive collection of over 1,700 artworks and 2,700 artifacts is headed for the auction block. This liquidation includes irreplaceable pieces such as the 1670 Royal Charter from King Charles II, a cornerstone document in Canadian history, and […]
Canadians not looking ahead in 2025 with rose-coloured glasses
Many Canadians are looking at their financial well-being in 2025 with at least some level of concern. A new H&R Block survey reveals 64% of Canadians are concerned that 2025 is going to be a challenging year for them financially. "Many Canadians are feeling the pinch of higher costs-of-living and are looking to manage spending […]
Trump’s tariffs, market chaos and the rise of inverse ETFs: How investors are hedging market downturns
In today’s turbulent economic climate, marked by President Trump’s recent tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, concerns about a potential recession are escalating. As markets react to these developments, investors explore strategies to protect their portfolios. One such strategy involves inverse exchange-traded funds (ETFs). What are inverse ETFs? Inverse ETFs, also known as bear or […]
Too little, too late? U.S. Congress tries to undo tourism damage with Canadian Snowbird Act
A new bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives aims to extend the stay period for eligible Canadian snowbirds, potentially boosting cross-border tourism and local economies. The proposed legislation would affect Canadian citizens aged 50 and older. Known as the Canadian Snowbird Visa Act, the bill would increase the maximum permitted stay from 182 […]
Vancouver’s real estate market is waking up – but not overheating
If you’ve been waiting for a sign that Vancouver’s housing market might finally chill out a bit — this could be it. This spring, Metro Vancouver’s real estate market is showing signs of balance we haven’t seen in a while. According to the Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), the number of homes hitting the market has […]
‘Alligator projects’: San Diego residents resisting ‘over-built, bloated monstrosities’ popping up in their backyards — why they take issue with this solution to the housing shortage
Jim LaMattery, a San Diego residential real estate agent, has been working tirelessly to fight against what he calls “alligator projects.” The projects are accessory dwelling units (ADU) built by developers, which LaMattery gave the nickname to because of the way alligators “‘pop up’ unexpectedly as they aren’t legally required to give notice to neighbors […]
Chicago taxpayers to shoulder $1.8 million after settling lawsuit over controversial plans to house 2,000 migrants on vacant lot — what happened and why there’s nothing to show for the effort
What do you do if your city promises to pay you, but fails to do so? That’s precisely what happened to the owners of a vacant lot in Brighton Park, a neighborhood in Chicago. NBC 5 reports that Barnacres Corporation filed a lawsuit against the City of Chicago in 2024 for a breach of contract. […]
I’m thinking about paying off a 2.5% loan of $5,000 so I can be debt-free — and wonder if that’s a horrible idea. How to weigh the financial pros and cons of paying off small debt fast
You want to get to debt-free status as soon as possible, and all that’s standing in your way is a $5,000 loan with a 2.5% interest rate. Paying it off and freeing up those monthly interest payments for other purposes is naturally appealing. What should you do? Don’t miss I’m 49 years old and have […]