20 Cents from August 2010

As the summer winds down and the kids head back to school, it’s time to reflect on a few of my favourite articles from the web in the month of August. I always try to mix it up a bit, so you’ll find some insights from perennial favourites as well as a few from some new voices that I’ve discovered recently. Savour one last summer beverage and enjoy!

1. Bret at Hope to Prosper wrote about some important Economic Trends Affecting Americans. They’re just as relevant for Canadians, and I thought Bret’s thoughts on these issues were right on the money.

2. When will we ever learn? Big Cajun Man ponders this question in Lessons Learned Financially at Canadian Personal Finance Blog. Many of us make similar financial mistakes, sometimes repeatedly. This post looks at some of those, served up with a characteristic dose of “Canajun” humour.

3. BJ readers know that there’s a certain former Merrill Lynch chief economist (recently repatriated to Canada) who I usually agree with and quote regularly. How, then, could I resist including David Rosenberg Belongs in Your Inbox in today’s collection of articles? Thanks to Kevin from Today’s Economy Blog for sharing his thoughts.

4. If you’re not in the habit of reading Len Penzo’s weekly Black Coffee, you’re missing out. Whether you agree with Len’s point of view or not, you’re sure to find the information interesting and amusing. I’ve actually spit out my coffee on occasion when I come across a particularly hilarious line or two. For a tasty free sample, check out Black Coffee: Send in the Clowns (Never Mind, They’re Already Here.).

5. There are a number of websites and anecdotes out there about people who have chosen to live extremely lean in order to retire early or just live a simpler life. Shawn over at Watson Inc. raises some interesting ideas, asking Is Extreme Frugality for You? I like my consumption to be calculated rather than conspicuous, but I’m not sure I’m ready to cut as close to the bone as some folks.

6. Even if you’re not prepared to go to extremes, B Simple offers a Cure for the Financially Overwhelmed at Simple Financial Lifestyle. Simple is always better, if you ask me. When things get too complex, trouble often follows.

7. Jim Yih writes that there’s Lots to Know about Canada Pension Plan at Canadian Finance Blog. He’s not kidding. You might not have realized how much there is to know until you read this article. It offers lots of links to information every Canadian should be aware of.

8. 50 and Broke? Early Retirement Planning Can Help. So says Canadian Dream: Free at 45. There are lots of retirement planning strategies that will work even if you’re a little late getting started.

9. Doctor Stock had a couple of posts on How Volume and Candlesticks Reveal Market Momentum over at Invest in the Markets. Part 1 looks at some examples of market bottoms and Part 2 examines market tops. I know some people think technical analysis is about as useful as a ouija board, but I couldn’t invest without it. A chart is like a Rorschach Test for the market, and volume is its lie detector.

10. I’ve got another “twofer” here in honour of the final holiday weekend of summer. This one comes from Boomer and Echo, a relatively new Canadian financial blog that features views from two authors of different generations. I’ve enjoyed their posts so far, and I think you might too. Check out Boomer’s Short Term Goals and then compare them to Echo’s Short Term Goals. It’s always informative to read about how others approach their financial planning.

I hope you enjoyed reading all of these as much as I did. Feel free to comment on your favourites below!