Image by Getty Images via @daylife
In breaking news, unemployment in Europe is the highest it’s ever been, since the inception of the Euro. What does this mean for the future of the European Monetary Union? Will the Euro fall? Will the EMU breakup? I think it’s too early for the doomsday predictions just yet, but things are certainly not looking too up at the moment.
In Canada, Stephen Harper recently announced that the age of eligibility for Canada’s Old Age Security (OAS) program may be raised from the current 65 years old. As you can imagine, old people everywhere are up in a furor, and some think that Mr. Harper personally plans to take away their benefits. The plan, according to Harper, is for these changes, if implemented, to alter the payout of benefits to future retirees, but not affect current or pending retirees. These changes would also not affect the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Canada’s equivalent to Social Security in the U.S.
Here are recent posts at Financial God that you may have missed since your last visit:
- Stay Armed to Fight the Recession – Resolve to Give Debt a Miss in 2012
- David Versus Goliath: The Story of Utah Green Activist Tim DeChristopher
- The Role of Money in the Financial Crisis
- Is Canada Immune to a Financial Blowup?
- Police Brutality
Favorite reads of the week
TJ wrote “Why a Young Conservative Supports Ron Paul” over at Free Money Wisdom. He writes, “I believe now, more than ever, we need elected officials who will stand for the rule of law, who acknowledge that they do not have the authority to do whatever they want, and who will not compromise their values or beliefs in the Washington cesspool of corruption. We need forthright people who will speak honestly, even if it means they endure severe criticism and derision for it.” I don’t call myself a conservative, but I stand wholeheartedly behind TJ’s fight for freedom and against tyranny.
Sam asks “Is Discrimination OK If You Aren’t Being Discriminated Against?” This is an important question, and it also boils down to what you consider discrimination, and who is doing the discriminating.
More great reads for your weekend reading
Beating The Index has a series on investing in Canadian oil:
- Canadian Oil Stocks: Top 2 Alberta Bakken Oil Companies
- Investing in Canadian Well Completion & Drilling Companies
- How to Invest in Oil
Another Salary by Major Chart! (For 2011 Graduates)
How the US pushes Iran to develop a nuclear weapon
Kiss Real Estate Goodbye – A Real Estate Appraiser’s Viewpoint
Romney’s Corporate Raider Job Gives Him a 13.9% Tax Rate
Starting Out Poor or Rich: Which is Better?
What is a Territorial Tax System?
Carnivals
Carnival of Financial Camaraderie at My University Money.
Carnival of Financial Planning – Edition #222 – February 3, 2012 at The Skilled Investor.
Carnival of Financial Planning at The Amateur Financier.
Carnival of Retirement at Retire by 40.
Carnival of Wealth at Control Your Cash.
Yakezie Carnival at The Amateur Financier.
See you all next week!
Thanks for the mention!
Contrary to Europe, the US seems to be improving in terms of employment, interesting!
Strange eh! And Canada had an unexpected setback…
Thanks for the include – I’m waiting for a more nuanced breakdown of Majors, hopefully in some future report!
Or by city?
Thanks for the mention! So, on the Euro, it’s a ticking timebomb and they keep kicking that can. Seems like some countries may leave the union before the entire thing crumbles. Tough to say, US equities are hitting multi-year highs. Go figure!
Fear-driven money? It’s so weird!