Canadian Consumer Confidence Up Again

Consumer Confidence Is Important

First Published Date: Oct 8, 2009

For the seventh month in a row – almost unheard of in a global downturn – the consumer confidence felt by surveyed Canadians is on the increase. This was the finding of the latest monthly survey from the Conference Board of Canada, which found that, based on a fairly complicated index of statistics and consumer response, the confidence of Canadians with regard to potential future jobs and larger-scale purchases has rises by two and a half percentage points to break the 90% mark (at a total of 90.9%). Meanwhile, south of the border in the United States, the level of consumer confidence sits at 53.1%. This is due in no small part to the deeper nature of the recession in the States – an economy which is showing recovery, but later and slower than that in place in Canada.

Of course, although these statistics sound great for Canadians and less so for the American public, there is a reason that they are not trumpeted as broadly as harder financial figures. The clue is in the wording of the results and indeed the questions asked. “Confidence” and “sentiment” are hard things to measure exactly. The indices used are based on a lot of different data, and prone to be skewed by false confidence or misguided bullishness depending on the prevailing public opinion of the time. Another survey entirely, carries out by the University of Michigan in collaboration with Reuters, puts the US numbers up at 73.5, on a rise and therefore going in a completely different direction from those of the US Conference Board. Which is right? Possibly both, possibly neither, it depends on the questions asked among many other variables.

However, this is not to say that consumer confidence is unimportant. It most certainly is not, in fact there is a great deal to be said for having a consumer force out there who are confident of earning and ready to spend some money. This in itself helps drive recoveries, and if belief can be spread at such a crucial time it is not something that we should be cynical about. Of course, we’re talking about finance here, so there is going to be cynicism – indeed, if you could bottle a sneer and sell it, the entire global economy could be expanding by multiple percentage points tomorrow – but the knowledge that people are ready to start making purchases again is certainly something to be pleased about.

The pattern of skepticism in our world is something that makes it difficult to read anything into any package of figures released – and more so when the figures contradict each other so frequently. It would be interesting to fast forward into 2011 and see if people are still as dubious about the recovery and how it will hold then. Perhaps this tougher crust will at least enable us to see the warning signs ignored by so many when they were being waved frenetically a few years ago. If not, then this crisis has taught us nothing. What we seem to be seeing in the latest figures is encouraging in that respect – a guarded optimism that takes nothing for granted.

Canadians Are Confident But Keeping Eggs Safe

Keep Your Eggs Safe

First Published Date: Nov 13, 2009

In easier times, livestock and land managed ones wealth. An old saying “not to count your chickens before they hatch” has remained with us over the years and is still used widely today. In today’s financial turmoil it may appear that, the Global Economy is on a steady up swing yet we are still hesitant to take that deep sigh of relief.

It is fair knowledge in the financial world that the IMF (International Monetary Fund) has recorded that our global recovery is succeeding at an accelerated gain, yet perhaps not as well as some may have hoped. With the unemployment rates, still climbing the up swing can be accounted by the government aid and stimulus packages, which were implemented to stimulate the market. Although overall, our gains are increasing hope in the financial market but on an individual level, many are still in crisis.

Canadians are Confident

With the current economic concerns, it appears that Canadian residents are still maintaining hopeful outlooks towards the financial future and after several months of polls is still on the rise. Canada is also rising in the competitiveness field of Global Banking as surveyed by the World Economic Forum. It is to wonder as to their rise if it is due to their supported confidence. The US remains at the 2nd spot on the compositeness Global Banking Reports even though their confidence has been reported to be much lower than Canada which was ranked as 9th, a definite climb for Canada from 13th place in 2007.

Moreover, one should consider that several polls based on consumer confidence vary widely in terms of questions and statistics but overall Canadian consumers are still more aggressive in the retail markets. Their knowledge to boost the market by spending and maintaining their over all confidence has been noted by several reports. They are the first to step out of the recession and appear to be going strong in the right direction. While their neighbours are more guarded they may be realizing that their border partners may be leading the path to recovery successfully and follow suit.

Other contenders for speedy recovery have been spotlighted with Brazil definitely on the heels of the US and Canadian Markets. Their success can also be measured by the steps taken by the Brazilian Government to aid and boost the economy safely and effectively.

It is still a hazy road at best for most and ways to boost the economy and confidence in spending are being targeted. It is useful knowledge to follow these updates and reports to find we have dodged a very dangerous economic down turn and we are in control of how we manage this swing in the right direction. Safety is key and keeping your egg basket close on the home hearth seems to be the overall advantage in some countries. Many are still skeptical as to how the road to recovery will continue. It is important that the Governments keep maintaining their stimulus support for sometime to ensure the confidence that the World Economy so definitely needs to remain hopeful in this time of such economic uncertainty.

How To Buy Property in Thailand

Buying Property in Thailand

Published Date : May 29, 2010

Thailand is one of the most beautiful countries in the entire world. Every year, millions of people venture to this nation in order to take advantage of the amazing beaches and stunning landscapes. Some people love Thailand so much that they begin to look for ways to stay in Thailand as residents, rather than tourists. When this is a consideration in your life, you need to begin thinking about buying property in Thailand.

However, it is not always so simple to do this because under Thai law, foreigners are not allowed to buy property within the country. So, as a foreigner, what are your options for owning a property in Thailand that you can go to and stay at for months at a time? Many travellers prefer this option to staying in a hotel, so here is how you can make it happen.

1.    The first thing you should do is actually go out to Thailand. It is of no use to buy land in Thailand if you are not there. This is why you should fly out to Thailand and take a look at the real estate market. When you decide to fly out there, make sure you take time to meet with real estate agents so that you can learn what you need to do in order to buy land in this stunning country.

2.    Once you have made appointments with real estate agents, ask them questions about the land that you are going to be looking at and what amenities these bits of land offer you. You want to know about water quality, air quality, air conditioning, electricity, type of areas, beach access and more.

3.    In Thailand, if you are a foreigner you can only buy land if you qualify in two areas. The first is if you enter into a long-term lease that ensures you will not just buy property and then sell it soon after. The second is that you form a company with a Thai person. It is best to speak with a lawyer about this to ensure that you do what is required with purchasing property in Thailand.

4.    You will want to pick a few properties that you are going to check out and visit. If you are having a home built, then you need to have a surveyor check out the property and that will cost you a bit more, but if you are just looking at a home you can go along with the real estate agent.

5.    If you are building on land, it is important to understand land titles. In Thailand, there are five types of land titles, but foreigners only use three types, which are Chanote, Nor Sor Sam Gor and Nor So Sam. Of all of these, you will want to go with Chanote because it gives full land rights and the property boundaries are clearly defined. Again, talk with your lawyer before proceeding.

Thailand is a beautiful country that has many wonderful people in it, beautiful countryside, and affordable prices. If you are going to buy property in Thailand, ensure you follow these tips.

How Financial Crisis Affected Credit Card Borrowers

Record Debts Being Written Off

Published Date : Sep 29, 2009

The financial crisis in which we have been living for some time now has changed the realities which we had accepted for some time, and many of those realities have changed for the worse. But for borrowers on credit cards who had been panicking about the pursuit from the issuers, there is one statistic which has improved. The issuers of credit cards are charging off a record amount of debt – meaning that they have accepted that people are not able to make their payments, and chasing them for those payments will not change the reality that they simply cannot afford to pay. It should be noted that this is not the case for every customer – if you can afford to pay but don’t want to, then the status quo will remain.

The simple truth of the matter is that with the unemployment rates having increased due to the global financial crisis, there are more and more people who simply cannot meet their credit card payments. Traditionally, this has led to  a troublesome situation where the banks pursue people to make any kind of payment at all, promising in many cases that if you can make “just a small payment” your account will be held for a while and that pursuit will be ended. For many customers, this pleasant notion has been miles away from the reality, which has been that a small payment alerts the company to the fact that you are responding to pressure, and the pressure just gets ramped up that little bit more.

When a company finally accepts that there is nothing they can take from you, they charge the debt off. What this means in practice is that they lay off collections activity and write the amount off, taking a hit on their profits which needs to be covered by the amount of money each bank sets aside for such reasons. It does mean that annual bonuses for the bank workers will be a little bit lower, but you will find fewer and fewer people complaining about that eventuality. As much as the everyday workers at a bank are relatively blameless for the profligacy of the bank’s lending policy, we are all having to cut out coats according to our cloth these days.

The fact remains that people who knowingly borrow and spend recklessly will have to be pursued to make their payments. Now is not a good time to take out a credit card and run up a mountain of debt which you have no intention of meeting. Quite apart from anything else, banks are still hugely reluctant to lend large amounts of money unless they are sure, on the basis of their own research, that they will see a good return on that investment. If you have a good credit rating, they may well still lend to you – but would you want to risk a good rating now of all times? If, however, you are looking for a fresh start, now could be the best time to get that start.

Top Three Countries in Caribbean to Buy Real Estate

Caribbean Real Estate

First Published Date: June 6, 2010

Thinking of buying real estate for investments or because you want a second home to go to when the day-to-day grind simply becomes too much? Well, here are the best places in Caribbean to buy real estate so that you can make the best choice possible.

1.    Trinidad and Tobago: This nation has an economy that is reliant on two major things; oil and tourism. Thanks to both of these, the entire island nation has a low unemployment rate and a decent per capita GDP of $19,800. In addition, the country has a growing economy and its middle class is growing, lifting many out of poverty. On top of that, the country is out of the hurricane belt so you do not have to worry about your home being blown away by a hurricane. Sadly, the black mark on this country is its rising crime rate, which can be a liability depending on where you choose to live. That being said, it is by far one of the most beautiful countries on the entire planet.

2.    Aruba: Called “One Happy Island” the country has a very prosperous economy that ensures many are out of poverty and the tourism industry is one of the strongest in the world. Over 1.5 million come here every year for vacation and services make up two-thirds of the country’s GDP. The country also has the second-highest per capita GDP after the Cayman Islands. In contrast to Trinidad and Tobago, the country has a very low crime rate and is not at risk of hurricanes. This means it could be the perfect place for you to go if you want to buy real estate someplace other than your country.

3.    Bonaire and Curacao: Known as the Netherlands Antilles, these two islands are located off the coast of Venezuela, which puts them well below the hurricane belt. The islands have a good infrastructure and a rising per capita GDP, as well as many new developments including an airport and hotels. If you love diving, then these islands may be perfect for you. As of 2008, the countries have changed their status. Curacao is a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, while Bonaire will be a municipality under the Netherlands. Even with these changes, the islands remain very popular with tourists and you can bet that there are going to be many people like you looking to buy a home here. The islands have amazing beaches, stunning landscapes and easy to purchase homes thanks to the Dutch law that operates on the islands.

If you are thinking of moving to the Caribbean, then you should look to these three countries. A growing economy, good resources, strong infrastructures and easy to purchase properties make them the perfect choice for anyone who wants to relax under the sun in their own home. All it takes is you deciding which paradise you want to move to, and how much you want to pay.