Quotes of the Day

Professionals tend to use 50-day and 200-day SMAs when they are analyzing or trading securities. Moving averages and their crosses are lagging indicators, they are more suited for trading longer-term. It is at the beginning of trend changes that corrections and price swings tend to be at their biggest, making the longer-term averages and crosses more analytic tools than trading tools for more experienced traders. [2010] - Jay Norris

The correct method for tracking the stock market is to use semilogarithmic chart paper, since the market's history is sensibly related only on a percentage basis. The investor is concerned with percentage gain or loss, not the number of points traveled in a market average. Arithmetic scale is quite acceptable for tracking hourly waves. Channeling techniques work acceptably well on arithmetic scale with shorter term moves. [2001] - Robert Prechter

If you're a first-time homebuyer, you can claim the home buyer's tax credit (HBTC). This non-refundable tax credit is based on the amount of $5,000 multiplied by the lowest personal income tax rate (15% in 2016). In 2016, you'd pocket about $750 by claiming this credit. If you're buying a new home for less than $450,000 and it's your principal residence, you may qualify for the GST/HST new housing rebate, as well. [2017] - Sean Cooper

You can obtain a copy of your credit report for free. The easiest and fastest way is to use Equifax and TransUnion's interactive phone services. You can also download and complete forms from the Equifax and TransUnion websites. You can now get your credit score for free online from fintech (financial technology) companies like Borrowell and Mogo. Best of all, it won't lower your credit score to check. [2017] - Sean Cooper

High-quality government bonds issued by the federal government and the provinces are an option if you have at least $25,000 or so to invest. (Note that bonds issued by Canadian provinces offer yields higher than federal government bonds.) If you choose to buy individual bonds directly, I recommend sticking with less volatile, shorter maturity bonds (5 years and under) so you get the opportunity to acquire new, higher coupon bonds sooner if interest rates move up. [2018] - Larry Bates