ING DIRECT Using Music to Teach People How to Save

As all my readers know I don't like bank fees. I've successfully avoided paying them for more than a decade. When one major bank, (ahem TD Bank Group), charged me to a look at an electronic copy of a check I had written,  I called and reminded customer service about all the business I have done with them and it was reversed immediately. I highly recommend that all customers argue any bank fee charged to their account. If the bank won't reverse it, take your business to an institution that offers free banking.  My favourites are PC Financial and  ING DIRECT.  Speaking of,  ING DIRECT just released a fun video to promote saving.  Here you go, have a great long weekend.

ING DIRECT Canada presents Madonna – Material Girl, a cover by YouTube star Naya .  The video uses Naya’s signature multi-track a cappella style to promote the idea of Saving your money to Canadians online.

ING DIRECT is Canada's leading DIRECT bank with over 1.7 million Clients and more than $29 billion in total assets. ING DIRECT gives the power of saving to all Canadians by offering high-value, simple products such as high interest savings accounts with no fees or service charges, and low rates on mortgages. Low cost, index based mutual funds are sold through ING DIRECT Funds Limited.

How the U.S. debt crisis is affecting Canada's Economy

As an August 2nd deadline looms, a decision by the U.S to raise the debt ceiling is at a stalemate. It has to pay $23 billion  in social assistance for the elderly and disabled on August 3rd and $90 billion for Treasury bonds that mature on August 4th. Markets remain jittery as the world waits for the U.S. Government to make a decision. So how does this affect Canada? Our dollar is trading above $1.06 and is threatening to derail our strong recovery. I was a guest on Jerry Agar's show on NEWSTALK 1010 this morning to talk about the potential risk Canada faces from the U.S. debt crisis. 

Jerry Agar can be heard every weekday morning on NEWSTALK 1010 in Toronto starting at 9:00 AM.

Big Wines, Small Price: Bargain Wines to drink today

Do you love wine? I do, but it can be a very expensive indulgence. To help you find a good wine for a great  price I spoke to Natalie Maclean, author of the bestseller Red, White and Drunk All Over. Natalie was named the World’s Best Wine Writer at the World Food Media Awards for the wine picks and pairings she offers on one of the largest wine sites and mobile smartphone apps at www.nataliemaclean.com. 

Here are her best bargain wine picks, all under 20 bucks!

2009 San Raffaele Pinot Grigio Monte Tabor, I.G.T., Delle Venezie, Veneto, Italy: VC
Price for 750 mL $14.95
 This organic wine has free sulphur of only 6 mg/L. Producing wines since 1925, the family began to explore organic farming practices in 1980 and all their vineyards have been fully organic since 1984. Their 2009 Pinot Grigio offers aromas of candied citrus. Dry, with a light body and good acidity, it is fresh and toasty with tones of soft ripe orchard and citrus fruit, and a medium-long finish. A very nice Pinot Grigio. Enjoy as a refreshing sipper. My note: A simple and mild Pinot Grigio with subtle notes of white melon. Pair with: summer salads. Drink: 2009-2013.  204768  12.50%  Score: 86/100. Pinot Grigio

2009 Ironstone Chardonnay, California, United States: VC
Price for 750 mL  $15.95
The Kautz family was the first to plant Chardonnay in the Lodi region, and they now grow Chardonnay in many of Lodi’s sub-appellations as well as the Calaveras County area of the Sierra Foothills. Crafted in a crisp style with plenty of juicy, tropical fruit and ripe apple flavours balanced by medium acidity and just a hint of oak, this Chardonnay represents excellent value. Enjoy tonight. My note: Classically made Chardonnay with balance and finesse but also reveals lip-smacking delicious flavours of green apple and butterscotch. Yum! Pair with: linguine and shrimp in a creamy pesto sauce. Drink: 2011-2015.  355776  13.50%  D    Score: 89/100.  Chardonnay,

2008 Fetzer Vineyards Merlot, California, United States 
Price for 750 mL  $14.95 
Supple and easy-drinking with aromas of plush plums and dark berries. Lovely mocha-infused finish with some black cherry. Yum. Pair with: pork, grilled chicken. Drink: 2009-2013.  341131  13.50%  XD   Score: 87/100. Merlot,

2010 Alamos Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina: VC
750 mL  $13.95  
Catena Zapata is one of Argentina’s leading producers and its Alamos range consistently offers outstanding value. Expect blackberry flavours aplenty with notes of toasty oak, cocoa and coffee on a long, lingering finish. My note: Year after year, a solid producer of delicious, full-bodied reds at incredible prices. Pair with: gourmet sausages, grilled steak. Drink: 2011-2014.  467944  14%  XD  Score: 88/100. Cabernet Sauvignon,

2009 Anakena Pinot Noir Single Vineyard, Leyda Valley, Chile
750 mL  $13.95 
Sweet cherry-berry flavour, even though this is a dry wine. Medium-bodied and satin smooth at a staggeringly great price. Pinot noir just doesn’t come at this price, usually. Drink: 2011-2014.  208439  13.50%  XD  Score: 89/100. Pinot Noir

Natalie MacLean, author of the bestseller Red, White and Drunk All Over, will publish her second wine book this fall entitled Unquenchable: A Tipsy Quest for the World’s Best Bargain Wines. Natalie was named the World’s Best Wine Writer at the World Food Media Awards for the wine picks and pairings she offers on one of the largest wine sites and mobile smartphone apps at www.nataliemaclean.com. 

How To Never Pay Full Price Again

As a consumer you have choice, you don't have to pay full price and we don't need to be fooled by the MSRP (Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price). I sat down with Cotter Cunningham, the CEO of RetailMeNot.com, to talk about avoiding retail and not paying full price. His website offers coupons and deals to anyone wanting to save money.

Rubina's Top Tips to Avoid Paying Retail
1. Buy once the season has started. For example wait until July to buy summer clothes.
2. Use websites like RetailMeNot.com to get coupons on items you buy everyday
3. Stock up on the products you use most often when they are on sale
4. Buy clothing at factory outlet malls
5. Do your research, find the fair value of items and ask the store to match it
6. If you buy full price, hang on to the receipt, often a store will adjust the price if it goes on sale
7. Use credit cards that give you store points
8. Big Box stores have the best deals, shopping at stores like WalMart will save money
8. Make a habit to to look through the clearance section, you never know what you'll  find!

Happy Saving!
Rubina

Exclusive Interview with ING DIRECT CEO Peter Aceto: Never pay a bank fee again

I'm a huge advocate of no-fee banking. I firmly believe no one in Canada should ever pay to deposit and withdraw their own money.  I wanted to know  how some banks are able to offer this product to customers and some are not. I spoke to the CEO of ING DIRECT Peter Aceto. His bank is known for its no frills, low cost and no fee banking. After speaking to Peter, I'm convinced no Canadian should ever pay a bank fee again. There are so many easy to use banking options that will help you save and put money bank into your pocket. Click "read more" for the full interview

Your Kids, Their Money: How to teach your kids to save

Talking to your children about money can be as difficult as talking to them about sex. But both conversations are equally important. As a financial journalist, I think the “money talk” is more important than the “sex talk”. Money, finance and economics are not taught in elementary school. Young people are just as confused about money as they are about sex. Often they wonder, how do adults make money? Why do some things cost more? How much is a million dollars? What are bills? Just like sex, these question needs to be answered honestly and appropriately.  Here are some tips to de-mystify the subject of money with your kids. I would recommend starting this when they are 12 years old.  Click "read more" for all my tips.

Bank Fees: What are they good for?

Do you ever wonder why we pay banks to keep our money? It’s a thought that bothers me often. Especially when I hear of friends and family paying hundreds of dollars a year to keep their chequing accounts open. Not long ago my bank charged me $1.25 to “look” at a recently cashed cheque on line.   This raised a lot of questions in my mind. To get the answers I went to the BankGuru. He's with BankNerd.ca a website dedicated to providing breaking news on the Canadian Banking Industry.  The website’s objectives are simple; provide unbiased, critical, and transparent information on the financial industry.

Rubina: Why do banks charge fees?

Bank Guru: Banks charge monthly fees on bank accounts because it is their business model. Canadians need to understand that each and every bank is a business. They use the money that we deposit to lend, finance, and invest through capital markets. Most banks use the monthly fee (model) to offset cost but at the same time they can profit from them.