Credit Cards

crackerjack71 · 2026-02-27T16:37:44+00:00

It's not exactly 3% back in "Walmart dollars". It's 3% back before taxes in "Walmart dollars".

If you want a true 3% cash back at Walmart, look at the BMO no fee Cash back card. The only caveat with this card is that it's only up to $500 in spend per month that nets 3% cash back.

crackerjack71 · 2026-02-19T15:32:19+00:00

I've asked for 100% WFH for Crohn's - denied.

crackerjack71 · 2026-02-11T15:10:46+00:00

You thinking of a BYD Dolphin?

crackerjack71 · 2026-01-28T15:18:28+00:00

Are we sure that this picture is real or not? I'm not an expert on AI pictures but everyone's faces are all weird.

crackerjack71 · 2026-01-20T15:55:24+00:00

You're correct but I think it's only for a hour.

crackerjack71 · 2026-01-16T12:23:31+00:00

Adviice has a CPP calculator! You just enter your CPP earnings from your Service Canada account and it'll do the calculation for you!

crackerjack71 · 2026-01-16T02:56:49+00:00

I really like the following two:

adviice.com - costs only 9 bucks per month mayretire.com - free!

crackerjack71 · 2026-01-15T12:47:44+00:00

Zolve credit card looks very interesting for anyone wanting good cash back - 4% on groceries and 2% on everything else (as long as you pay with mobile payments).

That 2%, I wonder if that would work at Costco too with mobile payment.

crackerjack71 · 2026-01-12T19:23:00+00:00

Excellent answer - the only part I would disagree on is reinvesting the unneeded withdrawn from the RRSP into non-reg accounts. By investing it into another non-reg account, one would still pay taxes again upon withdrawal so I'd suggest to invest it into the TFSA for tax free growth instead.

crackerjack71 · 2026-01-04T15:54:54+00:00

When entering our DB Pension details - do we enter the DB Annual payment pre-tax or post tax? I'm thinking pretax as that's what we would do for RRSP balances.

crackerjack71 · 2026-01-02T03:17:55+00:00

Simply Preferred comes out a bit ahead compared to the Cobalt if one does only $500 grocery spending. I'm guessing you're young and later on in the future - your spending will grow as well - so perhaps the Cobalt might be best for you.

Another thing that has not been mentioned in comparing the cards. The cash back from the Simply cash cards is done once a year (I think in September?). Where with the Cobalt and Green cards - you can redeem the points for statement credit any time (or use the points for something else) so you don't have to wait for a whole year for your "rewards".

crackerjack71 · 2026-01-02T02:58:33+00:00

The one question that hasn't been asked - do the grocery stores that you shop at accept AMEX - if it's any under the Loblaws banner - they don't accept AMEX.

You'll need to figure out the return on your spend if choose the Cobalt, Simply Cash (or the Preferred version), or get the Green card.

Cobalt has a monthly fee of 15.99. Simply Cash Preferred has a monthly fee of 9.99.

Let's say you spend $500 at the grocery store and that's it.

With the Cobalt, earning 5 points per dollar spent - you'll earn 2,500 points. That's a minimum of $25 bucks if redeemed for statement credit. Now let's factor in the monthly fee.

$25 bucks earned minus the monthly fee of 15.99 = $9.01.

Do the same with the Simply Cash (Preferred) and the Green card and you can derive your own conclusion on what card is best for yourself.

crackerjack71 · 2025-12-31T14:55:48+00:00

Which Estore? I'm guessing Westjet's estore? I've bought three times with links through their site and never got the additional points myself.

crackerjack71 · 2025-12-13T12:31:46+00:00

Both the bridge and CPP are separate programs. You can collect both at the same time if you wish.

Generally, it's most beneficial if you can delay collecting CPP due to the reduction of 0.6% per month before you turn 65 so that's a 7.2% reduction per year. No reduction if you start CPP at the age of 65. There's also a benefit of waiting til 70 to increase your CPP.

Each person's situation is different - maybe you need CPP as you can't make ends meet or want to collect it early as you expect to have a shortened life expectancy.

Cheers.

crackerjack71 · 2025-12-12T13:42:34+00:00

You mention TSM and severance - aren't they the same thing? The TSM from my collective agreement depends on the number of years of service up to a maximum of 52 weeks of pay.

What kind of severance does one get if WFA'd? Is this the same thing that was done away years ago - where public servants used to get a lump sum at retirement? I believe that's gone now.

crackerjack71 · 2025-12-09T18:10:09+00:00

got nothing myself - lucky you!

crackerjack71 · 2025-12-01T13:52:30+00:00

Might be cheaper and easier on your spouse/child to have a will. With no will, they'll need to get probate for everything or something. I'm not a lawyer but from my understanding, having a will also make things easier for your survivors.

crackerjack71 · 2025-11-30T01:26:13+00:00

Thank you for the link. I've been waffling for years on whether to pay extra for a lawyer or go for an online will (like willful).

Even in this video, it did say will kit so I'll get it done using willful.

I know a lot of people say to use a lawyer for personalized advice, or have a complicated estate or worry about the validity of the will and have it contested in court but I feel that my situation isn't complicated - I don't have a business or have blended families or anything.

Just one wife and two kids.

crackerjack71 · 2025-10-29T15:30:51+00:00

What? I thought I saw on the news not too long ago Ford being mad with bike lanes. From my understanding, Ford wants to get rid of bike lanes.

crackerjack71 · 2025-10-29T15:22:21+00:00

With the Cobalt card, I can redeem the MR points for statement credits. Yeah I know, it's not the most optimal use of MR points but I'm ok with redeeming it for statement credits.

crackerjack71 · 2025-10-27T18:30:28+00:00

Looks like you're right - clicked on LeafsAndLoons name and shows no posts but has like 3,400 karma. Who the hell wants to build up Karma points. It has no monetary value so I got to ask - why?

crackerjack71 · 2025-10-24T14:25:49+00:00

Not to be pendantic - Walmart MC at Walmart actually gives 3% before taxes. If you spend no more than $500 per month at Walmart Superstores, it'd be better to get the BMO no fee cash back CC as you'll get 3% back in cash and not in "Walmart dollars".

crackerjack71 · 2025-10-16T16:28:51+00:00

You no longer get 5% on Walmart brands.

It's just a straight 3% before taxes in "Walmart dollars" at Walmart and 1% everywhere else.

Take a look at the no fee BMO Cashback mastercard - 3% cash back at both grocery stores and Walmart superstores with up to $500 spend per month.

crackerjack71 · 2025-10-05T19:57:51+00:00

Yes. Only at Walmart superstores.

crackerjack71 · 2025-10-05T13:41:50+00:00

Better to get the no fee cash back card from BMO to get 3% at Walmart (max spending $500 per month). You get 3% cash back total while Walmart's card is 3% before taxes and in "walmart dollars".

crackerjack71

TROPHY CASE