This and That: “Shoots of Recovery” week edition

If you haven’t done so already, you may want to get started on your taxes and avoid the last-minute rush. If you are preparing your own taxes, tax software can make your life much easier. The deadline for filing your return, April 30, 2009, is less than two weeks away.

Canadian Money Forum Highlight: The newly launched Canadian Money Forum is fast developing into a busy forum for free-wheeling discussions on anything related to finances. For instance, check out this thread where members share their experience with saving money on phone, cable and internet service. You can register here and add your two cents to the chatter.

1. Keeping with the “tax theme” of this week, here are some tips for your 2008 tax return (and getting a head start on 2009 tax planning) from tax expert Jamie Golombek.
2. Barclays has sold its iShares ETF franchise to a little-known private equity firm. Rob Carrick explains why ETF investors have little to worry from the change in ownership and feels that an increase in fees is “unlikely”.
3. You may want to check out and subscribe to Larry Swedroe’s blog, Wise Investing, on CBS Marketwatch. In a recent post, he discusses how your investment strategy should consider the existence of “black swans” — rare events that can have a devastating impact.
4. Million Dollar Journey wrote a thoughtful post on the Pareto principle, popularly known as the 80-20 rule.
5. Preet considers what would happen if every investor simply tracked the market indices.
6. If you are using tax software to prepare your taxes, Canadian Financial DIY points out that you should thoroughly check that all the deductions and tax credits are claimed correctly.
7. Mike fielded a reader question on RESP contributions for teenage children.
8. Canadian Personal Finance Blog recently reviewed and wrote a favourable review of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Getting out of Debt.
9. Michael James explains why the current system of not allowing stock option gains to offset capital losses is broken. To add insult to injury, the Federal Government has chosen to selectively provide relief to certain taxpayers.
10. When financial advisors go bad… Larry MacDonald reviews some of the shocking allegations in disciplinary proceedings instituted by the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada.