Dr. Roman Jovey, Past President of The Canadian Pain Society tells Zoomers how chronic and acute pain affects productivity and the economy.
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Richard welcomes a maverick economist who is warning of yet another economic meltdown. He says that the BP oil spill will have huge ramifications on the US economy as the dispersants mixed with the oil and other gasses associated with the spill and the clean-up efforts become toxic rain that will soak farmlands and residential areas in the Eastern U.S. Some areas of the East may eventually become practically uninhabitable, crippling the U.S. economy, he says.
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The economic ripple will hit investors soon. As a result, many millions will be looking for safe havens for their money, and over the the last few decades, gold has been one of the safest of harbors. He feels that gold will continue to soar, perhaps upwards of $2,400 per ounce. Back in 1979, gold reached $800 per ounce, and everyone thought that bubble would burst, too. But it didn’t then. Instead, the Reagan administration cut spending and stopped printing money. Until the Obama administration does the same, he says gold will soar in the wake of the economic and environmental disaster of the gulf oil spill as toxic rain hits the heart of the American economy east of the Mississippi.
Guest: Howard J. Ruff is financial adviser and writer of investing newsletter The Ruff Times. Ruff is the author of Famine and Survival in America (1974), How to Prosper During the Coming Bad Years (1979), Survive and Win in the Inflationary Eighties (1981), Making Money (1984), and other books. He has recently updated and re-released his most successful book, re-titling it How to Prosper During the Coming Bad Years in the 21st Century (2008).Ruff advised investors to avoid stocks and bonds and instead to put their portfolios into gold, silver, platinum group metals, and collectibles such as art and numismatic coins. He also advised his readers to store a year’s supply of food in preparation for hard times. Ruff believed (as of his 1979-1981 writings) that the United States was headed for a hyperinflationary economic depression.Ruff gained a sizable mainstream audience for a while during the late 1970s until about 1981, because those who had been taking his investment advice and buying precious metals saw large capital gains during that period. The New York Times labeled Howard Ruff “The Prophet of Doom” after his book How to Prosper During the Coming Bad Years reached the number #1 seller in 1979.
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From Goldhawk Fights Back, Michael Trebilcock, Economist and former policy adviser on Energy issues to the Ontario Legislature, states his opposition to wind energy.
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Remote Viewer, Trance Clairvoyant and Medical Intuitive Douglas James Cottrell discusses his visions of 2012, Earth Changes, Geo-Politics and the Economy.
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How the owners of Central Banks around the world manipulate the economy causing recessions, depressions and perhaps even wars.
Article By: Elizabeth Rogers, 50plus.com
Heading out on a summer vacation? Here’s what could affect your plans this year — for better or worse.
Summer travel can be challenging enough with crowded airports, clogged roadways and tempers rising along with the temperatures. In Summer travel trouble shooting, we told you about some common seasonal ailments, but what’s going to impact your plans this year ? Here’s a quick look at some of the issues shaping this summer’s travel scene:
The economy
Are you sick of hearing about the economy yet? Or annoying buzzwords like “staycation” and “naycation”? The gist of the news is that many people are staying home again this year because times are tough. Those who do go on vacation will opt for shorter and cheaper trips.
It isn’t good news for the tourism industry, but there’s a silver lining if you can afford to get away. The “supply and demand” scales are tipped in favour of the traveller because travel providers, accommodations and other tourism-related businesses are trying to get people to come out and spend. Keep your eyes open not just for price cuts, but more perks and amenities as well (and upgrades too).
And you don’t even have to be travelling to take advantage of the deals. Check out promotions in your hometown, or places close enough for a day trip or overnight getaway.
The bottom line: if you’ve got room in your budget and you’re willing to bargain hunt, there are deals to be found this summer.
Cutbacks and cancellations
Of course, there’s a storm cloud to go along with that silver lining. Companies are hurting, and as a result, they’re cutting back on services and staff – while fees for formerly free services like checked baggage remain in place. Airline traffic was significantly down in May, a trend which is likely to continue throughout the summer.
But fewer passengers doesn’t necessarily mean easy flying for those who can take off. Travellers should still expect full planes, according to the Airline Transportation Association (ATA). That’s because airlines are cutting back on their costly routes to make up for the millions of air travellers who won’t be flying this year. (See the story on CNN for details). That translates to fewer flights to some destinations, or the disappearance of direct flights altogether.
There’s also the continuing possibility of travel companies going out of business. April’s collapse of Conquest Vacations is still fresh in people’s minds as many travellers lost their vacations — or found themselves stranded at their own expense.
Airlines aren’t the only ones facing cancellations and delays. Thanks to the recession, you might find many events have been scaled down or cancelled this year due to costs and fears of low attendance.
If you’re booking a flight or planning to attend a big event, make sure to stay on top of the latest updates and be prepared to make some changes to your plans if necessarily. A little patience and flexibility will be an asset this year — especially if you can leverage travel troubles into better deals and opportunities.
Fuel costs
The cost of gas is on the rise again — but how high will it go? There’s still some debate in the news. According the National Energy Board’s (NEB) summer outlook, analysts are predicting that gas prices will hover around $1.00 per litre — unlike last year’s ballooning costs that reached $1.50 in some areas. A recent press release reports that high inventories of oil combined with the economic downturn will help keep prices down for the summer.
In other words, road trips will remain an affordable option for many travellers, and we might not see the additional fare hikes and fuel surcharge fees we experienced in 2008. (But don’t expect current ones to vanish either).
However, if past experience is any indication natural disasters and problems at production facilities can cause temporary spikes in price. The NEB’s forecast can help with budgeting, but it might be a good idea to leave a little extra room just in case.
The flu
Not to downplay all the other health risks that travellers face, but the H1N1 virus (”swine flu”) is still top of mind. Scientists, researchers and health experts will be watching it closely over the coming months to see how it behaves as it makes the rounds during the southern hemisphere’s normal flu season.
Because we live in one of the first countries to experience the outbreak, we may be getting a little complacent. However, other countries around the world are taking the threat very seriously, and are nervously eying travellers from infected countries like Canada. We’ve already heard stories of travellers being isolated as a precaution — even if they were healthy.
But what does it mean for your summer travel plans? According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) you shouldn’t travel if you’re sick. That means postponing your travel plans if you’re experiencing symptoms before you go, or staying put in your hotel room for a week if you’re sick while travelling. You should limit contact with other people for at least seven days.
These steps are especially important if you’re travelling abroad. PHAC continues to warn of the possibility of quarantine and isolation measures imposed on travellers from Canada. Showing up at the airport with a fever is not a wise move.
An additional word of warning: Talk to your health care provider if you have any underlying health conditions that could put you at increased risk for complications. There could be additional trouble ahead if the country you’re in doesn’t have adequate health care.
For more information on travel and the H1N1 flu, see the PHAC travel health notice and the World Health Organization.
New entry requirements
By now you’ve likely heard the warning: Don’t show up at a U.S. border crossing without a passport, enhanced driver’s license or a NEXUS card. The final stage of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) came into place on June 1 and extended the rules already in place for air travel to include land and sea crossings as well.
Some Canadians aren’t phased by the new regulations, but for others it’s one more expense and one more reason to stay closer to home. Industry experts are keeping a nervous eye on the situation as the new requirements might further discourage cash-strapped Americans from coming to Canada this summer.
But you won’t be turned away without the right documentation just yet. The “grace period” will be in place for a short time to allow travellers to become familiar with the new rules. However, you’re likely to experience some delays at the border as officials have to verify your other forms of ID.
If you don’t have current WHTI-compliant documentation, now is the time to apply. The good news is that Passport Canada isn’t reporting the serious backlog in passport application processing like we saw when the air travel requirement came into place. Currently, processing times are at their usual two weeks (at a counter) and four weeks (by mail or agent). To see what your options are, check out Beware: New US entry requirements.
IF YOU GO
– Consider travel insurance, and make sure it covers any issues you might face (especially health and hurricane coverage). Consider it a back-up plan to cover any costs if you have to cancel your trip or make alternative arrangements.
– Watch out for scams. Criminals are always waiting to take advantage of any situation, and they know travellers are hunting for deals this year. It may be hard to spot the too-good-to-be-true offers from the genuine deals, so be prepared to do a little research on the company before you book. (For more information, see Vacation scams: What you need to know).
– Stay current. Don’t book your vacation and forget about it. Keep an eye on the news and weather before you go so you’ll know what’s going on and what could affect your plans.
– Be flexible. If you don’t have your heart set on a particular destination, reports indicate this is a good year to take advantage of last-minute deals and discounts. It might be a good year to try something a little different, like a recession-friendly destination you’d normally overlook.
– Know your rights (and policies). It’s a good year to read the fine print and find out what coverage and consumer protection is offered by your travel provider, government, credit card, employee benefits plan and insurance company. Take a look at your travel provider’s contracts, and make sure you know the details of any cancellation policies.
And finally — be discreet. Touting the latest fashions and gadgets can put you at risk when you travel. Travellers are often perceived as wealthy — and those who can afford to travel in this climate are bound to stand out.
Overall, there may be some additional challenges this year, but many potential rewards as well. Being an informed traveller will undoubtedly help to dodge some of the issues, but it will also help you find some of the best deals too.
Photo ©iStockphoto.com/ John Sigler
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Beware! These money-saving measures could cost you in the long run.
The doom-and-gloom of the economy still has many people keeping a closer eye on the news and an even closer watch on their budget. However, it’s possible to take budget-trimming measures a little too far — and end up paying for it in the long run. For the sake of your pocket book, not to mention your health, here are a few things you shouldn’t cut out of your spending:
Hot water. Many energy saving resources recommend turning the temperature on your hot water tank down to as low as 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit) — but this could be harmful to your health. Hydro Quebec and Safe Kids Canada warn that lower temperatures can lead to the growth and spread of harmful bacteria that causes legionnaires’ disease (a type of severe pneumonia). The bacteria grow in the lower, cooler part of the hot water tank and can be inhaled through water droplets in the air (often from whirlpools or showers). Hydro Quebec notes that it’s not a good idea to turn down the dial, even if you’re away on holidays. Safe Kids warns that electric water heaters should never be set below 60 degrees Celsius due to their design, but gas and oil-fired ones can be safely turned down to the “warm” or “medium” setting (as long as the temperature stays at 49 C or above).
The most important thing is the health of your family: If anyone in your home has a chronic illness or weakened immune system, you’ll want to keep the temperature up.
What can you do instead? Both organizations recommend installing water-mixing or tempering valves that mix hot water with cold. You can also save heat by insulating the tanks, or using less hot water to begin with (such as using a cold water wash).
Maintenance: Your car, appliances, heater and other household items will run better (and cost less) if they’re kept in peak condition. For example, a well-maintained car will use less fuel because it runs more efficiently. A well-maintained home will lose less heat and have fewer drafts — making it less costly to heat. A leaky faucet will drain away your money.
Supportive shoes. Cheap shoes aren’t long on arch support or cushioning, they generally aren’t as sturdy in their construction and they don’t fit as well. The result? Muscle and joint complaints, back aches and a host of other problems like bunions. Good shoes are especially important for those with “high risk feet” like children, women (who have four times as many foot problems as men), people with diabetes, athletes and people over the age of 65 (due to the loss of cushioning fat pads in the feet).
The danger is you might not notice the harm right away. The BC Association of Podiatrists notes that most of the 300 ailments that can affect our feet come from years of neglect and abuse. (See their website for more information).
So how can you save money if you stick to more expensive shoes? Look for classic styles and neutral colours — they can be paired with more outfits. Keep an eye on the sales as last year’s styles often go on clearance. Sometimes a quick fix can save a lot of money as well. It’s usually the soles that wear out first, but if the “uppers” are in good shape you can have your favourite shoes re-soled for about $40 at a shoe repair store.
Travel insurance. A medical emergency or accident when you’re out of the country can be run up bills as high as $10 000 – $100 000 — and your private coverage (from work or your credit card company) might not cover all contingencies. Even if a pre-existing medical condition isn’t included in the policy, you should still be covered for unrelated medical issues and accidents (like a fall or a car crash).
Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance may keep you from losing the money you’ve invested in your trip if you can’t go or if something disrupts it — an emergency back home or a severe storm.
Shopping around for the best policy is your best chance at saving some money. Otherwise, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office says it best: “If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel”.
Safety measures. If something in your home or car isn’t quite “safe”, it should be looked after regardless of the economy. An accident or injury simply isn’t worth the risk. Preventable falls are one of the top causes of disability in Canada, and something we should be taking more measures to avoid.
Being proactive also makes a huge difference. There are more and more products on the market that support people staying in their homes longer (as well as helping those who support them). Whether it’s something as simple as a non-slip mat or as involved as a monitoring system, many of these measures make day-to-day tasks easier and more convenient. In short, if it will improve the quality of life, then it’s worth a second look.
Gas. There many ways to save on fuel costs, but some can be a waste of money. According to the Better Business Bureau, most gas-saving devices or fuel additives don’t work or offer very little savings at all. Some of the devices tested by the EPA did show a small improvement in fuel efficiency — but installing them is considered illegal tampering. Others actually increased emissions, making cars even less environmentally-friendly. There’s a reason that no government organization endorses or approves the use of these items. Instead, consider how your driving habits contribute to gas mileage. See Suffering from gas pains? for some reliable ways to save money on fuel.
Professional Development. Going to a conference, attending a workshop or taking a college or university course may require an input of cash, but learning some new skills can help keep you in demand (and help you find new opportunties too). In many cases, potential employers aren’t just looking at what you can do , they’re looking for a willingness to learn new technology and skills (and proof you can do it).
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to stay current. Check with your alma mater to see what deals they offer alumni on their continuing education courses. There are also many resources online where you can take courses or brush up on certain topics. Sometimes a good book can do the trick. For instance, a book on HTML and CSS can take the place of a class, but the outcome is the same (i.e. being able to create a website).
Volunteering is also a good way to gain some work experience and pick up some transferable skills. If you’re got skills and expertise to share, offer to teach others (and gain some instructional experience while you’re at it).
Your health. Thinking of putting off dental care or getting your eyes checked? It’s tempting to cut back on the things that our health care system doesn’t pay for, especially if you don’t have a benefits plan to fall back on. However, your body is one thing you should spend money on because small health problems — like a low-grade infection in the gums or blurry vision — can be the first signs of a serious problem developing. Even seemingly small complaints can affect your overall comfort and well-being, and can impact your daily activities and productivity at work.
And if you’ve been ill or suffered an injury or traumatic event, support like physiotherapy, occupational therapy and visiting a psychologist can greatly help the recovery process.
A little prevention is also in order. For instance, a proper desk and computer set up can prevent muscle, tendon and joint problems like carpel tunnel syndrome. It’s easier to prevent these problems than to treat them (and a lot less painful).
Exercise. It may also be tempting to cancel the gym membership, drop out of sports leagues or skip the exercise classes. However, regular exercise had been proven to have many health benefits both in the short and longer term. Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy to find ways to complete a balanced workout without the proper equipment and guidance at hand. Weight-lifting or strength training exercises are getting more attention these days as a way to maintain muscle tone, strength, balance and agility as we age — benefits we’ll continue to reap in the future. But if you’re just starting out, it’s a good idea to have some supervision until the proper form and motions can be achieved.
Where can you cut back? If you can’t get outside for a good walk, balance free activities with paid ones. Walking at a local recreation centre or mall is a good way to get in some cardio, and activities like aqua fit or circuit training that include strength and cardio are a good bet for taking classes. And after you’ve taken a couple of classes in yoga and Pilates, you can turn to the exercise DVDs at the library. Resistance bands and exercise balls are inexpensive alternatives to home gym equipment, and they often come with instructional materials like posters or DVDs.
The bottom line
There are many things you should spend money on even when the budgets are tight. Good quality products that will last are a better investment than cheap products that will break and need replacing — but that doesn’t mean you have to pay full price. The usual money-saving tips still apply: watch for sales, clip coupons and comparison shop. Second-hand and consignment stores also offer some good deals on used items in good condition. It’s also worth asking about discounts if none are offered. After all, businesses want to keep people buying — even if they need to offer some incentive.
Photo ©iStockphoto.com/ TIM MCCAIG
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