Bird Talk » Dollars & Sense

Posted date : Nov 4, 2017.

Dear Bird Talk, Recently, I decided to remove the money I had remaining in my U.S. Royal Bank chequing account because I was returning to Canada within two weeks and I thought I would take the cash and just spend whatever money I had. I went to the bank machine and removed all that was […]

Posted date : Nov 4, 2017.

Dear Bird Talk, Just a word of caution to those of us who travel to Nevada, Arizona and California and use Shell, Chevron, Valero or Diamond Shamrock service stations. If you use a Visa or MasterCard, these cards are not accepted at their gas pumps without a U.S. zip code. These pumps are programmed to […]

Posted date : Nov 4, 2017.

Dear Bird Talk, I am a Florida homeowner. Are Canadians eligible to apply for a Homestead Tax Exemption ($25,000) on their property taxes in Florida? Thank You, William Johnston Response: Ed: The Florida Homestead Tax Exemption is for full-time Florida residents only. Our concern is that even more taxes will be shifted to visitors and […]

Posted date : Nov 4, 2017.

Dear Bird Talk, I have been asked by several senior friends as an original CSA member to write to you of our concern regarding what is happening to our savings in this period of economic downturn, in particular as it applies to our RRIFs and the amounts we must withdraw. Seniors, those of us fortunately […]

Posted date : Nov 4, 2017.

Dear Bird Talk, Re: your info in CSANews, would you please tell me how to obtain a frequent flyer credit card. I do have an AIR MILES credit card I can use in some stores, but none appear to have the benefit of the card you discuss in your article. I would appreciate any info […]

Posted date : Nov 4, 2017.

Dear Bird Talk, I am paying almost $200 a month hydro for my 1,400 sq. ft in Lakeland; the only thing running is the AC, set at 85. We have been told if we cut off the AC, we will come back to a mould-infested home, so I wonder, do most just pay these high […]

Posted date : Nov 4, 2017.

Hello Bird Talk! One of your members has suggested that many other “snowbirds” would be extremely interested to learn about a pension that is available to most people who worked in the U.K. at some point in their lives. I am attaching a brief info piece for possible reprint in your excellent magazine, CSANews, and […]

Posted date : Nov 4, 2017.

Dear Bird Talk, Perhaps you think that when a couple has a joint bank account with right of survivorship that no changes will be made after the death of one partner. When my husband passed away, I found out that this is not so with our account at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. When […]

Posted date : Nov 4, 2017.

Dear Bird Talk, I have just read Peter Benedek’s column and, being a property-owning snowbird who keeps up to date with such issues, I am well aware of this matter. It is sad indeed. My wife and I own a house in Florida, and even though I know that renters and other vacationers are also […]

Posted date : Nov 4, 2017.

Dear Bird Talk: I’m one of the many snowbirds that own a small one-bedroom condo (600 sq. ft.) in Pinellas County, Treasure Island Florida. In the year 2005 our taxes were increased by a staggering 142 % or $1622.12. Now for the year 2006 the proposed taxes, if adopted, will increase our taxes another 34 […]