Family Tax Credit could disappear + MORE Apr 10th

They say April showers bring May flowers, and thus far this season, great deals have bloomed for mortgage borrowers. Our expert panel says buyers can expect to access great discounts for their home financing – a sure sign of relief for those struggling to afford a home in Canada’s most competitive markets.
However, conditions aren’t so sunny for some rewards credit cardholders, as reports of point redemption frustration surface. Read on for the full story, and what it means for your finances.
Low Rates to Put a Spring in Home Buyers’ Steps
Great news for home buyers and mortgage renewers: the record-low rate pricing introduced in March is expected to stick around for the spring season, according to our experts’ forecast. Read on for our Mortgage Rate Outlook Panel’s full take on what’s in store for both fixed and variable mortgage rate pricing – and see if a great mortgage discount is in your near future.
Read Penelope’s Blog | Low Rates to Put a Spring in Home Buyers’ Steps
Cardholders Increasingly Frustrated by Aeroplan Rewards Shortage
Popular rewards giant Aeroplan has come under fire with consumers recently, as many have experienced difficulty booking travel with their rewards…

When your mailbox is flooded with card offers, it may be best to opt-out to reduce any risk of a thief trying to apply for credit in your name

NEW YORK, N.Y. – General Electric has transformed in the past decade. The Fairfield, Connecticut, company slimmed itself down from a massive conglomerate that made microwaves, movies and jet engines to a trimmer company focused on its industrial business. It has sold or spun off businesses that don’t fit with its industrial goals, such as NBC Universal and its credit card business.
On Friday, GE announced its latest deal: It will sell most of its financial business, GE Capital, over the next two years for about $26.5 billion.
Here’s a look at what businesses General Electric Co. currently owns, what it’s in the process of selling and which businesses it has sold or spun off in the past several years:
CURRENTLY OWNS:
Power and Water
Makes wind turbines, gas turbines, engines and generators and offers power generating services.
Revenue in 2014: $27.6 billion
Profit in 2014: $5.4 billion
Oil and Gas
Provides drilling equipment and services to the oil and gas industry…

Great news for Ontario mortgage shoppers: Meridian, the province’s largest credit union, has introduced an astounding 1.49 per cent for a 1.5-year term – one they’re billing as “the lowest known posted mortgage rate in Canadian history”.
“With this mortgage offering, we will be helping Ontarians to pay off their mortgages sooner while saving money in interest costs,” said Bill Whyte, Chief Member Services Officer for Meridian in a release.  “This is just another example of Meridian having our Members’ backs.”
It’s a great option for those on the market for short-term financing, are finishing up their mortgage, or are simply looking to save significantly on their monthly payments for a period of time.
Also read: Should You Choose a Long or Short-Term Mortgage?>
Rate Details
Term: 18 months. Note that this is a highly unique term length – short-term mortgages can be as brief as six months to as long as three years, but Meridian is mixing it up with this mid-point option…

A busy parliamentary schedule may force families to pay back Family Tax Credit (Getty Images)
Even as the Federal Conservatives trumpet their commitment to families, the current busy parliamentary schedule could scuttle legislation of the Family Tax Credit—forcing families to pay back money they’ve already received.
While family income splitting options, including the Family Tax Credit, became a reality last fall all the promises, work and money received by families across Canada could be undone because of an obscure piece of Parliamentary procedure. According to parliamentay rules the Family Tax Credit is not yet law until legislation has been passed. That means parliamentarians have until June to pass the legislation before they break for summer. Upon return in the fall, a federal election is expected, effectively postponing all potential legislation until a new government is officially elected. Not a significant problem on it’s own, except that the current busy parliamentary schedule could prevent legislation from being tabled and passed—and it’s happened before…