Trans-Pacific Partnership unlikely to lower grocery or car costs much + MORE Oct 6th

Having great credit is the base for financial security – and your key to qualifying for mortgages, auto and other loans at the best rates. But building a solid score often means using a credit card, and that can lead to a debt spiral rather than stellar consumer standing. And Canadians are charging it more than ever – the latest numbers show our nation’s debt-to-income ratio has hit a new record of 164.4%.
How can we keep debt under control and create great credit? Read on for the full story.
What Are Credit Card Grey Charges?
Are you unwittingly paying pesky hidden credit card grey charges? If you’re like most Canadians, chances are there’s a couple on your statement. Here’s how to catch these background charges – and how to stop paying them for good.

Read Amanda’s Blog | What Are Credit Card Grey Charges?
How Can Students Build Credit?
Students are often carrying a ton of debt – so is it really smart to add a credit card to the mix? Often enough, yes, as these years are the prime time for young adults to build their credit histories…

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Liberal leader Justin Trudeau released his 88-page package of campaign promises today, which includes new measures aimed at helping post-secondary students pay for their education.
If elected, a Liberal government would increase the Canada Student Grant for low-income students by 50% to $3,000 a year for full-time students and $1,800 for part-time students.
As well, graduates would be required to start paying their debts only after they’re earning at least $25,000 a year.
“Finding the money to pay for school is only half the battle. Repaying student loans after you leave is often just as challenging,” said Trudeau.
Indigenous students will benefit from an extra $50 million a year as part of the Liberals’ plan to boost the Post-Secondary Student Support Program.
On Friday, NDP leader Tom Mulcair announced his own proposed student debt reforms including a plan to phase out interest on student loans…

The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade and investment deal is unlikely to pass on significant cost savings to Canadian shoppers buying groceries or cars, experts say, despite opening up more free-trade in those industries.

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MONTREAL – Canadian consumers outside Quebec could see lower dairy prices from a new massive trade deal signed Monday, says an industry observer.
Retail prices could fall if dairy processors like Saputo (TSX:SAP) pass along savings from lower imported milk costs to consumers, says Sylvain Charlebois, professor of distribution and food policy at the University of Guelph’s Food Institute.
“When you look at prices dropping at farm gate, usually consumers do win over the long-term; that’s what we’ve seen over the last five to 10 years,” he said in an interview. “There are no guarantees but you actually do increase that possibility.”
Canada’s protected dairy sector remains mostly intact under the Trans-Pacific Partnership. However, another 3.25 per cent share of imports would be allowed over five years, adding to the pressure from 17,700 tonnes of cheese permitted under a separate trade deal with Europe…