Federal Budget Highlights: What’s in Store For Your Money + MORE Apr 22nd

The latest Conservative federal budget has been announced and, while containing few surprises, packs tax breaks estimated to result in billions of dollars-worth of savings. Perks that had been hinted at over the past six months came into fruition, such as income splitting, the boosting of the Universal Childcare Benefit, and the doubling of the youth fitness tax credit. A long-awaited increase to Tax-Free Savings Accounts was also announced.
It’s an obviously consumer-focused bill, developed as election season looms on the horizon. “This is very much an election budget,” says Brad Rolph, tax service line leader for Southern Ontario at Grant Thornton LLP. “They seem to touch all the bases, there’s a little bit of everything for everybody.”
While the surprise winners are small businesses – Business Development Bank of Canada has made some investing changes and will boost the small business profile for companies from a cap of $5 million to $10 million -  Rolph points out there are a few gems that’ll make life a little easier for average Canadians…

April 22, 2015: Average rate on new card offers increased this week to the highest point this year, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report.

A handful of banks offer socially conscious credit cards that donate a percentage of your spending to environmental causes.

Now that the federal government has balanced its books, Stephen Harper’s Conservatives have kept their promise to double the annual TFSA contribution limit from their original $5,000 to $10,000. They also came through with the expected reduction of minimum annual withdrawals of Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) for seniors. RRIF withdrawal rates will be reduced from the previous 7.38% to 5.28% under a new formula, and apply to seniors between the ages of 71 and 94. After age 95, you’re on your own: it’s still 20% per year.
And thirdly, in a boon for small enterprises, startups and would-be entrepreneurs of all ages, tax rates for small businesses will fall to 9% in 2019 from the current 11%.
I have to agree with Rob Carrick of the Globe & Mail, seniors are the “runaway winners” with this budget. Apart from the desired TFSA boost (a massive $20,000 for couples) and RRIFs that will last longer, they also got a surprise new tax credit worth up to $1,500 to make their homes more accessible…

Mostly bonuses to take advantage of today! News, Tips & Tricks It appears that yet another loyalty program has been hacked. This time it is Hyatt Gold Passport and you should be getting an email from them advising you to change your password. Only a few accounts seem to have actually been affected but as a security measure they want all members to change their passwords. If you try to login into your account with your current password you will get an error saying it is incorrect. Simply click on forget password and they’ll send you a temporary one which you can login with and then update to a new password. Tons of great bonuses were added to Rewards Canada today. Of note are the Triple Aeroplan Miles offers for stays at Coast Hotels or Delta Hotels not to mention the latest Earn Your Wings promotion. Then there is the Alaska Airlines self-tag online bonus for your checked luggage, IHG’s Share Everything and several good United flight bonuses if you find yourself connecting via the U…