4 Things you might not have known about your Cell Phone

For all the folks with cell phones: (This should be printed and kept in your car, purse, and wallet. Good information to have with you.) 

Canadian housing market grows despite global troubles

OTTAWA — Canada's housing market "remains a notable out-performer" in comparison to other countries, where renewed doubts about the strength of the global economy are weakening an already fragile real-estate scene, says a report released Tuesday.

The Bank of Nova Scotia said in an assessment of the global housing market that high unemployment, concerns over the financial health of some European governments, signs the global economic recovery is slowing down and recent stock-market volatility are burdening residential real-estate markets around the world.

For many people, saving money and repaying debt have become bigger priorities than making major purchases, such as homes, the report said.

"We expect global housing demand to remain moribund until the global economic recovery gets back on a firmer footing and some financial market stability returns," said Adrienne Warren, senior economist with Scotia Economics.

Canada is one of just three of the nine developed countries assessed that saw year-to-year price growth, adjusted for inflation, in its housing market in this year's second quarter. There was five per cent price growth, on average, in the April-to-June period.

"Ultra-low interest rates will continue to support affordability in the face of record high prices," Warren said of Canada. "Nonetheless, heightened economic uncertainty, combined with recent signs of a loss of momentum in Canada's jobs market, could keep some potential buyers on the sidelines for the time being.

"On balance, we anticipate a modest slowdown in the volume of sales transactions heading into year end, alongside relatively flat prices."

Markets dive amid global economic pessimism

In Asia, the Nikkei 225 lost 2 per cent and the Shanghai Composite was down 2.8 per cent. Most commodities, gold included, were down significantly. Copper prices, which are often viewed as a proxy for global economic growth, lost 4.6 per cent, taking them to a year low.

10 Places to Buy a Retirement Home for Under $100,000

Selling your home and moving to a place where housing costs considerably less can be a quick way to give your nest egg a significant boost. Here are 10 places where the median home-sale price was less than $100,000 in 2010.

B.C. home sales to slow this year, but price to hit new high

VANCOUVER - Plans to remove the HST and return to a provincial sales tax mixed with the Goods and Services Tax will probably cause some homebuyers in British Columbia to delay purchases until 2013, Central 1 Credit Union forecasts.

Lies your credit report tells

It's bad enough having to correct the crazy stories your mother tells about you, not to mention the neighbourhood rumours that get started by that über-competitive, cookie-baking rhymes-with-stitch down the street.

The 10 happiest jobs

There are some surprises in the 10 happiest jobs, as reported a General Social Survey by the National Organization for Research at the University of Chicago. 

Canadians fall deeper in debt

OTTAWA — Canadian household debt continued to rise in the second quarter as individuals took out more mortgages at historically low rates and obtained consumer loans, Statistics Canada said on Tuesday.

Why the debt crisis in Europe is getting worse

Greece’s wrestling match with its sovereign debt is raising fears of default and financial market contagion around the world and threatening to tear a gaping hole in the euro.

The $99 house arrives in the United States

It takes the world of flat pack into a new dimension. An American company is producing tiny houses that you build yourself that start at just $99.

French property prices rise for the fifth consecutive quarter in a row

Residential property prices in France, particularly in popular locations, are continuing to rise steadily, the latest report from the FNAIM shows.

The Bank of Canada's changing language

Watching the Bank of Canada's language on the economy change over the past year is like seeing a healthy, upbeat person gradually come around to the idea that a serious illness is overtaking them.

Increase in subletting in Dubai leads to crackdown

People who rent apartments and villas in Dubai and then sub let a room to someone else face eviction and legal action if they fail to secure a letter of consent from the property owner agreeing to the contract, lawyers are warning.

Obama says jobs plan will push for infrastructure spending

U.S. President Barack Obama said spending to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure is a key component of his plan to reignite the economy and boost hiring.