Canadian Energy Companies Cut Perks
Calgary, Alberta — Canadian energy companies have cut thousands of jobs and scrapped projects in a drive to cut costs. Now they’re raiding workers’ perks. Holiday parties, childcare benefits and Fridays off are being targeted as the rout in crude prices grinds into its 16th month, workers and company representatives say. The clampdown on perks comes as firms dig deeper for savings after eliminating about 36,000 oil and natural gas...
Money Talk: Set Up IRS Payment Plan Yourself
Question: I fell behind on making my quarterly estimated tax payments for a long list of reasons, and when I file my return, the IRS will find out. I have heard they can seize your IRAs, which I have but do not want to cash out to pay. I found a service on the Internet with good references and no bad reviews. The company said it can help get a payment program and often a reduction in the amount owed. It seems worth a couple of...
Economics of Day Care Hurts New Families
Washington — It’s not the cost of diapers or even future college tuition that’s rattling Amber Sparks. “We basically had to remake our entire budget around day care,” said Sparks, 37, whose 3-month-old daughter began attending childcare this month when Sparks returned to work for a labor union in Washington. “We’ll eat out a lot less, and have a lot less discretionary spending. We live in an apartment building and I don’t think...
Canada Inflation Rises On Food, Shelter Prices
Ottawa — Canada’s annual inflation rate quickened in June as food and shelter costs increased and energy provided less of a drag. The consumer price index rose 1 percent in June from a year ago, following the 0.9 percent pace in May, Statistics Canada said Friday in Ottawa. Prices for meat, dairy and bakery products and fresh fruit climbed at least 2.5 percent. The Bank of Canada cut interest rates two days ago saying a weak economy...
