CAN climbs over USD!

"The Canadian dollar reached parity with the U.S. greenback on Thursday for the first time in almost 31 years, capping a spectacular run that has seen it rise 62 per cent since 2002." source cbc.ca

This is not particularily good news for me. I remember in 2002 when I could buy a chocolate bar on the BC ferry with 1 USD and get back a loonie. It also was helping to pay off those pesky student loans. Oh well, the tax-rate in WA state is still much less than BC.

---

Speaking of money. Do you exchange funds between currencies on a regular basis? I was frustrated by the 2% TD Canada Trust charged me for every US $ I exchanged with them. I also had to physically send them a check, which they'd hold for X days until it cleared. Not any more! www.xetrade.com and sites like it can send Electronic Funds Transfers (EFTs) all over the world. You need to setup a phone meeting with a rep to ask you questions about where you'll send the money/how much/why are you sending it. Some of the questions are big-brother style and probably caused by anti-terrorism legislature. But once that's done you can use the web to send money from Canada to the USA in 6-7 days. And they guarantee the best rates anywhere. Much simpler than my prior experience.

---

You've heard of outsourcing computer programming. Now you can outsource everyday tasks. Some website focus on hiring people remotely to do your tasks which do not require a physical presence such as creating/updating personal websites, tutoring, job-hunting, researching for apartments, making appointments, shopping online, etc. There are also sites which have people locally to help out with your everyday and menial tasks.
GetFriday.Com: Based out of India
Guru.com: Hire professionals in business/consulting, IT, office/admin.
DoMyStuff.com: Local and remote task bidding site. Includes local contacts who can clean out your garage, organize photos, etc.
Another article: some more links

Happy outsourcing!