RRSP deadline is TODAY, for 2008 tax year.

If you want to contribute to your 2008 tax year RRSP, today (March 2, 2009) is the last day you can contribute AND report as your 2008 tax year RRSP contribution (otherwise you can report it for 2009 tax year )

After today, you can "only" report it as 2009 tax year contribution

This is my first year contributing to RRSP (as well as TFSA, both in TDW) and I had to contribute a LOT this year so I don't pay a LOT of taxes to CRA. In addition to my company RRSP contribution

Sigh, I need a LOT of cash :(

I do agree with the article, there is barely any RRSP sales pitch or advertisement this year due to the economy. When people are worried about jobs and savings, RRSP is the least of their concern. More reasons for me to be very grateful and hopefully come out well ahead

Getting Ready Financially for 2009

It's 20 days away from 2009, and whether you realize it or not, there are new changes coming in Jan 2009, and I have to start acting now to get my financial plans in order

Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)
I have to find $5000 to put into TD Waterhouse TFSA account, ready to go Jan 2, 2009!!
If you want to learn about TFSA, KPMG has a good starting guide

RRSP
I have to start looking into my RRSP that I have avoided since 2005 as I usually find better usage for the supposed-to-contribute money. Now I have near $30,000 contribution room, and it is time to plan and lower my income bracket.

Fortunately, with some sweet talk, TD and TD Waterhouse love me so much that they are willing to waive my $100+ admin fee for the TD Waterhouse Self-Directed RRSP, which means I simply have 2 TDW accounts - one registered, one not. No additional financial institutions to deal with or move money to

Now where do I find $30,000 to put it in..... I think I love TD too much as well

Tax-Loss Selling Equities
Investors do this to offset capital gains in previous years to get tax refunds.
Sorry, I refuse to give in and admin my losses (which is quite a lot...) but I am investing for the long say. Buy and Hope... wait, it's Buy and Hold