By Sheryl Smolkin

This week’s “Best from the Blogosphere” has financial tips of interest to both young and older readers.

On Boomer and Echo, Robb Engen does some financial dreaming about how to be financially free by age 40. He acknowledges it’s a stretch and life may get in the way, but says doing the calculations has given him the inspiration to try and attain this goal.

Retire Happy blogger Jim Yih explores the withholding tax you can expect to pay when you withdraw money from your RRSPs and RRIFs. He says it may not always be in your best interest to withdraw small amounts instead of a larger lump sum to minimize withholding tax. That’s because you must pay income tax on your full earnings so you may have to pay more when you file your income tax return.

Actuary Promod Sharma questions on Riscario Insider how Mike Holmes would fix the financial sector. He says Mike’s prescription for home renovation which is get educated; get an independent inspection; and get things fixed can apply equally to your retirement savings portfolio.

Meanwhile, if paying for an expensive college education is in you or your child’s future, you may be intrigued by Oregon’s “Pay it Forward, Pay it Back” pilot tuition plan. Students will be allowed to go to a public university or community college tuition-free, in exchange for a binding contract that they will pay a small, fixed percentage of their annual gross income for 20 years after they graduate.

But on Give me back my five bucks, blogger Krystal Yee says the proposal is just another student loan plan which may cost way more than the degree would cost if you finance it over a shorter period.

And finally, if you are still looking for a summer job or a recent graduate looking for a career position, take a look at a classic blog from the Squawkfox archives. Kerry K. Taylor says on the road to making it as a heavenly musician, artist, writer, or whatever, sometimes you have to stop being so fussy and take that horrible job to pay the bills.

Do you follow blogs with terrific ideas for saving money that haven’t been mentioned in our weekly “Best from the blogosphere. Share the information with on http://wp.me/P1YR2T-JR and your name will be entered in a quarterly draw for a gift card.

By Sheryl Smolkin

This week we bring you blogs that focus on some things you need to know if you are getting ready for retirement.

On Retirehappy.ca Jim Yih asks whether or not we need a debt course and exam before we take on more debt.

Riscario Insider discusses why you should have a financial Plan “B” and not purchase all of your wealth management services (i.e. banking, financial planning, investments and insurance) from one place.

Rob Engen explains on boomer & echo why David Chilton’s rule of thumb that you should save 10% of your income for retirement may no longer be enough.

In contrast, on Canadian Dream: Free at 45 Dave says that he is a constant saver, and when he retires he’ll have to figure out how to start spending more of his income.

And those of you who wonder whether you need life insurance in retirement should check out this post on FreefromBroke.

Do you follow blogs with terrific ideas for saving money that haven’t been mentioned in our weekly “Best from the blogosphere?”  Send us an email with the information to so*********@sa*********.com and your name will be entered in a quarterly draw for a gift card.

By Sheryl Smolkin

There is lots of interesting reading in the blogosphere this week.

Squawkfox Kerry K. Taylor counsels husband Carl on what to do with the $100 bill he found.

On boomer & echo Boomer comments on senior discounts vanishing from our banks.

Marissa is a 20-something recent grad with credit card debt and student loans. On Thirty Six Months she talks about being a good consumer by voting with your wallet.

Timeless Finance blogger Adina J. says if she had the choice, she would earn more instead of spending less to stay solvent.

And finally, Riscario Insider reviews Toronto Star consumer columnist Ellen Roseman’s terrific new book Fightback: 81 ways to help you save money and protect yourself from corporate trickery.

Do you follow blogs with terrific ideas for saving money that haven’t been mentioned in our weekly “Best from the blogosphere?”  Send us an email with the information to so*********@sa*********.com and your name will be entered in a quarterly draw for a gift card.