Readers of this newsletter have been sharing their stories about cancelled trips to the United States.
The conversation about boycotting U.S. travel began with a newsletter a few weeks ago that included a reader’s letter to a dozen state tourism offices. “Dear American friends” he wrote. “In light of your administration’s unilateral abandonment of its negotiated free trade agreement with Canada, we are reluctantly cancelling all future visits to the wonderful U.S. cultural, commercial and open spaces that we regularly used to enjoy so much.”
The letter prompted newsletter readers to contribute their own stories of cancelled travel plans. Numbers documenting the decline in travel by Canadians to the U.S. are piling up. Now for some specific stories:
“Just to let you know my wife and I have cancelled a planned fall road trip to New Mexico. I have e-mailed the tourism department of New Mexico to advise them. And I also invited them to apply to join Canada. I’ll let you know if they respond.”
“We cancelled our plans to take the grandchildren to Disney due to political situation in the U.S.”
“My husband and I booked a cruise one year ago, sailing from Seattle to Alaska the end of May. We have now made the painful decision to cancel the trip and forfeit a large sum of money, all in U.S. funds. We would feel like hypocrites to do anything but cancel.”
“We were thinking of a day trip [to the U.S.] and also another later in the year. With what’s been happening, these trips are completely off the table. We will vacation other places for the next several years.”
“Just writing to say we cancelled the March Break trip to New York City because of the cruelty from the Trump administration toward the people of Canada.”
Next, I’d like to hear where people are going instead of the United States. Send me your thoughts at [email protected].
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Rob’s personal finance reading list
Things you should never say in a negotiation
The theme here is how not to show a lack of confidence.
Context for the carnage
Good info here on past stock market corrections and how the recent market pullback ranks. The takeaway here is that stocks fall hard from time to time. That’s investing.
This is going to cost us
A smart piece looking at how the federal election campaign has yet to address the state of the federal government’s finances. Fighting a trade war has its costs – how will they affect the deficit? Meantime, a consensus is emerging that we need to spend more on defence. That’s another strain on government finances. At some point, spending cuts are coming.
The 411 on NSF fees
A review of the excessive non-sufficient funds fee that banks charge when there isn’t enough money in your account to cover a debit. Starting next March, the federal government will cap NSF fees at $10. For now, they can be much higher.
Podcast fans
Subscribe to Stress Test on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
Ask Rob
Q: I recently ran out of paper cheques. I only used them for rent, but the landlord is now allowing e-transfers. Do I need to get new cheques? They are ridiculously expensive.
A: Negative. Cheques are still around, but they’re a non-essential player in our payments system. E-transfers all the way.
Do you have a question for me? Send it my way. Sorry I can’t answer every one personally. Questions and answers are edited for length and clarity.
Tools and guides
A financial survival guide for seniors from the Canadian Association of Retired People
In the social sphere
Social Media: Could the tariff war lead to lower mortgage rates?
Watch: A reminder to not just accept what your bank offers when you renew your mortgage.
Money-Free Zone: Richard Thompson is a lesser-known guitar god who came out of the 1960s folk rock scene and co-founded the group Fairport Convention. His latest album was released last year – here’s a song called The Fear Never Leaves You that gives you an idea of his skills as a musician.
More PF from The Globe
- Where are your tax slips? Why so much information is missing from CRA accounts this year
- What tax changes are being proposed on the campaign trail?
- Financial tasks you can do now to make things easier on your kids after you die
- The hidden risk that LinkedIn and other professional networking sites pose to your retirement