U.S. Unemployment Rate Drops to 4.3%
U.S. job growth slowed in May, which suggests the labor market was losing momentum despite the unemployment rate falling to a 16-year low of 4.3%. The problem with the unemployment number is that it doesn’t account for people who are out of the workforce because they gave up trying to find a job. Finding work usually isn’t very difficult, especially if one has some marketable skills. But finding the right one can often be difficult. In Canada for example, many have chosen to not accept a job that pays minimum wage because they think their time is worth more. Here’s a breakdown of minimum wage across the country.
- Alberta ‑ Currently, the minimum wage is $12.20 an hour, but it rises to $13.60 this year and $15 Oct. 1, 2018.
- B.C. – $10.85 now and $11.25 or more later this year.
- Manitoba – $11, with plans to raise it every year along with the rate of inflation.
- New Brunswick – $11. Adjusted annually relative to the consumer price index.
- Newfoundland & Labrador – $10.75 rising to $11 on Oct. 1, 2017.
- Northwest Territories – $12.50
- Nova Scotia – $10.85. Adjusted annually April 1 based on the consumer price index.
- Nunavut – $13. Adjusted annually April 1.
- Ontario – $11.40.
- Prince Edward Island – $11.25.
- Quebec – $10.75, rising to $11.25 per hour May 1.
- Saskatchewan – $10.72. Adjusted annually Oct. 1 relative to the consumer price index and average hourly wage.
- Yukon – $11.32. Adjusted annually April 1 based on the consumer price index.
May was an average month. Stock market went up a little. I’m still waiting for the crash that some people have been talking about for years, but hasn’t happened yet.
Liquid’s Financial Update
*Side Incomes:
- Part-Time = $600
- Freelance = $700
- Dividends = $700
- Interest = $400
- Fun = $300
- Debt Interest = $1100
*Net Worth: (ΔMoM)
- Assets: = $1,120,000 total (+7,200)
- Cash = $3,200 (-1000)
- Canadian stocks = $146,600 (-200)
- U.S. stocks = $96,200 (+900)
- U.K. stocks = $21,400 (+700)
- RRSP = $85,400 (+6500) ~ purchased 200 units of BMO high yield bond fund (ZHY)
- Mortgage Funds = $30,700 (+100)
- Peer-to-Peer Lending = $20,700 (+200)
- SolarShare Bonds = $9,800
- Home = $270,000
- Farms = $436,000
- Debts: = $491,500 total (-3,300)
- Mortgage = $183,400 (-400)
- Farm Loans = $189,300 (-500)
- Margin Loans = $63,500 (-1100)
- TD Line of Credit = $13,600 (-600)
- CIBC Line of Credit = $25,500 (-500)
- HELOC = $16,200 (-200)
*Total Net Worth = $628,500 (+$10,500 / +1.75%)
All numbers above are in $CDN.
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Random Useless Fact:
Just because something is legal doesn’t mean it’s ethical.
Come on now Liquid, with that kind of net worth you should be able to “afford” a girl friend that expects you putting $400/month on her. 😉 :p
I’m kidding of course. Very nicely done on the NW.
Haha. Depends on the girl of course. If I like her enough then I would be willing to spend more on her. My friend who works for a printing company spends $700 a month on his girlfriend. He is of the YOLO mentality lol.
Bahaha, I love the graphic at the end. Our alcohol laws in the U.S. are so outdated and bizarre. It’s interesting to see the unemployment rate so low. Hopefully we can maintain that rate, although I’m afraid of the eventual stock market downturn and what that may do for unemployment.
Alcohol laws in Canada are even more outdated. We can’t even legally bring booze from one part of the country to another.
Who will potentially buy the farm besides the farmer?
I’m assuming either other farming companies or investors.