My Money: Vol. 4, No. 2, March-April-May 2009

My Money, produced for Desjardins caisse members and clients, is divided into 3 sections described as follows:

• My Caisse gives the latest caisse news.
• My Finances offers tips on personal finance with all of the Desjardins expertise.
• Our Community discusses topics of everyday life such as the environment, society, commitment, culture, etc.

My Money is published 5 times a year. With each issue of the magazine, Desjardins.com will feature, among others, the My Finances section contents.

Excerpts from No. 2

Entre nous
Desjardins: An Institution Worthy of its Members’ Trust – Monique F. Leroux, Chair of the Board, CEO and President (PDF, 689 KB).

My Caisse
Getting Involved at My Caisse is a Real Possibility! (PDF, 617 KB)
Desjardins Group’s distinguishing quality has always been its democratic nature, whereby each caisse member is also a potential decision-maker. Over the decades we have maintained the principle of "one member, one vote," while constantly increasing and better adapting the means of expression available to each of our 5.8 million members. There is certainly one that’s just right for you!

Money working for people
Desjardins in Sri Lanka: Positive Outcomes! (PDF, 555 KB)
As part of the reconstruction efforts in Sri Lanka, Desjardins is supporting a network of financial cooperatives that were hit hard by the tsunami. Four years on, this commitment has brought tangible and positive results.

On the Front Line
Shopping for a house? – Start off on the right foot! (PDF, 651 KB)
House-hunting is no simple matter. It is a stressful and emotional process that requires patience and objectivity. You have everything to gain by starting off on the right foot.

Economic Trends
Canadian Real Estate Bubble Deflating (PDF, 670 KB)
In just one year, the housing market has undergone a complete turnaround in certain regions of the country. The decline in real estate prices, which began in Western Canada in the summer of 2008, is now affecting half the main cities nationwide.

Investing
Your Investment Portfolio – Time to Take Stock (PDF, 639 KB)
The crash was bad. Very bad. The 30% to 40% stock market tumble that hit Canada, the United States and elsewhere affected all investors with almost n exceptions. It’s now time to take stock.