USD Fx.......

[checking]

Yes, but are Americans happy lodgers. Campers?, I probably agree that that part of travel can be inexpensive. Walmart doesn't have that many five star parking lots!

Your number one item on the list is a vice. Perhaps the US government has it figured out that after the initial getting loaded period of happiness, you don't create too much trouble for the government, sleeping it off.

Personally think travel is a vice, and should have the shit taxed to it, but whatever turns your crank.

Happy trails!!!

[westernvicki]

IF the dollar was at par imagine what you would be getting for commodities: it's invisible inflation, and a better balance of trade it is not likely to be the gift of 2019.

[SASKFARMER3]

Americans are happy.

They have jobs and are working.

Better lifestyle.

Strong dollar.

Traveling again.

Canadians are

Pissed for the most part.

Unemployed or soon will be

Poor prices dollar.

Expensive everything

But have free health care.

HahahH nothing is free

[biglentil]

Americans are happy.

They have jobs and are working.

Better lifestyle.

Strong dollar.

Traveling again.

Canadians are

Pissed for the most part.

Unemployed or soon will be

Poor prices dollar.

Expensive everything

But have free health care.

HahahH nothing is free

Sf3 is right the southern states are great and are cost effective places to travel in the winter. SoCal is crowded and traffic can be horrific, NorCal too cool in winter. Florida is nice but can be pricey for hotels and its tough to get to without 2 connections. Vegas has become a pricey tourist trap after they tack on all the resort taxes and parking. Pheonix area is my favorite it has two direct flights out of YQR a week and many more cheap direct flights out of Minot and Bismark. If airports aren't your cup of tea the drive to Pheonix is not unreasonable. The weather is always great and decent hotels with a warm outdoor pool and hot tub can be had for $70 a night, restaurants reasonable too. The people are friendly and relaxed,and there is an all round good vibe. Lots to see and do the Barrett Jackson classic car auction, the new aquariam complex, Talking Stick Resort for your gambling fix, golfing out your wazoo, pick some fruit, a great zoo and awesome hiking. What's not to like? Go get some sun, you may be surprised that the cost of living is better than Canuckstan.

[farmaholic]

Who goes travelling to save money? That’s what money is for - spending on marginal utility.

But at what point do you say **** it?
Travel for pleasure is a luxury that not everyone can afford. There has to be a line in the sand where some people say, "we can't afford to". Not everyone has the financial resources to do it "no matter what".

1.36 fx is friggin nuts....in some cases, look at it as a voluntary "luxury" tax...lmfao! I'm "choosing to pay it" on some of the things I've decided to import lately. Pay it or leave it, sometimes there is a choice.

[farmaholic]

Gotta wonder where its going.

Does anyone think it will narrow?

I think we need economic and political "climate change" in Canada if you want to see it narrow.

Depending on what you want and your end goal will determine what you want, pros and cons.

[Hopalong]

Like many other markets, think exchange rate about as likely to go either way.
As to benefit or value from travel, best part for me has been to show how good we have things in Canada and on our own farm. Was age thirty five before I was off prairies, glad to have lots of travel opportunity since then.

[biglentil]

Gotta wonder where its going.

Does anyone think it will narrow?

I think we need economic and political "climate change" in Canada if you want to see it narrow.

Depending on what you want and your end goal will determine what you want, pros and cons.

Yes I do think it will narrow and soon, commodities are at an all time low against the high USD. The Dow just had its worst week since the crash in 1929 mostly because the Fed raised rates by a wopping .25%. Its getting nasty and as soon as the Fed reverses its QT(quantitative tightening) look out below USD. Commodities priced in USD will rocket higher bringing the CAD along with it. China (worlds largest oil importer) has recently halted purchases of US oil and purchases all from Russia and Iran in their own currency now. This puts added pressure on the supply and demand fundamentals for USD. The trade war has transitioned into a currency war.

PS: Gold is near an all time high in CAD, up $135 an ounce in the last 60 days alone. Virtually no mainstream commentator predicted gold would significantly outperform everything else in the face of rate hikes. Just watch what it does when the fed has to admit defeat and drop rates.

[ajl]

Dow up almost 1000 pts today. Santa was a little late today. Apparently it will take more than 25 basis points of interest to stop the worlds largest economy. Bit of a scary drop though.

[farming101]

Dow up almost 1000 pts today. Santa was a little late today. Apparently it will take more than 25 basis points of interest to stop the worlds largest economy. Bit of a scary drop though.

After the world ended on December 24 I wasn't sure what to expect next....