Good time to go to the USA???

Loonie just a tiny sliver away from parity with greenback as commodities rise


By The Canadian Press

TORONTO - The Canadian dollar is flirting with parity with the U.S. dollar, a level it has not hit since July 2008.

The U.S. dollar has been driven downward in recent weeks by rising oil prices and continued economic instability.

The loonie, on the other hand, has been supported by the relative strength of the Canadian economy and confidence that Canada has not taken on more debt than it can handle, worries that persist for the United States and many European nations.

At mid-morning, the currency was up 0.46 of a cent to 99.63 cents US. Last week it rose 1.75 cents US on strong economic data and surging commodity prices.

Economists don't expect the loonie to rise quickly to the heights it reached around US$1.10 back in November 2007, but rather feel it will waver around parity for a while.

A high loonie is a boon to cross-border shoppers but a curse for many manufacturers and exporters as the price for their goods becomes less attractive to international buyers, especially in the U.S., Canada's biggest market.

If/when it hits $1.10 (again) I plan on buying many US dollars.

GOM you wrote:

If/when it hits $1.10 (again) I plan on buying many US dollars.

That's a good plan GOM...Last fall I had some US dollars that I had left over from a few years ago when it was at par and just last fall when the Cdn dollar was still I believe around the 80+ cent mark or something...none the less I remember it was just before the loonie started rapidly rising again...I cashed my US dollars in and made myself a small profit...

I still have some US dollars leftover from Vegas, I plan on buying more when and if our dollar strengthens even more. I like doing a 3 day shopping trip to Minneapolis, can find some great deals.

Goth_chic wrote:I still have some US dollars leftover from Vegas, I plan on buying more when and if our dollar strengthens even more. I like doing a 3 day shopping trip to Minneapolis, can find some great deals.

Especially on canned cheese

Spoiler:

AGEsAces wrote:

Goth_chic wrote:I still have some US dollars leftover from Vegas, I plan on buying more when and if our dollar strengthens even more. I like doing a 3 day shopping trip to Minneapolis, can find some great deals.

Especially on canned cheese

Spoiler:

LOL... its crazy how much that stuff has gone up in price in the last year

I am still shocked that people consume spray cheese....ewwwwww.

Goth_chic wrote:I am still shocked that people consume spray cheese....ewwwwww.

don't knock it till you've tipped a can up and filled your mouth with its essence .

AGEsAces wrote:

Goth_chic wrote:I am still shocked that people consume spray cheese....ewwwwww.

don't knock it till you've tipped a can up and filled your mouth with its essence .

I do not eat any processed cheese. We use real cheddar for burgers and sandwiches...cheese in a can or a jar is not even remotely appetizing.

Goth_chic wrote:

AGEsAces wrote:

Goth_chic wrote:I am still shocked that people consume spray cheese....ewwwwww.

don't knock it till you've tipped a can up and filled your mouth with its essence .

I do not eat any processed cheese. We use real cheddar for burgers and sandwiches...cheese in a can or a jar is not even remotely appetizing.

what about velveeta?

When we travel to the US, I generally find amazing deals on kids clothes, groceries (excluding spray cheese), and of course booze.

Nope do not eat velveeta...

Nordstrom's......oh yeah.

It's ridiculous how much cheaper you can buy clothing and shoes in the US. I love Minnesota as their is no tax at all on clothes and shoes.

I just hope the dollar keeps climbing till at least fall. We're going to Orlando for a week in Oct. but flying out of Msp. Would be nice to get some great deals in Albertville on the way back.

Goth_chic wrote:Nope do not eat velveeta...

How about hotdogs? There made from lips and a$$holes. I don't eat them.

Question for those of you who go to the U.S for shopping. Are you really saving that much money after you factor in the gas for the drive there and back, hotel, food, and gas for transportation while your there? Or is it more for the fun of shopping in another country? I've often wondered if it was worth it after you factor all the cost's associated with travel.

I've been to the states a few times but never specifically for shopping.

I treat it as a mini vacation, visit friends, maybe catch a concert and some gallery shows.....and of course hit the Mall of America! In MSP anyway.....shopping anywhere else is adjunct and specific to the city i am visiting....for example if i go to the Bay Area I am coming back with cooking exotica that cannot be bought in Winnipeg.

Our soccer club attends the USA Cup in Blaine each summer. The strong dollar will provide that more players will be attending. A lot of parents make a vacation out of it.

Albertville is a favourite. I buy a years supply of underwear there each year, but you all didn't really need to know that, did you.

Is it frilly? Does it match those heels?

NO, no , no, its just Jockey shorts. I embarass my kids by forcing them to come with me.

The frilly stuff is for dress up only.

Freeman wrote:Our soccer club attends the USA Cup in Blaine each summer. The strong dollar will provide that more players will be attending. A lot of parents make a vacation out of it.

Albertville is a favourite. I buy a years supply of underwear there each year, but you all didn't really need to know that, did you.

I cant see how you can be saving that much money on one pair to make it worth while

Bartron wrote:Question for those of you who go to the U.S for shopping. Are you really saving that much money after you factor in the gas for the drive there and back, hotel, food, and gas for transportation while your there? Or is it more for the fun of shopping in another country? I've often wondered if it was worth it after you factor all the cost's associated with travel.

I've been to the states a few times but never specifically for shopping.

When I go shopping to the USA it costs me about $4 in gas.

That coupled with the ability to buy stuff not available here makes it worth while.

Deank wrote:

Freeman wrote:Our soccer club attends the USA Cup in Blaine each summer. The strong dollar will provide that more players will be attending. A lot of parents make a vacation out of it.

Albertville is a favourite. I buy a years supply of underwear there each year, but you all didn't really need to know that, did you.

I cant see how you can be saving that much money on one pair to make it worth while

I'm cheap.

Bartron wrote:Question for those of you who go to the U.S for shopping. Are you really saving that much money after you factor in the gas for the drive there and back, hotel, food, and gas for transportation while your there? Or is it more for the fun of shopping in another country? I've often wondered if it was worth it after you factor all the cost's associated with travel.

I've been to the states a few times but never specifically for shopping.

I don't think it's possible to save money if you go down just to shop...but if you combine it with a vacation or a long weekend getaway then it's possible to get some great deals. I'm hoping it get's back up around $1.05 to 1.10 US by fall like it was back in fall 2007. I went to Vegas that year in August and it was awesome to exchange for US dollars at the bank and get more US currency back than I was exchanging. If I remember correctly I was getting roughly $1.02 US to 1$ CA at the bank.