Sean Cooper pays off mortgage in 3 years and earns online hate

When Sean Cooper burned his mortgage papers after going to extremes to pay off his house in three years, he never imagined it would get folks so fired up.

But after CBC News reported Cooper's story late last year, reader comments flooded the internet, either praising or reviling the 30-year-old's financial achievement.

"What is he going to do next, buy a car and sell one of his kidneys to pay for it?" snarled one reader.

An era of cheap interest rates has helped ignite an escalating and troubling household debt binge. The topic has become such a touchy one it can spark polarized opinions, finger pointing and even contempt.

Body-Language Tricks to Make Anyone Instantly Like You

There's no question that body language is important.

And according to Leil Lowndes in her book "How To Talk To Anyone," you can capture — and hold — anyone's attention without saying a word.

We've selected the best body-language techniques from the book and shared them below.

The Flooding Smile

"Don't flash an immediate smile when you greet someone," says Lowndes. If you do, it appears as if anyone in your line of sight would receive that same smile.

Instead, pause and look at the other person's face for a second, and then let a "big, warm, responsive smile flood over your face and overflow into your eyes."

10 Daily Habits of the Most Confident People

I'm not here to patronize you.  We know if you walk with better posture, force a fake smile, or get a new haircut you can trick your brain and boost your self-confidence.  Perhaps for 20 minutes you'll think you're the next Richard Branson. 

I'm here to tell you there are proven ways to improve your self-confidence that will drive real, long lasting change in your life.

1. Meditate 

When we feel insecure, it manifests itself in myriad ways. Our bodies don't work. We can't focus. Insecurity creeps in when we're not living in the present moment.

Bill Morneau Tightens Mortgage Rules On Homes Over $500k

The federal government is boosting the minimum down payment for higher-priced homes in Canada effective in the new year.

Homebuyers are currently required to put down a minimum of five per cent to qualify for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation insurance — protection that lenders insist on when providing a mortgage worth more than 80 per cent of the home's value.

• Regulator moves to raise capital requirements for mortgage lenders
• Neil Macdonald: High cost of low-interest rate war on savers
• Are young homeowners doomed if housing prices drop?

Starting in February, CMHC will require a 10 per cent down payment on the portion of any mortgage it insures over $500,000. The five per cent rule remains the same for the portion up to $500,000.

Cheap Gas Celebrated By Consumers While Oil Producers Try To Deal With The Pain

Cheap gas prices may last well into 2016, perhaps longer

DALLAS _ Oil prices have been lower for longer than expected. Now, with OPEC’s decision to keep pumping at current levels, analysts expect oil to remain relatively cheap well into 2016 and maybe longer.

That, of course, is good news for consumers and fuel-guzzling industries like airlines, but oil producers are being squeezed and thousands of workers in the oil patch have been laid off.

The price of a barrel of oil fell Monday to $37.65, a nearly seven-year low. Energy stocks, from giants Exxon and Chevron down to independent producers, took a beating.

What’s causing the upheaval? Simply put, supply and demand are out of synch, and that’s causing ripples across economies, creating winners and losers.

Calgary Jobs Promised With City Council's Approval Of $47m In Stimulus Spending

Calgary city council has approved a plan to boost its capital spending by $47 million in 2016, primarily with a view to creating new jobs in a tough economy.

City officials estimate the injection of funds could create up to 400 jobs. These are projects which are part of the city's four-year budget plan, but weren't supposed to start until 2017 or 2018.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi said 27 projects will now get started in 2016 instead, as a type of  stimulus spending.

"We have heard loud and clear from Calgarians that they want their city government to do something in terms of this economic downturn," Nenshi said.

"So we are able to accelerate some projects that are already approved." 

9 Best Ways to Save Money During the Holiday Season

‘Tis the season to start trimming – your budget, that is, and not just your tree.

A November 2013 Gallup poll found that while the average American originally expected to spend around $786 on the holidays back in October, that number is now down to $704. While it’s true that the general public might have a little less to spend, that reduction is also indicative of the changing mindset of spending as a whole. Consumers with big eyes are now wary of a volatile market and, consequently, of putting too much of the holiday season on plastic. This means more restricted budgets.

By saving and spending wisely, your holiday season doesn’t have to be a total budget-buster. Follow the lead of the average American and try trimming your expenditures without sacrificing any of the holiday experience.

Spending and Saving During the Holidays

Before you hit the mall or organize a big party, it can help to have a comprehensive plan in place so you know exactly where your money is going this holiday season – that way, you can ring in the new year with celebration rather than panic. Here are several ways to keep your spending under control this December.