So here it is, the holidays are over, and everyone is back to work. That is, unless of course you're a member of parliament. Because as we all know the Prime Minister has decided to suspend parliament so we can all focus on the Olympics. Which I think is very nice of him because I believe that Canadians will focus on the Olympics, once the Olympics actually happen. Which is over a month from now.

Right now, it is the middle of January and Canadians are focused on one thing and one thing only – Our credit card bills. If you don't believe me Prime Minister ask your chef or your driver. They will tell you. There I was this week looking at my Visa bill and I felt like the dude from The Da Vinci Code. Looking at the parchment, trying to decipher what exactly happened over the holidays. And then I wondered, what kind of interest rate are they charging me here. So I get out the magnifying glass, the really powerful one I have lying around in case I want to examine some protozoa. And I saw in the very fine print my interest rate is 20 percent. 20 percent. Do you know who else charges 20 percent interest to borrow money in this country? Loan sharks. Now I'm not advocating that anyone go to a loan shark. If you're gonna borrow money from the criminal element you might as well stick with one of Canada's five major banks.

But there is a serious problem when a guy named Larry the Fence offers a lower interest rate than Mastercard. Personally in 2010 my resolution is to avoid cards. All cards. At this point, I'm this close to getting a tattoo across my forehead that says no I don't have an Optimum card and no I don't collect Air Miles. All I want to do is buy some shampoo and not pay 20 percent interest. And focus on the Olympics.