Let me tell you a bit about myself. I am Andre B. Jensen, founder and writer of Canoosa Finance. Because I am both an American and Canadian citizen, I am writing about personal finance related to both countries.
In the fall of 2019 I felt the urge to share my perspective on personal finance with the world by starting a blog. While the economy was showing signs of a coming catastrophe, I did not know that a little bug would be such a big disruptor to the global economy in 2020. When the global economies were shut down, I knew that I had to share my perspective on being financially resilient. There have been many financial challenges in my life, and my wife and I have managed to overcome them.
I graduated from the University of Wyoming with BS in History. I have a very diversified background. Sometimes it feels like I have worked in every job, but that is not true. Most of the work that I have done has been closer to the minimum wage mark. The list of jobs and work experience I have had can be found at the bottom of this page.
I was an electronics salesman, primarily working with cell phones. When there was a problem with a phone, I was the one the customers came to for help. I was there for 5 years, and then after leaving that job, I became a self-employed handyman in the summer of 2018 and I am still working as a handyman.
My wife and I live in a small town in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. Last year we celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. We have 3 children who are all teenagers this year, and a dog. Our dog is everyone’s favorite family member!
Some of my interests include finance & economics, traveling, learning about computers and technology, building and maintaining our desktop computers, maintaining our vehicles, currency trading (Forex), cryptocurrency, and rail-fanning. I am also an avid android user.
I have a very diverse background, which has also given me a lot of life experiences. Some of the jobs I have had over the years include the following:
- Fast food
- Farm hand
- Car salesman
- Electronics salesman
- Hotel Night Auditor
- Legal Assistant
- Handyman
- Network Marketer
- Telemarketer & Telephone surveyor
- Tech Support
- Bread Delivery Man
- Construction Worker
- Satellite Installer (& pre-wiring houses under construction)
- Potato Processing Plant Worker
- Potato Truck Driver
- Temp Worker
- Truck Stop Cashier (and fuel island runner)
- Waiter
- College Cafeteria
- College Radio
- Landscaper
- Mechanic’s Assistant
- Car delivery / relocation
What qualifies me to write about personal finance is both Canada and the United States? I grew up in the US – mostly in New Hampshire and Missouri. My college years were spent in Rhode Island and Wyoming. After graduating from the University of Wyoming I lived in Montana, Utah, and Idaho.
In 2006 my in-laws invited my wife and I to move to British Columbia, Canada. The plan was for us to live here for a year or two. We are still living in Canada! My wife (and our kids) all had both Canadian and American citizenship from birth. I was the only one in my immediate family that was only American. I was happy with that. Living in Canada, though, the love of the country grew on me and I discovered that I could become a Canadian and still keep my American citizenship. The rest, they say, is history!
To learn more about me, feel free to visit my personal website.