Biggest Money Lessons from Living in Canada
Nov 11th 2019, 10:10 pm
#16
Yo
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 24,474
Re: Biggest Money Lessons from Living in Canada
+1
I found that it was all too easy to throw money away for little or no benefit when I was young, but it was then that a little saving would yielded most fruit. Fortunately we grew up and came to our senses before we became too old to benefit.
It's not rocket science, if you have a few bucks then think hard before you lose it forever, once gone it won't be coming back.
It's a truism that money makes money although it used to make a little more than it does now.
People will queue up to separate you from the hard earned. Only once did I succumb to the siren voice of a financial advisor, never again. They all do very nicely so it pays to ask who pays their salaries, that's right it's you.
I remember sitting in my lounge being serenaded by two advisors. They told me my money could do this and it could do that. I wasn't greedy and told them if they could guarantee a return just half of what they were tempting me with then they had a deal. They left without one.
We're our own advisors and we haven't done too badly, just being careful. I keep our cars on average 10-15 years, I mend things if I can and always look for bargains, so much so that it's a poor day when I pay full price for anything. It becomes a way of life. I keep old screws and reuse nails as my father did. My main hobbies of making model ships, playing chess and genealogy uses time and costs little.
As the old maxim goes, look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves.
I found that it was all too easy to throw money away for little or no benefit when I was young, but it was then that a little saving would yielded most fruit. Fortunately we grew up and came to our senses before we became too old to benefit.
It's not rocket science, if you have a few bucks then think hard before you lose it forever, once gone it won't be coming back.
It's a truism that money makes money although it used to make a little more than it does now.
People will queue up to separate you from the hard earned. Only once did I succumb to the siren voice of a financial advisor, never again. They all do very nicely so it pays to ask who pays their salaries, that's right it's you.
I remember sitting in my lounge being serenaded by two advisors. They told me my money could do this and it could do that. I wasn't greedy and told them if they could guarantee a return just half of what they were tempting me with then they had a deal. They left without one.
We're our own advisors and we haven't done too badly, just being careful. I keep our cars on average 10-15 years, I mend things if I can and always look for bargains, so much so that it's a poor day when I pay full price for anything. It becomes a way of life. I keep old screws and reuse nails as my father did. My main hobbies of making model ships, playing chess and genealogy uses time and costs little.
As the old maxim goes, look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves.
Nov 11th 2019, 10:21 pm
#17
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Biggest Money Lessons from Living in Canada
Having moved from my original apartment, would be paying a fraction of the rent we are...lol
Nov 11th 2019, 11:36 pm
#18
Listen to the Music
Joined: Mar 2013
Location: Fraser Valley BC
Posts: 4,706
Re: Biggest Money Lessons from Living in Canada
No, don't like avocado, but do like home made pork pies and pickled onions.
Just to add to the thread, always cook for yourself. You'll find that most home cooked meals cost less than the tip at a restaurant.
Just to add to the thread, always cook for yourself. You'll find that most home cooked meals cost less than the tip at a restaurant.
Last edited by dave_j; Nov 11th 2019 at 11:38 pm.
Nov 11th 2019, 11:51 pm
#20
Listen to the Music
Joined: Mar 2013
Location: Fraser Valley BC
Posts: 4,706
Re: Biggest Money Lessons from Living in Canada
No, for example, take a couple of medium/large onions and a pepper, fry until sweet, add a pound of mince or leftover chicken at 30% off at least (last one was a pound of mince costing $5.50 with $4 off) and half a big tin of crushed tomatoes. Stir in some madras and butter chicken paste with some some MDH massala for meat, some frozen peas and corn and black pepper and simmer for an hour or two. Cook enough red cargo rice to fill a small saucepan when cooked and you have enough to last three+ days and it improves with time. Add some finger chilis to taste. Total cost.. not very much. Very tasty.
Nov 11th 2019, 11:57 pm
#21
Yo
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 24,474
Re: Biggest Money Lessons from Living in Canada
No, for example, take a couple of medium/large onions and a pepper, fry until sweet, add a pound of mince or leftover chicken at 30% off at least (last one was a pound of mince costing $5.50 with $4 off) and half a big tin of crushed tomatoes. Stir in some madras and butter chicken paste with some some MDH massala for meat, some frozen peas and corn and black pepper and simmer for an hour or two. Cook enough red cargo rice to fill a small saucepan when cooked and you have enough to last three+ days and it improves with time. Add some finger chilis to taste. Total cost.. not very much. Very tasty.
. Better than pork pies and pickled onions !
Nov 12th 2019, 12:23 am
#22
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 0
Re: Biggest Money Lessons from Living in Canada
Don't do all of your food shopping in one place seems to be much more beneficial financially than in the UK.
A bit obscure but I learned not to order Chinese takeaway like you would in the UK. It will get very expensive. Combos are the way to go. Me and the boss lady order one each. It's more than enough for 2 people so there is another meal for the next day
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A bit obscure but I learned not to order Chinese takeaway like you would in the UK. It will get very expensive. Combos are the way to go. Me and the boss lady order one each. It's more than enough for 2 people so there is another meal for the next day
​​
Nov 12th 2019, 1:22 am
#23
Dive Bar Drunk
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Toronto
Posts: 8,648
Re: Biggest Money Lessons from Living in Canada
Don't have pets with 4 legs. They're expensive to look after and generate surprisingly large vet bills.
Nov 12th 2019, 11:35 am
#24
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: Biggest Money Lessons from Living in Canada
For this, people give up family, culture and access to Europe?
Nov 12th 2019, 11:46 am
#25
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,776
Re: Biggest Money Lessons from Living in Canada
That leg of lamb that's normally $48 or more looks very attractive @ $23.
Nov 12th 2019, 12:18 pm
#26
Yo
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 24,474
Re: Biggest Money Lessons from Living in Canada
And be flexible about when you do it. If you're all set to do it on a particular day and a flyer pops into your mailbox advertising half price Lamb or Premium Beef - or anything with a significant price reduction - starting the next day, consider delaying your shopping trip by 24 hours. Or maybe someone in your household has a branch of that store near where they work or have appointments the following week and they could pop in to get it.
That leg of lamb that's normally $48 or more looks very attractive @ $23.
That leg of lamb that's normally $48 or more looks very attractive @ $23.
Nov 12th 2019, 12:22 pm
#27
Yo
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 24,474
Re: Biggest Money Lessons from Living in Canada
I've always wanted to have a dog, but I think the biggest disincentive (apart from kenneling fees) is the necessity these days to pick up after them. I just cannot get my head around that. Once they invent a robot or chemical that precludes having to pick up, I will get a hound. If I'm still on the planet.
Nov 12th 2019, 12:53 pm
#28
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: Biggest Money Lessons from Living in Canada
I've always wanted to have a dog, but I think the biggest disincentive (apart from kenneling fees) is the necessity these days to pick up after them. I just cannot get my head around that. Once they invent a robot or chemical that precludes having to pick up, I will get a hound. If I'm still on the planet.
Nov 12th 2019, 1:04 pm
#29
Lowering the tone
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Here and there
Posts: 7,347
Re: Biggest Money Lessons from Living in Canada
I've always wanted to have a dog, but I think the biggest disincentive (apart from kenneling fees) is the necessity these days to pick up after them. I just cannot get my head around that. Once they invent a robot or chemical that precludes having to pick up, I will get a hound. If I'm still on the planet.
It's like saying you'd love kids but have decided against it because of nappy-changing.
Get a dog. They're great.
Nov 12th 2019, 1:10 pm
#30
Concierge
Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 21,138
Re: Biggest Money Lessons from Living in Canada
I've always wanted to have a dog, but I think the biggest disincentive (apart from kenneling fees) is the necessity these days to pick up after them. I just cannot get my head around that. Once they invent a robot or chemical that precludes having to pick up, I will get a hound. If I'm still on the planet.
