Shopping

Beware Of Smaller Packaging

As I am sure you have noticed, the cost of food has gone up recently.  You may have also noticed that rather than increasing the cost of certain foods, companies are changing the sizes of their items instead. For example, that ice cream product that you buy that used to be 2 liters may now be closer to a liter and a half.  The cereal may cost the same amount, but if you look closely you will see that you are getting less for your money as they decreased the weight.

Don’t be a food snob.  Ignore attractive packaging.  Focus on what you are getting for your money.  When you shop, make sure you are not in a big hurry, because it will take a few extra minutes to compare various products to make sure you are getting the biggest bang for your buck.

Continue Reading

April 20, 2011
General

Used Car Parts Can Save You Big Money

Just recently our older vehicle was giving us trouble.  We tried to start it one morning and the battery was completely dead.  After fiddling around for a while, my husband discovered that even when the car was turned off, something was draining the battery. He eventually was able to pinpoint the problem.  The daytime running lights were using battery power due to a malfunctioning part.

My husband called a car repair shop and was told that the price of the new part would cost between $200 and $300.  He decided to contact a local junkyard to see if they had this part available.  Sure enough, they had the same type of vehicle sitting in the junkyard.  My husband was able to remove the part from the car and he only had to pay $10 for it!  Now that was definitely worth his time.

Continue Reading

April 18, 2011
Travel & Entertainment

A Way To Eat Lobster For Less

If you are a lobster fan, you will know how expensive it can be to order it at a restaurant.  When my husband and I traveled to Prince Edward Island one summer we each ordered a lobster and our bill was almost $100!  That was the most I ever paid at a restaurant.

But there is a more affordable way to enjoy fresh lobster.  Every once in a while, I pick up a couple of live lobsters at Superstore or Sobeys.  It is weird the first few times, bringing home living creatures in a bag, but I have gotten used it.

Once at home, my husband cooks them in boiling water.  They don’t scream like they do in the movies.  It is very uneventful, actually.  By cooking them ourselves, we can have a lobster dinner for about $25.  Most often I buy lobster at $10 per pound, although occasionally it does go on sale.

Continue Reading

April 15, 2011
Taxes

How To Survive A CRA Review Or Audit

Deal with it: Open all the brown envelopes you receive from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) promptly. If you receive a call from the CRA, return it. Ignoring the problem will not result in it going away. If you are being reviewed or audited, you need to respond and provide the information requested.

Meet the deadlines: If the CRA is reviewing your moving expenses, they will give you a due date for providing the documentation. Make sure you meet their deadlines. Even if you have the right paperwork, but you are late sending it, they will re-assess your return without the credit. Then you will have to file an adjustment to make the claim again.

Continue Reading

April 13, 2011
Taxes

Need To Confess To The Tax Man? Some Tips For Making A Voluntary Disclosure

Remember Brian Mulroney: The Voluntary Disclosure Program allows taxpayers to correct previous tax returns if they have failed to report income. Mr. Mulroney used this program to disclose unreported income.

Don’t wait: If the Canada Revenue Agency has already initiated action against you, it is too late to use the Voluntary Disclosure program. You have to inform the CRA first.

Continue Reading

April 11, 2011