Let’s talk holiday shopping

December 6, 2012 by renee Leave a Comment

Here’s something I drafted but didn’t use. I thought I’d put it here:

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Have you started your holiday shopping yet? If you’re like most of us, you’re probably planning do it in the next couple weeks but how are you planning on paying for it?

Here’s what happens – you go into a mall, walk around, peer at things and buy something that might work for our family and friends. The next thing you know, you’ve overspent your budget and become one of the 12 per cent of Canadians who go into debt for holiday gifts! [Read more...]

Filed Under: blog, Finance Tagged With: holiday shopping, money

Thinking of the condo as a long term home

July 5, 2012 by renee 5 Comments

I’ve decided it’s time to think small. Not with ideas, I mean, it’s time to downgrade the size of the Canadian dream. No more expectations of having the house with the car and the pension. It’s time to think condos (or renting), public transit and saving. [Read more...]

Filed Under: blog, House and Home Tagged With: money, toronto condo boom

Saving Money #2: Make Do and Mend

January 7, 2012 by renee 4 Comments

Holey sweater

A little austerity chic is happening in my wardrobe right now. I have a weakness for dresses and did buy quite a few last year (didn’t blow my budget and paid cash, fyi) but this year I decided to cut back on my clothing budget and wear what I have in my closet. That includes remixing outfits and repairing anything damaged.

I am drawing the line at drawing on stockings though. [Read more...]

Filed Under: blog, Budgeting, Fashion, House and Home Tagged With: 397 ways to save money, darning, finance, household budgeting, money, repairing clothing, saving money, sewing

Saving Money #1: Cooking

January 4, 2012 by renee 4 Comments

One of the new pots courtesy of my parents

I can cook. I’m not a gourmet chef but I can cook even though I haven’t mastered bread yet. Thanks to my mother, grandmother and two years of cooking class in high school with Miss Sooden, I can pretty much do anything, even make a white sauce. [Read more...]

Filed Under: blog, Budgeting Tagged With: 397 ways to save money, cooking, money, recipes, saving, saving money

What I’ve learned from freelancing

April 3, 2011 by renee 1 Comment

“Freelancing. You spend half your time working and the other half looking for work.” – My neighbour

I’ve always freelanced in some form or another. Sometimes I was paid and sometimes I did it for free (friends, favours, bylines). I’ve always had a job though. There was the protection of a steady paycheque to cushion me against the quirks of freelancing.

Then last August I lost my job. I got a decent severance and I had savings but those never last as long as one would like so I had to do something quickly. [Read more...]

Filed Under: blog, Clippings Tagged With: freelance, freelance writing, freelancing, money, saving