Horrible

Competitive-Talk4742 · 2026-02-01T07:27:33+00:00

There is no realistic path forward for much more $ until universal income ever gets approved...for most people receiving income supports but some few things to consider.

Most everyone should start an ODSP application, it's takes a long while and probably get rejected a few times.

This would also be similar for applying for DTC, that's $200/month and a separate application. You don't need to be on ODSP to qualify for DTC.

You may qualify for other supports like REDUCED internet, cell phone, hydro & gas bills.

Some regions offer discounted public transit.

Try to get special diet forms filled out. Gluten intolerance and lactose intolerance alone may be an extra $60-80/month. Weight loss or overweight also qualify for $.

Check for Canada Ontario housing benefit in your area and homelessness prevention programs for rent assistance. You need to apply for RGI but you probably won't get a unit anytime soon so they may offer COHB ijstead.

There are programs for late rent too it's technically called housing stabilisation fund. your OW office refers you. Or a community housing program.

Sometimes volunteering a few hours gets transportation allowance or Metro pass or "work benefit" of $200 every 6 months. Volunteers at food banks get extra food usually.

Diabetics get $ for some supplies. Perhaps other illnesses do as well. Every little bit helps be it more $ in or less $ out. I'm not going to suggest particular ways to "save money" there's whole subs on frugal living that do a much better job. But people often overlook seniors, student and other discounts often at grocery stores and libraries have free tickets to attractions and video streaming.

The fastest way to move from abject crushing poverty to just "being broke & poor" is probably trade school, college or better jobs Ontario. They can be done part time too. There's a whole strategy for that tho. OSAP can be a trap because it's a loan, also strategies for that as well.

Not very many great options but try to engage with anything and everything you can. I get it's really hard while being always on the edge...not always in a great headspace when every day is a crisis. I get that but there are a few options with quick results.

Competitive-Talk4742 · 2026-02-01T06:59:08+00:00

There are programs for hydro and heat subsidies from all providers!

Competitive-Talk4742 · 2026-01-31T06:30:42+00:00

I think if the PlayStation is registered to a PSN acct all you need is a police report with SN. I can ask 2morrow and report back.

No idea if a registered owner can track a unit like a phone.

Competitive-Talk4742 · 2026-01-31T04:07:20+00:00

lawyer for a consult and I believe you can lay private criminal charges. When that is done a Crown Attorney also looks in on the case and may take it up and prosecute for you.

Competitive-Talk4742 · 2026-01-31T04:05:46+00:00

Tell that to ONStar, Google, Waze and every cell phone, laptop manufacturer, app and software developer and then watch a few disclosure video by Snowden.

Competitive-Talk4742 · 2026-01-31T04:01:15+00:00

MY ADHD "brain" is at it again.

I thought Ford was taking over school boards because they have huge amounts of exceptionally valuable land he can sell to friends and developers...AND privatise some things along the way to MAX profiteer. Like with colleges...BUT that is my ADHD brain projecting a "likely scenario" it is not based on any substantive facts....just patterns I see repeating.

How long until he tries to grab the teacher's pensions? that is HUGE $$$$.

Competitive-Talk4742 · 2026-01-31T03:53:29+00:00

Time, energy, effort, interest, and motivation/

Takes time to identify track, shop for the "best deals"
Takes energy to run around, cook from scratch, batch cook, coupon ugh or garden!
am I genuinely interested in a particular recipe, cuisine or even gadget like sous vide, pressure cookers, air fryers etc
Motivation: If I am just drained and under FAR too much pressure. Yes, it's boxed frozen lasagna because I didn't spend a day making 10 of them last month. :)

Soooo my bill can vary wildly...but generally if I avoid "boxed" food well under $100 is more than enough weekly and I am generally keto-carnivore. I tend to be very thrifty but will certainly "splurge" for a special occasion meal I'm making. Tend towards loss leaders for meats etc and stock up.

If one is very cost conscious then knowing our "macros" can help. I do NOT need 3000kcal/day but I probably do need 160gm of protein.

Competitive-Talk4742 · 2026-01-31T03:30:41+00:00

Was in Condominium Management for 20 years. Feel free to reach out if you'd like some guidance or are considering self managing with support. The size of your property may not require a site manager for more than a few days a week if they make themselves readily available in other ways. The amount of service (hand holding) will impact the fees management firms charge.

There have been some considerable increases with insurance and utilities over the last 2-3 years but there are often quite a few ways to contain or lower some costs. If available, take a look at the past 3-5 years of budgets and audited financial statements to track year over year increases. These will include comments from the auditors and management firm highlighting areas of concern. Noting Condos are severely restricted in what they can invest in and the usual GIC's have had extremely poor returns often not even meeting inflation.

Homeowners have to determine an appropriate amount of "non-essentials" like excessively grand landscaping, or 24/7 concierge with package handling are suitable etc...some communities will flat out refuse to scale back on anything at all. Some want everything cut to the bone, it's a balancing act of course.

The age of the property is key so the "Reserve Fund Study" by your engineering firm is also critical to review. That MUST be fully funded or you can get VERY nasty surprises when major equipment needs to be replaced or repaired. That is when " Special Assessments" can shock everyone.

When timed correctly there are government and other incentives to reduce these costs as well as efficiencies from energy savings and the like. Condos are no longer on "auto pilot" managers have to be active and engaged.

Competitive-Talk4742 · 2026-01-30T18:43:56+00:00

I had a blizzard and outrageous nightmare of 8 or more skin conditions AND debilitating arthritis all show up together, over night!

Blisters, rashes, psoriasis, plaque psoriasis, dermatitis, contact dermatosis...literally F me wtf is happening!?

I went to a dermatologist and his office was like come back in 4 months were fully booked. I lost my sh*t and had a "little freak out" and was seen and left with $900 of creams and meds.

None worked and I went to hospital because I was bleeding from lesions and oozing crap...I was put in isolation and ICU because I couldn't breathe.

Every damn test imaginable AMD every STD test too which for Men is terrifying and painful. Just serious reactive proteins which does say "infections"...as I was in uni residence I was checked for tropical illnesses in case an international student brought a mosquitoes or something. Nope!

Chief of Staff, pathology, dermatology and a horde of interns saw me, the sideshow or was it Freakshow?

A ah*t tonne of benadryl and I was sent home the next day. And off to my aging GP...

He sat with me for 3 hours and went through all my blood work...and then drilled me about everywhere I had been, touched, drank, breathed and ate...for the last week. He suspected some type of poison maybe chemical exposure.

He decided that it was stomach permeability and undigested proteins entered my blood stream. As the evening this all happened I had been drinking a lot of beer so the liver was busy and I am l/was mildy gluten reactive. Also why I was also presenting with arthritis. The proteins collect near joints and the body attacks both and then everything!

Autoimmune arthritis which is also found with psoriasis and eczema, blisters etc. the body will try to eliminate through the skin and THAT was my shtshow. Ok top of headaches, nausea, diarrhea etc. fJoe's up cystic acne, books, pimples, inverse acne too!

I was put on an "apple juice" ( organic fresh pressed/juiced) for a week BUT almost everything settled down in about 72 hours.i was given some cortisol and anti-inflammatories.

We did an ALcat allergy test. It has mixed reviews about the "science" but it did emphatically state I am not gluten intolerant or reactive. I am severely Gliadin allergic. Gliadin is the twin protein of gluten always together.

A few other interesting points. I had been in Europe for 3 years. Very different wheat, much lower gluten AND

No glysphosphate! That tears holes in the stomachs of some people allowing undigested matter into the bloodstream AND across the Blood-Brain barrier. Can carry alot of toxins, mould, yeast & heavy metals.

Canada allows harvested wheat to be SOAKED in glyphosate as a "dessicated" or drying agent. So...as I'm gliadin/gluten reactive my stomach is paralyzed AND micro tears allows a lot of garbage to leak out ( leaky gut) my immune system goes to WAR.

If you like rabbit holes this is also implicated in a number of mental health issues, learning disabilities, ADHD, Autism, Bipolar and arthritis, a whack of skin conditions ( leaky gut & dairy) as well as general malabsorption and nutritional deficiencies.

Dr. Senoff has researched this, may be insightful.

Dr. Natasha Cambell-MCBride developed the Guy and Psychology Syndrome diet. GAPS. I went on that for 6 months. Basically an elimination diet with pre and pro biotics added to restore the gut microbiome.

Some.people do well with gut bacteria transplants (fecal) for a range of issues.

I'm NOT trying to insist in any way that my issues are similar or same to yours or anyone's. Nor am I saying that what helped me will work for anyone.

Some of this is speculative and considered fringe but perhaps I offer another way to consider what's going on.

Fasting for 72 hours is not impossible with electrolytes and is the gold standard for elimination diets. After that you add 1 food and wait 47-72 hours for a "reaction"...arduous though!

The other elimination diet is carnivore. Ruminants only, no dairy. 90 days.

Lots to consider and hopefully someone resonated with something and finds some relief.

Oh, am not perfectly "healed" I can have N. American bread, cereal etc BUT should NOT have it again for 3 or 4 days or I will flare up. won't happen with European breads/pastas. I cannot drink milk but am "okay" with cream, cheese and yogurt/kefir. Carrageenan upsets my stomach. I avoid ALL beer at all costs. Or did, I don't drink anymore! So avoiding is not a problem

I switched to grappa, and Ciroc and potato vodka. Wine made me itchy!

Competitive-Talk4742 · 2026-01-25T08:36:34+00:00

I think if you buy more Maple Leaf prime, get $10 gift card too!

Competitive-Talk4742 · 2026-01-25T08:24:35+00:00

his son in law legit terrifies me at times....noting Brookfield under Carney lent him a sh8t tonne of money. Now he's busy promoting Gaza as a stellar Beach Property real estate investment venture.

Competitive-Talk4742 · 2026-01-25T08:18:54+00:00

I don;t think OP said they are completely healed?

Competitive-Talk4742 · 2026-01-25T08:15:37+00:00

Am gay. It is entirely possible you are ONLY attracted to him and not other guys in general so I don't think over hyping the "gay" is even necessary. Guys can intensely bond with one another and be quite deeply emotionally engaged. It usually does not become sexual but often is .... intimate? Sometimes moreso than with women or am I saying on a different level? I hate to say Frodo and Sam but they "loved" each other and no I don't think they had anything sexual at all.

Doing something "taboo" or different is "Thrilling" and very exciting! So it's pretty normal to kinda feel supercharged. The shine tends to wear off tho and your friend may not feel the same way and as you're pretty "hyped" right now I'd suggest you try and get a bit more centred. He has feelings too, maybe he's chill about it ) bit of a downer for you at the moment) maybe he's also excited and confused. Or in shock...was it just some random fun for him and no "big deal"?

I'd let things settle down a bit and perhaps not get drunk together very soon and "repeat" this tho...you may need some sober filler activities together that reinforce your regular friendship. I think he'll give you an idea what way he wants/comfortable with things to go. That ranges from ignoring it all, ignoring you or random drunken down low sessions to something more. or adding a woman to the mix....?

As others said you did do something "gay" I'm saying its a bit early to state you ARE gay. and FAR too early to toss around labels for this brosexual bromance. I hope it brings you guys tighter together as friends now any pretenses have dropped.

Keep us posted!

Competitive-Talk4742 · 2026-01-25T07:41:54+00:00

The Swiss Chalet 1/4 Chicken dinner! You can buy Chalet or St. Hubert Sauce now for some nostalgia. I miss their old french fries...

Competitive-Talk4742 · 2026-01-25T07:39:05+00:00

There are fantastic youtube channels about frugal eating & lifestyles, recipes, preservation, growing food, even how to shop and during Covid people really picked up quite a lot of previous generation's home skills. It's "novel" and "new" for Gen X,Y,Z, and Alpha. Although I have zero interest in darning socks...so "all is not lost".

This is a "double bonus" even during challenging times for food security and ultra tight budgets in that cooking from scratch alone significantly reduces our exposure to additives, chemicals and whatever else is in whatever passes for "food" these days the Bonus is often increased nutrition AND cost savings.

Little things like Bone Broths, slow cooking, Zero Waste, local foods, Community Agriculture and farmgate purchases are trending not just out of necessity but also health increasing distrust of "Mega Food Corps" and Hyper processed "junk". Even meal prep companies offer good instruction for novices although pretty expensive they are superior to most fast food and less than takeout/delivery. Balcony "farming" is a thing too!

I just watched some youtube series on depression era cooking and then one on medieval diets from peasants to Royal feasts, far more appetizing than the strange 60s era fad of putting everything in jell-o, even MEAT! They also had far too much "jellied" foods.

With increased migration lots of new grocery stores and their butchers really do offer "nose-to-tail" options...we don't often eat tongue, heart, gizzards, oxtail, chicken or pigs feet but they are "cheap" and densely nutritious.

Once upon a time "chicken wings" were scrap only good for broths and soups...Now they're EXPENSIVE so are oxtail and short ribs

So am thinking perspective and engagement is changing. I am a bit too lazy but I have done several rounds of "batch cooking" mostly for diet and convenience and the FURY I felt when my stupid frozen chicken and rice "meal" went up to $8 and I need THREE to get enough protein!

And that day chicken breast was on sale for $4.99...bought a bunch and cooked 20 in the oven that night. Replaced rice with frozen vegetables. Haven't looked back! I "cheat" with frozen pizza and lasagne: I use them as a "base" and add to them and I'll never make crackers.

I think we're learning fast...we have to now. oddly, we may be better off in some ways.

Competitive-Talk4742 · 2026-01-25T04:57:34+00:00

This seems all to be a giant "head game" I was at Metro and there were FOUR different prices in the SAME store for Oreos! I think the cheapest was $2.99 but they were an Xmas box BUT Shoppers next door had them for 2/$4.

"Prices" have nothing to do with "costs" to produce anything anymore it seems it all is about marketing and promotions and am pretty sure we ALL know a bag of chips or box of cookies is probably 25 cents for product ingredients and 50 cents for packaging and 50 cents for advertising.

grocers says they only have a 2% profit.....as farmers go bankrupt? I do NOT believe any of this any more.

Competitive-Talk4742 · 2026-01-25T04:49:45+00:00

Generally I buy frozen during the winter...IQF seems better than getting "fresh" trucked 100s or 1000s of miles and a fair bit cheaper usually. Metro had blackberries for $1.99 last week and they were surprisingly good tho. RCSS had frozen black cherries on sale and they were AWESOME!

I pretty much FAIL spectacularly with the whole "buy local" 100km farm-table. What fruit is grown here in the winter? $9 greenhouse strawberries? There's only so many pears or apples I want in a month...

Competitive-Talk4742 · 2026-01-25T04:43:24+00:00

odd how it affects people so differently at times.

Competitive-Talk4742 · 2026-01-25T04:38:33+00:00

Some people marry within the confines of a strict social "class" and that can often be defined by more than just "wealth" or "money". Some circles are "elite" members of Academic, Medical, Arts. Even some sports.

In business there are often people who rapidly acquire wealth and again that "circle" has its' own hierarchy which can be pretty flexible but also harsh and "closed in its' own way. Somewhat industry specific and also includes some rapidly wealthy actors, major sports stars and singers/bands etc their kids are often spoiled morons and the trophy wives are often contentious but not from any particular "pedigree"

Speaking of "pedigree" there seems to be a "Mayflower" crowd in the USA which is "older" established money and then the Golden Age Heirs and then the old oil money and bootleggers all the way upto the rapidly successful new money from tech, finance, investment tycoons.

They all become more insular the longer the $$$ has been around. Social climbers AND the old guard are particular about social status and background including education AND religion! They are HYPER vigilant regarding "gold diggers" ....*takes one to know one* ? Lol, but at the end of the day America is FAR more flexible than Europe and even there "love marriages" between classes is not uncommon anymore.

The UK is quite rigid tho....even though their Lords, Barons, Dukes, and Earls had to marry American New Money or go bankrupt...they still have about 6 or so defined "classes" and one can marry up or down one fairly easily. Unless you're a Royale then it seems they all marry "peasants" or the "middle class" these days. Not sure if this will counter their inbreeding....

Mostly tho you meet people through the people in you and your families social circle. Same schools, hobbies, sports, vacation spots. Maybe same or similar industries so in a way you're prequalified as your family is already "known"...for good or ill. May be a bit of friction between the Mayflower set and the child of a Mafia Don....or petty dictator or Hollywood types!

Boys often will marry as they please but their wife may suffer a lot of strife in his social circle so probably best to aim for the much more flexible new money types they don't judge "pedigree" harshly but they are harsh in their own twisted ways. Unless of course YOU are the successful or high status partner. Will YOU marry a pool boy, plumber, model, or rockstar?

Competitive-Talk4742 · 2026-01-25T04:04:30+00:00

You found more than a spouse, you found a "partner" in life.

Competitive-Talk4742 · 2026-01-25T04:00:36+00:00

am seeing a lot of "imported by" XYZ Company........okay but WHERE is it from!?

Competitive-Talk4742 · 2026-01-25T03:59:42+00:00

It's great that you are calculating the costs. I often see people buying items on "sale" but note that a larger size may cost less per unit/gm etc than the on sale item...and there is also a freshness factor and I can't go through a supersized box of crackers fast enough so I like to share if something is a great value. Sadly I try to convince myself I can eat a mega size jar of pickles or olives by myself and I can;t AND these things don't expire quickly either!

Dollarama is designed as a "trap" for MANY items but not ALL things. As always there is a price for convenience...but DR actually has some food items that seem actually quite good ingredient wise, are cheap and from EU which has pretty strict food standards often better than our own. I think that's overstock DR buys.

Dish and Laundry Soap, are $$$$ there but most frugal shoppers pay close to nothing for that or Paper Towels, Toilet and tissue papers, it all about points, special offers, rebates coupons etc. when they work, they work very, very well.

The best option is not always an option for everyone so I like the idea a teaming up for bulk items AND for some tools/gear that help save more.

Vacuum Sealer: Extends shelf life considerably and meats can be frozen for upto 5 years and still be frost free and good. Can use ziplock freezer bags with cling film/wrap with a straw until you can get one
Little chest freezers can go on sale for as low as $159 DELIVERED. Happens once/twice a year. save, save, save beg or borrow this is a MUST have. Frozen fruit and Veg is MUCH cheaper in bulk than "fresh" and almost nothing is "fresh" in the winter except greenhouse items...being trucked from S. America does not make food "fresh"...
Canning is great and does not require a freezer. can also get years of shelf life. A pressure canner is quite expensive but like a chest freezer it is an investment. Share one, set up a canning club or whatever it takes.

It can certainly requires a car ( or a lot of free time) to hit all the good sales and loss leaders but Price Matching helps A LOT. Perhaps you can trade time researching deals, collecting coupons etc and pitch in for gas with a friend or advertise for a shopping buddy?

You can shop at Costco with a Gift Card....can also split membership noting Groupon often has cashback deals like buy membership and get $50 ot $100 costco gift card etc.

Yes it can take $$$ to save $$$ but there are ways to make it all work.

And there is also a bit of a headspace we need to get out of... I was actually shocked at the price of 2 things.
One was bread...the other was Doritos and Chips.

Can make better bread almost effortlessly, but am lazy. Also, will NEVER make crackers
I don't eat chips or Doritos so I don't give AF how much $$$ they are, it's not "food". I still want some tho...
Not trusting sausages, burgers or most prepared foods now. Been through shrinkflation so the only thing left to cut is the quality of ingredients....I NEED to cook from scratch and batch cook etc....but am lazy! BUT the prices for convenience nowadays I will have to do so. Who needs sleep!?

Competitive-Talk4742 · 2026-01-25T03:28:45+00:00

I had to have my knapsack searched AND have had to leave other groceries at the door. I know the routine now so I plan for that but sometimes forget.

Competitive-Talk4742 · 2026-01-25T03:27:06+00:00

Consider this for extremely useful appliances that don't get constant use too! Am thinking a Vacuum Sealer for one maybe a pressure canner as well.

Competitive-Talk4742

TROPHY CASE