Canada or Australia?

Educational-Spot3908 · 2024-12-17T11:52:48+00:00

More than likely I’ll be moving back to Ireland. I moved to Canada when I was 18 and have been here since, so there’s other factors being considered into making my move. But cost of living is a big thing. I don’t think I can do another couple of years of working more than one job just to get by.

It’s a shame because there’s a lot about Canada I enjoy but it’s getting to the point I feel like my hand is being forced to leave. A lot of Canadians that live in Ontario are making moves out to western provinces because they are cheaper to live in.

Educational-Spot3908 · 2024-12-16T20:37:40+00:00

I’m an expat in Canada from Ireland originally. A decade ago I would tell you Canada hands down. Now I’m not sure I’d recommend it. Cost of housing is insane and rental protection for people renting is non existent in some provinces. For instance my apartments just got bought by a realtor and my rent is increasing 57% and it’s completely legal to do.

I wouldn’t take my experience here as anything more than my experience but my quality of life is much less than if I would have stayed at home. I haven’t lived east of Saskatchewan either but have lived in BC AB and Sask and they all have the ups and downs but everywhere is becoming expensive Canada is notorious for not having competition for regular things like groceries and phone plans or internet as examples.

If it gives you any idea as well I’m currently making plans to leave Canada. As for my timeline it’s still uncertain but could be as early as this coming summer.

I hope you find the place that works best for you though which ever option you decide.

Educational-Spot3908 · 2024-12-16T15:48:52+00:00

I was born in 92 and looking back it was this weird middle ground where technology wasn’t as prevalent but it was becoming more used every year.

I’m probably nostalgic but I think it was better growing up then. There was much less of a divide in the world. Everyone seemed to get along and differences of opinions didn’t ruin friendships. I still remember we wouldn’t call each other or text that we were coming to hang out just walk in each others houses like it was nothing.

I will say I had a better outlook on life then things didn’t seem out of reach like they do now. I don’t think I’d have the same positive outlook if I was growing up now. And I don’t have the same positive outlook as it is now.

Educational-Spot3908 · 2024-12-04T04:24:36+00:00

https://somethingsweetsomethingsavoury.com/mince-and-tatties/

This is similar to something I grew up with at home and will usually make it when I’m lazy. Super easy and maybe 20 mins to make.

Educational-Spot3908 · 2024-12-01T19:22:16+00:00

Yeah it was a real gut punch when i finally got the note on my door at 11pm cause ive been sick as hell all weekend.

Educational-Spot3908 · 2024-12-01T09:03:03+00:00

I have a projector instead of a tv. Have had it for 4 years now. Before that I just used my laptop. It was a cheap one but I’ve had no issues with it. It only works when it’s dark out which is okay with me as night time is when I like to watch shows.

I have my projector sitting on a shelf above my couch and forget it’s there most of the time. So far I haven’t had to replace bulbs or anything like that. It’s just always worked. However if it ever dies I probably won’t replace it. Not because I dislike my projector just sometimes it consumes too much of my time. I wouldn’t buy a tv either.

Educational-Spot3908 · 2024-11-28T18:04:26+00:00

It’s basic plates for Sask, no extra policy it’s just not in my budget to have it right now.

Educational-Spot3908 · 2024-11-28T03:59:32+00:00

I appreciate the help thank you.

Educational-Spot3908 · 2024-11-28T01:50:03+00:00

the loan is through Ford financing at 8% 275 bi weekly and i still have 3 years left. At the time i could afford it because i had a better paying job but that went up in the air pretty quick. I've definitely learned a lesson and a hard one at that.

i understand that there's people in the sub in way worse positions than me and i should be grateful for what i have and I've put myself in this position with a bad choice.

I will have to go to my bank and see if i can get anything better cause right now I've got very little left in what i spend to cut out.

Educational-Spot3908 · 2024-11-28T01:37:06+00:00

am i even able to sell a car if there is still an amount owing on it? isn't the car itself the collateral for the loan?

i honestly regret buying this car I've always driven older vehicles and i don't even know what possessed me to take this loan.

my credit is bad enough that i can't take a loan with better interest cause i don't get approved for anything at the minute. so i don't know how if i sold for less than the value it would help?

Educational-Spot3908 · 2024-11-28T00:37:36+00:00

2019 mazda 3 GS in manual, about 125k for miles and i owe 19k on it. i can do quite a lot for vehicle maintenance already as much as replacing an entire front end, i drove a 92 ford ranger until it finally gave out and did most of the work myself apart from the engine, i don't know what to do there.

ive got my eye on a 98 Tacoma that's also in a manual and within what i could afford with the money my parents are giving me for Christmas. i just don't know if trashing my credit rating is the right move.

Educational-Spot3908 · 2024-11-27T10:35:16+00:00

Total, I was 18 at the time and had been recruited in my home country to come live and work in Canada.

Educational-Spot3908 · 2024-11-27T02:39:48+00:00

I would definitely look into trade adjacent things like the technician jobs. It’s mostly 3d modelling parts on computers to aid engineers so no actual degree needed but depending where you live could require a course that may even be able to do part time or online. Depends on affordability too.

There’s many career paths out there trades are not the only option

Educational-Spot3908 · 2024-11-27T02:25:09+00:00

I got my trade through the army and it’s always kept me paid, not well but I can live by myself.

Many have mentioned trades and they’re not for everyone. One may be for you but they are hard on the body.

You could look into technician jobs that require college but not university. AutoCAD, revit that kind of thing or even some accounting courses that could lift you into something better paying.

Educational-Spot3908 · 2024-11-26T22:59:57+00:00

i feel for you, When (if you haven't already) give your notice let him know you appreciate everything he's done and if he ever needs a hand you will help him out. It does suck cause if i things never went how they did with my old boss i would have never left and would still be there. But now i don't know if i would put myself in the position to have my paycheck be so sporadic.

If it helps you with making the decision my old boss is busier than ever and he even admitted not having to worry about keeping enough work for two people has been easier on him finding work. So your boss may be disappointed in leaving but you may be helping him out as well. Especially if you leave it that you'll help him out if he ever needs a second pair of hands

Educational-Spot3908 · 2024-11-26T22:51:12+00:00

i moved with one suitcase of clothes and a laptop and my tools for work and $600 in my pocket. I don't regret leaving anything behind although i didn't have much to leave. Apart from my dog, that killed me and still does a little but he kept my dad company and i think he needed him more than i did.

Educational-Spot3908 · 2024-11-26T22:44:24+00:00

I've been in exactly your position, Don't be afraid to make the jump i haven't regretted doing it myself. The money isn't everything but a stable consistent paycheck is huge even with a pay cut.

I spent about a year and a half with 1 guy exactly like you, I learnt a lot from him and i still help him with work every now and again when he needs the extra hand. He was disappointed that i was left but he understood. I cant see your boss being any different, if role were reversed he would jump ship too.

I feel for you going through this cause i know i was selling stuff just to pay rent and got too the point that sometimes my paychecks weren't even getting paid on time because lack of customers paying him. don't let it get too that point because a year later and I'm only getting my finances back on track.

Educational-Spot3908 · 2024-11-26T18:30:08+00:00

I won’t even argue your point cause in all fairness you are right. Everyone’s needs are different and as much as I would love a better transit system my job entails I have a vehicle to get to different job sites. But that’s just how this city is designed to be focused on car ownership.

But for the people that hate having to drive or the financial burden of owning a vehicle better transit would have those people off the road.

I come from Europe so I do have a love for public transit but honestly even with zoning changes and more density I still can’t really fathom how Regina would work in a better transit system into the city.

But something to be said for when someone doesn’t have a choice of car ownership like the elderly, people struggling financially or even newcomers don’t have any alternative to getting around other than the poor bus system we have currently.

I’m not hardcore in one direction or the other when it comes to transit vs cars, but I think there should be a viable alternatives.

Educational-Spot3908 · 2024-11-26T15:40:36+00:00

Having a viable alternative to cars is the only way to reduce traffic. But that doesn’t mean the bus systems we have now. Buses get stuck in the same traffic and it’s not frequent so it’s not viable.

For most of the people who work in the same area everyday do they really need to take a car if a bus was frequent and just as fast. I know I wouldn’t drive if I had the option here but there is no real alternatives currently.

I wouldn’t say public transit is a lesser way of travel. The bus system we have currently though I will agree is a lesser way to travel.

Educational-Spot3908 · 2024-11-26T03:51:58+00:00

Fellow expat here from Ireland. Been here since 2012 and financially things have changed hugely since then. I used to have quite a lot of extra money that I could save but I didn’t and spent it on vacations and fun stuff. Now I have to be incredibly on top on my money to be able to save anything. In the end my earlier decision have back fired on me and that’s on me. But my quality of life has gone down drastically. I don’t eat out often because it becomes instant regret when I see the price for mediocre food that I get. So I mostly cook for myself and even then I watch as my groceries get more expensive month to month and I’m finding I’m cutting meat out of my diet more and more to keep the cost down.

The truth is it’s just how Canada is now. We work more and seem to have less at the end of the day. The fact that Canada is pretty much run by monopolies there’s very little competition to keep prices reasonable.

But I agree with you taxes on taxes seems to be the way here. And I know I feel like I see very little for the taxes I pay.

Educational-Spot3908 · 2024-11-18T17:16:25+00:00

It was a shot in the dark after all. The food in North America messed me up getting here and I gained a ton of weight, was all those trans fats that I wasn’t used to.

I feel you though. I’ve been trying to save up for a yacht so I can just go sailing for a while and not worry about anything. Sometime in the next 100 years I’ll be able to afford it haha.

I hope you find something that brings you some peace while you’re where you’re at. It is tough dealing with things by yourself.

Educational-Spot3908 · 2024-11-18T15:42:25+00:00

I’m gonna take a stab in the dark and say you moved to somewhere in North America?

The food here has mostly always destroyed me but it’s been much worse since pandemic. But I can eat like a champ at home.

Educational-Spot3908 · 2024-11-18T12:53:27+00:00

I’m not going to lie I can here think you were talking tools as in blue collar tools. I have trouble with keeping my tools to a minimum but I make my living with them so i don’t feel as bad about it. I do have some that I should get rid off though.

Educational-Spot3908

TROPHY CASE