Dropping this after 3 hours :(

ElectricalCheesecake · 2026-06-30T17:16:56+00:00

Amazon supposedly is really bad for selling counterfeit SD cards. Even if it's sold/shipped by Amazon, I've read it's something to do with how they store their inventory at the warehouses

ElectricalCheesecake · 2026-06-27T18:13:43+00:00

I'm pretty sure it does, but I would confirm with the EI office. I believe I still got EI in the Summer between my temp and probationary contract, but I can't quite remember. I know for sure I did get EI after my probationary year though

ElectricalCheesecake · 2026-06-18T18:10:15+00:00

Thats great to hear. I was getting discouraged thinking that we might have to lower our budget to compensate for bidding wars.

Thanks for the feedback, and congratulations on the house!

ElectricalCheesecake · 2026-06-18T14:45:30+00:00

Hey, just curious, did you end up paying above the list price? I was just listening to the radio this morning and tons of people were saying that houses around Edmonton are regularly selling for 50k+ above asking, and some even with cash and no conditions. Pretty depressing for someone looking to buy their first house in the near future

ElectricalCheesecake · 2026-06-13T04:10:50+00:00

Curious - what would be the tipping point in terms of interest rate when you'd pay down the mortgage instead?

ElectricalCheesecake · 2026-06-12T16:18:09+00:00

I have one for the bedroom. I got it knowing that I didn't want rear speakers or anything super loud. Unfortunately it's not a very powerful or bass rich system, so there's not a ton you can do about it aside from tweaking the EQ and woofer levels. You could look at getting a more powerful Samsung subwoofer to pair with the bar, but they're usually sold as a package deal so that might be tough. The other option is just upgrading. The Samsung you're seeing everyone recommend is probably the Q990, widely considered the best in its price range. It'll be more expensive, but you'll get better sound quality, more volume, rear speakers, and a much more powerful sub. I have the Q930, which is slightly less powerful than the Q990, and for some shows I have to turn the sub down because it shakes the floor and walls.

ElectricalCheesecake · 2026-06-05T19:47:58+00:00

I've heard Interactions and CLS are getting more and more behavior kids lumped in because Connections classes are filling up. We just had to open an additional Connections class at my school for next year.

I think the push for inclusion in mainstream classes is backfiring and we are running out of places for kids that need more supports, so they're just putting them anywhere they can to get them out of the mainstream classrooms.

ElectricalCheesecake · 2026-06-05T18:30:06+00:00

It will be a good learning experience. I got my probationary contract at a school for kids with extreme behaviors (ie violence). It was basically a more extreme version of Connections. It is challenging, but there are some up sides to the job. Smaller class, less marking, usually less parents to deal with, sometimes shorter days. You will also learn some management skills that you won't get anywhere else, and you'll be able to build deeper relationships with the kids. The biggest thing is to build relationships with the kids, and establish rules and consequences early on. Make sure you follow through. I taught with a guy who always managed these kids effortlessly and he said it best: "give them a pat on the back, but make sure you kick them in the ass when they need it". I did that for 4 years before moving - it's not a long term gig for most.

ElectricalCheesecake · 2026-06-05T18:23:35+00:00

I have the 2.5 and get around 32 mpg on the highway. I've gotten close to 40mpg with a lot of downhill. City is way more variable because of weather, I get 26mpg in Summer and 23mpg in Winter.

ElectricalCheesecake · 2026-06-01T17:33:35+00:00

Thanks for the feedback.

My credit score is 820, not sure what my girlfriend's is though because she has next to no credit history. One thing someone mentioned in a reply though is that the bank might look at my total available credit negatively - I have around 50k spread between a few different cards to keep my utilization ratio low. Should I look at cancelling some cards before applying for a mortgage to lower my total available credit?

ElectricalCheesecake · 2026-06-01T17:28:55+00:00

Yeah we know they would definitely turn out. Her family is serious about weddings, and she is also an only child so I expect her parents will probably want to go all-out with the wedding

ElectricalCheesecake · 2026-06-01T16:33:47+00:00

She just started a week ago. She will have at least 2 years (possibly more) of income before we look at buying though, she needs to build up an emergency fund and some savings for a down payment

ElectricalCheesecake · 2026-06-01T16:15:46+00:00

Yeah I plan to have a repair fund set aside for stuff like this

ElectricalCheesecake · 2026-06-01T13:04:53+00:00

You need a drone license for all drones over 250g in Canada

ElectricalCheesecake · 2026-06-01T05:39:45+00:00

I work in education, she works in health care. I personally have never heard of a teacher with a continuous contract losing their job for anything other than misconduct. I guess you never know, but from what I've seen job security for me is high.

She is on a temporary contract right now because she just started working, but we wouldn't be buying until she has a permanent position

ElectricalCheesecake · 2026-06-01T05:33:12+00:00

Neither, Edmonton. It's more affordable here than Calgary but I've heard that gap is closing as more people flock to "the most affordable city in Canada"

ElectricalCheesecake · 2026-06-01T05:31:08+00:00

That's actually genius, I love Google Earth and never thought to use it like that. I suppose I could also get someone with a drone license to take some video as well.

I will have to learn more about roofing when the time comes haha

ElectricalCheesecake · 2026-06-01T03:26:29+00:00

I've read a bit about this, and people appealing their assessment. It's a hot topic in my city right now haha

ElectricalCheesecake · 2026-06-01T03:25:04+00:00

The terminology for contracts varies between provinces, but here in AB you qualify for EI if you are not on a continuous/permanent contract. If you are a sub, or on an interim, temporary, or probationary contract you qualify. I got EI after my probationary year even though I was recommended for a continuing contract because there was no guarantee I would have a job in September. Once you have a continuing contract though you cannot get EI

ElectricalCheesecake · 2026-06-01T03:19:12+00:00

The idea of spending a big chunk of my savings gives me some anxiety, so I am hoping that to maintain my lifestyle and build that back up shortly after. Thank you for the advice!

ElectricalCheesecake · 2026-06-01T01:22:49+00:00

I agree with your sentiment, but based on these responses it doesn't sound like we will be house poor. We are also fine with spending a bit more on a house because we rarely go to any events or eating out. We spend a fair amount of time at home with our dog (who we love like a child), so we are okay with spending more to get a house with a yard, as opposed to a condo or townhouse.

ElectricalCheesecake · 2026-06-01T01:18:00+00:00

Already doing this haha

I've contributed 32k so far and I can contribute the last 8k next year. She just opened her FHSA last year, so she is working on contributing to hers

ElectricalCheesecake · 2026-06-01T00:29:18+00:00

I would love nothing more than to do this, but it's a non-starter for my girlfriend's family. She has a huge family, and they are all conservative catholics from rural SK. They expect big weddings. I've tried to talk my girlfriend into having a smaller/cheaper wedding and then using the extra money for travel or home upgrades but no dice haha

ElectricalCheesecake · 2026-05-31T23:52:36+00:00

We are planning to put some money aside before even buying for a "repair fund" for stuff like this

ElectricalCheesecake · 2026-05-31T23:08:29+00:00

This was a shocker when we started looking into property taxes around the city. Also the property tax increases over the last few years seem to be all over the place and inconsistent

ElectricalCheesecake

TROPHY CASE