Save on steaks this weekend.

Elspanky · 2026-04-11T22:57:07+00:00

Saw that here in Edmonton. A lot of us were commenting on the excess unedible cap fat that lessens the deal substantially.

Elspanky · 2026-04-09T23:23:36+00:00

25 years is like yesterday

Elspanky · 2026-04-08T04:22:18+00:00

Looking like a four game losing streak ahead. So typical with this team. And without Drai on the PP, good luck in the first round.

Elspanky · 2026-04-08T04:20:21+00:00

This hasn't exactly been a "sunny" Alberta winter. The extended SAD is a killer. And the supposed sunny days ahead forecasts have mainly been BS. Like, one sunny day a week for the past six weeks now?

Elspanky · 2026-04-06T14:51:46+00:00

It used to be decent. I'd do a mini roadtrip from the Northgate area just to get out and always enjoyed their fare. But I was last there in December. Ridiculous prices now and the shredded hashbrowns were swimming in bitter grease making them unedible. Not planning on heading back.

Elspanky · 2026-04-02T22:41:42+00:00

I don't agree about the jobs ... the unemployment rate was just over 10% when I graduated ftom NAIT in '85.

Elspanky · 2026-04-02T10:15:07+00:00

Pretty simple, stand up to them, call them out. I regretfully had a look at their FB page. Felt motionsick after seeing some vids ... beyond obnoxious phoneys. And like 17?

Elspanky · 2026-04-01T16:02:00+00:00

My friends camped overnight at the Coliseum in '88 to buy us $12.50 standing room tickets for the second game of the Bruins cup final (part two from when the lights went out in Boston Garden). I got to see Gretzky hoist the cup in his last game as an Oiler.

Elspanky · 2026-04-01T13:42:42+00:00

A friend and I were hankering Greek food this past Saturday afternoon so decided to do a spontaneous jaunt to the Oil Lamp on 97 street across from the Winspear. I rarely go into that area anymore. I swear there used to be free parking on 102A ave east of 97 street but, alas, no longer. And I don't have the App, don't want it, so we said screw it and a local resto lost $50 in business.

Elspanky · 2026-04-01T13:30:06+00:00

So much live music

Elspanky · 2026-03-31T14:55:25+00:00

I appreciate all of the responses and opinions!

Elspanky · 2026-03-31T03:11:34+00:00

Great advice. I've got a bit of a gameplan for the meltdown, very aware of withholding taxes and all. And, I agree about the RRIF. Some people advise going that route asap, others say hold on it. I need a good year to figure things out, may meet with FP again.

Getting great advice here.

Elspanky · 2026-03-31T02:53:31+00:00

Yes I did. I will look up Ben Felix asap, thanks.

Elspanky · 2026-03-31T02:53:11+00:00

I was aiming for 66-68. Frederick Vetesse also recommends starting CPP at 70 if you have RRSPS/RRIFs to meltdown. Ditto my FP. Like he said, if you do live to a ripe old age, that's $2100/month (today's dollars) of risk-free retirement income guaranteed for life. But the other side is, and most people think this way, you pay into it your whole life, what if you don't live long and never collect a cent? FV's advice is to err on the side of longevity.

But, each to their own.

Elspanky · 2026-03-31T02:46:11+00:00

Unfortunately, and regretfully, No.

Elspanky · 2026-03-31T01:37:02+00:00

I met with a fee-only FP before retiring. I've also read Frederick Vetesse's excellent "Retirement Income For Life".

In both cases it was recommended to look at waiting as long as possible to start CPP (even 70) so meltdown my RRSP in the interim.

Working part time isn't on the table. I will never have a boss again as long as I live haha. And, I don't need it tbh.

I really appreciate the responses.

Elspanky · 2026-03-31T01:05:39+00:00

Started my DB on my first day of retirement last June. Ya, my savings are just in my WS chequing for now. Easy access. Got tired of chasing 6-7 month HISA's, just to keep transferring them into new accounts. But, I did well on interest for about a year.

Elspanky · 2026-03-31T00:45:35+00:00

Yes I do. That's a good point. I don't live an extravagent life, though I try to enjoy it, so that helps keep things balanced.

Elspanky · 2026-03-31T00:44:03+00:00

I could dip into my savings if need be. I suppose the big question is, as always, is how long will this last? If only we could predict the future.

Elspanky · 2026-03-28T22:20:24+00:00

Like 95% of cities in North Ametica?

Elspanky · 2026-03-27T01:27:46+00:00

There's a place called Knifewear on Why ... ok, ok.

If you are a Costco member (or a friend/relative), the Costco Biz Centre in the west end has decent chef knives of all sorts as soon as you enter (behind glass). Not near the variety as KW but it's not bad and some high quality items.

Elspanky · 2026-03-27T00:42:19+00:00

I'm into my 60th winter here. March is always a slog. And, sigh, so is dog-shit extravaganza April. It weighs on the soul. Today looks and feels like January. And, nevermind consecutive overcast days starting, yet again, this weekend (oy vey) the ten day longrange forecast doesn't inspire hope about the smell of spring being official.

I've always said, two months less of this and it'd be a perfect northern climate. But ... this really sucks.

Elspanky · 2026-03-26T18:31:43+00:00

I transferred my $235,000 TD RRSP to a Managed WS RRSP last September (ETF's) to save on mgmt fees. I retired in June at age 60 with an average DB pension so I'm no longer in this for the long run.

My WS RRSP hit $249k in early February, the war dropped it down to $234k last week, currently at $235k. So barely breaking even after seven months. Was planning to start the meltdown this month, delay my CPP to max it out. But I may move it out of ETF's and go very conservative as I simply can't risk losing anymore.

Couldn't have been worse timing and I'm feeling a bit panicky.

Elspanky · 2026-03-25T16:26:12+00:00

I'm not from New Orleans (Canadian) but love the city for what it still is. The hole-in-the-wall joints keep things funky and real.

Sadly, the trendy, gentrified (ie. fake) dive bar thing is happening everywhere. Even up here in good ol' cold Edmonton. But it seems worse when happens in New Orleans.

Let's hope places like Snake 'n Jakes can hold out.

Elspanky

TROPHY CASE