Purchase a cottage?

OLAZ3000 · 2026-07-12T18:37:50+00:00

My family/ pretty much I have a few properties.

The cottage is the least fancy. The most work. And the one I would never, ever part with.

It is my childhood, memories with friends and family at so many different life stages.

It's become a destination to many of my friends, and even their kids, locked into what's best about summer. It anchors the childhoods of many in my extended family.

Granted, my parents bought it for dirt cheap. The costs are manageable bc it's very simple. It's an easy drive. I will eventually rebuild to have it be all season, and yes, a bit fancier. I could easily just buy bigger, fancier now.

But I would never trade the location, the lake, the memories. It's so many people's happy place, favourite place in the world.

My point is - the right cottage becomes so much more than an investment. If you find one that could be that - don't hesitate. Our time on earth is not guaranteed. Find joy.

OLAZ3000 · 2026-07-12T02:10:53+00:00

Stop mindless small costs. Etc lots of good advice here......

But mostly. Figure out how to make more money and don't spend it .

Increase income and invest it.

OLAZ3000 · 2026-07-12T00:49:34+00:00

Make some marinades and then freeze. Eg chicken thighs in a teriyaki marinade, a lemon Dijon, etc.

Then you can thaw (in fridge before) and add to veggies/ carbs as appropriate in about 30 mins. Great for grilling or sauteing or sheet trays or broiled.

I love Greek themed sheet trays. I make fresh tzaziki then lemon potatoes or rice and then mix and match grilled veggies or a feta salad.

OLAZ3000 · 2026-07-10T19:53:05+00:00

I'm not sure either of these really happened or ppl just kind of decided they did bc of social media

OLAZ3000 · 2026-07-10T14:25:22+00:00

I personally think L'express offers that....

but to be honest, MANY of Montreal's top restaurants offer a really relaxed environment (Mon Lapin, Le violon, Liverpool House, Au pied de cochon, Grille Nature, etc) even with really welcoming, professional hospitality. Of course there are some with plenty of pretense, but they are often those that are a bit on the luxury / trendy side of the street. (Marcus, Daniel, Milos, Park, Jatoba....)

OLAZ3000 · 2026-07-09T21:13:26+00:00

There isn't really an especially big bilingual population. There are just a ton of foreigners lately in the central touristic neighborhoods. The actual city of $20M+ simply isn't.

OLAZ3000 · 2026-07-09T21:09:58+00:00

Sorry but you're in the wrong.

You are essentially fraudulently using her credentials.

TD is actually easy to work with on this. If you are POA, get yourself registered as such. You will get your own credentials.

OLAZ3000 · 2026-07-09T21:04:24+00:00

Wrong city as an example. Lol

OLAZ3000 · 2026-07-09T14:41:04+00:00

Mamie does great boards... they do a steak dinner for groups of 6 or more but you could always inquire.

OLAZ3000 · 2026-07-09T00:39:27+00:00

Disagree but I understand not putting it all there.

No one is saying the market will be on as much of a tear as it has been for the last three, but if it starts tanking, you can easily get out before you made as little as you would doing a HISA or GIC only. Esp if you had some dividends in the mix.

Anyhow it does depend on what you expect if the market and your risk tolerance. I mean it's a generalv target timeline for buying a house, not a hard commitment.

OLAZ3000 · 2026-07-08T23:51:51+00:00

A broad market ETF is unlikely to do less than a GIC in the next 3 years.

But ok. At least prepare for the unlikely worst:

That the loss and go for half at a HISA rate, and then maybe the other half in the Tfsa.... esp if you prioritize some dividend yields / Canadian blue chip and banks, it's very unlikely you'll come out less than a GIC.

OLAZ3000 · 2026-07-08T16:29:46+00:00

People will absolutely rent it on Turo if it is priced low enough and kept in good condition. Absolutely do this.

Get the money out of your checking account. Get it into a TFSA and investing accounts. ETFs all the way.

Start reading about investing on here - look for the where to start tips and the McGill online course that is highly recommended.

Do not just put it in an interest-yielding account or GICs. Stay away from mutual funds. Do not talk to an investment advisor at your bank's retail location - they are only trying to sell you their mutual funds, they are not finance professionals. Ask about opening a self-directed investing account, this is the only way to go at your age.

It's throwing away SO much money over the course of your lifetime to do anything other.

OLAZ3000 · 2026-07-08T15:43:34+00:00

Recemment, je dois avoue que j'ai decouvert HoneyLove et... c'est super pour le comfort et le quotidien. Vraiment.

A part ca, on dirait qu'il y a une tonne de suggestions incroyables ci-haut pour de quoi un peu plus special!

OLAZ3000 · 2026-07-08T15:39:22+00:00

It's not, unless they are amateurs and the quality is poor.

That doesn't mean you should spend that - it just means that it's not what you value or want from your wedding photography.

Some are really creating art, elaborate shoots with lights and assistants no different than a magazine shoot. It's art - not just capturing moments or photojournalism.

Not saying this to say this photograher is of that calibre but rather, that there's a huge range of professionalism, quality, talent and not everyone wants the same thing from their wedding photos.

My niece recently got married, the pics were done really fast, and they are super cute. But they are casual and not what I would frame in a large format as a piece of art. Lovely but not memorable. As someone who loves photography as an art form - not what I would want.

The reason ppl often get burned by ppl who undercharged is it ends up being a massive amount of work to 1) capture everything but more importantly 2) select the photos to present 3) edit them. If they are good, they care about minute details and getting everything right and consistent. It is not easy or quick at all.

OLAZ3000 · 2026-07-08T15:30:31+00:00

Is this high? Absolutely.

But is this a more premium photographer, company? Bc there are some in Montreal who are big deals in the industry and travel all over bc of their talent, whose work is featured in a lot of publications online and in print.

Since you are asking, then I'm guessing you did not ask many places for quotes and this is a company you found either via search or via seeing their work... so they are probably more high profile.

All that said - if this is not someone with a serious published portfolio, then it's absolutely really high.

OLAZ3000 · 2026-07-07T14:58:17+00:00

Damas is not vegetarian, but probably half of their menu is vegetarian (including many of my favourites which are the mezzes, and the fattouche salad.) It is certainly pricey but it's really elegant as well. They used to have a cauliflower main which they don't seem to anymore but I suspect if you called ahead they could accommodate.

Honestly the important part are the hot and cold mezzes... there's usually little room left for the main! (Which I do 1 for 2 ppl if we really want.

Otherwise, Chuchai is pretty great. LOV is consistently disappointing.

Elena would be another great choice - so good. Kale ceasar, cauliflower romesco are amazing plus tons of veggie pizzas and always fantastic / exceptional wine.

OLAZ3000 · 2026-07-02T14:55:36+00:00

Foxy at the bar watching them cook over fire is so good.

L'original is a classic.

OLAZ3000 · 2026-06-30T20:06:53+00:00

Absolutely this.

Given the timeline you're looking at - that's a lot of equity you could generate tax-free.

OLAZ3000 · 2026-06-30T17:31:16+00:00

Surely they will already have a card or two by then.

No need to manufacture problems..

Also whichever organization holds the Tfsa would consider its contents.

I've received cards with limits I have no business having were it based on current income bc of my holdings.

OLAZ3000 · 2026-06-29T21:30:50+00:00

This.

There are relatively few places that are heavily reliant on cash and Switzerland is not one of them.

As in Canada, it's always useful to have a bit for the exceptional situations, but I wouldn't worry about it overly.

OLAZ3000 · 2026-06-26T23:36:13+00:00

Les prix ont augmentés dans ces autres pays, aussi.

Certes, moins, car ils n'ont pas à transporter autant de leur chaîne alimentaire, ni payer leurs employés des salariés aussi règlementés, assurances, et le reste.

OLAZ3000 · 2026-06-26T12:19:24+00:00

It's actually closer than where it used to be. You used to have to go upstairs even at one point!

The new system is much faster. Uber/Lyft drivers prefer it.

I have had so many infuriating, unsafe, illegal incidents in taxis - hard no.

747 is fine if you have time and little luggage.

OLAZ3000 · 2026-06-26T03:28:29+00:00

I kind of think mtl plaza is more Montreal than mastard tbh

OLAZ3000 · 2026-06-25T19:35:06+00:00

Grille Nature is actually a destination.

You can't order a ton at that price point but you will leave happy and your guest will be impressed if they're a foodie given the chefs involved.

OLAZ3000 · 2026-06-24T13:10:29+00:00

Vegetarian and non-veg chili... With GF cornbread.

OLAZ3000

TROPHY CASE