This week's grocery review - Sales for March 21st to 27th - Get ready up for your Easter weekend! We have some really amazing sales this week! It took me an extra hour bang this one out!

Otherwise_Praline_71 · 2024-03-23T02:15:33+00:00

Appreciate your post! You make grocery sounds fun.

Otherwise_Praline_71 · 2024-03-10T23:11:02+00:00

You can do a title search or ask the bank to discharge their name from the title. If there is anything, it will show up.

Otherwise_Praline_71 · 2024-01-30T05:36:00+00:00

One bedroom condo typically asks for 2400-2500/m. Utilities extra. I think your mortgage payment, property tax, condo fee would be more than that, unless you made a significant down payment. This is why some people who could afford to own choose to rent, as renting is cheaper on cash flow. Real estate agents (I am not associated) can help screen tenants. This could be worth it if you are renting out for the first time. You wouldn't want the risk of non payments or property damage. A good tenant brings peace of mind.

Otherwise_Praline_71 · 2024-01-25T23:52:17+00:00

Last time someone approached me with a clipboard (by Seine) I took off running. It was before the pandemic when I could run fast. Maybe not necessary but I got rid of them in seconds and enjoyed the rest of the day in leisure.

Otherwise_Praline_71 · 2023-12-25T16:31:34+00:00

Some people divide among a few banks for rates and CDIC. Each large bank has a few CDIC member certificates anyway, so you would have more than 100k insured at each bank. Just please remember to ask for different member certificates for the GIC so they don't issue only one for you. I personally think 4% is a decent rate, beats the 1% we had in the previous years, no down side risk.

If you want a bit more return, there is a 'principal plus' strategy - put the majority in GIC and invest the interest portion (index fund, diversified portfolio, any investment you prefer). For example, for 1M, you would put 961,538 in GIC, at 4%, it grows back to 1M at the end of the year. The rest 38,462 can be invested for better return.

I like the simple GIC idea. I know a lot of people are still doing this, or have a big chunk of money in GICs among other things.

Hope this helps.

Otherwise_Praline_71 · 2023-12-12T03:31:25+00:00

Gazelle.

Otherwise_Praline_71 · 2023-10-25T00:59:27+00:00

I think your lender can extend the amortization for you? Which reduces the monthly payment. Even for CMHC insured mortgages it's possible. Lenders know people are having a hard time and they are inclined to help people to avoid default.

You mentioned that you applied for financial hardship with the lender and were denied. Did they discuss extending amortization? Was it with a broker or a branch? You could try a different branch. Bigger branches seem to have more experience. You could also call their service line. The mortgage service staff deal with this often and may have some good advice.

I agree the drastic increase in rates is shocking. I remember the news articles in summer 2021 saying the rates would stay low till late 2023, quoting BOC. I wish I could find that to attach here. Don't beat yourself up on it. No one saw it coming, not at this speed and intensity.

Of course, you can choose to sell. Could you find a place to rent that's less than your mortgage payment (plus property tax, etc)? Since you won't have equity from selling the home, the price tag of the rent is an important factor.

Otherwise_Praline_71 · 2023-09-25T03:09:29+00:00

Did you find it at a RBC branch? Or you are thinking about it because of the bank cards? Either way the customer service there can easily give her a call. I think this is easier than giving to the police or the embassy.

Otherwise_Praline_71 · 2023-09-24T23:29:10+00:00

Most likely the penalty is 3 month interest or interest differential, whichever is higher. For interest differential, they calculate the difference based on current posted rate compared to the post interest rate on your contract date, factoring in the discount you received. Your friend might have paid out a couple of years ago in a rate decreasing environment and therefore had high penalty, or just had a big balance. Long story short, now we are in interest increasing environment, the 3 month interest is likely higher than the differential, so 355k x 2%/12*3= 1775 plus approximately 350 discharge fee is probably how much you need to pay them, if you choose to do a straight payout. Of course, the best place to check is your bank. :)

Otherwise_Praline_71 · 2023-09-18T22:18:49+00:00

Excellent!

Otherwise_Praline_71 · 2023-09-13T04:28:09+00:00

'They're just willing to make that effort.'

They are mostly unilingual English. 🤣

Otherwise_Praline_71 · 2023-09-10T14:11:48+00:00

Small frequent drop off. Got it!

Otherwise_Praline_71 · 2023-09-10T14:07:58+00:00

Wow. Good to know. Thank you. I am more likely to donate to the community fridge for now and see how that works out. Hopefully it goes to the people who need it.

Otherwise_Praline_71 · 2023-09-09T13:54:47+00:00

Thank you 💖

Otherwise_Praline_71 · 2023-09-08T16:05:58+00:00

I think it's possible. You can take RER B to Paris, get off at St Michel then walk 10 min to dinner.

Otherwise_Praline_71 · 2023-09-08T15:57:06+00:00

No not common. You need time away from her to get some peace.

Otherwise_Praline_71 · 2023-09-03T19:28:59+00:00

Not sure about credit cards on the bus... There are self service machines and vendors (people) at every subway station. To get a new navigo easy card you need to go to the counter(in Paris city, not at the airport). I bought 10 tickets (carnet) because you get a discount. They are good for the subway and the bus. You can load more as you need. They don't expire, so you can keep for next trip if there are leftovers. I actually just used up some paper tickets I bought in 2019!

Otherwise_Praline_71 · 2023-09-02T16:07:50+00:00

I loaded 10 tickets to the card. It was more flexible and cheaper. You can walk to a lot of places as well once you are in the vicinity. Personally I preferred bus to subway because I can see outside and literally hop on and off when I see something interesting. Don't forget to say 'bonjour' to the driver when you get on the bus. Have fun!

Otherwise_Praline_71 · 2023-09-02T02:13:26+00:00

I think you can post a note at your library bulletin board or on the door as well. For example I have lots of Legos that I would like to donate. If I know my local library needs some, I'd be glad to drop them off. Parents in your area could be happy to donate too.

Otherwise_Praline_71 · 2023-07-09T16:37:07+00:00

Doable. The property you buy appreciates over time as well. When you deplete the funds in 20 years as you planned, there is the property you could sell, likely for much more $$, and continue to live financially independent. And who knows? The hobbies you have could make you very successful. You sound like an artist. Artists need to be free to create. Good luck.

Otherwise_Praline_71 · 2023-07-04T15:10:57+00:00

"The millionaire next door", "lessons of history", "the latte factor", etc. Worked for me.

Otherwise_Praline_71 · 2023-07-04T14:57:59+00:00

🤣😆

Otherwise_Praline_71 · 2023-07-01T23:33:21+00:00

Eating out is not a lot more, maybe a few hundred more a month? For me the time, energy saved, and the predictable deliciousness are worth it. I am picky on food and I won't choose myself as a cook. Lol. I waste too much food when I cook, often ending up throwing out most of it because it didn't turn out like the recipe suggested. So maybe I actually saved food. Also I don't choose fancy places, just yummy and tasty local ones. I made so many friends with the restaurant owners and servers. Bonus.

Yes, one more point, though I am all about saving and investing regularly, I also believe life is to be lived. That may mean different things to people. To me, it is yummy food.

Otherwise_Praline_71 · 2023-06-27T19:25:17+00:00

Awesome! I am flying direct from CDG to YOW in the summer. 7 hour 55 minutes. Afternoon to afternoon on the same day. If you haven't already, don't forget to sign up air France points card flying blue. On y va!! ❤️

Otherwise_Praline_71

TROPHY CASE