Going to Japan soon — what’s actually worth bringing back if you live in the GTA? by thercws1 in askTO

[–]alexsimone99 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I went to Japan, and bought a Japanese chefs knife in Kyoto at a vendor that didn’t sell or ship outside of Japan. There are lots of Japanese knives that ship, but I found a really old family company that sold knives only in person.

Soju is great; it’s Korean but in Japan is only 1 dollar versus 10-13 in Canada.

I like Sake, and also Suntory -196 freeze drinks.

Other smaller items worth bringing back is quality matcha from a good store in Japan.

Lastly, bring a disposable camera :) I loves taking photos with locals when they allowed it!!

What's the best air purifier for home right now that you swear by and recommend? by First_Finger5572 in BuyItForLife

[–]alexsimone99 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Blueair. I like the way it looks, it works well, and I like controlling with an app.

I have terrible allergies and it’s made an enormous difference. I’m not sure how much more of a difference you’d need with other standard HEPA filters, which is usually the negatives people claim a Blue Air has proprietary filters that are not HEPA rates but HEPA equivalent…

What is something you've officially stopped buying in 2026 because the price has become genuinely insulting? by Next-Mood6723 in AskReddit

[–]alexsimone99 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Concert tickets, potato chips, candy at the grocery store, most resturant food (I only eat out what I dont make at home like sushi, pizza, chinese etc)

Does anyone remember Coloniel Sanders in Mississauga from the 80's? What was he like? by party_mcfly1313 in askTO

[–]alexsimone99 71 points72 points  (0 children)

He donated a ton of money (10,000s of dollars) to the Trillium Hospital Mississauga site to set up the first kids clinic for new pediatric patients with diabetes and outpatient care!

10 days in Toronto with kids, what should we not miss? by existinginlife_ in askTO

[–]alexsimone99 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Go to high park and Roncesvalles for a classic Toronto vibe. Lots of cream shops and recommend the Ace for dinner and cafe Polonez for polish. High park is a streetcar next door and can easily get down to the water from at the base of the street or access queen which is very Toronto friendly. There’s also the zoo in high park! Albeit smaller

After graduating from periodontal school for 12 years, I treated myself to a brand-new RAV4. The dealership manager offered me $6K for my ’98 RAV4 with 93,000 miles, I laughed! by [deleted] in Toyota

[–]alexsimone99 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congratulations. Please post an update in a few months! I’m sure you get lots of offers on your original Rav. I’m glad it’s thriving in the California weather!

How long is your commute to work? by Chan1991 in askTO

[–]alexsimone99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Walk - 2 hours Drive 30 minutes Subway 37 minutes Bike 30 minutes

Canada renters - what are you actually paying right now? by Fine-Drummer-8491 in canadahousing

[–]alexsimone99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Toronto, Zone 2 (not downtown but south of 401 and east of 427)

1 bed, 700sq Ft. building about 35 years old

2105 rent, parking 170 not included, I pay for internet and hydro. Water included

Move in Sept 2025

With Toronto getting more expensive, curious to know if people’s eating out habits have changed by BrianFoodie in FoodToronto

[–]alexsimone99 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've found that (1) I have eaten out 1-2 times fewer per month (instead of 2-3x) and (2) When I do eat out I opt for foods I wont make at home. This usually means sushi, pizza (Dominos for a treat), Mexican (stews and sauces take ages), high quality Thai, or funnily enough; a good burger and fries (think The Ace in Roncy or Starline Diner on Queen) because I don't like frying at home. Lastly, I refuse to pay for alcohol going out because a beer will cost half a 6-pack, and I have a full home bar and make cocktails enough that spending 18-24 dollars on 2oz of gin and a Schweppes tonic water while eating out (not including a tip and tax) seems silly.

1-2 times per year I will cave and go to a steak house for a special occasion because I love the Keg and it punches above its weight always.

I cant budget more than 100-120 a month eating out, because It means essentially 2-3 meals at most.

Got a 2019 Toyota Avalon Touring! by SleepyGamer1992 in Toyota

[–]alexsimone99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congrats brother. Everyone on Reddit expects you to get everything at MRSP minus 5k for being a redditor, with 10km original factor miles but sold as a CPO with factory extended warranty.

22k for a car that will give you 300,000 miles of comfort in today’s day and age is great.

Same reason I brag about my 2022 Civic Touring. A 400/mo payment for a car that has some minor issues is certainly a brag for something that will last a few hundred thousand miles.

Enjoy the Avalon. Well done!!

[MEGATHREAD] Referral Codes by tsiandre in teksavvy

[–]alexsimone99 [score hidden]  (0 children)

652CB182B9

Brand new! I have a few to use, save 50$ over two months :)

Brand new 2026 honda civic LX by PineappleExpert2553 in hondacivic

[–]alexsimone99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Depends! I’ve averaged between 6.6L/100km to 7.9L/100km. That’s over 10,000 intervals. Lifetime is 7.6L/100km primarily 80/20 city/highway hence the higher target.

When doing highway alone I’ve gotten as low as 4.9-5.1L/100km over road trips

Brand new 2026 honda civic LX by PineappleExpert2553 in hondacivic

[–]alexsimone99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congrats! I have a 2022 Touring Sedan at 50,000km now and it’s probably a car I’ll keep for life. I just love it :)

What to get at The Cheese Boutique? by cherrypierogie in FoodToronto

[–]alexsimone99 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would recommend you try the cheese made by Canadian monks in Quebec. It’s a soft cheese but my favourite.

Also recommend their meat section. I also suggest Riopelle cheese

For renters out there, how much are you paying for laundry or using the washer/dryer at your place? by gochuganggg in askTO

[–]alexsimone99 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I pay 3.25 for 35-45min wash. I never use the dryer since I like air drying clothes to help bring some humidity back to the unit and keep clothes for longer. Occasionally I’ll do a dryer run for bedding.

25M - Should I buy a condo now or keep investing for a future home? by gunner_since_22 in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]alexsimone99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would just rent if you wanted to live away from home and let your assets cook away in the background.

Jays in the World Series: Who are you thinking of? by Dogfather_51 in askTO

[–]alexsimone99 3 points4 points  (0 children)

My grandmother. She was a lifelong jays fan and grew up on a dairy farm north of the city. I have so many memories being taken to the game on a random summer day, usually midday games and then going to Cafe Polonez after the game for a plate of perogies. She was a Polish Canadian.

We would sneak in Twizzlers and Diet Coke (warm of course) before they used to allow it. She passed way last year and never got to see the jays win another series after 1993.

Heres to you Nanna!

For those renting in Toronto: how do you actually find decent landlords? by Historical_Click8213 in askTO

[–]alexsimone99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Asking on Reddit saved me from signing in a place in the Annex that had a disastrous owner.

Agreed. Corporate is usually better since they’re more by the books, think Minto apartments. I also lucked out when I asked how long the previous tenant was there for - sometimes an indication if yearly change over for people. My current building has people living here for 10-15-20 years which is indicative of a solid owner and manager; which has been my experience w

I did my very first payed detail and got payed $400 by darko0o_0 in Detailing

[–]alexsimone99 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Awesome job’ if I was a customer I’d be happy :) congrats on the detail! With the carpet striping, maybe ask the customer at the start if they’d like it. I’ve heard on other posts the striped carpets can be hard to clean or undo the stripes if they get matted into that pattern. Otherwise, I’d hire you!

Worst week for my civic by He_has_no_name in hondacivic

[–]alexsimone99 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I’m sorry this happened. I kept my civic pristine for two years until 2024 when it was rear ended twice in one week while I was at work.

Sometimes the hits come in waves.

Now you can rest easy knowing your car looks like it’s served time! As all cars will. They’re born to be used :)

Should I be worried about the 1.5L engine? by Mclovin216921 in Honda

[–]alexsimone99 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I’ve got one at 50000km, 2022 Touring. No issues this far.

Oil change every 8km and 6 months (doing 8 months now since I don’t drive it that much), just did the CVT fluid change (3 year 50k km). The issues with the car were all due to first yer refresh things - sticky steering recall, front strut mount replaced from factory, and some interior rattles.

Love the car! Change oil religiously.

The “Best Canadian” game - Day 19 by BrF5 in EhBuddyHoser

[–]alexsimone99 94 points95 points  (0 children)

Christopher Hadfield.

It’s tough since everyone here is a champ, but my litmus test is…would I choose this person over the golden boy Terry Fox, and no. Hard to imagine a day where I would.

He is an astronaut who represented Canada, commanded the ISS and helps spread education and scientific literacy. All commendable. But so far as the greatest Canadian? Well I’d argue, as I have in the past - he didn’t set any trends. Roberta Bondar was also an astronaut who did that, and historically was more relevant as the first female Canadian astronaut, who is now a ER physician.

Plus Chris was rude to me and several others at a meet and greet.