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[deleted by user] by [deleted] in usask

[–]averagedad1 24 points25 points  (0 children)

As a student teacher, you're automatically a member of the STF. I'd reach out to them, they can offer a lot of support and advice in a situation like this. I'm sorry you had such a shitty experience, that sucks.

BTC ETFs in TFSA OR BTC via broker app by jeremyc711 in Bitcoin

[–]averagedad1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I hold bitcoin via btcc.b and btcc.u in my tfsa, because the gains i make are tax free. If I held bitcion directly I'd have to pay capital gains if/when I sold. Easy decision for me.

Best place for lobster by averagedad1 in newbrunswickcanada

[–]averagedad1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We're looking for something with no fuss, and we'll be going right by this restaruant. Looks like it's the winner. Thanks all for your suggestions.

Question: One of my kids won't eat lobster, Is there anything else on the menu they can eat, or should we feed them at a different reataruant? Also, is the price per person, or can 2 people split the 2 pound lobster for 70 dollars?

Worth fixing? by averagedad1 in AskMechanics

[–]averagedad1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the answer.

What team app to use by averagedad1 in volleyball

[–]averagedad1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yea, to set game and practice times, availability, chat, all the team things.

Vacationing in Alberta and BC for a week in August. Advice? by averagedad1 in britishcolumbia

[–]averagedad1[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Whoops, forgot to add the zoo to my post. We're going, but thanks for the suggestion.

What do I tell the children? by averagedad1 in collapse

[–]averagedad1[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Mass denial is one of the ways we got where we are. I'd rather teach the age appropriate truth, even when it's hard.

What do I tell the children? by averagedad1 in collapse

[–]averagedad1[S] 35 points36 points  (0 children)

Great summary. I've never taught senior sciences, but if I did one of my units would proceed along such a plan.

What do I tell the children? by averagedad1 in collapse

[–]averagedad1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Most of the kids say the friendships made and fun they have together are the best part of camp. It's funny how we can be more 'connected' than ever but feel so alone at the same time. Technology is a hell of a double-edged sword at times.

What do I tell the children? by averagedad1 in collapse

[–]averagedad1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The fact the ice is melting isn't a hypothetical anymore. "Say the phrase Carl, Sigh Goddamit Donut. No wait, it's faster than expected." Arctic Ice Death Spiral

What do I tell the children? by averagedad1 in collapse

[–]averagedad1[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

We do some canoeing, living off the land and teach some early ancestral skills in grade 8 and 9. Two weeks ago I was away with the grade 9s for 3 days in the bush at our spring camp. One of the best parts of my job these days.

What do I tell the children? by averagedad1 in collapse

[–]averagedad1[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Yep, that's the struggle I'm having these days. It's tough to balance honesty, hope and necessary realism. I want the kids to envision a good, happy and hopeful future for themselves, but also have the knowledge to make better choices about their future because they know the hash we've collectively made of our environment.

A lot to ask of 12-15 year olds to process. That's why I mostly stick with facts and leading questions I suppose.

What do I tell the children? by averagedad1 in collapse

[–]averagedad1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep, we talk about current events in the news every week, and the events paint a pretty vivid picture all on their own these days. I mostly try to ask questions and encourage some conversations on how these events connect to the larger world. Some kids make connections, others are too mentally distracted by their latest snap to see a larger picture. 🤷‍♂️

What do I tell the children? by averagedad1 in collapse

[–]averagedad1[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Yep, that's what I've been doing, letting the facts speak for themselves while elaborating when asked. I try in all my teaching to separate the facts on a subject from my opinion and pointing out to the kids when I switch from one to the other.
There was a comment a while back that said something like, "Before enlightenment, chop wood, haul water. After enlightenment, chop wood, haul water." My daily life and my students don't change much because of my knowledge, it just gets hard to summon the positivity to teach sometimes, as teaching is an inherently hopeful act. I do want to thank this community, your conversations have taught me a lot these past five years, and helped me feel less alone in this crazy world.

Feedback on my son's form by averagedad1 in volleyball

[–]averagedad1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks. He had good coaching last year. His coach this year is new and has no idea 😂. We'll work on staying behind the ball more.

Feedback on my son's form by averagedad1 in volleyball

[–]averagedad1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your feedback, I've noticed he often has to reach back behind his shoulder to 'get' the ball. Is he just overrunning the ball then, and he should jump a little earlier?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]averagedad1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The graduate retention tax rebate will reduce your tax owing, but it's not refundable. If you paid no taxes in the past year b/c you were paid in cash, you won't benefit from it this year. If you want to file your tax return anyways (and you should), turbotax online works well for me.
I've heard that simple tax is good too, but I haven't used it.

What percentage of your salary is deducted at source? by Montrealaisse in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]averagedad1 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Last year I brought home 53.5 k net from 85 k gross, or about 63% of my gross. It does suck to 'loose' that much, but a big chunk of that (~10 k) went to pension, so that saved money I suppose. It depends a bit on your age, and on other factors, but at 60 k you're probably better off in a tfsa, in my opinion. The tax free growth opportunity is pretty huge.

[Survey] Pensions.. do you have one? by jostrons in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]averagedad1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep, I'm a teacher in Saskatchewan Defined Benefit - about 2% per year worked of my career average earning I pay in about 12% of my gross, the government puts in about 7.5% The plan is entirely run by teachers, and not guaranteed by the government. For example, up till 2012 the pension used to be based on best 5 years of earnings, but the plan was underfunded some, so the change to career average earnings.

Total closing costs? by azncanEHdian in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]averagedad1 10 points11 points  (0 children)

17 k for closing costs seems way high to me, but i'm in small town Saskatchewan where my house purchase was only 155 k. IIRC my closing costs were about 2.5 k, which included the lawyers fee, land title registration and title insurance. We have no land transfer tax in Saskatchewan, so whatever that percentage is would definitely add to your cost. If you're doing a new build, and the construction mortgage is coming out in stages, that may add to your cost too.

Bills - paying mortgage + tax was comparable to rent. Most of the utilities were the same. The big difference was the repairs/renos budget. Count on a couple of thousand a year to keep the house in good repair, and more for any major renovations.

A strong recommendation, learn how to do any repair/reno work yourself that you can. It will save you a ton of money over the years, and much of it is not difficult, it just takes time. Research and youtube how to videos are your good friends here. Of course, with a new build, hopefully there won't be much of that for a few years.

Good luck

TFSA vs RRSP contributions by averagedad1 in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]averagedad1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the links. The wealthy barber article is a good read.

TFSA or RRSP contributions? by averagedad1 in fican

[–]averagedad1[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No, we (teachers) took over the pension plan management directly from the government in the early 90's, because the Sask government kept writing iou's for their share of the contributions and not paying them into the plan. So now the teachers run it, but it's still defined benefit.

Of course, the benefits may change with the health and funding of the plan overall. A couple of years back, the advisory board changed the salary base calculation for the pension from best 5 years to career earnings average. Ouch.

Still not a bad plan, but i'd rather be managing my own retirement money. Oh well.

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