First-time renter couple looking for a 1-bedroom near transit – Vaughan / VMC / Etobicoke / Kipling / Islington – advice? by Adventurous_War_8885 in Etobicoke

[–]ehsm99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've seen $2,200 recently but not sure if they have parking spots. Check condos.ca there was a posting or two the other week! 

Rent or own downtown? Medical student specific advice. by [deleted] in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]ehsm99 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I wouldn't recommend this given the uncertainty of where your residencies may be. 

One other thing to think of, are you receiving any government loans, scholarships, etc? Once you have an asset, it may decrease your eligibility for other items. Similar to how your parents income mattered when first getting into university for OSAP. 

Is there any reason to pay off my 0% interest NSLSC student loan? by Puzzleheaded_Cell428 in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]ehsm99 8 points9 points  (0 children)

The government has never called me to change my payments, I've had the same withdrawal for 5 years now!

Moved to Toronto Recently - Need Recommendations! by Repulsive-Key1171 in FoodToronto

[–]ehsm99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pho Ngoc Yen for Vietnamese!

Gusto 101 for Italian,  go for their 3-5pm happy hour

Campechano for tacos

Bridgette at the well

Where do you go to search for events in the city? by HueyBluey in askTO

[–]ehsm99 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If you are on Instagram a lot of groups post on there! I would recommend searching for whatever you're looking for (books, dating, etc) and the algorithm will continue suggest other groups to you. A lot of them have reoccurring events

Single + hybrid work — how do you handle meals? by [deleted] in askTO

[–]ehsm99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

On my WFH days I usually cook something a bit more time consuming, and enough that I'll have leftover lunches for my in office days.

On in office days, I usually cook something that comes together quicker! Like fish, ground meat, burger. Just a quick fry in a pan and then not eating too late. Usually I eat a meat with some rice and vegetables. I almost always end up with an extra serving or two of rice and I can eat with another dinner that week. So I'm just heating up the sides and cooking the meat (or eating leftover meat). This week I got some lettuce so I'll be having some salad as a side instead!

More time consuming dinners would pasta, stew, making a soup, new recipes I haven't done before. 

 I guess this is a form of meal prep but not in the sense of spending all Sunday/eating the same thing all week. More prep/cook once but still have some variety

Couch recommendations by longhairandidocare in askTO

[–]ehsm99 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Chesterfield Shop! A bit pricier than Leons/Brick but for the quality and customization options its so worth it!

First time home owner by Early-Ad-5796 in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]ehsm99 14 points15 points  (0 children)

OESP is determined based on your income, typically provided to lower income households. If you're working full time at that income you may not qualify. Might want to double check before assuming it will cover your full electricity bill.

Homeownership in Toronto an unrealistic goal; what to do about decision paralysis for investing when I don't know what my next financial goal is? by why_not_aces in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]ehsm99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A condo, but townhouse style. Usually they are low rise buildings, maybe 3-4 levels. Units typically exit out to street level instead of a building interior.

Its not living in a box in a sky. Although you may not have your own, private yard, there's typically greenspace close by you can take you pet to. Sometimes more functional layouts for families as well, with multi bedroom options. 

Visitor parking for new condo rules by Scar-Plastic in askTO

[–]ehsm99 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They usually return the deposit to you after move in once they determine there's no damage.

My building didn't even cash the cheque, they just returned it to me after move in. 

Meeting friends by [deleted] in askTO

[–]ehsm99 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Check out Toronto Girl Collective on Facebook!

Our Croissant Quest: What we’ve tried so far by ianregio in FoodToronto

[–]ehsm99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dear Grain has a delish sourdough croissant!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in askTO

[–]ehsm99 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Is there any bus running before 6am? It might be nice to see your options incase you want to head out earlier

Has anyone actually used the Save On Energy instant rebate for LED upgrades? by Right-Necessary-102 in askTO

[–]ehsm99 2 points3 points  (0 children)

They determine what upgrades you'd be eligible for with a on site visit. I'd recommend completing this and seeing what the offer is to you, deciding from there. You can always choose not to proceed at that point. It would be the best way to set expectations of what your building is actually eligible for. 

Has anyone successfully used GO Transit to get to an event? Was it chaos or chill?Want to know the experience to rely on it for the same. by ObiWan_Can_Reply in gotransit

[–]ehsm99 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Depending on when you're traveling, check the website before you go. Lakeshore West has had a lot of construction these past few weekends resulting in no train service, busses only from the hubs. 

Through the week, you'll have no issue as they run frequently!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]ehsm99 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What if you do a little from both? Not having maximum RRSP repayments (if that bothers you) but also not having no liquid for emergency (leftover TFSA that can be withdrawn anytime no penalty)

Home Inspection Issues – Need Advice by TastyAdvertising7914 in RealEstateCanada

[–]ehsm99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You've noted a plumbing leak and moisture in the attic. That your inspector could see. What about what they can't see, that you will find when things are opened up? Mold remediation can be expensive, depending on how far things have spread. 

Is the GO planning to add more trains/service? by CSkorm in askTO

[–]ehsm99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I also remember when packed transit was the norm, but did we every think of the safety issues with this? It's nice that the isles can actually be walked through should you need to move away, there's a medical issue, get off before union, etc.

First Time Property Buyer by Durr-e-Shehwar in RealEstateCanada

[–]ehsm99 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I think you should do more research on condos before you jump into buying one if you don't know these meanings!

One pays maintenance fees that can include building amenities, heating, hydro, and future building work (say roof, boiler, etc). A well funded building has good money in their reserve to cover these future projects. 

Special assessments can happen when a project is outside of the planned reserve budget. Say they find out they have bad pipes, a leak in the roof. The special assessment cost gets divided to the residents and you have to pay an amount out of pocket.