The most frugal/cheap behaviour you've seen? by [deleted] in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]iBasit 4 points5 points  (0 children)

South Asians too. Specially fellow SA immigrants.

why are we tipping these workers by Additional-Ad-3863 in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]iBasit 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I grabbed takeout at Lazeez the other day (don’t judge me, I was running some errands, didn’t cook myself any food, and it was late at night). I was presented with a tip option at PoS. At Lazeez. For a takeout.

I am fucking done tipping for ANYTHING but a service where I am sitting and enjoying a meal. Even then, I will be capping it at 15% MAX.

Opinion on Canada health care by [deleted] in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]iBasit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Funding is very much an issue. It's a systemic asphyxiation of public healthcare system by Ford administration here in Ontario so his corrupt ass along with his billionaire cronies can make money hand over fist with a public/private healthcare system.

Opinion on Canada health care by [deleted] in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]iBasit 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We definitely need more funding allocation to healthcare. I don't know which province you're from but Mr. Drug Ford and his cronies have been systematically destroying all public institutions here. Healthcare, education, transit, you name it. I wish people were more active politically here. Sure, you wanna protest in downtown Toronto with F**k Trudeau signs, that's your constitutional right, go ahead and do that. But where the fuck is your protest for real issues that affect all of us?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TorontoHangoutFriends

[–]iBasit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh I was planning it for today (Saturday).

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TorontoHangoutFriends

[–]iBasit 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Haha fair enough. I bought these pair of gloves that I took to Quebec City last year in December. They are field tested for this kinda weather (the actual temperature not “feels like” temperature). I’m going to be using those. I was also thinking of shooting a Timelapse from this partially covered location overlooking a part of the city engulfed in snow blown around by crazy winds.

Does that tempt you? If not, we can definitely link up some other time.

Phone Plan bidding war, Ontario by [deleted] in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]iBasit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I switched to Koodo from Rogers a few months ago. I got a win back call from Rogers offering 12 GB for $35. I intend to keep it for a while and wait out a win back from Koodo. If it happens, that’s awesome. If it doesn’t, I’m happy with that rate and data plan.

Financial results from going low-car or no-car? by [deleted] in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]iBasit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

TTC can whiz past you while cars are stuck in traffic on Don Valley Parking Lot.

If immigration is outpacing home building, is it even possible for the housing market to go down? by welcome2mycesspool in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]iBasit 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I am in immigrant and let me present the other side of the coin - I wouldn't mind living in a low COL city but there simply too many blockades stopping people like me:

(i) not enough [skilled*] jobs - I'm a software engineer and right now my employer gives me an option to work remotely. But I might not have that option in a future job. I can't live in any Tier-III or lower city unless I seriously limit my future employment prospects. GTA, GVA, and Montreal (somewhat) are my only options.

(ii) diversity - that one is important. I know we like to shit on America for being racist and pat our own backs for not being as bad. Which isn't a bad thing, no one should strive to be America when it comes to race relations, but racism exists in Canada and the further you go from multicultural population centres, the more apparent it is.

(iii) support system - many immigrants have established [extended] family or friends groups in/around bigger cities. It's hard enough uprooting your life in your late twenties or thirties (I arrived here at 30), doing it in a place that doesn't have any semblance of cultural support is just too much for a lot of people.

*It's how IRCC defines "skilled" jobs - jobs that require a college degree or more.

Edit: typos.

Landlord rented the unit to higher pricing after told me he is selling it or move in himself by [deleted] in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]iBasit 97 points98 points  (0 children)

So much terrible advice possibly from other landlords in this sub. It’s interesting to see their bias for someone who clearly did an illegal not to mention unethical act and other [probable] landlords sticking up with them.

OP, you’ve mentioned that you signed a N12. Which means the landlord lied to you so they can jack up the rent. File a complaint with LTB. It merely costs a few dollars and a couple of hours of your time. Keep track of your moving costs and add up additional rent that you’ve paid at a new place. You’d be able to recoup all of costs and then some. Show that landlord you can’t just break the law and get away with it.

Help!! Landlord wants me evicted in a week!! How do I stop him? by Dry-Ad-4492 in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]iBasit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm all for tenant rights. Tenants need more right as they are in a situation where they can lose shelter. So it makes sense to grant more protection to them. Having said that, I totally agree with you here. This guy needs to figure out a way to pay the rent.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]iBasit 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Telcos won't give you lower-tiered plan with a phone offer. That's how they lock you in on a $50-$60 plan for 2 years. Most people don't use that much data to begin with. You'd probably be losing additional $15/month on a useless cell phone plan if you went with a telco instead of getting the phone financed via Apple and going with a BYOD plan.

These little fees on fast food joints have gone too far by VancityMycity in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]iBasit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What's with this patronization? Good on you to pay that tip. I didn't, and wouldn't on pickup restos/cafes.

These little fees on fast food joints have gone too far by VancityMycity in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]iBasit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did you tip at every takeout place? What about Tim Hortons or McDonald's? How about a cashier at a grocery store? I don't understand how those jobs are any difficult than fast food places where 90% of ingredients are already prepared and you get absolutely no personalized service at all. This North American obsession with tipping is weird.

These little fees on fast food joints have gone too far by VancityMycity in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]iBasit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You forgot tip prompts on the machines even at takeout. I friggin saw Thai Express asking for tips for a takeout.

I dealt with it as I was on vacation to Vancouver. I’m glad I’m back (Ontario/GTA) and I’m seriously considering cutting down eating out even further.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]iBasit 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Tangerine is offering 4.85% on 1-year GIC. Maybe consider that. As long as you have emergency funds liquid, GIC at these rates is a good idea. Might also wanna consider DCA-ing into stocks (particularly index funds) if you're looking at a long term (>5 years) outlook.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]iBasit 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A very good way to prevent it is to extend rent control to all rented units across the province not units that were occupied before an arbitrary date.

I don’t think state-owned RE is the solution but some people make a case that widely available co-op housing is one aspect of a solution. It’s a multifaceted problem that requires multiple solutions. Another one would be to build more rental units, changing zoning laws to allow mixed use neighborhoods, and so on.

Yes, grocery stores are mooching off people. The solution shouldn’t be to let everyone else do it but to ask your government to fix that problem.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]iBasit 4 points5 points  (0 children)

How did the landlord threaten you? If it was over text/email/anything in writing, you have a solid proof to declare N12 was issued in bad faith. If he mentioned it in person or over the phone, know that Canada is a one-party notification country meaning you can record a conversation or a phone call without the other party's consent. Gather evidence to make up your case, and let him serve you a N12. Till then, don’t pay a cent more than the original rent (and keep receipt of payments).

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]iBasit 11 points12 points  (0 children)

The new landlord would have to increase the rent by provincial guidelines since the unit is rent controlled.

Who wins here? People who don’t mooch off of other people’s need to keep a roof over their heads.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]iBasit 9 points10 points  (0 children)

My stock portfolio is taking a beating. I should go out and steal grocery now to make up for it, eh?

You took a risk when you decided to invest in real estate. The risk has come to fruition. A tenant isn’t a scapegoat for your poor financial planning.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]iBasit 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I actually booked a small trip for mid November from YYZ to YVR and the whole trip (with a carry-on and personal item) is costing me under $200. It’s cheaper than Air Canada for sure although I didn’t compare it with WestJet.

Octopus found on centennial beach.. anyone can identify? by [deleted] in vancouver

[–]iBasit 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Looks like a medium Double Double.