Lifestyle

I started reading personal finance blogs while on maternity leave earlier this year; there wasn’t much to do while nursing a baby other than to read blogs on a handheld device. I devoured posts like a fat kid at a pie eating contest and would click on blogrolls to discover new material. I was fascinated with how people spend and managed their money, but the more I read personal finance blogs, the more I realized that I had a problem with them. Most of the ones I encountered fell into three categories: determined [to get out of debt] debtors, extreme savers, and savvy investors. I couldn’t relate.

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Each Christmas, every other article and blog post complain about how commercialized Christmas has become, how it’s lost it’s true meaning beneath a mountain of gift wrap. Last year, my family of three celebrated our first Christmas together sleeping beneath the tree with lots and lots of presents. I celebrate Christmas for many reasons, one of which are the gifts. I mean really, who doesn’t love presents? I love presents!! Continue Reading

In the wake of Black Friday and with Christmas just around the corner, Canadian consumers are enjoying lower prices as a result of increasing competition within the retail landscape. The holiday season is in full swing and the sales that can’t be missed are emblazoned on every store front window. All the stores are jockeying for your hard earned money but even with the illusion of great savings, the cold hard truth sends a chill colder than -30 degrees Celsius: things are cheaper south of the border. Why are Canadians are paying more than Americans for exactly the same products?

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