Goodies, Freebies and Discounts
There are an amazing number of companies that want to tempt you to try their products and services. Some have age restrictions, many do not. Listed below are some of my favourites, but feel free to email me with others. Remember, these offers are always subject to change, and sometimes a good sale price beats the price after your discount (especially true for Senior’s Days).
Groupon (www.groupon.com) is an offering that has a couple of different wrinkles. There is one great offer per day, but if too few people go for the offer, it’s cancelled. If you love the offer; share it with your friends.
Bargain Moose (www.bargainmoose.ca) offers about 6 promotions per day. I got a great coupon for a free 2 lb. bag of Little Potatoes this week. Offers include; grocery coupons, apparel discounts, gift-with-purchase etc.
Shoe String Shopping (www.shoestringshopping.com) sends out a weekly newsletter that lists great sales; especially the all-important warehouse sales. It’s an easy way to keep on top of the seasonal bargains. I’ve saved 70% on some great clothes.
MenuPalace (www.menupalace.com) has a broad list of restaurant discounts, and will send you special offers for time-limited big deals. Like the other sites, they have a specific Toronto section.
Students can score a deal for the arts (ballet, opera, Soulpepper Theatre etc.) by checking out www.toronto.com/arts/article/640644. The prices are fabulous. If you’re older, share this with your kids and grandkids.
If you want a hot theatre ticket, one great option is www.totix.ca . While some tickets are only available at their box office; most are also available on line. They have special student pricing as well. Read the FAQ section to get all of the important details. The site is run by TAPA (Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts, a not-for-profit organization that charges a reasonable service charge).
Rainbow Cinemas www.rainbowcinemas.ca is highly rated for being the best movie theatre bargain in the GTA. Seats are not popular, but prices are unbeatable.
Are you expecting out-of-town visitors, and want to take them to the sights of Toronto? Consider buying a multi-attraction pass. At www.citypass.com you can buy a package that includes; The ROM, Casa Loma, Ontario Science Centre, CN Tour and the Toronto Zoo, at 45% less than buying the tickets individually. Many attractions have their own promotions, so check those out as well.
If you are vegetarian, consider getting a discount card at www.veg.ca. It requires a $20 donation; but could save you hundreds of dollars. Check out the vendors to ensure you want to use them. It’s also a great resource for vegetarian targeted events.
Senior’s have a wide range of discounts; the question is who is a senior?
• Golden Griddle (www.goldengriddlecorp.com) offers a 10% discount for seniors (over 55) excluding alcohol. Burger King has a 10% for those over 60. McDonalds offers a better price for coffee. Almost every fast food restaurant (including Tim’s) will give you a discounted product; generally for 55 and older. If you don’t ask, you won’t get.
• Shoppers Drug Mart has a Senior’s Day on the last Thursday of the month. This discount (20% with a maximum limit) is available to those 65 and older with an Optimum card. Exclusions apply, but family members can participate.
• Zeller’s offers 10% off on the first Monday of the month to those over 55, with some exceptions.
• The Bay offers 15% off on the first Tuesday of the month, with exclusions.
• Sears uses the New Outlook program (annual fee) to offer discounts for the over 50 group.
• All banks offer seniors reduced fees. Shop for the best deal for you.
• Sheridan Nurseries (www.sheridannurseries.com) also offers a 10% discount with some exclusions. Age is not specified.
• Virtually every museum, theatre and attraction has a senior’s rate. Always ask; there’s nothing to lose. A senior can be 55, 60, 62 or 65. So you may be too young….but many do not ask for proof.
• An apartment building I talked to offered a $50 per month reduction for seniors, so ask everybody.
Want a Great Move? Pretend You’re Going on Vacation
When you go on vacation, you think about what you really need. No parkas required in St. Lucia, and no high heels needed for a hiking jaunt. You remember lugging suitcases full of what you never use, and recall that the small thing you forgot could be easily purchased at your destination.
Moving is much like that. “Last minute deals aside”, you plan where you want to go, and when, well in advance. You book your trip with an insured, reputable company. They may not be the cheapest at first glance, but you know that your precious time won’t be destroyed by a plane that doesn’t fly, or a hotel that is under construction.
A move is more important, so your planning is even more important. My mother planned her retirement home of choice 8 years before she finally moved. She sampled the food, checked out facilities, activities and cost. After reviewing almost a dozen residences, she knew what was best for her. When sciatica hit, she activated her plan, and is thrilled with where she lives. There are over 100 retirement residences in Toronto, and over 600 nursing homes in Ontario. Each has its own pluses and minuses. Decide what is important to you. Spaces start at about 240 square feet, meal plans are variable, onsite health care varies widely and activities can be very wide or extremely narrow.
Some facilities require complete independence; others allow walkers and wheel chairs. Some appear to be less expensive, but charge high prices for any level of personal care. Some have varying levels of care; others require that a resident moves if more care is required. Like booking a vacation you need to know how “all inclusive” the package is. Don’t wait until you need answers within days or weeks; do the research now.
It’s also time to get rid of what you don’t want to take with you. Chances are your new space will be less than half what you are living in now. Start with family and friends, and then consider charities and causes that are dear to your heart. Today I visited the Sunday Market in Toronto; a place that specializes in selling off unwanted collectibles. Fabulous cups and saucers were marked at $10, which means they’ll sell for $8, and cost the vendor $2-$3. Consider whether gifting them would be better for you.
Some charities like ReStore (a division of Habitat for Humanity) will pick up items. Others will store rummage sale items for months before their sale. If you start now, you’ll be able to see your move as a new adventure; not a panic situation.
Plan, decide, relax and enjoy.
Change of Seasons
After this cool and wet “summer” it’s hard to believe that fall is a few short weeks away. Time to pull out the woolens and stow the shorts. But fall cleaning is at least as important as the spring version. Before packing anything away, do a little extra organizing now for an easier change over next May.
Review all those summery clothes. Did you wear them? If not, why not. If they didn’t fit, put them in the donation file. If you lose that weight over the winter, a new item will be a reward. Do the same for the outfits that just didn’t appeal. No matter what the original cost, or how new, if you don’t enjoy it, give it to someone who will. These items are just chewing up your space, and hiding what makes you feel good.
Check all the pockets. A pen may leak, a lottery ticket may expire or an important receipt may not be found before tax returns are due. Besides, you may find money.
Make sure all the ones you want to keep are “ready-to-wear”. Clean, press, replace buttons/zippers. It will take a little time now, but next spring it will be harder to find the missing button, and any stains will be almost impossible to remove.
Check for gaps in your wardrobe. While the summer sales are winding down, you may still be able to find that white T-shirt on sale, or a fabulous beach cover-up at less than half price. Just don’t buy anything because it’s on sale. Make your gap list to keep you on track.
Some stores will also be having pre-season sales, especially on items like winter coats. If the lining is shredding, or your boots were leaking last year, it’s worth a look while you’re picking up that T-shirt.
Clothes aren’t the only items that change with the seasons. Both inside and out, you should plan for the changeover.
You may want to swap your ice cream maker for the crock pot, or the dehumidifier for the humidifier.
You’ll want to clean and protect your air conditioner and ensure you have fresh filters in your furnace or air vents.
Gardens are too complex to cover with any depth, but they require special care to protect your precious greenery for next year. Make a plan now for the next 8 weeks and do a little at a time to avoid being overwhelmed.
Happy fall, Christmas is just 3 months (and change) away.
Make the Time for Giving Now
The”economic downturn” AKA recession has hit almost everybody. Donations are down at least 20% at a time when the demand is increasing. It’s time to lighten your stuff and give hope and self-esteem to others who really need it.
This is the best possible time to assess your stuff, and consider how you rarely you use it. One person’s clutter is another person’s lifeline.
Start with your closet. If you group your clothes by colour, you’ll a visual impact of how much you have. Do you really need or wear; 23 blue blouses? 6 pairs of black slacks?, 8 brown jackets? If you haven’t worn the item for a while, try it on and realistically assess how you look. If you need help, conscript a friend to give you advice. Chances are, you’re not wearing it because it’s no longer making you look great. Put it in the donation pile. Next review your shoes. If you were a 7 ½, and now an 8, realize your feet are not about to shrink. Forget how much they cost and focus on the fact those shoes could be part of someone getting a job, going to their daughter’s wedding or just feeling really good about themselves. Remember, you’re not trashing, you’re gifting.
Your kitchen is another great place to find re-gifting opportunities. Start with the top shelves. You put stuff there because reaching it is not an everyday need. Do you have bowls nested in one another? Is this where you keep vases that are used once in 5 years? Is this where you keep unopened gifts of; a fancy bottle opener, candle set, or small appliance? My mother gave me a crème Brule torch. It was interesting, but not needed. These items can generate money for those that need help. I can live without a crackled topping.
Review other items; cookbooks, DVD’s, jewelry and accessories. You’ll get 10 cents on the dollar for a typical resale (we all dream of Antiques Roadshow finds, like winning the lottery), and you‘ll get none of the donation elation. It’s in some ways like giving blood; we never want to need it, but we’d thrilled if somebody cared when we were desperate.
Remember, when you donate, the items must what you would use or want. If the item is unwearable, unusable or broken, it’s garbage. Don’t give away something that a charity has to dispose of; it costs them both time and money.
I had enough mugs to open a tearoom, until I heard that women’s shelters always need mugs. So I packed off 16 mugs, bone china and otherwise. Now I imagine them as part of a battered women’s tea and cookies introduction to her new, challenging life. My excess can bring comfort to someone else, and that’s a good thing.
Every time I travelled, I forgot to pack an umbrella. Therefore I amassed a collection. Some are now souvenirs (like the Paris skyline), but most are not. So someone will stay dry while I treasure the remaining 4 specimens. The word treasure is important. We all have items that have emotional weight. Don’t let the other stuff crowd your space; give it to what really matters to you. Look at everything and ask “If someone stole this, when would I miss it?”. If the answer is weeks or months, it’s not a treasure, but something that occupies your space, for no real value.
De-clutter, gift, and feel really, really good.
Frugal is the New Black
Is a phrase I stole from Chris O’Neill, Director of Retail, Google. So this blog will focus on how to be fashionably cheap. While I live in Toronto, the principles can be applied anywhere.
Currently a phone company launched a comparison advertising program that stated they were much less expensive than the competition. I am with that competition, and I really don’t want to change my email address etc. I also don’t want to pay too much. So I called my current provider and asked them to convince me not to switch. After 20 minutes, my monthly bill had decreased by over $20, my internet is 50% faster and I have 4 more “calling features”. Shop around, and give your favourite provider the opportunity to match the “other guys”.
Shopping for a car is generally painful. You shop around, read the fine print and suffer through the “I’ll have to talk to my manager” blather. There is an organization that will save you all that hassle. APA (Automobile Protection Association) will, for an initial membership of $68.25 (including tax, Ontario) match you with a dealership that gives you a great price with no haggling. When I first used them, I wasn’t trusting, so I took their quote to almost a dozen competing dealerships. I was open, told them the price I was willing to pay and none would meet it. Recently my daughter-in-law needed a new car. While some dealerships would match the price, they all had strings attached. Check them out. They can also get you a better deal on insurance and help you find a great mechanic.
The mechanic issue became personal when my dealership wanted to do $2,900 “worth” of work on my car. I needed a second opinion. My APA mechanic did the needed work for 1/3 the price. The $1,000 part of the job was determined unnecessary. So I sent an email to my dealership who informed me that they never recommend unnecessary work and my car would cease to work within weeks. It’s now 18 months later and everything is fine.
We all like washable clothing, but let’s face it, we do fall in love with some items that are “dry clean only”. My dry cleaner charges $3.45 (plus tax) for all tops and bottoms including silk. No, they don’t stuff sleeves with tissue paper, and their hangers are wire, not logoed plastic. But they are open 365 days a year, have contracts with some of the ritziest Toronto hotels and are truly nice people to deal with. Shop around; the best doesn’t have to be the most expensive. Ask your friends; test their expertise with non-treasured items, and save lots of money.
Use the public library. It’s free; you can get books, DVD’s, audio books and CDS. If your branch doesn’t have what you want, chances are another does. So, go on line, place a hold for your nearest branch and enjoy your culture at no cost. They also have computers available for your use. Try to avoid student-popular time frames.
More tips in the next blog, please send in your suggestions.
Small is the New Big Thing
Is a phrase I stole from Chris O’Neill, Director of Retail, Google. So this blog will focus on how to be fashionably cheap. While I live in Toronto, the principles can be applied anywhere.
Currently a phone company launched a comparison advertising program that stated they were much less expensive than the competition. I am with that competition, and I really don’t want to change my email address etc. I also don’t want to pay too much. So I called my current provider and asked them to convince me not to switch. After 20 minutes, my monthly bill had decreased by over $20, my internet is 50% faster and I have 4 more “calling features”. Shop around, and give your favourite provider the opportunity to match the “other guys”.
Shopping for a car is generally painful. You shop around, read the fine print and suffer through the “I’ll have to talk to my manager” blather. There is an organization that will save you all that hassle. APA (Automobile Protection Association) will, for an initial membership of $68.25 (including tax, Ontario) match you with a dealership that gives you a great price with no haggling. When I first used them, I wasn’t trusting, so I took their quote to almost a dozen competing dealerships. I was open, told them the price I was willing to pay and none would meet it. Recently my daughter-in-law needed a new car. While some dealerships would match the price, they all had strings attached. Check them out. They can also get you a better deal on insurance and help you find a great mechanic.
The mechanic issue became personal when my dealership wanted to do $2,900 “worth” of work on my car. I needed a second opinion. My APA mechanic did the needed work for 1/3 the price. The $1,000 part of the job was determined unnecessary. So I sent an email to my dealership who informed me that they never recommend unnecessary work and my car would cease to work within weeks. It’s now 18 months later and everything is fine.
We all like washable clothing, but let’s face it, we do fall in love with some items that are “dry clean only”. My dry cleaner charges $3.45 (plus tax) for all tops and bottoms including silk. No, they don’t stuff sleeves with tissue paper, and their hangers are wire, not logoed plastic. But they are open 365 days a year, have contracts with some of the ritziest Toronto hotels and are truly nice people to deal with. Shop around; the best doesn’t have to be the most expensive. Ask your friends; test their expertise with non-treasured items, and save lots of money.
Use the public library. It’s free; you can get books, DVD’s, audio books and CDS. If your branch doesn’t have what you want, chances are another does. So, go on line, place a hold for your nearest branch and enjoy your culture at no cost. They also have computers available for your use. Try to avoid student-popular time frames.
More tips in the next blog, please send in your suggestions.
Downsizing Dilemma
You now need or want to downsize, where do you start? Well, the good news is that you have a lot of company. Young people are squeezing into “large” 700 sq. foot condominiums while seniors are opting for smaller space residences. If you follow these 8 simple steps, it will almost be easy.
1. Be honest. What do you really use or want? My rule is if somebody stole the item, how long would it be before I missed it. We all accumulate stuff that just takes up space. If the unnecessary is gone we have more room to appreciate what we truly value.
2. Be generous. Somebody we like may use those cookbooks, crystal glasses or tea cups. Make a list of relatives and friends that will enjoy your treasures and give them a gift of you. Every time this person uses your gift they will appreciate you.
3. Be smart. There are items that are purely unwanted by you or your loved ones. There are many people in need. Donate these items to a charity you want to support. See resources for links.
4. Be thrifty. Some items are too valuable to simple liquidate. Auction houses or consignment stores offer another option to donation. Read the fine print. In most cases you will get 55-60% of the resale price. See resources for listings.
5. Be neat. I often re-buy if I can’t find that black camisole, or bottle of Scope. Clear the clutter to find everything easily.
6. Be creative. Do you need a stand for your TV or will it fit on your dresser or sofa table? Take a long look at what you own and what can do double duty. My side tables are elegant filing cabinets.
7. Be a savvy shopper. There are great new pieces designed for smaller spaces. Many beds come with under-bed drawers. Media chests are created to hold your TV, accessories and drawers for sweaters, tees and underwear.
8. Have fun. Imagine others creating new memories with what you treasured. Take pictures if you to preserve a picture of the glamorous dress or amazing vase.
HST, no harmony for you
The new HST (harmonized sales tax) is scheduled to take effect July 1st 2010. For people under 40 this will have minimal pain since this age group is acquiring more things which already require a combined rate of 13%. The generation buying furniture, homes under $400,000, clothing and cars will not see a major difference. Balancing tax reductions will likely make the difference small to nil.
But, let’s say you’re a little older. Now you’re buying services such as landscaping or snow removal, mutual fund fees, utilities, haircuts, taxi rides, consulting services, housecleaning, utilities etc. Now you will pay more, a lot more.
Do you live in an apartment or condominium? Think of what you buy. It’s not stuff, it’s services. You buy fire alarm testing services, pool testing services, plumbing services, cleaning services, legal services, accounting services, utilities and more. All of these will require an 8% increase. So if your common element fee went up 2% this year, it could increase 10% next year. And, if you rent, your landlord will have a great argument to increase that as well.
If you live in a non-profit retirement home, you may not feel the sting. But if your building is a for-profit company, you may see a nasty change in monthly fees. Ask the questions, evaluate the answers and be willing to communicate your concerns to your MPP.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. It’s your money, it’s your future, it’s your government. Make sure it’s right for you.
Interior Decorating
To make your new home comfortable and gorgeous, Concierge Relocations is pleased to offer the professional services of Carol McFarlane, an experienced expert in the field of interior decorating.
Welcome to the Concierge Relocation Blog
Welcome to the blog of Concierge Relocation.
We are a company created to take the pain and stress out of moving.
Our team of professionals works with your vision to create your new space.
We can help you to organize your current home or take care of all the details in relocation.
Feel free to visit the main site of Concierge Relocation.
– Alixe Macrae am@conciergerelocation.com or 647-228-9205
(To enlarge screen, use Scroll while pressing Ctrl key.)