For anyone who wants to live large (does anyone say that anymore?) without busting the bank, you’ve got a great Thursday (tomorrow) in store:

First, from one of my business’ (Your Money by Design) first alumni, the exceptionally talented Marlene Dong, of “Assaulted Fish”, live at the Fringe Festival:

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Assaulted Fish kicks off its exciting Fringe run with a SPECIAL OFFER for our fans. Be one of the FIRST 50 people to attend our opening night performance on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 @ 6:45PM and catch our special “best of” show for free!

Just give the password (“JACKIE CHAN”) to the fine Fringe folks at the door. You can demonstrate some of your Jackie Chan “hoo-ha!” too. You won’t get any extra perks but you’ll be considered an uber fan by all in attendance.

Note: You still have to pay the one-time Fringe membership ($5) but you can use it to check out other great Fringe shows or even see our show again!

For those who can’t make it to opening night, we hope to see you at one of our other performances. Bring family! Invite friends! Gather an entourage!

ASSAULTED FISH FOR YOU 2
Directed by Shane Howarth
Pacific Theatre (1440 West 12th Avenue @ Hemlock)
50 minutes/14+

Thurs. Sept. 6 — 6:45pm
Sun. Sept. 9 — 4:00pm
Tues. Sept. 11 – 6:15pm
Wed. Sept. 12 – 8:45pm
Fri. Sept. 14 – 5:30pm
Sat. Sept. 15 – 1:30pm

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and if that weren’t enough, there’s an open-to-the-public gallery reception tomorrow (Thur) as well. The Jem Gallery, located on 225 E. Broadway, is one of the newest wicked-cool and eclectic galleries in the city. Tomorrow night features the work of Joanna Bullock. Reception is from 7-11pm. I’ll be there!

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Last but not least, I discovered a great little blog written by a young just-out-of-university family who write about arts and culture available on a starting-out budget. Check out their VanCal blog for intel and ideas!

We all kind of know that the forestry industry is important to B.C., but esp. in Urban Vancouver we lose sight of the fact. Granted, the resource sector is no longer the be all and end all, but it’s still a heavyweight. It’s got some pretty rough times ahead, and I believe we’ll start to feel the effects 6 or 12 months down the road (disclaimer: I’m a money coach, not an economist. This is just my amateur ‘armchair’ take, as I see it!). Here’s the scoop, and why we should care:

Forestry remains B.C.’s #1 export – nearly 40% of all total exports. Interesting Factoid: The industry pays its staff 20% more than all other industries, on average.

It’s been pummelled.

1. The housing crisis in the US = construction slowdown (to say the least) = crash in demand for lumber, and our forestry industry is not really diversified across the globe.

2. Pine Beetle – has destroyed the equivalent of a decade’s worth of timber

3. Our rising dollar is impacting all exports, ie., our goods are less attractive now that they cost more.

4. Rising energy costs.

Why we should care? British Columbian’s relationship to the forestry industry has always been a complicated one… environment/jobs/heavy industry lobby groups etc. But the fact remains, that if a sector that generates 40% of our exports starts to tank, we’re all in trouble.

It’s a hard thing, being ‘content’ in this culture of ours.

Today I leafed through Martha Stewart Living magazine and saw image after image representing the life I wish I had.
Beautifully outfitted women.

Spacious character homes perfectly appointed.

500-thread-count egyptian sheets.

Sigh.

I live in Vancouver. I have a small (but full of character) condo in the gritty neighbourhood of gastown. I saw those images, and longed for
that idealized lifestyle. “Why”, I wondered, “don’t I have a wardrobe full of perfect clothes?” “Will I ever,” I wondered, “be able to purchase a
large character home in Vancouver, given the market?” and “When will I too be taking semi-annual trips to Europe? Or I’d settle even for annual ones!” Frustration, resentment and discouragement set in.

Two hours later, I was overlooking the ocean and the northshore wooded mountains, in the Barnett Marine Park – a best kept Vancouver secret.
With me were my 2 daschunds, and my closest male friend, an intelligent, loyal, extremely interesting friend who loves me through thick and thin.
A seal caught a fish right in front of us and feasted in full view.
We ourselves ate prosciutto, spicy olives and ferrero rocher chocolates.
It was 90 minutes of heaven on earth.

Love. Pets. Clean (reasonably) air. A place that is ‘home’ regardless of the size.

These things are priceless.

This fall, my renewed praxis is to begin each and every day with a moment of reflection of all that is good, meaningful and satisfying in my life, right now, exactly as it is. It’s not easy to reorient myself towards what is priceless (how crazy, that that should be hard!), but I commit to centering myself in all that is priceless in my life. (and if anyone wishes to send me a Talbot’s gift card, I’ll happily accept that too.)

Question: What is priceless in your life?

She was in her early 50s, and her whole life had managed to attain large chunks of money every couple years or so.  Starting a business then selling it.  Buying real estate and flipping it.  But she had nothing to show for it.  Deeply compassionate towards her family, friends, and people she’d met in volunteer work in developing countries, her money flowed out to others in need as swiftly as she could bring it in.   One time her mom became close to death from an illness – the client’s money bought her the best care possible (and yes, the mother lived).  Another time a dear friend was left stranded, with kids, by her partner – the client helped her get on her feet.  You get the idea.

The client has left a beautiful legacy of people who’s lives stood a fighting chance thanks to her generosity.

But her bank account is nearly empty, she rents a small apartment in Burnaby, and she has no RRSPs to speak of.

How would you suggest she balance her care for others, with her own financial safety net?