I asked and you answered!

Top 9 quick, everyday tips to save you money:

#9:  Lose the landline.  Go cel only.  (Yes, I realize Commander Adama would have something to say about that.)

#8:  Use Groupon, already!  (but for heaven’s sake use your bacn e-mail!)

#7:  What.  You’re paying for e-books you download?  That’s so 2010.  Download them from your library instead, for free!

#6:  Spaghetti Jars — use your imaginations.  They could be vases (use a glass cutter to remove the rim), they could hold cotton balls, they could hold candles (fill part way with sand or pretty stones), they could be filled with cookies!  (orrrrrr…. co000okies)

#5  Clothing exchanges.  I haven’t done one in years, but despite being the heaviest person in the room (and I’m not that heavy) I used to walk out of them with at least one smokin’ hot outfit

#4  Geocache as a date instead of going to the movies|parking|popcorn|softdrinks|$$$

#3  Menu plan.  Menu plan.  Menu plan.   Classic and golden and I know when I do it, not only do I save money (proper food instead of last-minute-grabs at Shoppers, yes, it often comes to that for me) but I also find life less stressful when I’m not having to make hasty, pricey choices.   Bonus points for making extra of a meal to have as a late-getting-home-from-work supper.

#2  Coffee here, there, and everywhere as long as they’re made by you in your multiple bodums that you have everywhere you are – work, home, and yours truly has been known to take them to the library (shhhhh!)

#1  Plug in to regular, local deals like this.

photo credit:  Paul Swansen

I’ve mended my ways!

When I saw a baby mint plant at the local nursery (yes, we have one in Yellowknife) I knew I should probably buy it to regain my  self respect.

The northern light has nurtured it over the months.  Isn’t it gorgeous?

And does this not look refreshing?   Score one for the money coach; begone expensive bottled water!  And if anyone else has ideas or recipes (beyond Mojitos) for mint, I think I have more mint than I can handle if I use it for water alone).

It must have been fun because a few years later I did it again.   I joined my uber-fit and athletic (my antithesis) roommate and her uber-fit and athletic friends for a cycling weekend on the Kettle Valley Railway tour.  Over abandoned train trestles over rushing rivers and right.along.cliffs we went, and up and down the mountains.  And up and down mountains.  And …. anyway, it was spectacular, and I didn’t slow down the pack to the extent that we had to cut it short or anything.  If anyone has done it recently: Is that kinda crazy cowboy still living on the trail?  Who lives in as rustic and cowboy-ish a cabin as can be imagined?

I can’t imagine I’ll be doing those kinds of grinds anytime soon, unlike my pal Doug who, for his retirement, decided to pretty much cycle around the world.   <  beats me  >  .

But these?  These I’d consider.  And what’s not to love – budget friendly, eco-friendly, and you get way more in touch with the area than zipping by in the car, non?

Cycle around London via Barclay’s Bikes I saw a bunch of those bikes when I was there and the looked in great condition.

6-day tour of Green Gables land (PEI).  Someone who did it said the food is incredible as well.

Touring the backroads of Ireland looks lovely, and I think the hills aren’t toooo steep, are they?

Anyone out there done a bit of tourism via a bicycle?  Where?  Worth it?

Photo Credit:  sludgeulper

Summer’s here way up here in Yellowknife – boy is it ever - and I am determined to take in every summery experience possible.

So I hitched a lift with a friend and visited the local swimming hole of choice for locals. I haven’t been since I was a teenager in my pre-Vancouver life. It’s something alright. Unless you’re one of my BC readers (and even then, I’d only begrudgingly cede) , I bet you ain’t never swum at a place like this before. Keep scrolling below the fold, btw.

THE SAFE(ISH) SWIMMING AREA. COOL AND CLEAN AND CLEAR WATERS.

I DIDN’T HAVE THE NERVE. WOULD YOU?

SAFE ISH BECAUSE JUST AROUND THE BEND, SUPER-CLOSE, IS THIS

OH. YOU WANTED A CLOSER LOOK? YOU GOT IT!

AND, SOMEONE TELL ME —–> OFF ONE OF THE TRIBUTARIES — IS THIS WHAT I THINK IT IS???

AND AFTER THE DRAMA, THIS VISTA:

How ’bout the lazy sound of bees, or the bugs on the water?

Or the airplane far off in the distance?

Can you feel the warmth of the northern, summer sun?

My 2 daschunds and I spent a glorious hour on a park bench and by the end I felt as tranquil and at ease with the world as a person can ever hope for.

Thank you, nature.

So here are some upcoming events for Canadians:

FREE OUTDOOR MOVIES this weekend for Williams Lake Folks:
Friday/Saturday May 29/30
DRIVE-IN
Sunset Time: 21:15
Movie 29th: ET
Movie 30th: American Graffiti
Location: Williams Lake Stampede Park (800 McKenzie Ave South)
Courtesy of FreshAir Cinema

CLUB FATASS is a misnomer! It’s a free runners’ club by the people, for the people. If there isn’t one in your community, you can start one with a little free help from the Club Fatass folks.

It’s DAY THREE of Staples’ 5 DAYS OF DEALS. Today’s deals include leather executive chairs, Notebook PC, Digital Frames and more.

Montreal – looks like you’re having a massive TOMMY HILFIGER SALE over the next two weeks. Time to get some great jeans!

Edmontonians, you’ve got a brand new FARMERS’ MARKET to visit. Fresh baked goods. Fresh Produce. Atisans.
Thursdays, 2 – 7pm.
93rd Street and 118th Ave.
Shop away!

The Regina LADIES CHOIR TEA MUSICAL is having their final concert (presumably of the season) on Sunday – only $12!

And for those of you preferring to hang out at home, Knowledge Network almost always has something of interest to watch. Check out their weekend lineup, which includes a documentary on Ansel Adams.

Me? I’m looking forward to Yellowknife’s first ever YKTweetup at (still unwired, but we love it anyways) Javaroma cafe.

Freebie #2:   Free Concerts

a.  Pacific Baroque Orchestra:  Bach, Mozart & Friends (a kid-friendly event).   Friday, 19 Dec., 7:30pm.  St. James Anglican Church (Gore & Cordova)

b. Vancouver Cantata Singers:  A Christmas Reprise.  Sunday, 21 Dec., 2pm.  St. James Anglican Church (see above).

Nearly Freebie #3:  Women’s Diesel Jeans $50 across the board

Here are a few:

1.  The Rogers Santa Clause Parade is this Sunday, 1pm  Cost: free

2.  The Vancouver Chamber Choir is presenting Handel’s Messiah Dec. 12th and 13th.  Lowest price tickets are $21, but if you care to take the chance, they can also be had at half-price the day of the concert, from TicketsTonite.

3.  Free Concert:  Pacific Baroque Orchestra’s  “Bach, Mozart and Friends“  dress reheasal at St. James Anglican Church Friday Dec. 18, 8pm (I need to confirm the time).

4.  Philosopher’s Cafe @Unitarian Centre “The Gifting Dilemma“  $5  I haven’t been to one of these in a while, but usually they are exceptionally interesting conversations and well worth the $5.

5.  And for you gingerbread house fans there’s always the Guinsess  Book of World Records Gingergread Lane at the Hyatt Regency.       (or you can do the Pivot Legal Society edition instead!)

Readers:  I know there’s tons more going on.  If you have something to add, please do!

toys|linens|dishware|furniture|warehouse shelving|surprises

Dec 1 & 2, 9am – 5pm

Mammoth Film Studio

2882 Underhill

Burnaby (entrance off Underhill Ave)

This Freebie Intel brought to you by Steve

Warehouse Sale

This Coming Thursday and Friday November 13 & 14th

11 am to 6 pm
Fashion Exchange Building
1951 Glen Drive #131, Vancouver
(Off Terminal Avenue, beside the home Depot)
And male model needed for free haircut!