Finally, common sense prevailed after the initial hiccup, good on you guys. Its obvious that there are different opinions. My dad always believed in Fido's statement. He was the eldest of 8 siblings and had to work hard to support the family. I have never seen him spend a single rupee unnecessarily. Growing up in India I never got any luxuries as my father didnt believe in splurging money as he believed in saving. I didnt understand the message then, but only understood the value of saving after I started earning. I am happy for his dad as he is now happily retired after 60 years.
I am however not the saving type, maybe its the generation gap, but I always find it hard not to spend on new things. Hopefully things will change in the future. Before I got married, I always used to pick-up part time gigs to supplement income instead of going for freebies. I would still not recommend going through garbage or food bank. Maybe I am wrong, but isn't food bank there to support underprivileged families and homeless people. Please do not consider it as a means to supplement your income.
Back to OP, CD member's have given you enough options, chose the option that best suits you. The area you live in is a relatively nicer area in Toronto, I used to live near Yonge and Eglinton before. Enjoy your stay.
Good luck.
Location: God's own country
Posted on: 21-11-13 14:24:21
NY Desi,
I get where you are coming from but food banks are for immigrants and people who still have not got a footing in Canada (unless you brought $ 100,000 as savings). Any immigrant (say a couple who are ready to work but only one got a job) is still eligible for food bank. Know that many food banks stuff goes to the waste as there are no much takers. Food banks set a limit on distributing based on the population that came the previous week. Many come in cars to pick up food. So let the OP feel free or be ashamed to use the food bank. It is their personal choice.
Also there was an article in The Toronto star a couple of months back, in which they had listed the places where every resident of Toronto can get 3 square meals a day for 365 days in a year, for FREE. It is composed of soup kitchens and food centers which get their funds from the rich people. Which Asian country will give this privilege. Also IKEA is offering high quality but low priced meals (esp. breakfast) for benefit of people living in the city.
So we live in such a generous society in Canada. Let all immigrants use it. Let us chase away the native born drug addicts who misuse the food bank system and let is fill it with hard working immigrants who will be able to get a job, pay taxes, and spend to keep the city running.
Hope this helps.
Peace by Murali
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I am a Gents and not a Ladies.
All,
Thanks a lot for your opinions and also for clearing up the misunderstandings 
Looked at UFW website, good deals there...
As for winter clothes, we already got them from Bay. Mine for 160 and daughters for 60. I don't know if that's lavish or frugal! My husband is using his coat from India which was for 5k, its pretty good too. Yet to get shoes. I'm inclined to look in Bay, they seem to have a good collection than Walmart or Sears. I don't know the other shops that are mentioned in this thread.
Finally, got a Tamil friend living in my area. Met her and her son at the early years centre today. It was good to talk in Tamil for a long time after a long time
So you think people migrate to other countries to eat free food and try to get as much as freebies as possible offered by govt and rich people. No wonder your posts are full of pessimism. However I agree that some of your posts in the past would have helped new immigrants find out the ground reality. Good luck with your life.
Thanks for clarifying the fact that food banks are open to all.
Quote:
Originally posted by tamilkuravan
NY Desi,
I get where you are coming from but food banks are for immigrants and people who still have not got a footing in Canada (unless you brought $ 100,000 as savings). Any immigrant (say a couple who are ready to work but only one got a job) is still eligible for food bank. Know that many food banks stuff goes to the waste as there are no much takers. Food banks set a limit on distributing based on the population that came the previous week. Many come in cars to pick up food. So let the OP feel free or be ashamed to use the food bank. It is their personal choice.
Also there was an article in The Toronto star a couple of months back, in which they had listed the places where every resident of Toronto can get 3 square meals a day for 365 days in a year, for FREE. It is composed of soup kitchens and food centers which get their funds from the rich people. Which Asian country will give this privilege. Also IKEA is offering high quality but low priced meals (esp. breakfast) for benefit of people living in the city.
So we live in such a generous society in Canada. Let all immigrants use it. Let us chase away the native born drug addicts who misuse the food bank system and let is fill it with hard working immigrants who will be able to get a job, pay taxes, and spend to keep the city running.
Hope this helps.
Peace by Murali
Location: Western Hemisphere
Posted on: 21-11-13 17:23:32
Quote:
Originally posted by lalitha2483
All,
Thanks a lot for your opinions and also for clearing up the misunderstandings
Looked at UFW website, good deals there...
As for winter clothes, we already got them from Bay. Mine for 160 and daughters for 60. I don't know if that's lavish or frugal! My husband is using his coat from India which was for 5k, its pretty good too. Yet to get shoes. I'm inclined to look in Bay, they seem to have a good collection than Walmart or Sears. I don't know the other shops that are mentioned in this thread.
Finally, got a Tamil friend living in my area. Met her and her son at the early years centre today. It was good to talk in Tamil for a long time after a long time
Frugal or lavish - only you can decide based on your income, needs, wants and the quality of lifestyle you prefer. At the end of the day, all three of you should live a comfortable life without jeopardizing your financial health.
Sears used to be good, now however, they are nothing more than a disorganized mess. Walmart tends to invite a lot of foot traffic and caters to people living on tight budgets. While they do have good deals, the quality and selection may or may not suit everyone. My personal favorite is Target which has opened many stores in Canada in the recent months. You may have a Target store nearby. The prices may be in between that of Bay and Walmart.
Anyway, on the lighter side, check out http://www.peopleofwalmart.com." rel="nofollow">LINK Quite an entertainment
If you have a visa to enter the US and the ability to drive (not sure if one of you do), a trip to Buffalo region next week will get you good deals on account of US Thanksgiving sale events. But beware of crazy border traffic as many Canadians will travel for Black Friday (day after Thanksgiving) shopping craze.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Dimple2001
Quote:
Originally posted by tamilkuravan
Also there was an article in The Toronto star a couple of months back, in which they had listed the places where every resident of Toronto can get 3 square meals a day for 365 days in a year, for FREE. It is composed of soup kitchens and food centers which get their funds from the rich people. Which Asian country will give this privilege. Also IKEA is offering high quality but low priced meals (esp. breakfast) for benefit of people living in the city.
Peace by Murali
Any Sikh gurdwara has food for three meals for anyone who goes there. I guess you never knew that?
Location: God's own country
Posted on: 22-11-13 04:45:24
Lalitha,
I would like to warn you against Desi's and Tamils. Be very careful while dealing with them. Overall they may be good but I have found that some will try to sell you Amway /Quick star membership or would like to borrow money from you or ask you to do free baby sitting. The more professional qualification they are better they will be.
I will tell you some examples in which I was fooled / or which I escaped.
1. A person told me to lend me my cellphone for 2 months ( that I have to pay for his calls also).
2. One couple asked me to book their flight tickets to India through my credit card and that they will give the money once they are back.
3. Many people in Walmart smiled at me and talked to me and cursed Canada with me and then nicely asked me to join Quikstar / Amway.
I would also warn you to be even careful of even people on CD. I was tried to be fooled many times by one CD who once worked in Oracle.
Peace by Murali
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I am a Gents and not a Ladies.
