Posted on: 21-01-05 14:42:51
Quote:Well, if you are flying out of Yelloknife, what else do you expect?
Orginally posted by yellowknife
for example even when we compare flight prices, they are outrageous in Canada compared to the US.
I agree about cell phone fees in Canada as compared to the US - huge rip off !
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"Mah deah, there is much more money to be made in the destruction of civilization than in building it up."
-- Rhett Butler in "Gone with the Wind"
that's a good one buddy.
Unfortunately even for fares that I look at from Toronto, Montreal, etc. what really gets me is that the fare is only 59 bucks but 45bucks are taxes and surcharges. it really 'bites' if you know what I mean.
Quote:
Orginally posted by OneIsACrowd
3. Buy a used car, rather than new. This will again save hundreds, maybe thousands of $$$. Of course, make sure that the car is in good condition and not a khatara.
4. Get rid of the cell phone. Most people think they cannot do without it, but it is only a matter of habit. Cell phone fees are a big rip-off in north america. You can easily save between $50 - $80 a month by dumping the cell phone.
Fully agree with those 2. If you can use public transportation to travel to work, then you need a car only for weekend grocery shopping or for visiting friends/relatives. So why buy a brand new car when you plan to use it sparingly - at least that's my philosophy. So, I went ahead and put into practice by actually buying a Toyota Mini-Van ( Manufacturers Warranty about to expire) from an authorised dealer. But, to have the extra comfort I also bought an extended 2-year warranty from Toyota. So far no problems. Hey I only have to pay a maximum of $50 deductible in case there are any repairs - thanks to the extended warranty.
Cell phones- I don't need one for work as I have a desk job and can be reached on my office phone. I need a cell only when I am shopping alone or in the car for emergency purposes. Instead of a monthly plan which costs around $25-$30 I decided to go with a prepaid. Bought a used cell phone for $50. And, then subscribed to the Rogers prepaid plan - $10 gives 30 minutes and is valid for 30 days. I hardly ever use the cell anyway - so I carry forward the unused minutes into the next month by renewing the prepaid on the 30th day. In my case, the cell is only for emergencies. So, the cell number is only with my wife and my parents/in-laws in India.
. Daks
One way to avoid cell phone charges - dont go in for a long term contract, try Pay and Talk Services. For eg. I paid $100 for a cellphone and got $75 in airtime free. My minutes expire in 60 days, but as long as I renew my minutes (minimum $10), I can carry my unused minutes. Therefore it works out to just about $10 per month, you get a cellphone, and you get the convenience of cancelling anytime you like (no contract).
I was speaking from a different perspective - not to debate (though on second thoughts, I might have sounded so). Does any of you remember the lecture of Michael Douglas from Wall Street where he lectures why greed is good. To sum up, as I understand it, is that greed actually leads to creativity, hard work, desire to exceed the expecations of self and others and increases consumption.......and therfore production and employement.
My idea therefore was to concentrate more efforts on increasing incomes so that more expenses are feasible. Just as a penny saved is a penny earned, a penny earned is a penny saved!
What I meant to say again is if I spent more time in increasing my incomes rather than reducing expenses, everyone will be happier (my family will get more things, we will have to spend less time on laundry and will be able to afford to outsource the laundry, and therefor another guy will get an employment/occupation!)
I think that is one big difference between India and USA. Well today thing have changed a lot, but when we were kids, we were taught to save, save and save all your lives, buy a house or car ONLY when you can fully pay for it from your pocket etc. etc. Today things have changed, and due to consumerism increase the level of incomes and productivity in India is on the rise. Incresed expenditure (or restrictions on the need to save) has given rise to the layman to produce and work more than he used to.
After having lived in Canada for four years and in another developed country for 15 years, I have come to one conclusion of saving on expenses (or rather unnecessary expenses):
1. As far as possible DO NOT open the flyers you receive. Those flyers do help you save 2 dollars on 10 $ thing, but most of the times forces you to buy things of $5 which you did not have any active need or desire to purchase in the first place.
2. Try to shop at places which are not in malls - you tend to pick up things (or pick up desires too), once you walk into one without really needing them.
Chandresh
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Chandresh
Advice is free – lessons I charge for!!
Quote:
Orginally posted by OneIsACrowd
I wanted to start a topic to get ideas from fellow desis about frugal living.
As we all know, cost of living is very high in Canada and there are just so many ways that people spend money that can be avoided or economized.
If fellow desis can share their own ideas and experience, it will be very helpful to others, especially new or prospective immigrants.
Sometimes even a small change in habits or lifestyle can save hundreds of $$ in a year.
Here are some of my ideas, please add your own.
1. Quit smoking. Smokes cost a lot of money in Canada, and it also increases your health insurance rates, not to mention the bad effect on health of self and family.
This can save hundreds of $$ in a year.
2. When buying a car, think of cheaper insurance rates. Narrow down your selection of cars and then go with the one that has the lowest insurance, even if it doesn't have great style. You will save hundreds of $$ in insurance.
3. Buy a used car, rather than new. This will again save hundreds, maybe thousands of $$$. Of course, make sure that the car is in good condition and not a khatara.
4. Get rid of the cell phone. Most people think they cannot do without it, but it is only a matter of habit. Cell phone fees are a big rip-off in north america. You can easily save between $50 - $80 a month by dumping the cell phone.
5. Reduce consumption of electricity by turning off lights when not needed.
Minimise the use of the automatic cloth dryer - hang out the clothes outside (of course only during summer).
6. Use public transit (if possible) for daily commute.
It will save on insurance rates as well as gas.
If live and work within Toronto city, then dump the car altogether and save hundreds of $$ every month.
7. Buy produce from local farmer's markets, instead of big chains like Superstore, Loblaws, A&P, Dominion and Food Basics. Produce is usually cheaper and fresher there.
8. If possible, make most food items at home, especially things like yogurt, fresh cheese, etc.
9. Do not buy things from store at full-price. These are hugely marked up.
Always check the fliers that come in the mail and compare prices.
At the same time, do not go raving mad when there is a big sale on and end up spending thousands of $$ on goodies and fashionable toys.
These are the ones I can think of now.
Please add your valuable ideas as well.
Hi Oneisa crowd
I agree with everything you say and you are justified for an immigrant who lands new and has to save money , but this is good only for a short time. Imagine , If we plan to be so frugal in living then why did we leave our comfortable lives to come to canada. And also , It is only till 40-50 years of age that you can enjoy all the consumerism ( i feel ) .
So enjoy life and buy what you want and earn as much as you want to but just plan your budget and don't be sooo frugal ..
My 0.01 cents
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We will find a way or we will make one
Live and Let Live. If everybody be cautious about spending, job opportunity will be reduced in the same proportion. Spending increases production rate, thus more jobs are created. Consumer spending is very important to curb unemployment rate.
We may say all our money shall be well utilized but can we do so. Economists say that through the waste of the kitchen we lose around 10% of house hold income annually in average (please don't take it seroiusly). Mobile phone, internet are part of life, nobody likes to stuck up in snow without a mobile phone (just a silly example).
Why we are so cautious about spending!! Just cut your coat according to the size and have fun, remeber world has become more dangerous place to live (courtesy presiden Bush), and nobody has seen tomorrow, so Live for today and let live 
do all your spending you can afford, bolster Canadian economy
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New Guy
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We can always do better!
