Friday, January 29, 2016

Baby Car Seat - Diono Radian RXT

After lots of research, this is the one concluded by wife. It deals with all 3 stages for the infant.


Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Crazy House Sale - Toronto Real Estate Story

In my North York area - there was a detached house that was bought in 2015 for ~$776,500. 

Under heavy renovations and relisted for sale at end of Jan 2016 - listing price of $1.2M with immediate for sale price of $1.35M. 

The auction finished today and sold for ..... $1.35M.

Difference = $570k. WOW

Notes about the renovation:
  • Redid 4 bathrooms and flooring with new kitchen electronics
  • They didn't provide the washer and driver for some reason ...
  • new floors with new base boards (seems like something i can do myself)
  • New paint job and outlet switches to white
  • The kitchen tiles were spotty since they didn't use the spacers x to tile it probably ... (my negative note)

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Book Review - Rich Dad, Poor Dad

I found a copy of this book and started reading it leisurely. 


Some of the main points I found are:
  • Assets => generate money for you
  • Liabilities => take money for you
If you use this logic, car and home would be liabilities!

It’s the differentiator between his “poor” dad (his real dad), and the “rich” dad that helped him understand business and become wealthy.
  1. The rich don’t work for money
  2. The importance of financial literacy
  3. Minding your own business
  4. Taxes and corporations
  5. The rich invent money
  6. The need to work to learn and not to work for money


Monday, January 18, 2016

Credit Cards - Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card (2/16/2016)

A new potential credit card coming to the markets is:

Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card 
 
Benefits:
  • no annual fee
  • Deposited directly back onto your Credit Card to apply towards your balance, or into a Tangerine Savings Account, each month automatically.
  • 2% Money-Back Rewards on your purchases in select 2% Money-Back Categories
    • Grocery
    • Furniture
    • Eating Places
    • Hotel-Motel
    • Gas
    • Recurring Bill Payments
    • Drug Store
    • Home Improvement
    • Entertainment
    • Public Transportation and Parking
  • 1% Money-Back Rewards on all other purchases
  • 1.5% Foreign Conversion Fee – one of the lowest in market (Amazon.ca Visa card is better …)

Retailer Cash Back Definitions:
  • Costco => 1% Cash Back
  • Walmart Superstores => 2%
  • Regular Walmart => 1%
Update: 2/16/2016
  • Got the card today in the mail
  • You can either pick 2 or 3 categories for cash back for the 2%
    • 2 categories with the money going back into your credit account
    • 3 categories with the money going back into your new/existing tangerine savings account 
      • I picked Grocery, Eating Places, Gas
Source of Information:

Credit Cards - What do I use (as of 1/18/2016)?

Listed below are my current credit cards:
  • MBNA Smart Cash Card (MasterCard)
    • 2% on Gas and Grocery Purchases (it went down from 3%) 
    • 1% on everything else
    • Cash out at every $50 bucks 
    • Comments:
      • I try to make sure all the gas and grocery spending is normally done on this card to maximize returns.
  • President Choice MasterCard
    • Earned 20,000 PC points, which equals $20 in free groceries. Or redeem higher amounts in further increments of 10,000 PC points (which is equivalent to a further $10 in rewards).
    • 10 points = 1 dollar spent => 1% back
    • I would probably cancel this card soon!

  • Capital One Aspire Cash (MasterCard) (this is no longer available, it's only 1%)
    • 1.5% Cash back on everything
      • The 0.5% bonus comes at the end of the year (anniversary of when you signed up) as a lump sum 
    • Cash out anytime
    • Comments:
      • This is my go to card for everything else other than gas and grocery 
  • Amazon.ca Visa Card 
    • Get a $20 Amazon.ca Gift Certificate instantly upon credit card approval
    • Earn 2% cash back per $1 spent on Amazon.ca
    • Earn 1% cash back per $1 spent everywhere else your card is accepted
    • No Foreign Currency Transaction Fees
    • No annual fee

Friday, January 15, 2016

Budget - Incomes and Expenses Categories

To help start my 2016 goal to understand where my spending is going in the previous years. I have build this initial list:


Income
  • Paycheck
  • Predictable bonus
  • Expense reimbursements
  • Investment
    • Rental income
    • Interest earned (on accounts, loans to others)
    • Dividends and capital gains
  • Misc.
    • Lottery / gambling winnings
    • Purchase refund

Expenses
  • Automobile
    • Gasoline
    • Maintenance
    • Registration fees
    • Auto loan payment
  • Bank Charges
    • Check orders
    • Service fees
    • Insufficient funds fee
    • Minimum balance fee
    • ATM fees
  • Charity
  • Childcare
    • Babysitting
    • Child support
  • Clothing
  • Credit Card Fees
    • Annual fee
    • Finance charge
    • Over the limit fee
    • Minimum usage fee
    • Cash advance fee
    • Late fee
    • Rewards programs
    • Monthly payment
  • Education
    • Tuition
    • Books
    • School supplies
    • Field trips
    • Misc. fees
    • Student loan payment
  • Events
    • Wedding
    • Moving
  • Food
    • Groceries
    • Dining out
    • Vending machines
    • Coffee house
  • Gifts
    • Birthday
    • Wedding / Wedding shower
    • Baby shower
    • Holiday
    • Anniversary
    • Just because
  • Healthcare
    • Dental
    • Vision
    • Physician
    • Hospital
    • Prescriptions
    • Over the counter medication
    • Vitamins
  • Household
    • Rent / Mortgage payment
    • Homeowner’s association dues
    • Furniture
    • Supplies
    • Decorating
    • Tools
    • Home maintenance and repair
    • Home improvement
  • Insurance
    • Automobile
    • Health
    • Life
    • Disability
    • Long term care
    • Roadside assistance
  • Job expenses
    • Reimbursed
    • Clothing
    • Professional dues
  • Leisure (daily / non-vacation)
    • Books
    • Magazines
    • Movie theater
    • Video rental / Pay per view
    • Sporting events
    • Sporting goods
  • Hobbies
    • Cultural events
    • CD’s
    • Video games
    • Toys
    • Tourist attractions
  • Loans
    • Loan Payment
    • Finance charge / Interest
    • Late fee
  • Pet Care
    • Food
    • Supplies
    • Veterinarian
  • Savings
    • Retirement
    • Investments
    • Emergency fund
    • Reserve funds
  • Taxes
    • Federal
    • Provincial
    • Local
  • Utilities
    • Water
    • Sewer
    • Electricity
    • Gas
    • Television
    • Telephone / Cell phone
    • Internet service
    • Garbage and recycling
  • Vacation
    • Day trips
    • Transportation
    • Lodging
    • Entertainment

Income

  • Paycheck
  • Predictable bonus
  • Expense reimbursements
  • Investment
    • Rental income
    • Interest earned (on accounts, loans to others)
    • Dividends and capital gains
  • Misc.
    • Lottery / gambling winnings
    • Federal / state / local tax refund
    • Purchase refund

Expenses

  • Automobile
    • Gasoline
    • Maintenance
    • Registration fees
    • Auto loan payment
  • Bank Charges
    • Check orders
    • Service fees
    • Insufficient funds fee
    • Minimum balance fee
    • ATM fees
  • Charity
  • Childcare
    • Babysitting
    • Child support
  • Clothing
  • Credit Card Fees
    • Annual fee
    • Finance charge
    • Over the limit fee
    • Minimum usage fee
    • Cash advance fee
    • Late fee
    • Rewards programs
    • Monthly payment
  • Education
    • Tuition
    • Books
    • School supplies
    • Field trips
    • Misc. fees
    • Student loan payment
  • Events
    • Wedding
    • Moving
  • Food
    • Groceries
    • Dining out
    • Vending machines
    • Coffee house
  • Gifts
    • Birthday
    • Wedding / Wedding shower
    • Baby shower
    • Holiday
    • Anniversary
    • Just because
  • Healthcare
    • Dental
    • Vision
    • Physician
    • Hospital
    • Prescriptions
    • Over the counter medication
    • Vitamins
  • Household
    • Rent / Mortgage payment
    • Homeowner’s association dues
    • Furniture
    • Supplies
    • Decorating
    • Tools
    • Home maintenance and repair
    • Home improvement
  • Insurance
    • Automobile
    • Health
    • Life
    • Disability
    • Long term care
    • Roadside assistance
  • Job expenses
    • Reimbursed
    • Clothing
    • Professional dues
  • Leisure (daily / non-vacation)
    • Books
    • Magazines
    • Movie theater
    • Video rental / Pay per view
    • Sporting events
    • Sporting goods
  • Hobbies
    • Cultural events (e.g. parades, carnivals, etc.)
    • CD’s
    • Video games
    • Toys
    • Tourist attractions (e.g. amusement parks, museums, zoos, etc.)
  • Loans
    • Loan Payment
    • Finance charge / Interest
    • Late fee
  • Pet Care
    • Food
    • Supplies
    • Veterinarian
  • Savings
    • Retirement
    • Investments
    • Emergency fund
    • Reserve funds (to set aside for planned expenses)
  • Taxes
    • Federal
    • State
    • Local
  • Utilities
    • Water
    • Sewer
    • Electricity
    • Gas
    • Television (e.g. cable, satellite, etc.)
    • Telephone / Cell phone
    • Internet service
    • Garbage and recycling
  • Vacation
    • Day trips
    • Transportation
    • Lodging
    • Entertainment
- See more at: http://thefinancegeek.com/budgeting/budgeting-categories/#sthash.qBMvrQdR.dpuf

Income

  • Paycheck
  • Predictable bonus
  • Expense reimbursements
  • Investment
    • Rental income
    • Interest earned (on accounts, loans to others)
    • Dividends and capital gains
  • Misc.
    • Lottery / gambling winnings
    • Federal / state / local tax refund
    • Purchase refund

Expenses

  • Automobile
    • Gasoline
    • Maintenance
    • Registration fees
    • Auto loan payment
  • Bank Charges
    • Check orders
    • Service fees
    • Insufficient funds fee
    • Minimum balance fee
    • ATM fees
  • Charity
  • Childcare
    • Babysitting
    • Child support
  • Clothing
  • Credit Card Fees
    • Annual fee
    • Finance charge
    • Over the limit fee
    • Minimum usage fee
    • Cash advance fee
    • Late fee
    • Rewards programs
    • Monthly payment
  • Education
    • Tuition
    • Books
    • School supplies
    • Field trips
    • Misc. fees
    • Student loan payment
  • Events
    • Wedding
    • Moving
  • Food
    • Groceries
    • Dining out
    • Vending machines
    • Coffee house
  • Gifts
    • Birthday
    • Wedding / Wedding shower
    • Baby shower
    • Holiday
    • Anniversary
    • Just because
  • Healthcare
    • Dental
    • Vision
    • Physician
    • Hospital
    • Prescriptions
    • Over the counter medication
    • Vitamins
  • Household
    • Rent / Mortgage payment
    • Homeowner’s association dues
    • Furniture
    • Supplies
    • Decorating
    • Tools
    • Home maintenance and repair
    • Home improvement
  • Insurance
    • Automobile
    • Health
    • Life
    • Disability
    • Long term care
    • Roadside assistance
  • Job expenses
    • Reimbursed
    • Clothing
    • Professional dues
  • Leisure (daily / non-vacation)
    • Books
    • Magazines
    • Movie theater
    • Video rental / Pay per view
    • Sporting events
    • Sporting goods
  • Hobbies
    • Cultural events (e.g. parades, carnivals, etc.)
    • CD’s
    • Video games
    • Toys
    • Tourist attractions (e.g. amusement parks, museums, zoos, etc.)
  • Loans
    • Loan Payment
    • Finance charge / Interest
    • Late fee
  • Pet Care
    • Food
    • Supplies
    • Veterinarian
  • Savings
    • Retirement
    • Investments
    • Emergency fund
    • Reserve funds (to set aside for planned expenses)
  • Taxes
    • Federal
    • State
    • Local
  • Utilities
    • Water
    • Sewer
    • Electricity
    • Gas
    • Television (e.g. cable, satellite, etc.)
    • Telephone / Cell phone
    • Internet service
    • Garbage and recycling
  • Vacation
    • Day trips
    • Transportation
    • Lodging
    • Entertainment
- See more at: http://thefinancegeek.com/budgeting/budgeting-categories/#sthash.qBMvrQdR.dpuf

Food - Kefir? What is that?

I have seen Kefir in the supermarkets and normally ignored them. Spoke to a few of my work colleagues and found out that they have been taking a lot of home made kefir products to keep their immune systems up. They say it works miracles on keeping them healthy when they are close to being sick. 

When you have kids, you are share the love and the sickness too...

What is Kefir? 
  • A sour-tasting drink make from cow's milk fermented with certain bacteria. 
  • Made from Milk Kefir grains mixed with milk (that has lactose - milk sugar) to allow the bacteria strains to grow.
  • Can buy Kefir milk products from supermarkets and the cost is about 3.8 to 5 dollars for 1 L bottle   
What are Milk Kefir Grains?

  • Milk kefir grains are a combination of live bacteria and yeasts that exist in a symbiotic matrix on a surface of a complex polysaccharide with a casein core. Kefir grain make-up can vary depending on culturing location and conditions, resulting in a highly variable community of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. 

    Following is a list of bacteria and yeast strains found to comprise kefir grains from different regions and through 2 different scientific studies.* The strains listed may include numerous subspecies and variants. 

    Bacteria Strains Common to Milk Kefir Grains

    Lactobacillus acidophilus
    Lactobacillus brevis
    Lactobacillus casei
    Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus
    Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. delbrueckii
    Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis
    Lactobacillus helveticus
    Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens subsp. kefiranofaciens
    Lactobacillus kefiri
    Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei
    Lactobacillus plantarum
    Lactobacillus rhamnosus
    Lactobacillus sake
    Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris
    Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis
    Lactococcus lactis
    Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. cremoris
    Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. dextranicum
    Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides
    Pseudomonas
    Pseudomonas fluorescens
    Pseudomonas putida
    Streptococcus thermophilus 

    Yeast Strains Common to Milk Kefir Grains

    Candida humilis
    Kazachstania unispora
    Kazachstania exigua
    Kluyveromyces siamensis
    Kluyveromyces lactis
    Kluyveromyces marxianus
    Saccharomyces cerevisiae
    Saccharomyces martiniae
    Saccharomyces unisporus
Source Material: Link