SUMMER MEMORIES Hot summer days might not be the appropriate words to use for summer 2014 in Ontario with the up and down weather we’ve been having. Since we are getting hammered with heat this week we’re still in the clear to enjoy the best days of summer holidays. I didn’t want to make this post the usual Saturday blog post because it’s the Labour Day long weekend which means school starts back up which brings financial changes for most people. I also wanted to make it personal in hopes you share memories of your summer days in the comment section. What’s open for the Labour Day Weekend? I don’t know what’s open in your local area but in the Toronto area we have some shops open. Many of you might be enjoying one of the last weekends at the campground or prepping for back to school. You might plan to attend some local attractions for the long weekend such as the Toronto Zoo, Wonderland, Toronto Science Centre, CN Tower, Toronto Eaton Centre or hit the beach but all government is closed including the LCBO so stock up today! It’s hard when summer days seem to end at the […]
Do summer foods cost you more money? : The Grocery Game Challenge #4 July 21-27, 2014
PICK YOUR OWN EAT IT FRESH Summer foods are fresh, in-season and in some cases can drive up your grocery budget if you’re not careful. For the most part Mrs.CBB and I have a standard grocery list that we use every week along with sale items that come up in the flyers. In the summer our grocery list seems to grow. With such growth we really need to focus on how much money we are spending at the grocery store so we don’t overspend causing us to carry over these expenses to the next month. This is what we did for the month of July as you will notice we were over budget by $18.24. The reason for this is because we are trying to catch up for going over budget the month previous. It only seems to happen in the summer but come winter, things change. I know you might suggest giving ourselves a larger budget but it does seem to work out in the end. If by the end of 2014 we notice we need to make an increase then that is what we will do. We won’t deprive ourselves and not buy what we need when […]
First day of summer and family activities: The Saturday Weekend Review #77
SHOW US SOME SUNSHINE It’s officially the first day of summer and family activities are swirling around in many parents’ minds. I can understand how so many parents want to find exciting yet educational things to do for the family when the sun is shining. Family activities are heightened in the summer because it’s a time when the students are done school and can get bored very easy. I know growing up I was always outside getting into some sort of trouble (all good fun though). Family activities growing up Even though my parents owned their own business it wasn’t hard for them to have hired help watch over the place while we enjoyed family activities together. Those are the times I remember the most and will cherish because as you get older the memories stay with you forever. It’s funny though because going on day trips and planning our family activities was something my mother would do and my wife says I’m a planner just like her. She’s right! When we plan family activities together I always research online what’s going on, where and if there are any discount codes, coupons or if available ways to […]
