Comments on: Who’s Your Gremlin? http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/185 Mon, 21 May 2012 15:52:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Ronaldo Waylon http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/185/comment-page-1#comment-19498 Ronaldo Waylon Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:02:50 +0000 http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=185#comment-19498 <a href="http://www.m3reo.com/" rel="nofollow">Foreclosures</a> are possible in Canada and you could pledge some income for your future through it. Foreclosures are possible in Canada and you could pledge some income for your future through it.

]]> By: Braydon Rohan http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/185/comment-page-1#comment-19414 Braydon Rohan Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:35:45 +0000 http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=185#comment-19414 There has been a vast change in the economy.There has been change in all the sectors in all the parts of the world. In real estate deals foreclosures are increasing. There has been a vast change in the economy.There has been change in all the sectors in all the parts of the world. In real estate deals foreclosures are increasing.

]]> By: Jenny http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/185/comment-page-1#comment-1730 Jenny Mon, 11 Aug 2008 03:53:56 +0000 http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=185#comment-1730 I'm gonna say it again, because it bears repeating: when going on holiday, exchange your home with someone who wants to stay in YOUR town. Hotel bills/ holiday home rentals are for suckers! There are many excellent home exchange websites a quick google search away. Don't think anyone wants to come to your town? You're probably wrong. This and many other FAQs are answered on all the sites. You don't have to go far away or anywhere exotic or involving air fare -- 'a change is as good as a rest'. I live in Victoria and I'm arranging a swap with someone in Gibsons BC. Give it a try! It's a cheap addiction! Gail, I don't know whether you will see this comment, but I'll ask anyway: why the 'go to hell' comment at the top of your blog page? It seems so mean-spirited, which seems the opposite of what you are! I have actually hesitated to direct people to you blog knowing they would be put off by that. Just a thought. I’m gonna say it again, because it bears repeating: when going on holiday, exchange your home with someone who wants to stay in YOUR town. Hotel bills/ holiday home rentals are for suckers! There are many excellent home exchange websites a quick google search away. Don’t think anyone wants to come to your town? You’re probably wrong. This and many other FAQs are answered on all the sites. You don’t have to go far away or anywhere exotic or involving air fare — ‘a change is as good as a rest’. I live in Victoria and I’m arranging a swap with someone in Gibsons BC. Give it a try! It’s a cheap addiction!

Gail, I don’t know whether you will see this comment, but I’ll ask anyway: why the ‘go to hell’ comment at the top of your blog page? It seems so mean-spirited, which seems the opposite of what you are! I have actually hesitated to direct people to you blog knowing they would be put off by that. Just a thought.

]]> By: Lindsay http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/185/comment-page-1#comment-1729 Lindsay Sun, 10 Aug 2008 14:46:13 +0000 http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=185#comment-1729 THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I will be showing my husband this article today! He is our family breadwinner (with some money from my part) and is sure that he is entitled to anything he wants (and our family as well). I feel like a nag when I have to say, 'We don't have money for ____, I just paid all the bills', or 'the kid needs ____' I think as a hardworking family, we are entitled to enjoy the roof over our heads and food in our bellies (even if I had to make it myself at home). We do deserve to have a family outing or for us to have a date but his I-work-so-hard-Gremlin is always on his back, even though he is right, and does deserve it, its just a little misguided. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

I will be showing my husband this article today! He is our family breadwinner (with some money from my part) and is sure that he is entitled to anything he wants (and our family as well). I feel like a nag when I have to say, ‘We don’t have money for ____, I just paid all the bills’, or ‘the kid needs ____’
I think as a hardworking family, we are entitled to enjoy the roof over our heads and food in our bellies (even if I had to make it myself at home). We do deserve to have a family outing or for us to have a date but his I-work-so-hard-Gremlin is always on his back, even though he is right, and does deserve it, its just a little misguided.

]]> By: Fiona http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/185/comment-page-1#comment-1728 Fiona Sat, 09 Aug 2008 21:13:30 +0000 http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=185#comment-1728 Haha...thats a really good one....Act Your Wage...:) Haha…thats a really good one….Act Your Wage…:)

]]> By: BL http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/185/comment-page-1#comment-1727 BL Sat, 09 Aug 2008 05:09:31 +0000 http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=185#comment-1727 "Act your wage" folks! “Act your wage” folks!

]]> By: Bob Ross http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/185/comment-page-1#comment-1726 Bob Ross Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:18:56 +0000 http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=185#comment-1726 As also. I love your no nonsense approach. It is so refreshing to see you put your foot down and tell people to grow up. Radio advertising that basically says you can suck the equity out of your house for that fabulous vacation, doesn't help the situation. Unfortunately there are too many choices for everything in this world and people are getting distracted buying crap instead of spending quality time with their family. Buy crap then work longer hours to pay for it. Wake up people, there is no free lunch. The banking system in the USA in atrocious. Lending money to people with no income, yes no income, is plain stupid. Unfortunately it's the middle class in the USA who will be bailing out the bone head banks. Meanwhile the idiots running the banks make a killing and then get a huge severance for being incompotent. Put a few of them in jail please. Thanks As also. I love your no nonsense approach. It is so refreshing to see you put your foot down and tell people to grow up. Radio advertising that basically says you can suck the equity out of your house for that fabulous vacation, doesn’t help the situation. Unfortunately there are too many choices for everything in this world and people are getting distracted buying crap instead of spending quality time with their family. Buy crap then work longer hours to pay for it. Wake up people, there is no free lunch. The banking system in the USA in atrocious. Lending money to people with no income, yes no income, is plain stupid. Unfortunately it’s the middle class in the USA who will be bailing out the bone head banks. Meanwhile the idiots running the banks make a killing and then get a huge severance for being incompotent. Put a few of them in jail please. Thanks

]]> By: Melaniesd http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/185/comment-page-1#comment-1725 Melaniesd Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:00:57 +0000 http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=185#comment-1725 Have fun today Gail! Enjoy the family time. Have fun today Gail! Enjoy the family time.

]]> By: Melaniesd http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/185/comment-page-1#comment-1724 Melaniesd Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:47:34 +0000 http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=185#comment-1724 I admit it. The Gremlin got me today. I bought a purse on credit because it was lovely and perfect and cheap. I know I'm going to have to take that money out of my spending next pay and re-pay my credit card. I'm trying REALLY hard to kill the Gremlin, but sometimes it doesn't work. I need to put the credit cards away and stay out of the stores period. Heather, I can understand the desire to buy a home, but I have to agree with Geoff. I am happy to have a home of my own, but I sure don't like the bills that come along with it, like last year's betterment fee of over $6700. for a service I'm not even going to use. My husband & I were fortunate to get a great deal on our home as we bought from a friend of the family, but we would have been a lot smarter had we planned for the extra expenses like a lawnmover, curtains, landscaping, wheelbarrel, paint, new fixtures etc. We went into the house with no debt, but no savings either. Before we knew it we had racked up $10000 in consumer debt, then the betterment fee etc. I'd do it differently if I had the time back. Frugal Trenches, I think Canada really needs to re-look at vacation time. European countries seem to have this arranged much better. 2 weeks off isn't much in the grand scheme of things. When I think of my brother travelling across provinces to see us for 2 weeks, that's not really much relaxation time for him. I admit it. The Gremlin got me today. I bought a purse on credit because it was lovely and perfect and cheap. I know I’m going to have to take that money out of my spending next pay and re-pay my credit card.
I’m trying REALLY hard to kill the Gremlin, but sometimes it doesn’t work.
I need to put the credit cards away and stay out of the stores period.

Heather, I can understand the desire to buy a home, but I have to agree with Geoff. I am happy to have a home of my own, but I sure don’t like the bills that come along with it, like last year’s betterment fee of over $6700. for a service I’m not even going to use.
My husband & I were fortunate to get a great deal on our home as we bought from a friend of the family, but we would have been a lot smarter had we planned for the extra expenses like a lawnmover, curtains, landscaping, wheelbarrel, paint, new fixtures etc. We went into the house with no debt, but no savings either. Before we knew it we had racked up $10000 in consumer debt, then the betterment fee etc. I’d do it differently if I had the time back.

Frugal Trenches, I think Canada really needs to re-look at vacation time. European countries seem to have this arranged much better. 2 weeks off isn’t much in the grand scheme of things. When I think of my brother travelling across provinces to see us for 2 weeks, that’s not really much relaxation time for him.

]]> By: Marie http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/185/comment-page-1#comment-1723 Marie Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:32:29 +0000 http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=185#comment-1723 I'll admit it. I am done with school, I am working 1 to 1.5 jobs, I deserve to eat something other than noodles every day! ;) If it's not earned ($$$), it's not deserved! I have money set aside for occasional nice things (and holidays), but it is not at the expense of paying back my debts and no interest are charged. Keeping up with the Jones' debtload because you expect to have x things by the time your are ... years old. Marketing and dreams! I’ll admit it. I am done with school, I am working 1 to 1.5 jobs, I deserve to eat something other than noodles every day! ;)
If it’s not earned ($$$), it’s not deserved!
I have money set aside for occasional nice things (and holidays), but it is not at the expense of paying back my debts and no interest are charged.
Keeping up with the Jones’ debtload because you expect to have x things by the time your are … years old. Marketing and dreams!

]]> By: Elvin http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/185/comment-page-1#comment-1722 Elvin Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:26:11 +0000 http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=185#comment-1722 My gremlin: Im-so-in-love-I'll-buy-it-for-you Gremlin My gremlin: Im-so-in-love-I’ll-buy-it-for-you Gremlin

]]> By: Geoff http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/185/comment-page-1#comment-1721 Geoff Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:13:07 +0000 http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=185#comment-1721 Heather - it's often said that "rent is a waste of money" but you should remember that it's not, it's a useful tool and lets you buy one thing a house can't - freedom. You can move easily, save easier, and if something breaks, it's not your problem. Now I own and love my house (and previously owned my loft) in here in Toronto, and trust me, nothing kills your bank account like buying a house. Legal fees, repairs, land transfer taxes, closing costs, lawyer fees can literally add up to $15,000 or more. And that's for an empty house, before you've found out all the stuff you can live with but want to change (I'm looking at you, ugly light fixtures in my living room). ! I just want you to feel better about renting, it sounds like the best option for your family based on your current debt load and it's not a waste, it's tool that will let you attack your debt. I would suggest that your husband is right and unless you have a compelling reason to move, then stay put and save up. In my case, my 800 sq.ft open concept loft was great when I was a bachelor, but when my wife became pregnant it wasn't going to work so had to move. As my dad said, owning a house is great, paying for one... not so much. Heather – it’s often said that “rent is a waste of money” but you should remember that it’s not, it’s a useful tool and lets you buy one thing a house can’t – freedom. You can move easily, save easier, and if something breaks, it’s not your problem. Now I own and love my house (and previously owned my loft) in here in Toronto, and trust me, nothing kills your bank account like buying a house. Legal fees, repairs, land transfer taxes, closing costs, lawyer fees can literally add up to $15,000 or more. And that’s for an empty house, before you’ve found out all the stuff you can live with but want to change (I’m looking at you, ugly light fixtures in my living room). ! I just want you to feel better about renting, it sounds like the best option for your family based on your current debt load and it’s not a waste, it’s tool that will let you attack your debt.

I would suggest that your husband is right and unless you have a compelling reason to move, then stay put and save up. In my case, my 800 sq.ft open concept loft was great when I was a bachelor, but when my wife became pregnant it wasn’t going to work so had to move.

As my dad said, owning a house is great, paying for one… not so much.

]]> By: Frugal Trenches http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/185/comment-page-1#comment-1720 Frugal Trenches Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:46:48 +0000 http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=185#comment-1720 I think you hit the nail on the head, people work exceptionally hard and buy because they think they deserve it for their hard work. This is one reason I'm a real fan of a yearly vacation, I honestly think it provides a way to de-stress and reward yourself in a positive way instead of by buying stuff. All of my Canadian friend who work around the clock, some only getting 2 weeks vacay a year, buying stuff, eating out because they are too tired to cook spend hundreds a month on "stuff" they can't account for and yet won't spend $800 a year renting a small cottage to get away from it all with their kids/spouse etc. I find keeping my small account and vacation fund, my account with my savings funds and my retirement account has made me see it as "paying myself" instead of paying myself by buying things that add no value to my life! Enjoy Stratford! It's grand!! I think you hit the nail on the head, people work exceptionally hard and buy because they think they deserve it for their hard work. This is one reason I’m a real fan of a yearly vacation, I honestly think it provides a way to de-stress and reward yourself in a positive way instead of by buying stuff. All of my Canadian friend who work around the clock, some only getting 2 weeks vacay a year, buying stuff, eating out because they are too tired to cook spend hundreds a month on “stuff” they can’t account for and yet won’t spend $800 a year renting a small cottage to get away from it all with their kids/spouse etc. I find keeping my small account and vacation fund, my account with my savings funds and my retirement account has made me see it as “paying myself” instead of paying myself by buying things that add no value to my life!

Enjoy Stratford! It’s grand!!

]]> By: Heather Cook http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/185/comment-page-1#comment-1719 Heather Cook Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:00:32 +0000 http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=185#comment-1719 Oh ouch, right where it hurts! I've been arguing with hubby over buying a house... I want to buy in six months... he wants to buy in 2 years. We have $30K in debt. My reasoning is that prices will be LOWER THAN EVER in Jan 2009 and they may start to go up. His reasoning is that we should pay off all the debt and save for the downpayment. He's probably right. What always gets me is that we are paying $1450 for rent and we could be paying the same amount for a mortgage. We've downsized all we can (while still remaining sane, heck we could move our family of 4 into a cheap studio but we'd be insane in a month) but the rental rates in our city are way up there... Oh ouch, right where it hurts!

I’ve been arguing with hubby over buying a house… I want to buy in six months… he wants to buy in 2 years. We have $30K in debt. My reasoning is that prices will be LOWER THAN EVER in Jan 2009 and they may start to go up. His reasoning is that we should pay off all the debt and save for the downpayment.

He’s probably right.

What always gets me is that we are paying $1450 for rent and we could be paying the same amount for a mortgage. We’ve downsized all we can (while still remaining sane, heck we could move our family of 4 into a cheap studio but we’d be insane in a month) but the rental rates in our city are way up there…

]]> By: Tracy J http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/185/comment-page-1#comment-1718 Tracy J Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:31:01 +0000 http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/blog/?p=185#comment-1718 Once again you hit the nail smack on the head. The "I-Work-Hard-So-I-Deserve-It" gremlin is very loud and persistent, and middle age (or mid-life crisis) seems to amplify it to a deafening volume ("I have worked hard for X amount of years, I SHOULD have these nice things by NOW"). Then when married with the gremlin you exposed yesterday, it is a diabolic team! (Have fun tomorrow) Once again you hit the nail smack on the head.
The “I-Work-Hard-So-I-Deserve-It” gremlin is very loud and persistent, and middle age (or mid-life crisis) seems to amplify it to a deafening volume (“I have worked hard for X amount of years, I SHOULD have these nice things by NOW”).
Then when married with the gremlin you exposed yesterday, it is a diabolic team!

(Have fun tomorrow)

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