Buying a Car 2013 Style
Now that my husband has retired, we decided to take a lot of car trips around the Western United States. The only problem was our car situation. I drive a two-door RAV4 that’s wonderful around town…
Computer Shopping
I can hardly believe it but I’ve now owned my latest laptop — a Dell Inspiron — for nearly three years. When first purchased, it was all sparkly and new and fast and well, just about…
Shopping or Hiding?
The Friday after Thanksgiving in the United States is termed Black Friday, and signals the start of the holiday shopping season. It’s become rather controversial the last few years as stores open earlier and earlier. This…
Thrifty Treasures
Thrift stores are the land of magical things. On any given day you can luck into such finds as an antique leather pouf from Turkey, sporting fringe and little bells and embroidered all over with camels,…
The New Christmas Shopping
Once upon a time, in an economy much better than the one we have today, going out of business sales were a gleeful event for me. I would cheerfully scavenge through the picked over aisles looking…
Outlet Shopping
Is it just me, or are outlet deals not as good as they used to be? I went down to Niagara-on-the-Lake this weekend, to catch some Shaw Festival and outlet shopping. “My Fair Lady” wasn’t as good…
Your Sofa is How Old?
I’ve resisted for a number of years, but have finally realized it’s time to do it. Yes, I absolutely, positively must replace my old living room furniture. My sofa and loveseat looked quite nice when I…
Bloody calves.
Getting back to Canada in mid-January, after summer in the southern hemisphere, has its disadvantages, but there’s definitely one huge plus: Sales. Sales sales sales. And since all the stores will be trying to get rid of…
To give or not to give … vouchers
I love giving books for Christmas and birthdays, but for some people this is not feasible, as they don’t like reading or don’t like movies, or I just don’t know enough about their tastes to choose…
Rewards/bribes
Confession time: Sometimes, when I have to do some work I really dislike, I bribe myself with rewards. It’s not very grown-up in me, but what can I say? It often works. So when it’s time…