A look back on 2008 and a few of the characters that came about.

A video about my experiences over the past year:

After a great year, it's time to say goodbye!

My last video while at RBC:

One last video to recall the past year:

I decided that being the frugal student that I am, I was going to make greeting cards for the holidays. Follow along and make your own fireplace greeting card for the ones you love during this holiday season!

Happy Holidays!

“I have an idea what you can write about” he said to me. And by he, I mean Michel (the host of RBCp2p). A week later, I received my Visa Gift Card issued by RBC. With $50 on the card, I was free to spend it however I wanted, provided I then write about the experience and the details of the VGC’s by RBC. It’s funny how much more exciting gift cards are than money. In general, getting a gift card from a specific store (Starbucks, Best Buy, etc) excites me because I can dream of all the wonderful things that await me at the specified location. There are some major differences between those gift cards and the Visa Gift Card. Allow me to examine the main points made on the brochure that accompanied my gift card:

Total Control

With values from $25 to $500, the Visa Gift Card allows you to give someone access to just a little bit or quite a bit. The beauty is that it looks like a Visa card, but it’s free money from somebody who cares, as opposed to borrowed money that will carry an interest rate.

Millions of Possibilities

As opposed to store gift cards – that only allow you to use your funds in THAT particular store – the Visa Gift Card is accepted worldwide wherever Visa is. How convenient is that?!

Unsurpassed Flexibility

It’s awesome having the freedom to spend the money on what YOU want. Sometimes our loved ones can mean well, but they might not know what you most desire. Or, they know precisely what you love, but don’t have the time to buy you 10 different gift cards. Enter the Visa Gift Card.

Security and Protection

Can you imagine how disappointing it would be to receive a $100 gift card for your favourite store, but to lose it before you ever have the chance to buy your desired item(s)? Have no fear. With the Visa Gift Card, assuming you’ve registered it online you can have it replaced. There IS a $15 replacement fee but in many cases this is still better than losing your funds entirely.

Instant Satisfaction

Why wait? There is nothing standing in your way with the Visa Gift Card. No setup is required and there is no activation to slow you down. Like I said, it’s wise to register it in case the card is lost or stolen.

I used the card in The Source (by Circuit City), The Body Shop, United Book Stores, HMV and Things Engraved, all without a hitch. It was simple. Swipe and sign, and off I went to my next destination. It’s amazing how much fun it is to spend money using a card that LOOKS like a credit card, but without that looming feeling of “ugh, I have to pay this off soon”. I tried to make the most of the $50, but it sure does go quickly. Being the frugal-meister that I am, I think I did pretty well. Only one of the items I bought was for myself, and I wouldn’t call replacement pads for headphones very exciting. I know it sounds corny, but giving really is a gift in itself.

One feature that I would find useful is to know how much money remains on the card. You can check online, at www.myrbccardbalance.com (perhaps the most obvious website name ever) but if out for a day of shopping, finding access to a computer may be challenging. I assume you could access it from a smartphone, so get on those Blackberries and iPhones, people. Aside from that small gripe, I would recommend getting one of these from your local RBC branch. There is a $3.95 fee to purchase a card, which is of course subject to change. A small price to pay to give someone the freedom and convenience of spending how they see fit.

Thanks RBC, for giving me the opportunity to try out the Visa Gift Card!

The title of this blog entry is courtesy of Hank, whom I met recently while traveling. His friend John has this saying (coined by the late Albert Ellis, I discovered): Don’t “should” on yourself! I’m sure you can figure out what this means, but if not I will clarify. The idea is that we ALL, at one point or another, say something like:

“I should have [fill in the blank with something not done]”
“I should [fill in the blank with something not yet done]”

There are many, many aspects of our lives in which this type of thinking can be problematic. Instead of saying that we should have done something or that we should do something, why not get into the habit of ACTUALLY undertaking these desired actions? In relationships, finances, work, and school we all have improving to do. The key is to take the necessary steps to avoid “should”ing on yourself. I can say that I am personally guilty of this behaviour, and in some cases it runs the risk of leading to the loss of some amazing opportunities.

I should tell my friends and family that I love them, more often.
I should open an RRSP.
I should start working out and eating healthier.
I should work on that paper.

I should donate blood.
I should have…I should have…I should have…

Sometimes in life, you just have to DO, instead of sitting there thinking and talking about it. Just do that thing, so you don’t have to later say to yourself that you SHOULD have done it. I’m a firm believer (but for some reason not always a follower) that you regret the things in life that you should have done (but didn’t) more than the things you’ve done (but shouldn’t have). Sure, there will be exceptions to that rule but in general I think it’s the unfulfilled things that we regret the most, especially when it leads to undesired consequences.

What stops us from doing these things that we “should” do? Laziness, self-doubt, over-thinking, lack of motivation, EXCUSES? Believe it or not, there are some people who give all they have to those things in life that need the attention, especially other people. Without expecting anything in return, these people give selflessly in order to better the lives of others. There are no excuses as to why they can’t do something. We don’t have time, we don’t have the money, we don’t, we don’t, we don’t. We love to make excuses, don’t we?

Chances are, you often make time for all sorts of nonsense and spend money foolishly and imprudently. Why not change some of your habits and become the person you “should” be? Follow Brenden Foster’s lead. 11 years old and dying of Leukemia, his last wish was to help feed a homeless camp. Not only that, he wanted half the sandwiches to be peanut butter & jelly and the other half ham & cheese in case someone was allergic to peanut butter. In honour of such a brave and giving soul, invest in others, without making excuses. Try to become less selfish.

Whatever you do, though, don’t “should” on yourself.

Before I moved to the city for school, I very rarely made a visit to my favourite coffee shop—a little known place called Starbucks.

Sporadically having that caramel macchiato was—for lack of a better word—special. My infrequent grande indulgence meant a lot to me because I didn’t make the “investment” very often.

Now, flash forward to Year Four of University and you could find me inside one of those green-signed wonders on a daily basis.

My “treat” became routine. It meant I didn’t look forward to my coffee anymore—I expected it. What I didn’t expect was how empty it left my pockets… and why spend cash on something you don’t appreciate as much as you used to?

I’ll admit that the idea behind this post isn’t an original one. In fact, it was this blog that got me thinking about all of this. I even used his coffee example because, well, I wasn’t the only university student waiting in line everyday.

The Smart Dollar suggests that you need to just stop this routine. Make your coffee in the morning and bring it with you. You can even choose a special kind of coffee to brew, if you want. You’ll end up saving money and your next trip to the coffee shop will be more enjoyable. Here’s what he has to say:

Now, I rarely go to coffee shops, but when I do, they feel like a real treat, not a common and ordinary experience. That $5 doesn’t just buy me another ordinary piece in another ordinary morning any more. It now buys an experience - the smells of the coffee and scones, the sturdy table, the leisurely read of a newspaper, the overheard conversation, and the taste of a delicious cup that is sublimely better than the stuff I usually drink.

It doesn’t just have to be coffee. It may be your breakfast sandwich on the way to work, your daily trip to the cafeteria, your weekly trip to the music store or the bookstore. Whatever you’re doing, there may be a more cost-effective alternative. Think about your daily routine. Is there anything that used to be special that isn’t anymore?

I’ve stopped going to the ‘bucks as much as I used to. In my last full month at school, I spent upwards of $100 there (I know, terrible). This month, I think I’ve spent $10.

It’s an accomplishment. And, yes, I loved every dollars worth.

I kind of half expected the ever-there eyes and ears of big brother to be a little more technologically savvy in the 21st century. Something along the lines of little microchips embedded into your skull or just plain old knowing your every move – past, present and future (a la Minority Report). Apparently not the case at Queen's University.

Maybe big brother is not the proper analogy. Maybe I would be well advised to call it something else that doesn't come with so many freedom-crushing connotations. That's the entire point of this thing: maximize your freedom to not be offended. At any rate, the University has decided to implement conversation monitors, as it were, set in place to raise red flags whenever non-inclusive speech is heard.

Soon, the campus will be littered with students monitoring conversation, slapping students with – well, I don't really know what the penalty is. Apparently this program is not uncommon at Universities in states.

I thought this was preposterous on so many levels. Who are you to monitor my speech – isn't that one of my constitutional rights? Not to mention the fact that no one really has the right to not be offended – and where do you draw the line. I know people who get offended if you breathe too loud (although I would rather it that no one got offended – ever). So on that level, this seems bogus.

On the other hand, after thinking about it, I thought that perhaps it is good in that it may (it may) make people more aware of their language. So, Queen's students will replace degrading words with not-so degrading words (and for the record, I can't imagine ANY of my Queen's friends using any such language). But what's really changed? Have the underlying perceptions, the ones that spurred that use of language, changed?

I'm going to say that monitoring this kind of language is dealing with a symptom, and not so much a cause. I can appreciate that its one of, I'm sure, many facets of Queen's progression towards being a more inclusive school... This entire program seems a bit like fly-fishing when you should be deep-sea fishing. But, hey, its movement in some direction at least.

I will first admit that I am far from an economist, and the following is based partially on my opinion. I do possess a fair amount of knowledge in relation to economics and how business works. On the other hand, I have no vested interest in defending the automakers. Much of what I’m reading in newspaper articles and seeing on the news comes from a position sympathetic to the Big 3. For anyone who doesn’t know, GM, Chrysler and Ford aren’t doing so well. They’re looking for $25-billion to help their companies. Anyone not directly (or indirectly) involved with the companies tends to show resistance to “rewarding bad management”, but it’s important to consider the consequences of letting the Big 3 fall.

Nay, I Say

First, let’s look at why so many would be opposed to having government money (taxpayer money) bail out the companies. I thought capitalism (love it or hate it) worked in such a way that the market determines what happens. Companies compete and the winner will be the one that gives the people what they want when they want it, adjusting to changes along the way. Consumers have been asking for cars that used alternative fuel sources for YEARS! Instead, these fledgling car companies chose to continue along the path of fossil fuel-based automobiles. Sure, there has been an increase in hybrids but there have also been many gas guzzlers created. If a company that made unhealthy and fatty foods continued to do so when the people wanted healthier options, their failure would be considered bad management and poor reaction to the market. Am I wrong?

As these companies ask for a bailout, how much money do you think rests in the hand of the executives of these companies? If the rationale behind paying them so much money is that they have difficult decisions to make and the wrong move means THEY are accountable, how do you explain bailing them out? Why on earth did they have such a huge paycheque if they brought the companies to ruin and are NOT actually taking responsibility for it? Oh wait,

“A copy of the legislation proposed to U.S. Congress, obtained by The Associated Press, suggests the bailout would deny bonuses to executives earning over US$250,000”.

Well, isn’t THAT nice of them? My province keeps increasing electricity rates while many residents have to choose between food and heat, and these already-high-paid execs are “sacrificing” the exorbitant bonuses. It’s no wonder the average person is disgusted by these large companies and our governments.

Yay, I Say

But what happens if the Big 3 fall? Well, it stands to become quite a mess. There is a plethora of information available online, like this CTV.ca article(where I got the above quote) that outlines the consequences to Candadian auto workers. 500,000 people directly or indirectly employed by the auto industry is kind of a big deal. If the comments on that article are any indication, people understand the gravity of the situation.

I was watching Bill Maher’s show the other day and his guest Ashton Kutcher (you might have heard of him) made a great suggestion. Instead of taxpayers bailing out these companies perhaps the oil companies should do it. The Big 3 did, after all, pledge allegiance to the fossil fuel and there certainly have been HUGE profits made by the oil industry. I guess this begs the question: what would happen if oil companies asked for the same help upon experiencing a decline in oil production? I think, again, we would find it hard to stomach. This focus on cars, to the point where entire towns rely on them for work, is ridiculous and amounts to being terrible capitalists (all the while touting its excellence).

Check out my upcoming (or already posted?) entry on going Green in the Name of Greed to see why I think greed may be what saves our planet. That is, if the execs of these large companies open their eyes and realize the business opportunities presented by the desire to – and necessity of – going green. In fact, you may be surprised to know that some environmentalists see a bailout of these companies as beneficial to their cause. If we bail out the banks and the Big 3, however, where does it end? As Kutcher suggested to Bill Maher, perhaps we’re all just being punk’d. Sure does feel like someone’s playing a giant practical joke on us doesn’t it?

I recently visited the Melancthon EcoPower Centre to have a look at their wind turbines, at Canada's biggest Wind Farm. Here I take a look at the opportunities for the economy that exist in a wind farm.