The Outlier Model

Page 225

Updates: February 26 – March 3

Brian / March 3rd, 2012 / No Comments

CF and I just got back from a Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival event. The theme of the event was “Argentina” so we spent the afternoon grazing on Argentine inspired cuisine and various wines from the region. Sounds pricey, and it is. However, we are always trying to do what you love for less. To cut the costs of this event, I’ve spent the last two evenings volunteering...

Posted in: Weekly Updates Tagged with: $100 grocery budget, EI system in Canada, wine tasting

Dealing with condo emergencies

condo emergencies, emergencies, property emergency, broken pipe

CF / March 2nd, 2012 / 6 Comments

It’s Friday and I’m miserable because my leg is in pain and gimped up, its damn cold and now, my condo is leaking. Yep. Of course it’s leaking, what else would it do on a Friday afternoon? I received the email shortly after 1pm. My helpful tenant remarked that “several litres” of water came out of the ceiling. All sorts of horror scenarios ran through my head...

Posted in: Home, Real Estate Tagged with: dealing with emergencies, Emergency fund, home emergencies, homeowner insurance, pipe leaks, tenant insurance

Cutting back our hydro bill – UPDATE!

cutting back, cutting back on bills, cutting back on expenses, hydro bill

CF / February 28th, 2012 / No Comments

A few months ago, Brian and I reported our shock at receiving a hydro bill for over $160. Until that time, my typical hydro bill was always between $25 and $45 every two months. Needless to say, we were not happy. We made some attempts at cutting back energy costs and tried out some tips for cutting back our electrical bill, as suggested by others. Unfortunately, being in an apartment, our...

Posted in: Minimalism and Frugality Tagged with: cutting back your electricity bill, hydro bill

Update: February 18 – 25

Brian / February 25th, 2012 / No Comments

Seattle is a great place. It’s absurd to me that ‘Happy Hour’ is illegal in BC, although there does seem to be weekly news on liquor reform in this province. Let’s hope! I enjoyed $3 happy hour specials of many west coast craft breweries including Deschutes Black Butte Porter and Elysian “Immortal” IPA. Good stuff. There was also habanero infused tabiko spicy tuna...

Posted in: General Tagged with: after graduating, art of manliness, James Altucher, letting go of anger, retiring from military, Young and thrifty