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Getting the car winter ready.

November 10, 2011

It seems like every time winter hits, it out of nowhere and there is never enough time to plan for it.

Even though I live in Canada by choice, I dont like winter. Its cold. I dont like the cold or any activities related to it. Winter makes people drive crazy and put on winter weight. Neither of which are things I look forward to. My biggest concern is that some one will hit my car and somehow my insurance rate will go up. I can’t afford it to be higher than what it is.

This year I planned in advance as I commute for work I want to make sure that my car is winter ready. The biggest expense every year for me is is replacing the tires. Those range anyway between $1200-$1500 for me, depending on the type of tires and whether I want all seasons or winters. The last 2 years I have gone with all seasons and they have turned out pretty good, but I think I want to go with snow tires this season and then get summers in the spring.

The other thing that I like getting done if I am not getting new tires is a tire rotation and a tune up to make sure nothing needs work. There is nothing worse than being carless in the winter. I also like having any stone chips filled so they dont crack in the winter and having extra washer fluid in the car. I swear I go through atleast one container a month.

I dont know how many of you get steel rims but it you use the same rims all year round, make sure you put some vaseline or some other type of gel on your rims to stop salt from eroding them.

The biggest pain this fall has been getting the garage ready to have another car in there. Last year I parked in the driveway and it was not a fun experience brushing ridiculous amounts of snow off it every morning.

Shopping around for a new bank account

May 22, 2011

It is time for me to start exploring new bank account options. The amount of possibilites for a new bank account has grown immensely and it is time for a change. I have been with Scotia Bank since my relationship BMO ended in a way 7 years ago, and I have loved them the entire time. I have the Scene card and its always a treat when I go to the movies and have free ones to use. I stopped going to going to movies as often and this perk doesn’t appeal to me as much as before, and since saving money is my primary goal, I think this is the right time.

The sad part is that since I stopped being a student the lovely student account that I had has changed to regular chequing account, and the transaction fees are not so customer friendly. Thus, I have been looking at ING Direct. I am thinking of using their THRIVE account since it has no fees attached to it and you can even earn interest. Since I am attempting to be a bit moreĀ consciousĀ of spending money stupidly, paying fees to my bank is something that needs to be eliminated.

I am a bit torn since I really like going into my bank and dealing with tellers directly in the event that I need something clarified, and ING just cant offer that. I think what I will do is transition slowly since it is a bit of a pain to open a new account with ING. I am going to keep my ScotiaBank account, since my pay cheques are deposited there and just transfer money to ING for regular transactions, that way the ScotiaBank can become my Emergency Fund. I did a quick survey of everyone who is currently with PC and the whole virtual banking thing ans it seems to be working out for most people.

I hope that ends up being that smart way to go. Who knew that setting up a new bank account would be this hard or complicated? I miss the days where you picked a bank based on its proximity to you or its giveaway that month. WhoAnyone have any good or bad experience with either that they care to share?