Steps in Buying a Home for First Time Homebuyers

You just saw your dream home on realtor.ca – and you want it – now! You call up the listing realtor only to be told it’s already sold conditionally to another buyer. How did they act so fast? That buyer already had a plan in place, and were likely shopping many months before you were …

Moving House — the horror and beauty

In the course of waaaaaaaayy too many moves I’ve become pretty good at doing it *nearly* all myself. Add four (yes, FOUR) children in the mix and suddenly Netflix becomes the electronic babysitter, and it’s pizza, again, for dinner (served on rustic paper napkins) because I don’t have time to cook, do dishes, and pack …

The 5 P’s of Moving, or Moving is a Pain in the @ss

Winston Churchill said ‘war is hell’ – I’d say moving is an alternate version of his darker hell – maybe heck, or an especially irritating purgatory. Total household upheaval, stress, chaos, complete disorganization – and that’s a good move. The bad ones cost you time, money, and major headaches when the moving truck suddenly cancels …

The Illogic of Spending on Stuff

Stuff weighs us down, physically, emotionally, and mentally. You have to move, store, and maintain it. You need to plan organizational strategies, take care of your belongings, and make sure it’s in good condition. Stuff becomes an emotional burden as well, where we’re spending more time cleaning, managing stuff (the buying and selling processes that …

In Praise of a Side Hustle

Money – we all need it, and the sad truth of hard cash is sometimes it runs short. Unexpected vehicle repair, illness, the kids suddenly grew 6 inches taller and everybody needs a wardrobe update – you need money, fast. The best solution is to save for it, and I know you’re saying, how can …