What's New For Us, For Sunday June 3

Well we sure haven't had good weather, so havent been doing too much walking outdoors.

Fot the month of May we found $1.35 in change and still have to find it a home to deposit it too.. and will post here once I do. 
** Update: donated to local food bank change box at gas station

Sold our old patio set for $40.. and bought a 2 piece bistro set for $198 from Walmart, with a couple extra plastic chairs for $10 each and a rug for $52. Ordered a umbrella for over it- $100 from Home Hardware, that won't be in till mid June. We like the pergolas but they cost quite a bit. Just want something that will offer a bit of shade if we need it.

Gerry took down the old fence/ gate in the back yard and put up the new one, (which still needs to be stained)  and which goes a bit further back in the yard, but as well now we have the new back gate with a latch from the inside, as an added security feature. It will lock up at night and he'll unlock in the morning when he heads to work. Just so no one can get into the back yard during the evening once we're relaxing then off to bed for the night. 

Added some red mulch to the yard in areas around our trees to- brightens it up!

Totalled our groceries for back home here, for the month of May. We spent $868 CDN and that includes food for the dog and any cleaners as well. We have already determined we spent less in the US. We'll continue to track for the summer and see how the spending goes.

The passport office called Gerry the other day and told him they are returning his passport. Guess something with the spelling of his home town on his birth certificate that wadn't been flagged ever- and now all these years later, they want him to get a new birth certificate too, and then the passport has to re-submitted. Cost of a new birth certificate? $85! Then one that comes back, a re-do a re-submit for the passport and another mail out registered mail!

My results also came back from my ultra sound. I am told I have high cholestral.. although not sure how that could be with my diet - so feel it has to be hereditary, and an age thing, but either way, I have to look at my diet and see what I can change . As it is I struggle with diet changes with low iron. Hubby says I'm in a catch 22. Certainly either way dont want to go on medication. That stuff never does well with a person. You always need another pill to counteract the side effects of the first pill!

And how are you all doing?

2018 Father's Day Gift Guide

Shopping for dad this Father's Day doesn't have to be hard. We've partnered with some great brands this year, who have some wonderful ideas for that special man in your life.

The Grill Masters Club-

The Grill Masters Club will send the highest quality curated BBQ goods right to dad's door. A certified BBQ judge scours the planet to provide him with new and addicting flavors to use for his next backyard BBQ. Tasting what the different regions of BBQ have to offer and bring a smile to his face with new BBQ sauces, rubs, wood chips, hot sauces, grilling accessories and more. Get him a box and allow him to become a true Grill Master!

Thirty-One- Around the Clock Thermal-

One of the most versatile totes, the Around The Clock Thermal is great for lunch or snacks anytime, anywhere—work, school, festivals, road trips, pool, beach, golf course, boating or sporting events. The water-resistant thermal lining keeps contents cool and makes cleanup easier. A removable shoulder strap means dad can carry it any number of ways, including crossbody for hands-free movement. An interior mesh pocket and exterior front zipper pocket provide separate storage options when needed. makes a great gift for that ad or hubby that's always on the go ! Great for his lunch- we love it!


The Great Scape-

The Great Scrape is an all natural BBQ cleaning tool and wood grill scraper. It is an alternative to the old metal wire brush. It custom grooves to uniquely fit your barbecue grill without having to worry about metal bristles or harming your grill grates. It is made of solid premium hard wood and is designed for years of grilling pleasure.  It makes for the perfect grilling accessory or BBQ gift, that you can personalize for any occasion. Father's will love this gift.

Mini Trooper-

The Mini Trooper is an indoor and outdoor home security camera with HD video quality and crisp night vision. It’s unique wire free design provides the flexibility to be easily installed at any location, including hard to reach locations that a traditional wired camera can’t access.

When placing the Mini Trooper outdoors, you won’t need to worry about rain or shine as it’s weatherproof for year-round operation. The Mini Trooper delivers high-quality video compressions, a longer battery life than the conventional battery-operated cameras in the same class, and peace-of-mind knowing it is easy-to-use and convenient to set up and monitor your cameras from anywhere.

MISSION HydroActive MAX Cooling Performance Hat-

The MISSION HydroActive Max Cooling Performance Hat is the ultimate headwear for cooling comfort and protection from the sun. Only MISSION has HydroActive Max technology that provides 30% greater COOLING POWER for instant cool relief from the heat. Dip the hat in water to activate the targeted cooling zones for instant relief that lasts up to 2 hours. To re-activate the cooling zones, simply repeat the steps. The permanent fabric technology is chemical-free and offers UPF 50 sun protection that blocks up to 98% of UV rays. The hat features breathable panels for maximum airflow to keep dad's  head dry and cool. Easy to care for hat is machine washable.

HydroActive MAX Large Instant Cooling Towel-

MISSION, the leader in instant cooling technology introduces the MISSION HydroActive Max Instant Cooling Towel. Their fastest-acting instant cooling towel with 30% greater COOLING POWER cools fast and lasts, and is perfect anytime dad needs relief from the heat. Simply wet, wring, and snap for instant cooling relief. When activated, the ultra-soft, breathable fabric cools down to 30 degrees below the average body temperature and provides a cooling effect for up to 2 hours. Re-wet and re-snap when the cooling effect wears off as often as dad likes to stay cool for hours. The MISSION HydroActive Max cooling towel feels ultra soft on his skin and stays soft whether wet or dry, unlike other cooling towels on the market. The towel is reusable, anti-microbial and machine washable, with permanent technology that will never wash out. Perfect for the whole family, and dad, the HydroActive Max instant cooling towel provides instant relief at the beach, in the yard, during fitness activities, or anywhere he'll want to feel cool and comfortable.

Lego-

With Father’s Day right around the corner, it’s time to find the perfect gift for Dad! Looking for something a little unconventional or unexpected this year? The LEGO Group has a lineup of sets that Dads are sure to love! And what’s better than gifting Dad something that kids can enjoy along with him? We all know that Dads are children at heart, and LEGO is something you never outgrow. Whether Dad is a Star Wars, Harry Potter, Super Heroes fan (or more!), LEGO has got just the gift for him! Celebrate Father’s day by spending the day building with Dad – it may even become a new favorite tradition 😊

** Watch this spot for more upcoming great gift ideas!

Great Collection Of Products For On The Road In The RV

When traveling in the RV you bring along alot of things.  It's your home on wheels, so you have products for a home and you carry products for the vehicle part of it.

We wanted to share a collection of a few of those products that we keep in the RV.

Spray Nine BBQ Grill Cleaner- 
Great for us as Gerry is bbqing almost daily on the road! The spray is actually great for all parts of the bbq and great knowing its not only a cleaner but a great germ killer!

Spray Nine BBQ Grill Cleaner dissolves grease, fat and burnt-on food quickly and easily.  Also disinfects grills, cooking surfaces, food preparation areas and utensils.  Spray Nine BBQ Grill Cleaner kills germs & bacteria including salmonella and E. coli, and controls mould and mildew. 

Spray Nine Heavy Duty Cleaner-

This is a great cleaner.. I love it because it makes everything I clean smell- clean and it is a great product that does it all. It's cleaning, degreasing and disinfecting! We use it in the RV, on the SUV and on the RV.


Fix a Flat-
This is a great product to have in any vehicle- enough said! Just connect , inflate and Go!

Fix-A-Flat aerosol tire inflators are the easiest and quickest way to repair a flat tire in an emergency. Fix-A-Flat is designed to seal small tire punctures in seconds and provide enough inflation to lift the rim off the ground.


Rain X-

Another great product to have in your RV/ SUV. We love Rain X as it great for repelling the rain when we travel. We spend alot of time on the road with both the RV and SUV when we're on the road for the Fall / Winter, heading south. On many occassions running into rain.

Rain-X helps with better visability while on the highway for sure! Having it on your windows will remove salt, ice ,bugs, rain and more!

Just a great bunch of products to have onboard!

8 Tips to Become Financially Free

In just about every worthwhile undertaking, we can be a watcher, a talker or a doer. In the interest of financial freedom, which one are you? If you chose doer, that’s great! However, you need a way to get there.

In this article, we will cover eight (8) tips to help you become financially free. Some of these will be related to your thinking, and others to actual steps to take.

1.     Think In Terms of Net Worth

If you have $20,000 worth of assets (saved cash and investments), and $10,000 in liabilities (debt or anything you owe), then your net worth would be $10,000. This is what you want to track in your journey to financial freedom.

2.     Track Your Outgo

Putting your outgo – your spending – to the best use possible will help you increase your net worth on your way to financial freedom. There are free tracking apps that can help you.

3.     Invest In Your Education

Degree or no degree, continue to keep up with trade-related things that could increase your value as an employee. But if there’s a subject you have a passion for, keep deepening your knowledge and expertise. If you don’t have one, get one. Even college grads can get laid off.

4.     Create Multiple Income Streams

Obviously, part of the financial freedom equation involves earning more income.

Transfer your expertise into a book or ebook, and publish it. The same can be done if you’re more of a creative writer.

You could also sell physical goods on eBay, Amazon and a host of other places.

5.     Adopt the Rich Dad Mindset

It’s simple: pay yourself first. Out of every paycheck, take at least 10% and put it aside. You’d be surprised at how quickly that 10% adds up to a respectable chunk of change.

This way you will have a growing sum to later invest, and you might be less inclined to spend unnecessarily.

6.     Invest In Bitcoin

Bitcoin investment has become increasingly popular, and could be a way to diversify your portfolio. At the time of this writing, one bitcoin is worth $7,500.

One helpful platform for bitcoin is Bitcoin Code. Check out the Bitcoin Code Test Results.

7.     Who Do You Hang With?

It has been said that if you want to be wealthy, you should hang out with wealthy people.

Think about it. Who will give you the best chances of achieving that goal – someone who knows nothing about being rich, or a wealthy mentor who can help you?

8.     Stick and Stay – She’s Gonna Pay!

The late great Tom Petty had a song entitled, “The Waiting Is The Hardest Part.” Yes, patience is difficult for all of us in some way.

But anything worthwhile is worth waiting for. Keep at it. It will pay off in due time.

Summary

If financial freedom is your goal, then we hope that these 8 tips will help you get on track and stay there. Educate yourself, take practical steps and stick to it!

What's New With Us , For Sunday, May 27

It's almost month's end and we'll soon see after keeping track of grocery expenses for a month, how we're comparing to the cost of groceries back in the USA. I know for sure it sure looks like things are more expensive here at home, even with the exchange rate. And I sure miss the 99 Cent Only store! Gerry misses how much cheaper the meats are and how much more he can get for his $$ in the USA.

Jakey goes for a hair cut in less than 2 weeks and it will cost $62 with the tax. In the USA we pay $25 USD and that's WITH the tax.

If I didn't mention it last update, Gerry has gone back to work for the summer and still faring well with that. It has had it's hiccups but so far, he's still hanging in there. The extra money is coming in handy though. Since he did get the job though, he was to have a phone so he could text with bosses and the crew, so now we both have iphone 6's. We really have gotten into texting and using them!

We won a radio auction and got $40 off 10 yards of limestone, to make a level pad to park the RV on in the backyard, but even with discount it was still a $205 cha-ching.

Also going to tear down the back fence and gate and do a rebuild with a better design and better gate. Will update once that's done.

We took apart the hide a bed in the RV, sold that part of it for $20 and made a storage area under it instead, since we could use that more than the bed that was in it that wasn't being used. The couch is such an ugly floral pattern but still in good shape so we just cover it with a couch slip cover!

We had to get 4 new tires for the back of the RV for $1,000, since ours had gashes in them ( as shown above)- and Gerry said were about 6-7 years old. Also heard we need new brake pads.

There is a big "to do" list with the RV for things Gerry wants to fix up on the inside and outside. We've been asked if we are going anywhere for the summer but we don't think so- not with Gerry working- and if we do go anywhere it won't be far.

Been doing yard work and sprucing things up. Just got me a strawberry plant and some tomato plants - will see how those turn out. The tomato plants were $2.49 each and the strawberry plant was $19.99. Have a few seed packs we have to use too that we got free in the mail so will have to think of a spot for those. Also maybe pick up some new mulch around the trees.

The front hedges are growing- think their third summer but still slow on coming up on the front, for some reason? 

And how is your summer going so far? We'll be sure to chat again!

5 Reasons Vintage Sunglasses Improve Any Outfit and Where You Can Find the Best Ones

Everyone loves the “comeback kid” and vintage sunglasses are no different. Back and better than ever, they are making statements on every face they adorn. They are ready to improve your outfit on any day.

1. They Go With Everything

Vintage sunglasses are an accessory that goes with everything you put on. From business suits to bathing suits, throwing on a stylish pair will be the finishing touch you need. Bring balance to your outfit by wearing dramatic frames with jeans and a tee, or perhaps some simple retro designs with a vibrant dress.

2. They Go With Everyone

Finding sunglasses to go with your face shape can be a tricky endeavor, but many vintage frames are perfect for everyone. Sticking to “aviators” and “wayfarers” is a safe bet you can’t go wrong with.

3. They Go From Classic to Crazy

Vintage sunglasses can be elegant or wild. There’s a style for every personality to shine. Whether you’re more subtle or quirky, there’s a pair to suit you. Tortoise shell to funky floral and “cat’s eyes” to oversized, throwback styles have it all.

4. They Give You a Confidence Boost

Not only do sunglasses protect your eyes from the sun, but they add a bit of mystery to your ensemble. Put some swagger in your step and know you look good while wearing the right shades. It’s anyone’s guess what you’re thinking and where you’re looking.

5. They’re High Fashion For Low Cost

Vintage sunglasses can add so much for so little. Instead of drawing eyes down by wearing your pop of fashion on your feet, bring everyone to your eyes. Wholesalesunglasses make finding them a steal.

Candy Apparel is your go-to-site for purchasing retrovintage sunglasses wholesale. Your online store for all your eyewear needs offers great perks.

·         Low-price guarantee

·         Free shipping on qualifying orders

·         Eclectic and ever-updating inventory

Check out their stock now to find your next signature look.

Spring Cleaning With OdoBan ( Product Review)

With living in the USA in our RV half the year and here in Canada the other half of the year, I have two "homes" I keep clean. I love to clean and use cleaners that make a room smell fresh when you walk in the room. Killing germs is equally important.

I heard about a new product selling at our local hardware store called OdoBan.
OdoBan®, Odor Eliminator, cleans, disinfects, sanitizes and deodorizes pre-cleaned hard, nonporous household surfaces. OdoBan® eliminates unpleasant odors on washable surfaces too, such as upholstery, carpets, bedding, showers, walls and floors while leaving a fresh scent. There just isn't anything you can't use it on for cleaning and I like that alot!

I cleaned floors with it yesterday and am hooked on it's clean fresh smell.
I didn't to use much to get alot of bubbles in my wash pail, but then they calmed down which was good, because I don't like having to deal with too much soap suds either. 

Going to share some with my mom too as I want her to try it as well. Watch for her upcoming comments on this post!

What's New With Us

It's our daughter Erika's 26th birthday today. She was born as a preemie 2 months before my expected due date, weight 2 lb 10 ounces, back in 1992! Happy Birthday Erika!

Gerry got his passport photo re taken, and forms filled out, so will be sending that in today registered mail. ( As you may have remembered, we had a small leak in a part of the RV where the passports were kept and his photo on his got ruined. Customs told us for sure he has to get a new one).Getting a 10 year one again, but with the cost of the photo, the paperwork and mailing registered mail it will be around $205! 

We won a radio auction for 10 yards of limestone, saving us $45. Gerry will be needing it to bring up the back yard to make it more level to park the RV there, and as well he should have some for the front driveway too.

Hope everyone had a nice Mothers Day... I got phone calls from both my girls, flowers from one, scratch off tickets from Gerry and a few cards.

The weather hasn't been warming up at all since we got home. Either still cool or windy.Calling for freezing rain too in the weather forecast.

Gerry has been at his new job I think going on 2 weeks- part time and for the summer. Hired as a supervisor but since alot of the crew has yet to be hired, he is doing alot of work. Looking after graveyards and personal properties in towns and at the lake. Yard clean ups and lawn maintenance. Jakey and I have been quite used to him being at home these last few years of his retirement, so hard to get used to having him gone all day. The money will come in handy though, either way.

Also going to make some changes in RV. We are taking the hide-a- bed apart. Don't use it and could use it as storage instead, so Gerry will pull the mattress out of it and take the frame out and re-build it as couch/ storage unit. I wanted to see if the mattress is still in good shape thought to sell it. 

Do wish you all a great day whatever it may be you are doing.

4 Hidden Tricks of Saving Big When Buying Wedding Rings (Never Go to a Store)

The wedding industry is geared to convince you that weddings are expensive and it’s not a “perfect” ceremony if you don’t spend enough. It’s okay to go big on your wedding, but it opens the door to financial misery if you end up crossing the budget in each and every front. One of those areas where couples often end up overspending is wedding rings. In a bid to get a ring with a large rock, people often end up spending way more than they should. Considering a platinum and diamond wedding set can cost upwards of $2500, it makes up for a huge chunk of the wedding fund. If you want a special wedding ring without the burden of debt, here’re 4 hidden tricks that can help you save big when buying wedding rings.

Identify the Impulse and then Kill It:

Buying an expensive wedding ring may be a dream for some but it’s hard to fathom that everyone shares the same goal in life. If it’s your life’s goal to buy an extravagantly expensive wedding ring (no harm in that) then you should start saving early. However, most people feel the urge to spend big right when they are at the jewelry store. This is a clear indication of an impulsive trigger that can lead people to swipe the credit card and get something that doesn’t make financial sense. If your aim is to save money, you will have to successfully identify the impulsive trigger and quash it before it sweeps you away.

Train Your Mind to Pay for Exclusivity Instead of Tradition:

First off, diamond and platinum wedding rings are not at all exclusive. From supermarket jewelry sections to boutique jewelry stores, people buy these rings all the time, which makes them pretty common. This means if you suffer from the belief that these wedding rings are one of a kind then you are headed towards disappointment. As soon as you start showing off your new ring, you will figure out that your neighbor, relatives, and friends have similar, if not better, wedding rings. That’s because diamond wedding rings are unbelievably common. This begs a question. Why do you want to spend so much on something that everyone else has? Train you mind to find something more exclusive. Something like an emerald or ruby encrusted ring looks refreshingly different. Lookup semi-precious stones such as peridot and aquamarine, which look different yet luxurious.

Never Go to a Jewellery Store:

The key to buying affordable wedding rings is to stay clear of jewelry stores. Everything from the ambiance to the way store executives speak is geared to make you spend more than your budget. When you go to a store you are also limited by the collection of that particular outlet. This means you would have to go store to store before you find something you like that fits your budget. Buying wedding rings online, on the other hand, keeps you safe from impulsive buying and smooth-talking salesman.

Keep Multiple Browser Tabs Open:

Now, that you see the merit of buying wedding rings from online jewelry stores, here are a few pointers. It’s important to buy from an online store that offers easy returns and home trials. It’s also critical to check if the products come with certificates of authenticity and independent gemological lab reports. Considering you have those covered, it makes sense to keep multiple tabs open when shopping for wedding rings. This will allow you to compare the prices and find the best deal.  

You Certainly Get What You Pay For

Pexels

There are two sides to financial wisdom. The first side is being frugal, understanding the value of a dollar and staying competent in all of your budgeting needs. The other is to know when to invest for quality over quantity. There are many reasons that we might decide to veer on one side of this spectrum over the other. There are sometimes where they both join together and act as one decision, but this is a little rarer.  Whether in a personal setting or a business setting, we’d recommend that strong financial investment sense comes from the following insights:

Knowing Value

It’s incredibly important to know when to invest, and what that investment will get you. Value is determined by many, many different variables. For a start, timing is everything. Something that is of a certain value today might not be in a couple of months. It’s also important to compare your purchases in different ways. For example, it might be that instead of hiring from your local area, it might be much better to hire someone with a specialized skillset from abroad. Even the cost of footing that expense, with the travel costs, accommodation and helping them apply and gain an Immigration Visa can be worthwhile, especially if hoping to expand to those markets.

The difference between a business that runs efficiently and one that struggles to maintain itself is this ability to perceive and analyze value, as well as how that will effect in the short and long term.

Quality Of Goods

It’s important to know that no matter how you operate, the quality of your firm will always be dictated by the ingredients it acquires. This goes for even small areas of interest, or for services rather than products. For example, let’s say you’re opening a hair salon. It order to distinguish yourself from the competition, it might be worthwhile to purchase a certain calibre of salon equipment, install sinks to wash hair, and maybe even foot the cost of complimentary drinks for each client. This investment might seem overkill from the beginning, but the ability to ensure that this is carefully metered out and the benefits are understood could help you drive business revenue to heights you might not have seen. Put simply, sometimes putting all your eggs in the basket of quality can pay off tremendously.

Analyzing Good Deals

Of course, in order to have your investments pay off, you need to ensure that you’re fully aware of deals to take advantage off. This might be in the form of bulk buy orders, catering to more lucrative clients as a priority, or simply ordering around the keep prices competitive. This is why even the most financial frugal can find authority in choosing the more expensive option, as sometimes the knock on effects are priceless. With the frugal eye placed on achieving quality, you’ll likely become close to a win-win situation for you and your wallet.

With these attitudes in mind, you’re sure to profit big time from both quality, quantity, and financial wisdom.