this is in response to:
Canadian inflation rate 3.5%
Price sensitive Canadians

YOU *points finger*, YES YOU! My irresponsible consumer friend. You
have lost the right to complain about the high gas prices. It was cute in the
beginning but it got old fast. Instead of changing you're spending habits you
continue to spend frivolously on useless items. I hope to educate you about
spending no no's and tips to save you money going forward. However, for
the economy's sake keep spending, but SPEND WISELY!

Tip 1: Selfishness

Thank goodness I am single. I am spending for one. In order to cut your
phone bills and credit card bills thinking about cutting your girlfriend. Not
literally of course. Just tell her your on a temporary break because the
economy is struggling and the bailout package may not be as effective as
once thought. I'm sure she'll understand.


Tip 2: The Material Girl

If you choose not to heed my warning, then be sure you don't have a pre
madonna on your hands. This material girl is a cash guzzling cow who will
leave you out to dry. You're telling me you'd like a $400 (insert brand name -
coach, louis vuitton) purse when gas prices are sky rocketing and home
foreclosures are a dime a dozen these days? WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG
WITH YOU!!?



Tip 3: Oil and Water don't mix

"consumers who complain about gasoline at $1.30 a litre (approximately $5/gallon)
think nothing about paying $2 for a litre of bottled water at a corner store." Simple
things like this can really add up. You know humans can live without water for up to
3 days so spare me the “But I am going to die if I don’t drink right now” Suck it up
and save it for a grocery store. Calculate things on  a per unit basis to see what is
cheaper. Most stores offer this right on the label.  Hmm $2 for 1 litre of water at a
convenience store or $2 for 12*750 mL of water, I wonder what's cheaper.

Tip 4: I say coupon, you say coupon

Coupons are sexy! Take the time out of your not so busy day to cut coupons
from weekly flyers. Why not also check the stores websites for great deals. Check
out sites like redflagdeals.ca for more savings opportunities.Wait for sales if you
can. I do understand that some things never go on sale and when they do the
size is never though.

Tip 5: Have a plan of attack

In the worst of times, you need a strategy. You need some way of managing all this.
If you truly don’t know where you’re money is going create a budget of inflows and
outflows and update it regularly. Look for large dollar variances and ask yourself
“Did I really need that, or did I just want that?” When you go grocery shopping,
stick to your list. When you go window shopping…errr don’t even go…stop impulse
buying! 

i'm sure you get the idea, so get to it, save, and stop complaining!