Month: July 2017

Iceland: 9 days for $2,152.

A place where you can pretend you’re Matthew McConaughey.

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Chilling at the top of a volcano in Vestmannaeyjar.

Last summer, I was looking desperately for something to do for vacation. Up to that point, I was an under-traveled 27 year old who had never left North America in his life.

Things in life were also trending up: I had a full-time job finally, a travel partner in my girlfriend, and some savings dedicated towards travel. Iceland also made sense as a first “big” trip. It was an English-speaking nation, had a good safety record of travelers, and offered cheap flights. Plus I had two colleagues who went and came back alive with rave reviews.

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Staying Entertained in Toronto on the Cheap.

How I keep my entertainment expenses in check.

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Last month, my company had a staff event: dinner followed by a Jays game – all expenses on the attendee of course, since we’re in the public sector.

As the ambitious worker bee who understands the value of networking (it’s how I’ve literally gotten every job I’ve worked), I woefully signed up. By the end of the night, I had spent close to $60 combined on the ticket, one concession item, and dinner and a drink at the fancy Rec Room. $60! My girlfriend then reminded me that really isn’t that much relative to other people.

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Got plans for retirement? Don’t wait till 65.

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My girlfriend’s parents are lovely people. They did everything right. They worked hard, raised a wonderful family, and saved and invested diligently. They met all of their financial goals, having saved enough to retire, send their kids off to their own lives, and travel the world.

Then the worst news imaginable happened.

Continue reading “Got plans for retirement? Don’t wait till 65.”