Over the past few years Greek yogurt has become very popular in Canada. But how does it differ from regular run of the mill yogurt?

Greek yogurt is creamier and thicker, due to a straining process seperating all the whey from the milk.  Because of this process Greek  doesn’t seperate, such as some cheaper regular yogurts do.

One serving (3/4 cup) of Greek yogurt contains appox. 20 grams of protein while regular yogurt contains about 10. There is slightly less lactose in the Greek variety  as well.

So in the end Greek yogurt has more protein and texture but both are still very good choices for your daily diet.

I prefer my regular run of the mill yogurt.  Greek tastes a bit too thick but I still will eat it.  What do you prefer?

Today, I actually had to drop something off at the cleaners. “Had to” because I consider it a necessary evil, i.e. it’s a waste of money. For example, my wool tunic with silk lining was $11+!

Unless it’s a wool blazer, down jacket/coat, or vintage silk, dry cleaning is not a service that I use on a regular basis. Wool shrinks and the lining gets all wrinkly, down feathers settle and flattens, and as I found out the hard way, vintage silk can also shrink!

Anyway, before this visit to the new cleaners, I used a cleaner at my local Superstore. Their prices are decent, especially if you have a coupon that comes on the back of your grocery receipt.

However, the last time I dropped off my gorgeous, red, cashmere blazer, it came back with a couple of stains…that I was able to subsequently remove with a stain remover at home. 🙁 And one of the buttons was even hanging by a thread. After this experience, I determined that this wasn’t a good dry cleaner.

When I was in high school, my dad used to run a dry cleaners. And when I worked there, I remember doing things like sew back loose buttons, go over items that have been cleaned with a fine-tooth comb to make sure stains were removed, and other small touches to justify this service.

So with items like those dry cleaning cloths, that you can do at home, is there still a demand for dry cleaners? Is there such thing as a Good Vs. Bad Dry Cleaners? Is this a service that you use on a regular basis?

Whats your favourite way to eat bacon? I “loves me” some bacon anyway, anyday BUT I like my bacon cooked to perfection. Not under or over cooked. I love blt’s.

I love the brand Saran wrap.  It’s the only cling wrap that I find does it’s job proper and “clings” to things.  Only problem is I haven’t been able to find it for months.  I’m dead serious. I’ve checked Zehrs, Foodland, Walmart, Zellers, Giant Tiger and other random store I’ve come across.  I cannot find it anywhere.  Not only can I not find it but there is no spot even for it.  I’m sure there has to be old stock at some stores, but is it discontinued?  Is this something I can only get in the USA now?

A few months back, a self-confessed shopaholic girlfriend of mine told me about U.S. Address Inc, a company that provides a physical U.S. address where you can have your parcels shipped/stored. Not having an immediate need for the service, I sort of forgot about it…’til now.

My bf’s birthday is right around the corner and I thought of the PERFECT gift. (I’m not going to mention it here, just in case he reads this! 😉 ) The problem is that the seller, both on eBay + Amazon.com, will not &/or cannot ship to Canada.

I would like to support local businesses, but no one manufactures this item to the same standard of quality here in Canada. So I’d be paying more for an inferior product.  Isn’t that always the case?

I am seriously considering “renting” a U.S. Address and here’s a pro/con list:

PRO
– can get items that aren’t sold in Canada
– can receive items that only ship to “USA Only”. Think some eBay sellers who often have this disclaimer on their listing!
– inexpensive service; website states that fees are $1.50/package up to 50lbs and that includes 1 week of free storage
– may not have to pay duties/taxes, depending on the product

CON
– will have to drive across the border to pick-up merchandise, so depending on what you order, it may not be worth the gas/time spent
– amount of duties/taxes, again depends on a few factors

If you haven’t already, do you think this service is useful? If you have used this service, what did you think of it? Was it worth the effort?

Click here to the U.S. Address Inc. website for more details.

Extreme Couponing season 2 starts!  Will you be watching? To be honest I didn’t even have much interest in season 1.  A lot of it seems to be too extreme or only be aired for sheer shock value.  I believe you can extreme coupon in Canada withougt being shady like some of these “characters”

Click here if you want a sneak peek of season 2

Tickle Me Elmos, Easy Bake Ovens,Wii, Furbies, Cabbage Patch Kids, Pound Puppies, Polly Pockets, Pogs,  Zhu Zhu Pets,….

Every year there is a “hot” toy for Christmas (or winter celebration).  This year I haven’t seen anything or read anything thats hit the top mark with me or my kids.   I can’t help but wonder what this years big hit will be.

Any guesses?

Recently, I’ve had soo much bad customer service that they’ve literally eclipsed any of my positive experiences. In fact, I’m beginning to think that good customer service is going the way of Blockbuster! 🙁

(Part of the reason which contributes to bad customer service is that many people in retail just seem to HATE their jobs. And rightfully so, as they are most likely overqualified, underpaid, and overworked.)

Retail, especially dealing with weirdos, rude people, and slobs, is just not fun. I should know because I have over 10 years experience in retail. And although it’s nothing to be proud about, one valuable thing that I’ve taken away is that I KNOW Good Vs. Bad Customer Service. Furthermore, I know what I’m entitled to as a customer.

Here are some signs that you are getting good customer service:

1. A Greeting. Whether it’s as soon as you walk into a store OR sometime while you’re in the store, a sales associate should acknowledge your presence. A smile will suffice.

2. Good Manners. I wasn’t going to mention this because it’s pretty obvious, but sometimes the sales staff is as rude as some customers. A pleasant demeanor + Ps+Qs goes a long way!

3. “Do you need any help?” This should happen if it seems as though you’re looking for something. While folding jeans, a salesgirl recently asked, in a monotone voice, if I needed help…without even glancing up at me. Sorry, but that doesn’t count!

4. Fitting Room Follow-up. If you’ve made it as far as the fitting room of a clothing store, chances are good that you’re serious about spending cash. So how difficult is it to check-up on customers, ask if they need another size, or simply give your opinion on how something looks on them?

***BONUS POINTS***
5. Know Your Needs, Before You Say Anything. If you’re walking around with an armful of clothing and a staff member offers you a shopping cart, that is a total bonus! It’s sort of like having your glass refilled with water at a restaurant…before you even have to ask. 🙂

I can provide a list of things that make for bad customer service, but let’s focus on the positive, shall we?

It’s not official yet, as per the calendar, but according to the weather…Fall’s here!

I have mixed feelings about ringin’ in this new season: 🙂 – ’cause I no longer have to worry about schwitzing through my clothes and hiding where the A/C dictates, but 🙁 ’cause I don’t want the Summer to end and I don’t feel ready for the change in temperature! Whether/weather I like it or not, it’s here, so I have to deal with it.

And as unescapable as this weather, so is Fall’s latest trend, leopard print! If you step into any mall, you’ll spot leopard purses, leopard shoes, leopard scarves, etc. at every turn. Here are some ways to inject a spot of leopard into your wardrobe…
Calvin Klein, The Bay, $150

(I would’ve liked to have tried this shoe on, but they didn’t have it in my size!)

Steve Madden, Madee, $119.95

I looove these Euro-styled loafers! I didn’t even bother trying them on because I already have a pair of the same style shoes – just not in leopard.

I didn’t hone in on any specific purse, as there were lots to choose from, but picking out a leopard purse can be tricky! Leopard sits on a fine line of classy/trashy, so the print has to be just right.

Last but certainly not least are scarves. What better (and practical) way to add a spot of leopard? Scarves are definitely a must while temps are still in a state of confusion.

Unfortunately today it was announced that the Receivers involved with Blockbuster Canada want the rest of the stores closed down.  In June 2011 150 locations closed while 253 continued to run.  Apparently there has been no buyer for the remaining stores. The ruling will be made September 6th.  If this is passed the stores will start closing down days after.  If you have a gift card for Blockbuster still please use it before September 6th.  It is highly likely  the ruling will be in favour of the Receiver.

But… The news isn’t all bad. The US has a “new company” called the “New Blockbuster” that has the potential of being brought into Canada. At this time there is no announcement of any plans, just speculation.

Click here for more details.

School officially starts in just under a week!  It’s such a bittersweet time for me, while I’m generally happy not to have to listen to my boys fight constantly all day I get sad that my babies are getting that much bigger!  I have a 5 and 12 year old and they are very excited to go back to school!

In June the boys never brought home a back to school list so I’m kind of in the dark what exactly they want them to bring.

Heres my list so far:

Backpacks, lunch pails, paper, pens, pencils, crayons, markers, pencil crayons, binders, erasers, rulers, calculator, math sets, a reusable bottle for water, indoor shoes.

Is my list similar to yours? Is there anything I am missing that is essential?

Have you completed your back to school shopping?  I got quite a bit of my supplies in the US a few weeks ago. I spent less then $10 on all the pencils, crayons, pencil crayons and markers.

My cell phone is on its last legs. The port doesn’t work, so not only does it not charge, but I cannot use the headset or upload photos onto my computer. 🙁 So after a bit of cell phone shopping, I’ve decided to wait ’til October until my contract is up for renewal – hopefully, I can get a free phone.

One thing that I have kinda-sorta settled on is that I do not want to pay for a data plan. Not only are the monthly plans expensive, but so are the phones…especially the iPhone! Starting from $659 for the iPhone 4, where would I have any money leftover for the phone bill? I do consider myself a Mac definitely over a PC, but $700 for a phone – with cell phones lasting an average of 1-1.5 years* – is a bit excessive for my needs!

Aside from the iPhone, it seems as though most cell phone carriers are moving towards the smartphone market…away from the basic, grandpa cells. During my cell shopping, the selection of non-smartphones was very limited, a.k.a. crappy. While there seemed to be an endless selection of androids with all the bells ‘n whistles. So isn’t this just a sneaky way for carriers to force its customers into “upgrading” to data plans?

After reading this article about a possible “cheaper” 8 GB iPhone 4 – “the price is hard to go below $200” – it’s alluring to make the switch to a data plan, if this rumour actually becomes the truth. However, I’m not sure why Apple would release a cheaper version, since many people are willing to shell out big bucks for their existing iPhones.

So if you’re in the same position as I am, i.e. one of the last few remaining people who doesn’t own an iPhone/smartphone/android, would you buy a cheaper iPhone, only to sign up for a monthly data plan?

* Based on personal experience.

I’m not much of a gadget person, but I know that many of you are so this may be of interest to all you tekkies!

Last week, HP announced that they are discontinuing their tablets. So after this news broke, electronics retailers have begun to sell off their remaining HP Touchpads at the major discount price of $99.99 for the 16GB model which retailed for $449.99! With the 32GB model selling for $149.99.

But there’s a catch: The units are hard to come by since prices have been dramatically slashed. Most retail places are already sold out of them. 🙂 Have you managed to get your hands on one?

Click here to read the news story.

Depending on how you look at it, un/fortunately, the opening of The Ex marks the end of the Summer. It’s an unfortunate sign to me because it means that Old Man Winter, and all his nasty baggage, is just ’round the corner! 🙁

Following an annual family tradition of visiting The Ex, my sisters, nephew, and I decided to revisit that childhood memory. I was blown away at how different AND expensive everything has become. For some reason, I remember The Ex being a relatively inexpensive way to spend the day, but man was I wrong!

(General Admission is $16 which doesn’t sound bad, but since they wouldn’t honour my mom’s corporate rate, I wasn’t able to purchase tickets for $11. Already, this got my day off on the wrong foot! The run ’round that I was given by the staff also left a bad taste in my mouth.)

After spending the entire day there, here are some ways to try and save some money if you plan to visit The Ex:

1. Corporate Rate. If you or anyone in your family qualifies for a Corporate Rate, find out exactly the number of people who will be attending and purchase the tickets ONLINE. As I discovered the hard way, they do not sell discounted tickets at the event. If you are unable to pin down exact numbers, buy an extra ticket – you can always sell it to a stranger in-line.  Tickets are non-refundable.

2.  Bring Cash. I didn’t have time to stop at the bank and didn’t think it would be a problem to use debit or credit card, after all I was in the city. However, aside from the main box office, I did not see any debit machines at the concession stands. The warehouse “stores” may accept these forms of payment, but not where food is purchased and definitely not for the midway games. If you have no cash, there are a bunch of umarked ATM machines, but I avoid those at all costs!

3. Pack Some Food. Unlike more theme parks, e.g. Wild Water Kingdom, the staff at The Ex do not have a “No outside food” policy.  Actually, no one even inspected my purse.  So take advantage of this and pack some snacks or even sandwiches!

4. Bring your water bottle. My sister pointed out these handy-dandy water fountains set-up specifically to fill your water bottle! (They weren’t as rampant as the unmarked ATMs, but I did notice a couple on my rounds.) Since I brought my water bobble with me, this was really handy – not to mention saving me from shelling out upwards of $3 for a bottle of water. 🙂

5. Share, share, share at The Food Building. There is no doubt, at least in my eyes, that The Food Building is still the #1 draw at The Ex! Neither the Krispy Kreme Doughnut Burger nor the Fried Cola/Butter/Koolaid, etc. interests me, but what I do like is seeing all the variety of food that’s under one roof…the infamous, Food Building!

We didn’t pre-plan things, but my sisters and I split 1 meal for lunch! We thought that it would be a good way to try more than one thing. Aside from the 99¢ Spaghetti, most of the concession items appeared to be 2-3 portions…easily!

6. Don’t play the midway games or go on any of the rides. I realise that this tip may seem “extreme” to some of you, but this is how my mom, as the sole breadwinner, was able to take us to places like The Ex. The first time we were old enough to speak, we may have asked if we could play a game or go on the rides, but after saying “No” the first time, we never asked in subsequent years.  At $20/22 tickets, at an average of 4-6 tickets/ride, they aren’t cheap! And if you have more than one child, it’s even more expensive.

This option may not be for everyone, but if you’re really strapped for cash, it’s definitely an option! If you and your spouse can afford to, but all means, buy the ride tickets, play the midway games. However, there are other ways to have fun at The Ex without spending additional cash, e.g. Petting Zoo, The Farm, live music, people watching, just walking around, etc.

7. Skip The Ex and head to the park! Despite thinking that it’s overrated and overpriced, I still had a good time bonding with my family. However, if money is a real concern which I can totally sympathise with, especially for multi-children families, skip The Ex entirely as it does add up.

I’m sure that your family can bond by doing something less costly like a picnic at the park/beach or a day downtown or at Niagara Falls. Shopping for school supplies and clothing may not constitute as a “bonding activity”, but your money is probably better spent doing that if you had to decide between The Ex Vs. A Necessity.

If you’re set on visiting The Ex, consider going after 5pm on Monday – Thursday as admission is only $5.  And on a rare occasion, sometimes there’s a “Free Admission” day too.

Are you and your spouse overdue for a mini-vacay? Well, here’s an AMAZING deal that I stumbled upon via TravelZoo: 1 night’s stay at the Hilton Hotel and Suites Niagara Falls/Fallsview with an in-room jacuzzi, a wine tour, and 2 meals for $139!

Book by September 4th. These deals tend to sell out quick, so act just as quickly!

Click here for more details.