Once more I’m going to try to make Mike’s claim of no more Saturday posts incorrect :-). What should we put the odds at that we’ll get a Saturday post out of Mike next weekend?
Weight was 171 this week. I’m back on program, eating healthy again and seeing the results. I’m *SUCH* a fan of logging information you’re trying to change (be it spending, saving or weight). Come to think of it, that might make a good post…
I’m just going to give one link this week, and its from an older post. I just came across an interview on Financial Jungle that I really liked. It was posted back in January, but I missed it somehow. Good to see the results of someone who has pursued this strategy over the long term. Of course, his results are no indication of what ours will be, but encouraging nevertheless.
I always love interviews: bloggers should do more of them! (I don’t think I’ve ever done one on this blog either, that’s something I should change).
Adapting to life in Kitchener-Waterloo has been going well. The sushi here is over-priced and inedible (and the Pad Thai is just minimally better), so there may be regular trips to Toronto in the future. Mr. Sushi was good when I was here before, but its gone downhill. I can make sushi, but its A LOT of work. Probably it’d be worth learning how to make a decent Pad Thai…
I got my funding all sorted out, and it should be enough for me to live off of. It looks like I’ll be clearing $1418.40 / month (before my condo or dividend income) and spending around $1300 (given my current estimated and recent spending). Tight, but manageable.
2 months ago I made a prediction that Toronto was in a housing slump and it’d be clear to everyone by today. Its still uncertain (although I still feel the market is cooling), so I guess I’ll call myself wrong on this count. Please keep this in mind any time I make predictions in the future :-). I keep counseling friends and family to hold off buying, so I hope I’m not leading them astray.
I’m bouncing around the idea in my noggin’ of putting together a book about living cheap in the big city. Mike suggested that there might be interest in expanding on some of my “frugal living” posts (I had previously suggested expanding his RESP series to a book and us writing a book together so this might have just been a suggestion to get me to stop bugging him). I’d probably set it up as a print on demand book from Lulu or some such site. One of my life goals is to write and publish a book, and this may be the time and topic to do so. Any thoughts about what the level of interest might be in such a beast? Would any regular readers consider ordering it? Do you think there’d be interest from people who don’t read the blog? Do you think this is a topic that’s already covered well by existing books? Which ones? What topics would you be particularly interested in if you did purchase it? Would another topic (maybe a romance novel about a frugal man and the women who love him) be of interest instead?
9 replies on “Saturday Weigh In, Link and Updates”
I find that Taka’s sushi isn’t terrible (nor Sakura Island, but the variety isn’t as great in their sets). Lately, though I find I’m going to Ye’s to fill my sushi + gorging needs. The sushi is consistently adequate and there’s a far amount of variety on their menu, especially in the evening. Combine that with the non-sushi items on the menu (I love the grilled eggplant), and I find you can get an acceptable meal. It’s not cheap cheap, but I do enjoy the buffet=>choice aspect of it.
I think I’ve only had Pad Thai once in my life, at Pho Ben Thanh on Northfield, and I was decidedly underwhelmed – one’s much better off getting a vermicelli bowl there (lemongrass chicken or barbecued beef, for my preference), so I’m of no use to you in that department.
Hippo: I’ll try those, thanks! If you want to have a good Pad Thai, try Springrolls near Young and Bloor in Toronto.
It is good you can live off your stipend- that will make life as a student much easier if you can live within your means- something I always struggled with 🙂 Making Pad Thai is relatively easy if you have ingredients on hand, and worth it if you are craving it. Had some last night from take out… yummy.
Interesting how people’s opinions can differ based on a particular server or day.
When I worked downtown, I lived at Yonge and Bloor and wasn’t a huge fan of SpringRolls. It was good but far too busy/cramped for my liking. Might have to give it another try next time.
For sushi in K/W, I prefer Niko Niko in downtown Kitchener. Menu is limited, but good quality and service. Ye’s is probably best in town for the sake of variety but I feel like I’m in a cafeteria when I’m there.
I think you should definitely do the book (living on a shoestring in the big city, not the romance one 😉 – with everyone worried about the economy (particularly in central Canada) my bet is that the market is there and you’d get some good exposure in the press..
Do post about it if you go forward.. best of luck :)..
WW: You should post your recipe
Rev: I tend to judge restaurants just by their food (and the line up to get in). Ambiance and whatnot doesn’t affect the experience too much for me. Maybe you should try take-out / delivery from SpringRolls and see how you enjoy it when its JUST the food.
Jo: Thanks for your feedback! You’re right that it might be a good time, economically speaking, to publish something along those lines… I’m definitely going to track down the book you recommended (“The Complete Tightwad Gazette”).
@Cheap: I’ll remember the reputation, but don’t head to Toronto proper too often, so it may be a while.
@Reverend: I have heard good things about Niko Niko, but have never been, so didn’t want to comment (although you’ve revived my desire to try it). About Ye’s, did you go to the Kitchener or Waterloo (Northfield and King) location? I find the former’s atmosphere much more cafeterialike than the latter.
Oh, and Ye’s Kitchener is currently closed for remodelling (or was recently), so give a call before you trundle down.
MC: a good review of the book is found here http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/review-the-complete-tightwad-gazette/
Jo: Great review, thanks for the link!