A few words I need to say February 28, 2010
Posted by gmbmfb in : blog , 11commentsThis post is in response to Fabulously Broke, who wrote this post, on one of her other blogs, Style on a String. On this blog, she posts pictures of some of her favourite outfits – and more than once, she has been insulted because of the way she looks – how she does her nails, how her body isn’t a certain way. It’s just downright rude.
I definitely think there has been some sort of switch that has been flipped. All of a sudden, bloggers everywhere are being attacked by commenters. Rude, vicious, vindictive commenters who, instead of giving constructive criticism, decide to personally attack the authour of whatever blog they are reading.
Whatever happened to the days when people were nice to others on the internet? To this day, I have never ever written a nasty comment on anybody’s blog. And I would never write something that I wouldn’t have the courage to say to their face.
Blogs are written by human beings with feelings. That is the appeal about them. Every day you can glimpse into their lives and how they think and see things through their eyes. Just because you can’t see them in real life, and just because you don’t have face-to-face interaction, doesn’t mean they should be treated like they are less than human.
If you are chatting with a friend about something you don’t agree with, or you don’t like what they are wearing, or you think they’re fat, or you think they’re doing something completely stupid … would you ever talk to them and use the same words on them, as you would when typing a comment on a blog? Probably not. Chances are, you would spent time thinking about the best, most constructive way, to give them advice. And you certainly wouldn’t attack who they are as a person, or their integrity as a human being. Because that would be mean.
Clearly this blog has had its fair share of nasty comments. People go out of their way to try and put me down – to make me feel like I’m less of a person, to tell me I’m stupid, to tell me that I’m wasting my money, my life, my time, etc. When I started this blog, and I received my first nasty comment, I nearly cried. Why would someone take the time to write such mean things to a stranger!? But supportive, kind, constructive comments always outweighed the nasty ones. And I built a thicker skin.
I have never put comment moderation on this blog because I encourage discussions. I like hearing opinions, and I enjoy constructive criticism. Obviously because I write this blog and it’s up on the internet for the world to read, everybody is entitled to their own opinion. I understand that by having this blog, I have to be open to criticism and the occasional negative comment. If you don’t agree with me, of course I want to hear what you have to say! But there’s no need to attack me as a person. You don’t actually know who I am. You just know the snippets of my life that I’m choosing to share and make public. I make decisions and spend my money how I see fit – and if someone feels the need to spend the time personally attacking my integrity, my opinions, and my decisions in a vicious way, go right ahead. But life is short. Is your time really best spent on the internet, trying to insult someone you’ll never meet?
I’m not afraid of rude, ridiculously mean comments anymore. I don’t delete any of them either because I don’t care. I just think it’s pathetic.
Please remember that blogging is about supportive, healthy, and positive discussion. These blogs are written by human beings; most likely by people who have the courage to talk about topics in such a way that you wouldn’t dream of doing yourself. Put yourself in their shoes, and think about what it would feel like to be beaten down and criticized like that – especially when they are sharing so much with the world, and are vulnerable because of it.
So please leave your harsh criticisms and your judgment at the door. Thanks. :)
Quicken Essentials FOR MAC!!! February 26, 2010
Posted by gmbmfb in : budget , 5comments
I just got my paws on something that I have been waiting for FOR YEARS: Quicken Essentials for Mac. I almost didn’t switch over to Mac because I hated the last version of Quicken for Mac. True story! That version was awful. So I ended up installing Parallels on my Mac just so I could run Quicken for PC (and Rollercoaster Tycoon – what!?). Well, Parallels broke for me a few years ago (can’t figure out how to fix it – I think I need a Windows XP disc), so I’ve been using an Excel spreadsheet. Which is all fine and good, but nothing beats Quicken IMO.
I’ve done the initial set-up and downloaded my transactions from my bank accounts … will do a full review once I’ve used it for a few weeks.
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On a Quicken-related note, don’t forget to enter to win a copy of Quicken Cash Manager (for PC)!
Breaking up with Philosophy February 26, 2010
Posted by gmbmfb in : spending , 14comments
After a week of using my Philosophy creams, it wanted to break up with me. Which was fine, because I wanted to break up with it too. It was a bad relationship all around. Philosophy deceived me into thinking it was such a fabulous catch. The first few days (the honeymoon phase) were amazing. I felt so much love. My skin felt good and radiant. But after about 4 or 5 days, its true colours came out. My skin became irritated, flaky, itchy and super super dry. I wanted to make it work, tried as hard as I could. But it just wasn’t meant to be. Deception! Total bait and switch.
So I went off to Sephora to break up with Philosophy for good, and to find me a new cream that would love me back.
I spoke to a saleswoman who didn’t seem too surprised that Philosophy hates me. She said that she has a sneaking suspicion that people with super dry skin can’t wear that brand – even their “dry sensitive skin” cream … because she got the same symptoms when she tried to use it too. And anytime anyone ever returned Philosophy creams (which is rare), they almost always had the same problems.
She recommended Korres (didn’t like the smell of any of the creams), but suggested that Ole Henriksen might be a better brand for me (felt great on my skin). I then asked about Skyn (remembering that Fabulously Broke had reviewed one of their creams, and they got really good reviews on the Sephora website). The saleswoman said that the Skyn Pure Cloud Cream was absolutely fabulous and THE BEST moisturizer for dry, sensitive skin in their natural products line.
So I broke up with Philosophy, and started a new relationship with Skyn Pure Cloud Cream ($75 US), Skyn Glacial Face Wash ($30 US), and the Skyn Icelandic Relief Eye Pen ($20 US).
First impressions of Skyn?
I feel hesitant in singing praises for Skyn after I was so horribly wrong about Philosophy, but I feel like this relationship is going to work. Oh, and you know what is absolutely amazing? No more oily t-zone! It’s just … gone. That has never happened before for me.
The Pure Cloud Cream feels like heaven. The moment I first put the cream onto my face, I felt instantly hydrated. It felt like I had given my skin a huge drink of moisture. Face felt nice and soft, and way less itchy and tight. Flakes are gone for the most part. I have a tiny patch of ezcema above one of my eyebrows – it’s still a bit bothersome, but way less red, not flaky anymore and has definitely calmed down.
The Glacial Face Wash is to die for. It has the best consistancy and best feel of any face wash I’ve ever tried. Creamy and foamy. They say you only need a dime-sized amount, but I was using half that and it was more than enough. And it didn’t leave my skin feeling tight or dry either.
The Icelandic Relief Eye Pen is pretty good. I don’t have dark circles, never have puffiness, and don’t have wrinkles. I use eye creams for preventative care. Not really sure how much I like the pen. Will probably buy the jar the next time around. Providing this brand works for me, that is.
The only bad thing about Skyn so far is that it’s expensive. I just got one cream to use for day/night, instead of separate creams. Although, the eye cream is cheaper than Philosophy as was the face wash – and will last longer. So, when I returned all of the Philosophy products, because I only bought one jar of cream and the face wash & eye cream were cheaper, I got a little refund over what I paid for the Philosophy stuff (< $10). Not bad, but still costly.
Sweden vs. Slovakia February 25, 2010
Posted by gmbmfb in : entertainment , 7commentsLast night BF and I went to the Sweden/Slovakia quarter-finals game. Did anyone watch it!? What an awesome, epic game. Even though we were literally in the very last row in the uppers.
It was especially an amazing experience to be downtown right after Canada beat Russia. I’ve never been more proud to be Canadian, than in the past 2 weeks.
Here are a few pictures from the night.
GMBMFB turns 3 today! February 25, 2010
Posted by gmbmfb in : blog , 22comments
Can you believe this blog has been around for 3 freaking years!? I remember when I first started, the PF blogosphere was relatively small – and now it has just exploded! Talking about personal finance has become cool! I absolutely love it.
In the time I’ve had this blog, I’ve gotten out of debt, got a new job, got fired from new job, broke up with my BF, met current BF, got a new job, moved to Vancouver, quit job, got a new job, had LASIK eye surgery, crashed and totaled BF’s car, moved in with BF, planned to go traveling around the world, canceled world travel plans, bought a new car, and am now saving for a house. Whew!
Since I started tracking my finances 3.5 years ago, I’ve gone from a -$20k networth to a +$40k networth. That’s a difference of $60,000! There’s always room for improvement, but that’s not too shabby if I do say so myself.
This blog began on February 25, 2007, and since that time Give Me Back My Five Bucks has …
- Over 2,270 posts
- Over 900,000 page views
- Over 620,000 unique visitors
- Been featured in the Financial Post Magazine, Globe & Mail, MSN Money and the Wall Street Journal (x2)
- Made some great PF friends along the way
Also, to throw in some link love, here are my Top 10 all-time referrals!
- An English Major’s Money – *cries* I miss you! Are you still around?
- I’ve Paid For This Twice Already – another blog that has fallen to the wayside. So sad. :(
- Well-Heeled Blog
- Ugly Debty
- Budgets Are Sexy
- A Canadian and Her Money – she hasn’t written in a really long time, but was one of my inspirations for starting this blog! I remember the glorious day she linked to my blog.
- Budgeting Babe – she’s on an indefinite hiatus.
- Saving to Pay Down My Home – one of my very first PF friends. :)
- Saving 4 Later
- Stacking Pennies
Hearts to all of my GMBMFB readers. You guys are fantastic. It’s been a great 3 years, and I’m excited to see where the next 3 years takes this blog!
You suck BC Ferries! February 24, 2010
Posted by gmbmfb in : miscellaneous , 4commentsCBC.ca has reported that BC Ferries will hike up their fares AGAIN for April 1st. That means instead of paying $13.50 as a walk-on passenger one-way, I will now pay $14. I remember back in the day, the ferry cost less than $10! Less than 2 years ago, I only paid $11.80.
There was no specific reason for the rise in fares. NICE! I love paying more money for no reason.
I know that I really don’t have a right to complain – if I don’t want to use the ferry service, I don’t have to. They’re a business that’s in it to make money. Fuel costs, salary increases, etc. It all costs them money. But still. It’s not like there’s another way to get to the island. Besides taking a plane. Or buying my own boat and starting a rival ferry service.
Norway vs. Slovakia February 24, 2010
Posted by gmbmfb in : entertainment , add a commentSo who watched last night’s Norway/Slovakia game? It was AMAZING. I was so sure Slovakia would dominate, but they only ended up winning 4-3. And when Norway tied up the game with 0.1 seconds left in the 2nd period? GM Place Canada Hockey Place went crazy! And I was cheering for Norway so much during the game that I don’t have much of a voice this morning. :) I’m sure it’ll get even worse tonight at the Sweden vs. Slovakia quarter-finals game.
We ate dinner at Red Robins by Metrotown because we didn’t want to fight the crowds for a place to eat downtown. My meal came to $19 after tax & tip.
When we got downtown, we went to see the cauldron. And I had to take the obligatory picture of it. There’s a platform you can get to, where you can get a better picture of the cauldron, and my friend said that the last time she was downtown the line-up was over an hour long. Last night, we waited maybe 5 minutes? It pays to go when the weather isn’t as great.
The energy in Canada Hockey Place was electric. So many people waving Norway and Slovakia flags. And I didn’t realize how many amazing players Slovakia has – no wonder why they beat Russia!
Palffy, Hossa, Chara, Demitra, Gaborik, Handzus, Kopecky, Satan, Stumpel, Zednik, Jurcina, Visnovsky … and not to mention Halak in net. Pretty impressive!
Our seats weren’t that great, Row 13 in the uppers, but every seat in Canada Hockey Place is a good one. Plus, I had my trusty Canon G-10 with me and it has a 20x zoom, so I was able to get pretty decent shots of the game.
Scary moment just minutes into the game! Norway’s Ole-Kristian Tollefsen elbowed Lubos Bartecko. Bartecko’s helmet flew off, and his head hit the ice. Blood was everywhere, it was pretty scary. I think he ended up with a concussion and a gash to the back of his head.
Someone threw a beach ball onto the ice, and none of the refs even went to pick it up. It was on there for a good 3 or 4 minutes. Some of the players would bat it with their sticks. And this play, two players even fell on top of it (to see the balloon under them, you might have to click on the picture to see the larger version). Anyway it was pretty funny.
The game was well worth the $80 I spent on the ticket. It was by far the most entertaining hockey game I have ever been to, and I can’t wait for the quarter-final game tonight at 9pm!
Also, I’ll be downtown while the Canada/Russia quarter-final is happening (4:30pm start). And if we don’t win? I am definitely predicting some riots. Go, Canada, go!
Is winter officially over? February 24, 2010
Posted by gmbmfb in : entertainment , add a comment
Is this the end of winter for Vancouver? We didn’t even HAVE a winter. I think it snowed one day in mid-December, melted by the next day, and we haven’t seen a snowflake since. I haven’t worn a jacket all winter. Before this rain came to town a few days ago, I wore my flip flops almost every day for 2 weeks. It’s absolutely crazy!
For the sake of my skiing pass, I certainly hope we get more snow up on those North Shore mountains. I paid $370 for my ski pass mid-way through last season, and the pass is valid until the end of this season … but I’ve only gone skiing at Grouse ONCE this entire season.
Last season I used my pass 10 times in 1/2 season, and combined with this season’s one time, that’s 11. Meaning my cost-per-use for my ski pass is $33.66 … and that doesn’t even factor in the cost for the ski gear that I’ve purchased.
COME ON MOTHER NATURE! WE NEED SOME SNOW!!!
