My Son's Chocolate Cheerios Review

My 6 year old son is picky when it comes to food and cereals are not exception. We often end up getting several different kinds before we find a winner. Here is his review of the New Chocolate Cheerios. The box was $2.97 at No Frills, however, we had the pleasure of getting our box for free through a web promotion on websaver.ca.

I Can't Understand My Electricity Bill

The other day I received my electricity bill. It was $587.70. Here is a breakdown of the bill:
Energy Charge: $297.70
Delivery: $89.12
Regulatory Charges: $$22.37
Debt Retirement: $21.82
Global Adjustment: $125.39
Global Adjustment Recovery: $6.18
Interest Charge on Overdue Amount: $15.56
Ontario Clean Energy Benefit (-10%): -$63.57
HST: $73.13
______________________________________
Total: $587.70

I will be honest, the only charges I understand are the Energy Charge (the cost of my actual energy use), Interest Charge on Overdue Amount (interest accrued on my previous balance outstanding) and H.S.T.(Harmonized Sales Tax).

I have no clue what the rest of my bill means. It's all gibbirish. When I call Veridian for an explanation of what these terms are, they direct me to the back of my bill (which only shows the definition of Delivery, Debt Retirement and Regulatory Charges. Global Adjustment is nowhere to be found - surprise, surprise!! All these charges that my electricity company is charging me is called one thing - profit. Nobody, not the electricity company, not my MPP or my MP can explain why my bill is double the energy use.

I am sick and tired of having to shell out money to large, monopolistic companies, who make their billions in profits off mine and everybody else's hardwork. Are you kidding me? Double my energy charge...when is the money enough? The worst part about this, is that this and many other companies have the Government's blessing to steal from consumers. As an individual, if I was to attempt this type of theft, I would be arrested, labelled a thief and a fraudster and sent to jail. But as a corporation, it's ok. Wrong very wrong!!!

Cashiers and coupons

I've realized why many people are "embarrassed" to use coupons. I mean, who would, with all the attitude you get from some cashiers. I am an avid coupon user, but I don't want to be judged by my "financial savvy". The amount of  roll of the eyes, the huffing and puffing and even a few smirks I've received from cashiers, is enough to make me slap a person.

Sometimes, it's not even the cashier, it's the shopper behind me in line. I can tell because I can hear and see the shifting of the feet and the looking around. I'm sorry, am I taking too long with my transaction? Whatever, kiss my a** and find another line if I'm taking too long. You of all people should be supporting this, not trying to make me feel uncomfortable. 

As for the cashier, don't treat my coupon use like it's food stamps or a welfare cheque. I'm not buying a yacht with the $0.75 I saved on soy milk. However, to save a little bit of money does help in other aspects of life. So next time, I am in line with my coupons, smile, take them and keep your attitude to yourself.


Happy Shopping!!

Free Huggies Rewards Code

All codes expire Dec.31/11.

HDPXX-BBGHR-HLFDD

TRSGP-MHZDX-WWNGB

RPFTG-DBNSC-RDXPT

Happy Shopping!!

The Lazy Consumer

I just watched an episode of Extreme Couponing. It's the TLC show about what people will do to save money by using coupons. As I watched the show, it got me thinking about my couponing habits and the habits of Canadians in general. Of course, in many stores across the country, we can't double-up and triple-up on coupons, like our US counterparts, but the clever consumer will utilize strategies to get the most bang for their buck. We, as consumers, should demand more from our stores. We should be demanding they be more flexible with their policies. But, as Canadians, we will complain and never do anything about it. We are just lazy consumers.