Internet Prices UP for ALL Canadians, starting March 1, 2011

Make your voice heard. This is a step back for all Canadians
There is a new 25GB cap (UBB) effective March 1, 2011 for ALL CANADIANS
Imagine paying $10~$50 more for the exact same Internet. $1 for 1 extra gb

Globe & Mail article - A metered Internet is a regulatory failure
CTV News - Internet usage caps draw ire of business
TekSavvy UBB FAQ for all your questions

TekSavvy was kind enough to charge less for extra usage than Bell/Rogers, ON TOP of my $30/month Internet bill
* $4.75 - 40GB extra usage
* $9.50 - 80GB extra usage
* $14.25 - 120GB extra usage (maximum 3 blocks)
* $55.00 - 275GB extra usage (maximum 240GB extra usage in Quebec)

Titanic Exhibition at Kitchener Museum

http://www.themuseum.ca/main.cfm

Catch it while you can before it closes Monday Jan 24 5 pm. I hope I can make it this weekend

OPEN 36 HOURS STRAIGHT!
10AM Fri to 10PM Sat
Only $10 between: 10PM and 10AM

Friday, 10pm is sold out with other times throughout the night not far behind! Buy online to beat the lines!

Free and Easy to Get Credit Report

I ordered an EQUIFAX Credit Report via the automated phone line 1-800-465-7166 on Jan 7, 2011
It asks for SIN, DoB, house #, postal code, a CC #, and that's it

Received the report Jan 18, 2011, consists of MANY pages (I have too many credit cards, ha)
Not gonna bother with TransUnion as it's more complicated


Equifax: 1-800-465-7166

TransUnion: 1-800-663-9980 (outside Quebec) or 1-877-713-3393 (within Quebec)

Source: Globe and Mail - It's easy to get a free credit report. Honest!

Childbirth Parenting Class at Conestoga College

For any new moms in Kitchener-Waterloo, I totally recommend attending this class at Conestoga College

GINT0540 Childbirth Parenting Series

Description: This course is designed for first time parents who are about to experience the birth of their baby. It will prepare parents for their birth experience and the postpartum period. Topics include: the birth process, preparation of a birth plan, comfort measures for birth, possible medical interventions in labour, cesarean birth, breastfeeding, infant care, and a hospital tour. Cost includes expectant mother and partner. For classes held at the Doon campus there will be a tour of the Cambridge Memorial Hospital. For classes held at the Waterloo campus there will be a tour of Grand River Hospital.

Hours: 12 <- we did it in 2 days, 9-5 pm SAT/SUN, and 3 weeks before our due date

Day 1

• Labour - phases/stages, signs, what to bring
• Lots of "disturbing" videos for those unprepared...
• C-section
• Breathing techniques to reduce stress

Day 2

• Bathing
• Diapers
• Breastfeeding
• Crying baby - PURPLE
• Grand River Hospital Tour

If you would like a copy of the notes I typed out, please email me!

TRIP - Niagara Falls and Shopping in US

As we were doing nothing at home for the holidays, we decided to take advantage of Oakes Hotel's Gourment Package deal and took a 2-Day-1-Night trip to Niagara Falls and some shopping in U.S. for the baby.

Generously, the Gourment Getaway package includes quite a few things, for $99

• A room at The Oakes Hotel Overlooking the Falls (1 room, double occupancy)  
• Bonus: FREE Wireless internet access
• An elegant gourmet dinner for two at the award winning Remington’s of Niagara (includes appetizer, main entrée, and coffee or tea)
• Appetizer options - Caesar Salad, Simple Salad or Remington’s Signature Prime Rib Soup
• Entrée options - Prime Rib, New York Striploin, Filet of Salmon, Stuffed Chicken Supreme, Penne Rustica or Veal Parmesan
• A full, hot, made to order breakfast for two each morning of your stay our on-site Applebee's Grill & Bar
• VIP Wine Tasting at Inniskillin Estates Winery - enjoy 2 VQA Inniskillin Table Wines and their world renowned Vidal Ice wine per person
• VIP Wine Tasting at Peller Estates Winery
• VIP Wine Tasting at Hillebrand Winery
• VIP Wine Tasting at Jackson Triggs Winery

Jan 2, 2011

• McDonald breakfast - 2 can dine coupon
• Shopping at IKEA Burlington - $100
• Canada One Factory Outlet at Lundy's Lane - Deals suck there, full parking lot
• Check-in at Oakes Hotel Niagara Falls - no upgrade for our wedding anniversary :( Got a FALLSIDE room on 5th floor, with obstructed view (trees) of the Falls
• VIP Wine Tasting at Inniskillin, then Peller Estates - Inniskilln (2 icewine/person!!) over Pell Estates any day
• Dinner at Remington restaurant - Prime Rib was awesome, Singing waitresses awesome too!
• Magic Show at Greg Frewin Theatre - $15 per person, sat at first row to see Lion, Tiger, Baby Tigers!!

Jan 3, 2011

• Breakfast at Applebee's - Stuffed with Pancake and French Toast, but blend overall
• US Custom - Almost wouldn't let Wendy enter with her 36-weeks belly, but reluctantly did after asking my OBGYN info. Every time I see them, I am thankful for holding a Canadian Passport
• Fashion Outlet - $50 - Old Navy & Gap
• Walmart Supercenter - $75 - quite a place to shop for everything
• Walden Galeria - $25 - Old Navy
• Dinner (Happy Hours daily 3-6 pm) at P.F. Cheng - $38, best deal of this trip with great food
• CANADIAN Custom - Asked for receipts to show $150 purchased, opened trunk for inspection before letting us go
• Lastly... grocery shopping at T&T Mississauga before heading back to Waterloo

Conclusion

• The trip was worthwhile (we did buy a lot for Ella, but at cheaper prices than Canada at least), and the Happy Hours at P.F. Chang was certainly a great surprise to end the trip.
• My review on RFD
• Every baby product we look for is much cheaper in U.S. (from 50% to 30% cheaper) where selections are usually better also (Old Navy, Gap, Walmart Supercenter). We bought $150 worth of baby stuff, on top of IKEA = it was a money-spending and money-saving trip ^_^