Canadian and US Retirement Accounts – Navigating US Retirement Accounts As A Canadian

 
Canadian and US Retirement Accounts – Navigating US Retirement Accounts as a Canadian

Retirement accounts are an incentive to enable workers to put money aside and plan ahead for their retirement whilst at the same time allowing for a lower tax bracket and some flexibility. In this article, I will discuss the Canadian System and the American System, highlighting the benefits of each.

Image by jcomp on Freepik

 

Eczema Era and How to Navigate Through It

Eczema Era and How to Navigate Through It

JGI/GETTY IMAGES

 Ever since I moved to the West, my skin became more sensitive, my teeth became sensitive (Sensodyne). Heck, even my feelings became more sensitive!

In a beautiful summer day in 2018, I found out I had developed Eczema. It first started off as a very bad allergic reaction around my eyes to a renewed formula of a mascara I have been using for years. That coupled with a high amount of stress I was going through at the time, caused a severe Eczema reaction. One thing worth mentioning is although I was living in a cold dry climate like Canada, I had never moisturized before.

What is Eczema you may think?

According to Mayo Clinic, it is "Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a condition that causes dry, itchy and inflamed skin. It's common in young children but can occur at any age. Atopic dermatitis is long lasting (chronic) and tends to flare sometimes. It can be irritating but it's not contagious.

People with atopic dermatitis are at risk of developing food allergies, hay fever and asthma. Moisturizing regularly and following other skin care habits can relieve itching and prevent new outbreaks (flares). Treatment may also include medicated ointments or creams."

How to Fix a Table with Ripped Screws !

 
How to fix a Table with Ripped Screws and Make that Profit!

Living in a world of constant change, I try to convince myself I know how to hustle. Moving somewhere new presented itself as an opportunity to furnish my apartment. What is a balcony with a spectacular view if you don't have a nice patio set? 

First thing I did is look at Facebook Market Place but all high quality sets were above a $100. Eager to get the best bang for my buck, I searched on Marshalls online store. Needless to say, I buy everything from Marshalls! Not only do they have good deals for great designs but also, they have great customer service.

I bought the first set for my lovely balcony. With all eagerness to its arrival, it came broken with an important piece screwed off. I called in and sent pictures of the damage as requested. In a little less than a week, a new set was sent to my door.

I was left with this table that has a misplaced piece which technically could be fixed should I wish to pursue a solution. Little did I know I can be Mrs. Fix it.

What you need to buy:

1. Tooth picks
2. Wood Glue
3. Sand Paper
4. Screwdriver
5. Pocket Knife

Easy to follow steps are found below:

1. First you need to fill the holes with wood. The issue at hand is the holes are bigger than the nails. Hence, why nails cannot be screwed back easily. The way this is done is by inserting multiple tooth picks into the hole so that its filled -- with wood glue in between all of tooth picks and surrounding the hole itself. 
   
   
   
   
2. Next, shorten the tooth picks by cutting the excess amount above the hole's level using a pocket knife.
3. Do this for all holes and wait for it to dry.
4. Once dried, use sand paper to level the entire playing field. This ensures the screws will fill the holes perfectly well.
5. Once done, rescrew the nails into the flat surface in the approximate location where the holes were. The nails will penetrate the toothpick wood in the hold and be held in place.  
6. Before you know it, you're table is all set!

Now, back to my plan of trying to be a hustler. I have an extra set I can sell for pure profit and so can you if you are ever presented with a similar situation!

Canada to USA | The Cross-Border Move Done Efficiently — Car Registration and Moving

Canada to USA | The Cross-Border Move Done Efficiently — 
Car Registration and Moving 

Moving can be both an exhilarating and cumbersome experience. Driving away with Toronto skyline in my rear view mirror felt like I was headed towards home. I was ready to close that chapter of my life and to start anew … In TEXAS.

I decided to pack-up all my belongings, sell what I can, donate what I can’t and ship my car and what’s inside it whilst figuring out the process of registering my car in Texas.

1|      CROSSING THE BORDER

 I took advantage of Ontario’s proximity to the border. One thing to keep in mind is shipping your car directly from Ontario to Texas would cost me approximately $500 USD more. The reason is this process requires more third party participants:

a.       Canadian Shipping Company: Ships vehicle from Ontario to Michigan ($350 USD)

b.       US company to ship the car from Michigan to Texas ($1,300 USD).

c.       A paralegal to handle customs for the vehicle—which they would hire for that process with an hourly rate between $150 - $300.

d.       Any additional fees by the US customs on what is inside the car

Looking to cut costs and simplify the issue at hand, I worked with only one US Shipping Company to move my car from Michigan to Texas and drove the car myself to Michigan. The quote I received at the time by AutoStar Transport Express was for $1,300 USD but it changes since fuel costs fluctuate. The way this process works is AutoStar coordinates with a driver to deliver your vehicle within a week’s timeframe. This means you need to move your car to a “safe reliable place” for a week’s duration. Hence, the adventure continues and I drove my vehicle to Michigan and left it at a relative’s house with the keys. Please note that Canadian insurance companies have a limit of how long they will insure you out of the province you were in. Mine was up to two months.

Keep Shining! | Mar. 2009 ✧･ﾟ✧

Keep Shining! | Mar. 2009

I'm filled with optimism, I'm finally the light
& I never ever knew anything that could feel this right
Like a power that washes away my dreads
Yet at the same time, clears most troubled heads

I'm so calm, I'm serene
The darkness in me is obscene
I never knew that the best love out there
is to love one self, it's THE endless flair
So right now, I'll never feel as good
But hey, it's fun to push the limit to see if I would

Crashing Waves of Instability | Aug.28.2022 ✧･ﾟ✧

Crashing Waves of Instability | Aug.28.2022

Longing for a truth that soothes my soul
A lingering feeling that glues me whole.
Looking through shattered pieces of maybes and doubt
I hear the echoes of memories replaying aloud
All the different routes that I could’ve taken
All the times I have navigated forsaken
Unharmed, yet strong winds thrown against my way
Will I keep my anchor or be swayed into decay?

So Close Yet Almost Always So Far | Nov 26, 2017 ✧･ﾟ✧

So Close Yet Almost Always So Far | Nov 26, 2017

Crumbling leaves decomposing to its basic carbon form
As I remain my silence & stand still throughout this transforming storm
Ages of confusion, ages of doubt
Unmasking glory of mystery and spiritless drought

Guided by a trail of comfort and hope
Always close to grabbing on shreds of its rope
Almost with it reunited as it slips through my fingers
A feeling of strandedness emerges and lingers
So close yet... almost always so far
A battle against myself, I wage the war.

Virtual Mountains | Apr.14.2015 ✧･ﾟ✧

 Virtual Mountains | Apr.14.2015

You can read all the horoscopes in the world, but it don't mean one damn thing
You can dig deep into your fears, so much that it hurts and stings
Palm reading, tarots cards, fast forward into the future and watch it all start

Chasing fleeting images of wants and needs,
Nurturing the future's outcome like growing seeds
Possibilities, possibilities, behind vague images of inner wrath and doubt
Tempted to take glimpses into the unknown and find out what we can scout
Danger, excitement, risk or bliss?
Adventure, healing or simple reminisce?

A Witty Mockery of All Fairytales! | Dec 26, 2013 ✧･ﾟ✧

A Witty Mockery of All Fairytales! | Dec 26, 2013

Once upon a time, in a land far away, lived a little princess in a really high tower
Her faith was shaken & her heart was turning sour
Unable to think of a cure, probably delusional by society's demands
Hopelessly gives up & asks God for a man to dispose at her hands 
To rescue her from her wicked ways or save her from her evil step-mother
Unable to use the stairs or take the elevator, she simply couldn't bother

Push | Dec.16.2013 ✧･ﾟ✧

 

Push | Dec.16.2013

Every now and then, I lose my way, my wants & my needs
Just sit there and patiently wait to sow my once planted seeds
Action-oriented, success driven .. I’ve never been so addicted
That voice in the back of my head keeping one restricted
Pushing you to be better, to do better & astonishingly you eventually do
You’re a pusher, you push yourself beyond your own limitations
So far away, never thought it was possible

On the surface.. No, you never break, not even a crack
You do what it takes & compensate what you lack
"You’re just a workaholic" no one can see behind your disguise

Lost Little Birdie | Feb.25.2009 ✧･ﾟ✧

Lost Little Birdie |  Feb.25.2009

I miss u like a lost little birdie flying in the sky real free
Looking around to see where he belongs, its home tree
Then at last, it realizes its nest is in your arms
'cause I'm defenseless to your everlasting charms  ;)

 I'm swept off my feet,
Having you around is becoming one true major addiction
Like my own personal version of prince charming- yet real
It's not a fiction!
and I like it how you pop into my dreams every once in a while
and it kinda makes my day, 'cause it wakes me up with a smile
Like I don't get enough of you when I'm awake
I need your company, even if its fake

I will not Hold my Breath but Learn | Mar 06, 2013

I will not Hold my Breath but Learn | Mar 06, 2013

Always setting myself up for failure
That its sometimes truly more than I can take
I push myself too hard until I finally seize to awake

I try and I try, out of pure goodness in me
For lost memories, I just can't seem to flee
The good ones, the bad ones
No matter how little, changed me in so many ways
It's one of those things in your heart that always stays

Endless Fairytale | Dec. 2012 ✧･ﾟ✧

Endless Fairytale  | Dec. 2012

10 years from now
I personally close my eyes
Where a vivid image in my head lies
All I see is you still holding my hand
It's a fantasy of mine nobody can understand 

There's nothing I'd rather do
Than spend eternity being with you
'Cause I know nothing'll feel this pure
& nowhere I'll ever feel more secure

Out of This Maze | Nov 07, 2012 ✧･ﾟ✧

Out of This Maze | Nov 07, 2012

Say yes, Say yes I can

I’m gonna explode & reach my span

I deserve, deserve so much more

I know my potential I feel in my core

I read & I read, I always overcome

The fears I put aside, have now no sum

No longer helpless or frozen in my place

My soul explodes, inside, into many divergent rays

Many solutions leading out of this dreadful suffocating maze

Stranded on an Island | Jan 26, 2012 ✧･ﾟ✧

Stranded on an Island | Jan 26, 2012

All I wanted was to be numb, so that nothing can bring me down

Didn’t want emotional depth that without I knew I’m a clown

Just be sarcastic and cynical, take things for granted

It’s much easier than to admit, deep down u just feel stranded

On an island so far away, no one can reach or approach

Hidden radar, unknown to man, you’re your own coach

Your eyes, with its glory, can’t meet any other land

Besides that beneath your feet

Nothing to do to change surroundings; no other escape
Suddenly you feel the defeat 

It’s either sink or swim or so helplessly remain on the dry arid land
“Get up, stand up” voices in my head screamin’, the depression we no longer withstand

You're a Catch! | Mar. 2012 ✧･ﾟ✧

 You're a Catch! | Mar. 2012

Never in my life I believe in love, thought it's lame
I guess I ran away whenever the opportunity came
But then you came along with that pretty little face
& everything stopped, my legs just froze in place
I don't know, I wanted to run, I wanted to hide
But at the same time, I wanted to be by your side 

You're a catch I forever long to hold
With you I reveal my darkest secrets, my past I unfold
I feel like I can tell you anything
the shameful stuff I've done
Times I wanted to shoot myself with a gun
But I don't have to tell you about the good times
I don't even have to mention them
But know for a fact, I'm living them now with you

Let Go | Feb. 2011

Let Go | Feb. 2011

'Cause I know I deserve to be treated well
so You're not my prince charming, I can simply tell
'Cause if you were, you'd be giving me all the attention in the world
You'd love me no matter how I looked like, hair straight or curled

You'll accept me as I am and call me your queen
where every moment with you feels like a fairytale scene
While we're holding hands, you can feel our hearts merged as one
Gazing into each other's eyes, we were meant to be forever so bubbly and fun

but you're none of that, you barely show me that I'm alive
and you only care when a new guy into the picture does arrive

I hope you rotten in hell =] | Dec. 2011

I hope you rotten in hell =] | Dec. 2011

 ** Clearly I was angry when I wrote this. No revenge was actually conducted as part of this venting :p ** 

I hope you rotten in hell
& fall into a misery well
I'll dedicate my life to bringing you down
I'll be the reason for your endless frown

Revenge is my middle name
so run off my bitterness has came
So today as I leap off into sleep
I'll have a joyful memory where you weep
& I plan on making this fantasy a reality
Get this over with & enjoy mind clarity
Cuz the sight of you now makes me sick
You're nothing but a big-ass and a d*ck

 I'll be the one who'll make your life a living hell- an absolute nightmare
The devil & I will work hand in hand to deliver your rewarded evil share
We'll beat your soul right out
Even your fears will start to shout
& I'll be sitting back enjoying this serene sound
Don't you just wish things would turn around?

Fake Facts | Dec. 2011 ✧･ﾟ✧

    

Fake Facts | Dec. 2011

 It sounded unbelievable yet true
Your news shocked me, I had no clue
Oh if only there was a way to return back in time to the past
to unblind this ugly shameful truth that'll ever last 

You created my world of illusion
Where you disappeared & left me in a state of confusion
You showed me so much & so much care
Never thought you walking out on me you'll ever dare
You even carved my name on your buffy arm
Said "Never I'll become resistant to your charm"
You fed those fake facts into my head
You clearly told me honesty is the only language you speak

But now, your lies are all over, that's all you leak
Again I stroke wrong
Then again I write you a hate song

Spark Fades into the Darkness of the Night | May 07.2009 ✧･ﾟ✧

Spark Fades into the Darkness of the Night | May 07.2009

And the spark fades into the darkness of the night
Suddenly, all we represent is now dethroned from right
That small flame we lighted each other with is now non-existent or fake
Don’t know if I should give it up or wait around for future’s sake
Will this ashy burned out spark finally relight?
Or is it gonna be the end of our sorrows and fight?
The end of us.

I really can’t tell any longer
The candle of hope in me about us is dead
& with each & every passing second
I realize what else I can be doing instead
A change from searching for a match to relight that newly lost hope
Maybe climb myself up this misery mountain using my faith’s rope