Phone Alternatives to Fat Cat Companies

CBC news reported today: Phone deregulation fails consumers Nothing really surprising here. I  must admit I do support one of the three fat cat phone companies-after all they employ one of my children.
What alternatives are there?
Briefly mentioned in this article (waaayy down at the bottom) are three newcomers to the Canadian telecommunications marketplace: Wind, Mobilicity and Public Mobile, but none has captured any substantial share of the market.
Another alternative mentioned in the comments by a reader is

10 myths about taxes and filing

Adapted from CBC News

The facts could save you a lot of money!

Here are 10 tax-filing myths and the facts that could save you a lot of money:
Myth 1: , I don't earn enough money to pay income tax, so I don't need to file a tax return.
Many Canadians  miss out on thousands of dollars in benefits and credits like the

How to Get a Freelance Writing or Editing Job at ConsumerSearch.com-

Skills Needed
Writing for ConsumerSearch requires uncommon research and analytical skills. Contributors need to be detail oriented, critical and organized, and must be able to adapt to their format and tone. Assignments are research-heavy in a 'leave-no-stone-unturned' way. Are you the kind of person who spends 25 hours researching toasters before buying one? If so, you might have the right aptitude for ConsumerSearch.
Freelance writers and editors sought to join ConsumerSearch.com's team. ConsumerSearch.com, owned by About.com,  is part of The New York Times Company.
Successful Application Tips

1. Read a report or two on their site.  See what they do and; how it's done.
2. See the About Us page for an explanation of the site.
3. See the FAQ page for more on how they compile the most comprehensive product reviews online.
4. Prepare a sample report. The sample report  helps them understand your analytical abilities and writing style. Completion of the sample report is not paid.
5. Get your tentative assessment If they like what they see, they will make a further, paid, writing assignment.

Note: Their report structure is very rigid—some writers really like working within this structure, while others don't. It's hard to tell until you try it.

 Report Writing Tips

1. Test multiple competing products.

How to Make Money with your Blog with Blogsvertise

What it Pays  Blogvertise payout rates vary and are frequently based on popularity/traffic of the blog. The current payout rate for new accounts is $4 - $25 per entry. Most  fall into the $5-15 range. So if you are assigned 10 writing tasks,complete them and are approved, you will earn $50-150 dollars. If there appears to be little or no content and/or if the blog was just setup very recently, your blog be given "Probation status|. You will still receive tasks, however the payout rate is $2.00 per assignment. Payout increases are done on a case by case basis. After completing 5 tasks, you may contact them for approval of a payout increase.
 What you need An online journal / blog and a PayPal account.See the rules and guidelines to see if your blog qualifies.
Cost- FREE It is free to register your blog and add your blog to the system for approval
What you do

1. Set up a PayPal account
2. Set up a blog. I find that blogger is the easiest to set up, but check their free blog services page for websites that offer free blogging website software tools and services.
3. Register your blog
4. Get a task.Once approved, your blog goes into the assignment queue. The blogsvertise administrator then assigns writing tasks for what our advertisers want you to mention in your blog.
5. Write your blog.You can discuss it however you want, compliment it, review it, discuss how it relates to something going on recently or in the past in your life, or even complain about it. As part of their service, you are encouraged to express your own opinion. Advertisers are not allowed to request "positive only" advertising. Your blog/entry should be at least 100 words and should contain at least 1 link to the advertisers' website.

 Get Paid  Payments are made 30 days after your assigned task has been approved. Your task must be submitted back to the system by you for approval by the administrator before you will be paid.

Click HERE to Register Your Blog.

How to Save on Property Taxes (ON Srs. & Persons with Disabilities)

There is nothing as sure as death & taxes, but there may be some relief in sight!
Property Tax Relief for Low-Income Seniors and Low-Income Persons with Disabilities: "Low-income seniors and low-income persons with disabilities who own residential property may be eligible to receive relief from property tax increases that resulted from assessment reform.

Under the Ontario Fair Assessment System (under section 373 of the Municipal Act), municipalities are required to defer or cancel property taxes or provide other relief in respect of tax increases resulting from assessment reform on residential properties owned by low-income seniors, low-income persons with disabilities, or their spouses.

Municipalities have the flexibility to determine the amount of tax relief and the form of relief, and they are responsible for determining who will be eligible for relief."

Click Here for more Info

How to Find the Cheapest Gas Prices in Canada - Handy Tool

Use this handy tool from Gas buddy & help fight high gas prices.
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Find Cheap Gas Prices
1.Type in your City & Province or Postal Code
2. Click the Green Button

City,Prov or Postal Code (e.g.. Toronto, ON)

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Sign up for gas buddy and you could win great prizes like free gas, by reporting all the gas prices you see. Earn points and use them to enter the draws.

Cost of Education Calculator Tool

This handy tool points out the costs of higher education and shows student fees for various Canadian Universities.