Links Grow on Trees – Earth Hour Edition

Earth Hour | Source: www.earthhour.org

It was a busy week in the world, particularly in Ontario where we got to see both the Ontario and Federal budgets. Lots of changes coming in the future, some good, some not so good. But I thought I would devote this post to remind everyone that tonight (Saturday, March 31st), at 8:30 PM, it’s Earth Hour! I’m proud to say that outside of Australia (where Earth Hour started), my city, Toronto, was the first one to sign up and get behind Earth Hour. What is Earth Hour? Earth Hour is an opportunity to turn off the lights for one hour, starting at 8:30 PM wherever you are. Whether you’re a business or an individual, turn off the lights and send a message to the world that climate change is real and that sustainable action is possible. Last year, 5200 cities in 135 countries committed to Earth Hour. Some even went further and left them off until the start of the next day. Tonight, I’ll be turning off the lights – will you? As a bonus, you’ll even save some money on your electricity bill. How’s that for environmentalism powering frugality!

On another note, I’m very happy that Earth and Money was featured in two blog carnivals this week:

Check out those carnivals for some great reads, or the following links for a look at what I’ve been reading in the blogosphere over the past week.

Happy Weekend Everyone and don’t forget to turn off the lights tonight!

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Can Frugality Trump Honesty?

Accusation | Source: h.koppdelaney on FlickrHave you ever lied to get a deal? Even just a little white lie or a fib? This is a topic that has always fascinated me. To what lengths is it ok to go in order to get a deal or save some money? What is taboo and what is acceptable? What am I talking about? Why are all my sentences in the form of questions? Sorry, I got carried away there for a second. Let me give an example.

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Navigating the Ontario Trillium Benefit

Taxes, Calculator and Glasses | Source: Images_of_MoneyLike many of you I’m sure, I’ve been working on preparing my tax return for the year, and as a resident of Ontario, I’ve been trying to figure out the new Ontario Trillium Benefit. What is the Ontario Trillium Benefit? Well, the Ontario Trillium Benefit is a new program from the Government of Ontario which combines three old tax credits into one, including:

  • the Ontario Sales Tax Credit
  • the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit
  • the Northern Ontario Energy Credit

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Links Grow on Trees – Yakezie Edition

Proud Member of the Yakezie Challenge
As I delve into the real world of blogging about personal finance, I’ve discovered a network called Yakezie. I liken Yakezie to the underworld of personal finance blogging, but that sounds kind of negative. Its really just a great, big support network for all personal finance and lifestyle bloggers out there on the internet to help each other out. So in an effort to join the Yakezie Network, I hereby launch my participation in the Yakezie Challenge. As of writing this post, my current Alexa ranking is 21,639,161. That means that there are over 21 million sites on the internet that get more traffic than I do. Normally, the goal of Yakezie Challengers is to get their ranking down under 200,000 within 6 months. Since I just missed the last 6 month challenge cutoff, and since its going to be slow at first, as I wrap up school in the next 4-5 months, I’m going to give myself just under a year to get down to 100,000! Its a big goal, but I think I can do it! One of the first mantras of Yakezie is to selflessly promote others. So without further ado, here is another edition of what I’ve been reading in the blogosphere this week!

Happy Weekend Everyone!

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The Value of the Public Library

Library | Source: Paul LowryOn Monday morning, I woke up and walked to the office just like any other morning. I usually pass by a number of newspaper boxes along the way, and I scan the day’s headlines. Monday’s headline was – “Talks Fail as Toronto Library Workers Go on Strike“. I didn’t pay much attention at first. Then I did a double take. Wait, what? I didn’t even know the library workers were in negotiations. As a response, termed their ‘contingency plan’, the City of Toronto has shut down every public library in the city for the duration of the strike. As I talked to people on Monday, I realized that no one was expecting this. And then I realized how many people this impacts.

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