There's a great scene in the book The Corrections by Jonathan Frazen, where a character named Chip argues with his parents over how much he tipped a cab driver (in New York).

"Twenty percent's too much, Chip," Alfred pronounced in a booming voice. "It's not reasonable."
"You all have a good day now," the taxi driver said with no apparent irony.
"A tip is for service and comportment," Enid said. "If the service and comportment are especially good I might give fifteen percent. But you automatically tip—"
"I've suffered from depression all my life," Alfred said, or seemed to say.
"Excuse me?" Chip said.
"Depression years changed me. They changed the meaning of a dollar."
"An economic depression, we're talking about."
"Then when the service really is especially good or especially bad," Enid pursued, "there's no way to express it monetarily."
"A dollar is still a lot of money," Alfred said.
"Fifteen percent if the service is exceptional, really exceptional."

Anybody who's ever worked in the service industry probably has had an experience encountering a patron's confusion over how much to tip (though hopefully less nightmarish than that one). From my own waitressing days I remember tips as high as 100 per cent to as low as ... zero. I also remember my dad being chased by a restaurant owner in Florida because he had only tipped five per cent. Like Chip's parents, my dad didn't really understand tipping. Having just come from Eastern Europe it was a completely foreign custom to him.

In Canada, "It is customary to tip approximately 15 per cent on the total bill before tax, 20 per cent for exceptional service. Approximately because tipping is personal and if 10 per cent is your personal choice then tip 10 per cent; but 15 per cent is customary and (rightly or wrongly) expected. Many restaurants may charge an automatic 15 per cent or more gratuity for larger groups," according to TripAdvisor. Tipping is also expected for using other service providers -- hairdressers, estheticians, taxi drivers, valets and hotel staff -- and the amount is up to the individual, but 10 per cent minimum is common. In the States, tipping trends seem to depend on the state and the particular service and are somewhat random -- for example, 24.6 per cent for a meal in New Hampshire (highest), or an average $6 cab ride tip in Florida (except if you're my dad and from Eastern Europe).

Jowita

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So, do you have plans this weekend? No? That's excellent. Because we've got it all planned out for you. Whether it's dancing, art, fireworks or some delicious grub, be sure to leave your house and celebrate the 144th anniversary of Canada's birthday this weekend.

Here's how:

WHAT: Canada Day at Harbourfront Centre
WHERE: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W.
WHEN: July 1, 8 p.m.
FREE: Yes

WHAT: Canada Day at Mel Lastman Square
WHERE: Mel Lastman Square
WHEN: July 1, 8 to 10 p.m.
FREE: Yes

WHAT: Lost Dancers of Six Nations
WHERE: East Island Plaza, Ontario Place
WHEN: July 1, 1, 3 and 5 p.m.
FREE: Yes
HOW: "The Lost Dancers of the Six Nations engage spectators with a mesmerizing presentation of art, dance and Six Nations culture."

WHAT: Multicultural Canadian Day Celebration
WHERE: Yonge-Dundas Square
WHEN: July 1, noon to 9 p.m.
FREE: Yes
HOW: "Dances from around the world, plus arts, crafts and food market."
NOTE: 8 to 9 p.m., Live Bollywood Dance Party

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I have a friend who works all the time. When I say all the time, I mean 24-7, Sunday to Sunday, all the time. I can call this friend on Sunday evening and he's still in his office, working, usually saying something like, "I'm only here till 11 tonight." My friend is not a medical student or a lawyer, yet his schedule is rarely under a 90-hour week. The friend works in media, and the reason for all these extra hours is because he wants to prove himself to the boss and get promoted. Once he gets promoted he'll probably work even more, but at least he'll finally be able to afford to buy a condo that he's been dreaming of buying for years.

This is not so unusual, this type of schedule. I have another friend who worked for a major Canadian magazine and was known to do 16-hour days, six days in a row, during the production week every month. She didn't get paid overtime so she quit and moved on to another place that still wants her to work crazy hours -- but at least they're paying her for it. She's starting to search for her first house. She has to do it on Sundays only because this is the only time she gets off.

Actually, when I think about it, I have more than two friends who work crazy hours. Even the ones who don't often have side freelance gigs that bring in money. It's not because of greediness. It's because people need money to live here. Urban living is so expensive. Check out our frugal guides to make sure that you take advantage of everything that the city has to offer -- you might not get your hours back but you might save some money and make it a little easier on yourself.

Jowita

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Last week I got my bank statement printed. I had a nagging suspicion that it wasn't the smartest idea to buy those fantastic silver cork platforms the other day, considering I'm on a budget. But I just had to have them, okay?

Ugh. Indeed it turned out I was below the absolute minimum I aspire to have in my chequing account. Giving back my new platforms was not an option since a girl needs her (many, many pairs of) shoes. There were other ways I could get out of the danger zone.

My shameful account statement in hand, I told myself not to panic but instead to make some simple changes. We're going to start saving up, people! First, I've decided to really cut down on champagne and canapés. Also, for my birthday party, instead of a mad whips-chains-caviar-and-Krug bash, I've compromised by inviting a modest amount of 16 or so guests (they better not drink any wine). And, I figure that from now on, if anybody invites me to their country, they’d better pay for all the traveling expenses, right? (Speaking of flying, gotta put off the new jet purchase till next year perhaps).

With all these decisions in place, I feel confident that I'll repair my financial situation within months. I'm not crazy about such a limited lifestyle but even Prince Charles and the Queen of England are doing their bit to help so who am I to argue about living frugally?

Jowita

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If you've got a bee in your bonnet to work the land, living in Canada's largest metropolis isn't as ridiculous as it sounds. Although farming opportunities don't exactly abound here, the movement towards local food, means more and more city dwellers are saving money on food by growing their own. And a few even make money off their enterprises.

For instance, some Toronto beekeepers bring in extra cash by selling honey. The big smoke is apparently a hive of beekeeping activity with city dwellers sheltering the stinging insects in their backyards, balconies and rooftops. Toronto even has a Pollinator's Festival where you can learn all you ever wanted to know about the life of a honey bee.

If you're turned off by the idea of donning a full-body beekeepers suit, don't get discouraged. You can raise less dangerous (not to mention less sugary) crops without stepping out of your eighth-floor apartment. Just set up a vertical, hydroponic, high-yield "edible window garden."

Of course, if you're feeling cooped up in your condo or apartment, a windowfarm won't do -- you'll need an earthier option. Luckily, websites, such as Shared Earth or Sharing Backyards, can link you to land owners willing to let you farm their backyards or plots of land for a portion of your crops.

And, if you want to make a serious living growing food, consider managing a franchise for Young Urban Farmers, which installs garden boxes containing healthy munchies, like radishes, carrots and peas, for clients.

There are even options for small-scale chicken farming if you're willing to flout the City of Toronto's prohibition against keeping hens. A clandestine farmer, going by the name of Toronto Chicken, is doing her darnedest to promote chicken-raising here. (In fact, she's persuaded her city councillor to push to have the ban lifted.) Not only has this resourceful chicken lady set up a website about keeping chickens, she's lined up a number of "safe houses" that she and her brood can go to in neighbouring hen-friendly Brampton if things start heating up.

I'm not sure I'd go so far as to smuggle chickens on the GO train, but my hat goes off to all those with the initiative to bring the farm to the city.

kathyo

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Food and poverty have been on my mind, no doubt because both these issues have been in the news recently. I heard news that food banks are so far behind on donations that they've had to extend their annual spring drives to April 17. Sadly, this is happening at a time when food bank use has increased(PDF).

I fear that the need for food banks may soon grow even more when the Province chops the Special Diet Allowance (SDA). This allowance provides Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and Ontario Works (OW) recipients with up to $250 a month extra to buy special food for medical conditions such as diabetes or celiac disease. (The government plans to replace the SDA with a nutritional supplement -- but only for those with severe medical needs.)

Last November, a report to the City's Board of Health showed that the 2009 Nutritious Food Basket for a family of four in Toronto cost $633.78 per month. The total maximum OW for a family of four is $1,112. Do the math and see just how difficult it would be to eat healthy foods on a welfare budget. (I took the math challenge: If I was on ODSP, I'd have no money left for food once I paid my rent, hydro, transportation, etc. -- in fact, I'd be in the hole by $394. If I subsisted on OW, I'd be short a shocking $842.)

The Province hopes that cutting the SDA will save money. This line of thinking may be penny wise but pound foolish. With the exception of lentils, dried beans and the like, cheap food can be nutrient-poor (think Wonder bread, pop, tomato soup ...). An increased intake of poor quality food in a population can lead to increased health problems and, lord knows, the cost of health care is anything but cheap.

kathyo

For More Information:

• Frugal Food Guide
• Daily Bread Food Bank
• Ontario Coalition Against Poverty

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Getting swamped with rejection letters can be discouraging if you're unemployed, but with the right attitude and a little creativity, your life doesn't have to spiral downward. Take the case of communications grad Jason Paul, 22, who unsuccessfully applied to 180 American newspapers before he decided to try a new approach: quitting the conventional lifestyle and living off Craigslist for nine months, spending three months in three different cities.

Craigslist proved to have everything Jason needed. He found work as a street canvasser in Oakland and, while in Denver, worked at Denny's restaurant and at Lovesacs, "fluffing, stocking and chilling in gigantic furniture 'sacs.'" On St. Paddy's Day he pranced around as a leprechaun, handing out promotion cards for a bar.

Paul finds housing, jobs and rideshares through Craigslist. He also uses it for less mundane things, like finding people to go pheasant hunting with or to play underwater hockey or trampoline dodgeball.

"He's scored a free Thanksgiving dinner with strangers, found a friend he meets weekly for crochet lessons, and experienced the highs and lows of searching for roommates online," according to an interview in The Globe and Mail.

Paul may not have yet racked up a communications job, but through contacting strangers on Craigslist he's sharpening his networking skills. Because he has blogged about his Craigslist experiences Paul now has a website he can show to potential employers. He has gotten some media attention (in addition to The Globe, he's been interviewed by the CBC, Mediabistro, and others). I suspect that more than a few employers, impressed with the initiative that Paul has shown, will offer him a job in his field.

In addition to all of that, it seems that Paul has made great connections and collected a series of life experiences he'll be able to tell his future grandkids about.

kathyo

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We all hate paying taxes -- income tax, property tax and the yet to come harmonized sales tax (HST) -- and most of us have developed an aversion to income tax season. I'm surprised, however, that people procrastinate filing their tax return. It's our money that the government is hoarding and this is our chance to get it back.

Many people get a rebate on their income tax. It's a way to make us feel good about paying tax. And, the benefits keep coming -- the goods and services credit, the Canada child tax benefit, and more. According to File a Tax Return, Raise Your Income, a single mother with an infant who earns $22,500 can increase her income to $28,495, nearly $6,000 or over 25 per cent of her original earnings.

There are also many deductions you can make that can result in a bigger tax refund. For instance, you can claim fees paid for your children's participation in hockey or other approved physical activity, the amount you spent on TTC Metropasses and medical expenses.

If you find doing your taxes too confusing, you may qualify for free services. Volunteers from the Chartered Accountants of Ontario operate free tax clinics in co-operation with a variety of agencies -- food banks, charities, hospitals, senior centres and homes, community centres, social service agencies and libraries. Look around for postings of clinic dates and eligibility criteria on bulletin boards in your neighbourhood.

Don't delay. Get working on your tax return right now. You'll feel great when the cheque arrives.

For More Information:

• 20 Most Overlooked Credits and Deductions (PDF)
• Canada Revenue Agency: Community Volunteer Income Tax Program

Susan Stone

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I used to think that asking a prospective employer about things like benefits, vacations or even salary was in bad taste. I actually worried that asking would disqualify me because it would look as if I were greedy or something. So I had no right to be really surprised if it turned out that I had to work overtime for free or that I wasn’t getting benefits (this happened with one job).

In the article What to Ask Before You Take a Job the author, Kelly K. Spors, gives 10 reasons why asking questions during interviews helps you get an idea of what it's going to be like working for a given company. Some of the questions include asking for information about benefits and vacations, about how the company promotes teamwork, and even how the prospective employer is involved with the community. These questions are beneficial for both sides -- you'll avoid nasty surprises if you ask before you accept the job and your employer won't have to look for your replacement after you quit on him/her out of frustration.

ttyl

Jowita

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Ever since I can remember, I've done work for free. I've designed websites, page layouts, took pictures, made business cards, created tags, banners and logos. I've written articles, stories and essays all for free. Currently, I work full-time but I have two projects on the go where I work (long hours) for absolutely free. I do both in the hopes that they will eventually lead to paid assignments. Sometimes I tell myself that it's art and I'm doing these projects for fun, but a part of me is a little bitter and frustrated with the fact that I've become such an enthusiastic charity institution and can't seem to get out of my work-for-free mindset.

The New York Times article When to Work for Nothing addresses the issue of working for free, including the misperception that it benefits self-employed workers to work for payoffs such as "exposure." The author, Michelle Goodman, reminds freelancers that agreeing to work for free can "reinforce people's misguided ideas that the self-employed are independently wealthy hobbyists."

My partner, who is a full-time freelancer, is constantly asked to work for nothing; in fact, many people seem to expect him to do so since he's established in his field. In his case this is no longer for "exposure" but rather to "give back to the community." He gets phone calls and email requests asking him to speak at this or that meeting, write this or that speech, judge this or that contest. or edit this or that book. For free. After all, isn't he free to do so? He fulfils many of these requests, but I know that sometimes it's hard for him to justify working for free and that he often does it out of guilt.

But seriously now, I don't see "the community" paying our phone bill or buying us groceries. I'm not saying volunteering is wrong but that's the thing about volunteering ... you have to volunteer for it.

ttyl

Jowita

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When I was a kid, I thought being a cashier was the coolest, most glamorous job you could ever have. In fact, I lied to my teachers in preschool and told them my mother was a cashier -- I so wanted to impress them. My parents were called in and we had a long talk about making stuff up. I wondered later: why did I think that a cashier job was the coolest job that there was? Well, my guess is that my four-year-old brain thought it made total sense that the lady who dealt with money all day was rich. I also remember thinking that cashiers were very pretty with nice makeup and fantastic long nails. To me they were princesses with money.

I worked as a cashier years later and it wasn’t like that at all although the job was easy and I enjoyed it while it lasted. Naturally, by then I understood that cashiers really don't get to keep all that money and that the job is not always easy as it often requires you to stand on your feet for long periods of time.

Similarly to the beliefs of a four-year-old, media, specifically TV, often perpetuates myths about certain professions. We end up being envious of rich journalists (Sex in the City), or indie movie stars (Entourage). In the article What Real TV Stars Would Make in Real Life, the author, Rachel Zupek, talks about real-life earnings of TV heroes. And where some professions come out quite favourably (psychiatrists always make a lot of dough), others fail short of what they are portrayed to earn on the screen.

ttyl

Jowita

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I love the look of suits but I know that it's a real pain to care for them. They have to be dry-cleaned, pressed and all that, on top of costing hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars. But there's a new suit on the horizon. It's made out of special wool and it may just become the to-go option for the always busy professionals. Reuters sent out a news item about an Australian-made suit that can be washed in the shower, hung to dry and ready to wear. The suits are proving to be popular in Japan.

The rep from Australian Wool Innovation that produces the suit said it can actually be worn in the shower although it makes more sense to drape it on a clothes hanger and wash it this way.

Anyway, I'm picturing busy business executives showering in their suits together before big, important board meetings. Priceless.

ttyl

Jowita

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So what do cats have to do with employment? Well, if you’re like my friend, a happy owner of two cats, you know that the moment they get seriously sick, you might as well get yourself a part-time job. Why? Because vet fees are going to eat up your regular savings and budget big time. My friend makes good money and doesn’t have a family to support. He does, however, have two cats and one of them has a heart condition. At the beginning of this month, the cat got sick and had to undergo all kinds of tests to determine what was wrong. The total? $2,300 for a battery of tests that found nothing wrong with her, other than a couple of fleas.

My friend decided to take on an additional part-time gig to cover this expense -– otherwise he would have had to dip into his mortgage payments. “But,” as he said: “What can you do?”

I told my friend that what he could do is move to Alberta, him and his cats and their bills. Why did I say that? Well,some companies out west are offering incredible work perks, including pet insurance. The article Workers Offered Yoga, PlayStations as Companies Face Labour Crunch in the West talks about the labour shortage in Western Canada and the distance that employers are willing to go to to keep their workers happy.

ttyl

Jowita

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I had never heard of the word freegan until last week when I ended up on a job site that featured the article 50 Freegan Lifestyle Habits for the Jobless.

I think that I might have embraced this anti-consumerist, minimalist lifestyle when I was in my 20s, not always working and often broke. Saving money was top of mind for me in this period of my life. I lived for freebies and everything I ate was made from scratch. I would make croutons to put on my salads but first, of course, I had to bake the bread. I regularly made yogurt and even tried cheese once, but the resulting gloppy mess could hardly be called a success.

I found the Freegan article intriguing, although these days saving time has become more important to me than saving money. I’ve been buying all my yogurt for years now (okay, decades) and I’m even considering throwing out socks with holes instead of trying to repair them.

I do practise some of the lifestyle habits mentioned in the article, such as using the library, reusing items and going to free concerts. (Have we mentioned our Low-Cost Summer Guide enough times yet?)

Some of the habits I don’t do but I’d like to are bartering or joining a community garden. And wild foraging has always appealed to me too although, truth be told, the only dandelions I’ve tossed into a salad have been gathered at Kensington Market.

A few of the habits sound bizarre (to me, at least) like making bowls out of magazines or converting cooking oil so that it can be used in a diesel car.

And I find some of the advice a little questionable, such as taking “a few extras” home from restaurants. As well, the idea of living rent free is appealing but I wonder how many of us would feel comfortable squatting in an abandoned building.

kathyo

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