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blog post Tariq's Basement Studios: All The Money I Had Is Gone - Coping with those Holiday Bills

posted by Tariq Hussain on Jan 04, 2010

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Well, the gifts have all been unwrapped and the champagne has been uncorked. Now it’s time to figure out how much it all cost! That dreaded Visa bill is going to be coming in the mail soon and it just might arrive in a big fat envelope.

January can be a tough month to get through especially if you’re feeling broke. Everyone’s wallets seem to tighten this month as we try to regain some kind of financial foothold after the decadence of the holiday season. Being stingy, frugal, a penny pincher, miserly, thrifty, call it what you will - If there ever was time to be Scrooge, it might be now.

Today, we’ll search the coffers of our Canadian music library for songs about money - or the lack thereof. Let’s just say, it’s a theme most musicians like to write about.

So, we want to hear from you on our Poll Question today:

HOW BROKE ARE YOU AFTER THE HOLIDAYS? How are you planning to save some cash to pay off your big holiday tab? What will you cut back on? Will you buy less music or go to see less shows?

Post your comments on the blog while I check for quarters under the cushions.

posted by Tariq Hussain on Jan 04, 2010

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#1 posted by
MikeV
on Jan 04, 2010

Good Morning Tariq,

How broke am I right? I am as broke as I always am. Which means I probably won't be seeing any shows anytime soon.

#2 posted by
canadian wannabe
on Jan 04, 2010

Serious question, doesn't the Canadian health care system cover dental work?

And to answer the poll, I have a small family so I never have to spend too much on gifts. For my friends I knit them scarves or hats.

#3 posted by
You Say Duncan I Say Woof
on Jan 04, 2010

Like Wannabe my family is super small 10 max so my wallet is feeling fine.

It helps that I was able to budget this year

#4 posted by
suckamc
on Jan 04, 2010

yeah, you don't want to know how broke I am. I took a leave without pay to do my big cross North America trip, so I haven't been paid in a long time. I also blew through all of my travel fund, plus some! Whoops.

As The Rough Sea said when they played Charlottetown, 'We're real dirty broke...'. I second that.

Martin

#5 posted by
Michael Wynn
on Jan 04, 2010

I'm with @canadian wannabe, don't spend much for X-mas, if you look now all those items are half price.

If it wasn't for the kids I probably would take pictures of everything and just give that, I'd then buy it during Boxing week when it's on sale.

#6 posted by
MikeV
on Jan 04, 2010

The answer to your question depends on where you are in Canada, but as a general rule dental care is not covered through the public system.

#7 posted by
mattyjames2001
on Jan 04, 2010

Good morning, happy new year!

It's my first day back to work and I'm much more motivated to get stuff done than I was the day before I left, although that isn't much of an accomplishment.

anyways, I just pre-emptively put a whack of cash to my Visa so it doesn't look as horrible as it might. But long story short: I'm kinda broke. So to save cash, I ride the bus more regularly (saves on gas, maintenance, and I'm less likely to stop in somewhere and buy something along the way home), try to use CASH as much as possible instead of debit, and force myself to make my own damn coffee in the morning.

as for music and shows: I can say I'll cut back but that's like saying you're going to actually lose weight in the new year. My record store is on temporary hiatus, which will help my bank account immensely, and bands really hate touring here in the winter so I'll be good to go by spring. Hopefully.

#8 posted by
Benoit from Ottawa
on Jan 04, 2010

No "it" doesn't cover dental work. Except sometimes welfare may allow for repairs in neglected mouths.

Why the quotation marks? Because there is no such thing as a "Canadian health system" -- health is a provincial matter, which means the system changes from one province to the other. Territories -- Nunavut, the North-West Territories and the Yukon -- are creatures of the federal government, largely, and have other arrangements.

There is equalisation of treatment between provinces, but it ain't the one system. (Just goes to show how little research most 'reporters' do, eh?)

All the best in this new year, B.