See the Basilica Again for the First Time

If you live in St. John's or have visited St. John's or have only seen St. John's in pictures chances are you have seen the Basilica. It is hard to miss as one of the most recognized structures in the province standing tall on top of the hill, a beautiful part of the downtown skyline.
 
But you have never seen it like this before!

During the month of August the Basilica Heritage Foundation is holding a special series of escorted tours. "Fleming" is a one-may play based on Bishop Michael Anthony Fleming, the man who was responsible for bringing the Basilica to reality.

Actor Michael Nolan as Bishop Fleming

I took the tour myself a week ago, I brought my mother along for the ride as she has only ever saw the church from the outside.  Having actually been inside the church before and attended services I considered myself somewhat an expert over her in this situation. (just don't tell her that ok?)

"Well here it is folks, I know it doesn't look like much now but if you could just imagine for a minute what it will become...."

Actor Michael Nolan plays Bishop Fleming and he gives the tour based on different periods throughout the building stages of the church. Nolan does a great job in relaying what must have been a very emotional 14 years for Bishop Fleming, from the time the first cornerstone was laid in 1841 until the church was completed 14 years later.

It is entertaining to hear someone not just tell you what it was like back then, but to take you with them. To not just tell you what someone did but to show you how they must have felt. 

Listening to the sheer determination that went into the project it is hard not to feel motivated to take on the World when you leave. (or at least that project you have been putting off for months!) 

Let's say you wanted to build a big stone structure today, you know because you feel like renovating.... Let's just call and book a crane, some big trucks, a backhoe, cement mixers.....

Nolan as Fleming describing the
architectural details inside the Basilica

Wait, what do you mean I can't have any of that stuff? Then what do we do? It makes me wonder if we could bond together as a community this day an age to complete such a daunting task as Fleming, his workers and the townspeople did back then. ( I certainly don't think they would take too kindly as fish for currency on payday today thought)

Go see Fleming and you will find out every painstaking detail on how those big massive stone blocks got to where there are. And then tell me you are not motivated enough to go home and tackle a project, any project really!

Bishop Fleming's determination to see his dream into reality and the hard work and commitment of the townspeople left me awestruck.

 The tour is only $10, considering the cost of anything else slightly entertaining in the city, this is an amazing deal. (And much cheaper than any motivational speaker)

So please take my advice and take this tour!  (Note part of the tour starts outdoors, so dress for our lovely weather!)


The tours run August only from Tuesday to Saturday at noon. Visit the website here for more info.
http://basilicaheritagefoundation.ca/fleming-escorted-tour/

Car Buying Smarts

My poor beloved Volvo SUV has gone to car heaven. It is a somewhat long story worthy of it's own post, maybe next time.  Bottom line was I needed to decide if I would spend another $4000 in repairs after I already spent $2200 repairing the SUV that was 9 years old.  

Holy crap! What do I do? The SUV had been paid for and I was not sure my budget could handle a car payment. But I also did not have $4000 to repair a car that might not last another year before needing more money.

A co-worker pointed out to me that I once said I spent $400 a month in gas in my SUV and that her car payment and gas was about that, so technically I could afford the new car. So I made the decision. After 5 years of driving SUV's I was going back to a car. It will take some getting use to but I do enjoy getting 600 kms on a tank of gas.

My "new to me" ride.

So reluctantly accepting I needed new wheels I started shopping. I have not bought a new car from the car lot since 2007 and I am apparently getting wiser with my age and better with my money. I did a lot my research and tried not to be lured in by shiny objects and flashing sale signs. So after my whole ordeal I thought I would share a few tips for car buying on a budget.

1. Make a budget and stick to it. Consider not just the car payment, gas, insurance and maintenance cost as well. My cost needed to fall within the $400 I spent in gas monthly in the Volvo. That was payment and gas. I could not have gotten a $380 a month SUV payment and still afford to put the gas in it! Consider all cost and don't forget to call the insurance company to see if your cost will go up, lucky for me mine went down $40. Yippee!

2. What do you really need? Make a list before shopping. After many visits to a multitude of dealers and hours on online researching I realized something. The snazzy cars on commercials that are fully loaded with bells and whistles don't match the payment on the bottom of the screen. What I wanted and what my wallet wanted did not agreed.   I decided I could not buy a car without air conditioning, and because I live in Atlantic Canada, heated seats. But I could not not justify paying for another additions. Bye bye sunroof and leather:(

3. New, slightly new or previously loved? Do you want a car still with plastic on the dash? 3 Kms on the odometer? If you are considering something older that no longer has a warranty consider putting money aside monthly to cover any repair cost that may come up.  Don't forget many dealers sell demo's- staff have driven these cars for several months and normally have less than 10,000 kms on them. The dealer will take money off the purchase price to allow for the mileage. This will get you the new car smell for a slightly lower price.

4. Get all the numbers first: Don't be fooled by car salespeople selling 0 percent financing. I was told so many times that I might as well forget used because the interest rate is high. Buy a shiny new one and get 0 percent financing. But how is it possible they can give free financing. Simple they don't. 0 percent offers often are paired with a big discount if you pay cash. That discount is usually the cost of borrowing.

This feels like high school math, quick students! Which is cheaper $17,000 at 3.9 percent or $24,000 at 0 percent? 

Run the numbers on the final amount paid on the car with 0 percent and the final amount paid if you got a 4 percent interest loan from the bank and paid cash for the car. Which end price is lower? It may surprise you.

5. Consider your plans for the car when deciding on a payment term. I had a low budget so watching the numbers go down as dealers offered me 6,7, and even 8 year payment terms was tempting. Now my husband takes his truck payments over 7 years because he drives them that long, his last truck he owned for a decade. If this is you then go ahead a spread your payments out. If you have no long term plans with the car don't do it. I have no intention of driving a car for 7 years. I truly love SUV's when carting around my family, dog and all the stuff that comes with it. If I pay my loan out over 7 years when the time comes to sell it or trade it in I will owe more on the loan than the car is worth. Don't let that happen. If you like shiny things ever two years consider a lease.


So what did I do?

I found a 2014 Mazda3 at the same trim level as the new 2015 with 20,000 kms for sale for $17,500. The monthly payments on the new Maxda3 may have been lower but only because the dealer did what I asked for- gave me lower payments. He had them paid over 7 years. Total cost to purchase is $24,500. The 2014 will have an interest rate of $3.9 but over 5 years. At 3.9 percent a car costing me $17,300 will cost me $19,200. I save over $4000 on the same car. I have plans to pay extra when I can to reduce my cost of borrowing even more.

Here is a great calculator to find out true cost of borrowing. http://www.unhaggle.com/finance-calculator/s/

Want to read more about the 0 percent financing offers? Here is an article from National Post.

 I found and interesting article on the Globe and Mail website on the pitfall of 0 percent financing. It is a great read. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/culture/commentary/zero-per-cent-car-financing-can-end-up-costing-you-money/article20220953/

Hope I have helped in some way!!!

                                             

24 Hours in St. John's. A Quick & Dirty Tourist Guide

  Earlier this month The Property Brothers were in town. Now I love that show so I made sure to stake out a spot at Scotiabank where they were making an appearance.

  Being a fan I also follow them on Twitter, where Jonathan Scott had posted photos of Cape Spear and of them both getting Screeched In. It seemed as if they flew in that morning and out again that night. Which got me thinking. If I was in St. John's Newfoundland for only one day what would I do? 

So here is my personal list of things to check out if you have 24 hours to spend in St.John's. 

Me ziplining at North Atlantic Ziplines last Spring!

1. Cape Spear: the Property Brothers had it right. This is a must. Especially if it is early in the morning as Cape Spear is the most easterly point in North America and it is where the sun first rises! With beautiful views, great walking trails, old lighthouses and depending on the time of year icebergs and whales, make sure you have a camera.

2. Head to Petty Harbour to experience the awesome adventure of North Atlantic Ziplines. This park has 10, that's right 10, Ziplines that will take you back to back over breathtaking beautiful landscape. It is Canada's longest zipline. If this is not for you I understand. It's not for everyone. As another great option I recommend taking on a boat tour from one of several tour operators in the area. Iceberg, O'Briens and Oceanquest are just a couple I can think of. Whales aside you will also see Puffin's and they are just the cutest little birds! My 4 year old calls them penguins. Rest assured they are not. Don't call them that, they might not like it while flying over your head.

Walking around Signal Hill, great view of a ship
going throughout "The Narrows".

3. Take a hike around Signal Hill, the trail will take you throught some breathtaking views of Signal Hill, The Narrows, Fort Amhurst, The Battery and maybe a lucky glismp of a whale or iceberg, and the exercise is a bonus!

4. After a walk like that you need a nice cold drink so head on down to Quidi Vidi Brewery and take in a tasting. The brewery is located in Quidi Vidi, an area of St. John's that will make you forget you are even in the city. The building itself was built as a fish plant and after the decline of the cod fishery it was turned into the brewery.  If the weather is nice take your drink outside and enjoy it on the warf gazing out at a narrow inlet lovingly refered to as "the gut" by locals. Want to know why? Take the tour!!!

My burger from a recent trip to Relish Gourmet Burgers.
The poutine has cheese curds from local  Five Brothers Cheese
Company and they serve Quidi Vidi beer!

5.  Time for supper! What to eat!! Don't worry we got this. St. John's has more dining options than you can shake a stick at. Since we are on a time limit and we are already in the downtown area that is where we will focus on for eating. You can almost find whatever it is you are craving here, from yummy gourmet burgers at Relish, Indian fare at India Gate, sushi at Basho, to good old pub grub at Celtic Hearth, it's all right here. If you enjoyed that local beer at Quidi Vidi and wonder what else we have to offer, head to YellowBelly . A place that not only has great food, brews their own beer and is in one of the oldest buildings in North America and it survived the great fire of 1892.
If you are looking for a fine dining experience like no other than Raymond's is for you. Chef Jeremy Charles has been winning awards up and down the coast and has even been listed on Maclean's Magazines' list of top 50 most important people in Canada!

6. George Street. 23 bars on one small street. Need I say more. Even if the loud rowdy bar scene is not for you there are so many other options there. And the history alone in some of these buildings is amazing. If you are not from Newfoundland then a visit to Trapper Johns for a Screech In is a must. You will preform an induction ceremony of a sort, drink a shot of our wonderful Screech rum and get a certificate naming you an honouring Newfoundlander, and honestly isn't that what everybody wants? Visit www.georgestreetlive.ca for a list of events, bars and all the information you need!

  Remember this is my personal list and there is also way to much to narrow down for 24 hours! There are plenty of great things that didn't make my article. If I had more than a day I could go on forever and you would get bored reading me I am sure. For a complete list of ideas on what to do, where to go and where to eat I find http://destinationstjohns.com is a great website. And the province has it's own great site as well http://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com

  So that's it. A busy day for sure but it has the makings of a day you will never forget! For those of you who haven't been here, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and head on down. The people are some of the friendly, interesting folks you'll meet. The coloured houses, icebergs, lighthouses and landscapes will amaze. The food will leave you craving for more for years to come and the nightlife will lead to memories of a lifetime.

Welcome to St. John's.

My Life with Fitness- A Romantic Comedy

   I am not a fitness buff, I do not live in the gym, when I see people running I wonder who is chasing them. I am not a size 2 with a tight lean body, I have jiggly bits just like 99 percent of the world. I felt like that needed to be said before I continued this article. 

   This is not advice from a fitness expert on how to run 20 miles, lose 50 pounds or become the next weight lifting champ. I am just your regular person whose successful relationship with fitness is newer than the sneakers I wear to the gym. But I am trying.

   Like many others I have tried various programs and crazes. From Jillian Michaels, Weight Watchers, Beachbody, Zumba and pretty much every other class the gym could throw at me. When it comes to workout relationships I leave a long trail of broken hearts in my wake. Sorry Zumba it's not you it's me. Actually it is you, it made me feel completely unsexy flailing around in there completely uncoordinated. I can't be with someone that makes me feel unsexy. Sorry. 

   Back in the fall I saw a sign outside New World Fitness advertising free classes as part of their new Conditioning Program launch. I love free things! I will suffer at the gym for free, how bad can it be? Guess what? I didn't hate it. I'll take that. Lets go on a second date and see where this thing takes us. A few months in and we are now going steady. We are together 2-3 times a week. I actually look forward to this time together and I miss it a little when we are apart. 

   So what does this prove? Just like finding that significant other in real life there is a true love in the fitness world for you too. The next time you try the newest in-style fitness craze and you just can't make it work and you think "I can't do this" change your thinking to "I can't do that". It is not fitness you cannot do it is just that one particular class. You wouldn't cross off the opposite sex because you went on a bad date would you? There are plenty of fish in the sea and other cliches. Same with fitness. 

   But remember, do not set yourself up for failure. Ask yourself is this something I can continue doing in my lifestyle? It is like dating someone half your age and trying to keep up with the nightlife, might be fun at first but you will start to hate and resent it and the next thing you know it is over and you are depressed at home eating a tray of nachos. Hmmmm I love nachos.... Anyways back to the point. 

   If you cannot commit to this type of diet or fitness program pass the 30 day mark you will lose a few pounds but it will come right back. You do what you know you can stick with, it may take longer to see results but they will stay that way. 

   Don't give up, it often takes a lot of crappy first dates to find "the one" I have been trying on and off for the past decade to find something I could stick with, I leave a bunch of gym trial passes, DVDs and fitness equipment in my wake- note if it is sold on tv and you don't see if at a gym, plus it makes getting those abs super easy and fun. it doesn't work. Kinda like finding true love on Tinder. 

   Remember, and I take this quote straight off the poster at the gym because they are better at motivational quotes. If you think you can or you can't you're right.

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Relish The Thought

I have a new weakness.

Nope it's not a new shopping place, not a DIY project or craft, not shoes or purses, although those are always on my list. It's a burger. 

I don't mean some pickles, lettuce, tomatoes on a sesame seed bun or whatever type of burger either. A real burger. This actually amazes me. Maybe I should explain. I am not a burger person. Never had a desire for a Big Mac, baconator or the such. I get annoyed when Hubby orders burgers out at a restaurant because I figure he could just make one at home. Why the heck does he need to pay for someone else to do it?

Because if you know where to go they will give you a burger experience like you have never imagined.

St. John's seems to have more fine dining places downtown per capita than any other city in Canada. There is one on every corner. Sometimes you don't want the fuss of fine dining but yet you don't want greasy take out. Enter Relish.

Relish is a gourmet burger joint that opened up downtown a couple of years ago. It is a chain, there are Relish locations across the country but what I love about this one? It is about as Newfie a gourmet burger place as you can make it.

Hubby's burger "Jersey City" and his poutine made with
local Five Brothers Cheese Curds.

They have a signature burger that ties right in with down home traditions. When I first went there over a year ago it was called the Sunday Dinner. It was actually the first time I ever stepped out of my comfort zone ( I was really a cheese, bacon and ketchup only kind of girl) and I not only stepped out of it with that burger I leaped. Come on fellow Newfie's picture Sunday's Jigg dinner. That's right, this burger had split pea puree on the bun, root veggie slaw on the patty and Sunday dinner would not be complete without... salt beef. Big pieces of it sitting on my burger. See what I mean about taking a leap? Honestly it was the most amazing burger I ever had.

One my most recent trip I got lured by Under the Tuscan Sun. Balsamic glaze, pancetta bacon, tomato pesto and goat cheese. Amazing.

There is something about Relish that makes me want to step away from the ordinary, try something a little crazy. It is where I first decided that fried onions are the bee's knees and I hate onions, where I decided that salt beef is underrated and where I found out that goat cheese and an all beef patty are made in heaven.

That choice won out over trying the newest local signature burger "The Bullet". I am guessing that it is named after the iconic train

Amazing choices!

that made its last run in 1969. Nestled amongst this burgers fillings you will find a Newfoundland staple, bologna and mustard pickles. That takes me right back to sitting down for lunch at my grandparents house. My grandfather would be amazed at this burger. Note to self, take Pop to Relish.

Make your burger even more of a local treat by having a Quidi Vidi Beer. This local brew is the only brand they serve and that is fine with me! I love when local businesses stick together and support each other. They have just joined forces with another local business, Five Brothers Artisan Cheese.  Hubby was already well aware of this brand new partnership (it only started the day before) it and anxious to try the poutine made with the Five Brothers cheese curds. He was not disappointed, it was the only time I have seen him take a picture of a meal. He sent it to a friend to taunt him, my supper is better than your supper....

If you are looking for a cheap burger Relish is not for you, (A meal will cost you approximately $16) If you are looking for a $5 burger go to your nearest fast food joint. If you are looking for a real burger that is fulfilling, unique and just yummy then head to Relish. Remember what your mom always said; you get what you pay for.

For hours, locations and menu items check out their website at http://www.relishyou.ca

Although I may receive compensation and/or freebies to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics I always report my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

San Fransisco on a Budget

"California knows how to party", and yes I did sing this 2Pac song in my head the whole time I was there. Who wouldn't!!

San Fransisco is foggier than St. John's!
It's ok I am use to it, bring it on!

So Hubby and I just got back from a week in San Fransisco Bay area of California. It started out as my work sending me to a 3.5 day conference there, then hubby decided that was not just fair, he wanted to go as well and if we were both going we might as well tay for a week. Eeek! This just went from free work trip to a full sight-seeing, souvenir buying, hotel staying vacation!

How were we going to pull that off without spending a small fortune?

Challenge accepted. We spent 7 days in California for about $225 a day. including accommodations and food. Here are my tips to do this yourself.

1. Travel points are not stamps, stop collecting them! If you have them spend them! Hubby was bad for hoarding his aeroplane points, he could nearly get the other side of the world. (Not kidding) With my flight being covered by work to get to the conference I was not spending $800 for him to join me. After using a fraction of his point balance hubby was sitting right next to me for a total of $126. Saving points is good if you have a goal, you need 45,000 for Hawaii? Good aim for that but saving hundreds of thousands? Go on vacation will you!

2. Search for the best hotel price. I had a bed in a shared room during the days of the conference. I am sure my rookie didn't want to hear Hubby snore in his under ware, so we needed a room for all 7 days were were there. Research travel websites that often have rooms at better prices. Or have added bonuses. I like www.bookit.com. We got rooms for an average of $120 a night. Some came with vouchers for coupon books down on Fisherman's Wharf. They came in handy for little things like free magnets or buy one get one free ice creams and coffee. We also looked for a hotel that had free breakfast. I don't mean cold muffins and coffee on a table in the hall. I mean fresh waffles, eggs, oatmeal. Things that would fill you until lunch because eating out 3 times a day for 7 days will eat your budget.

3. Speaking of eating I discovered this other website because of www.bookit.com, my room came with a $50 voucher for www.restaurant.com. You can use a map locator to find restaurants near you and buy a discounted gift card. You can then use your app to redeem it. The great thing is if you get in front of the restaurant and they don't quite look like you thought they would (never had the problem by the way, they were all great) you can just simply log in a swap from another place. My gift cards were all spend and get- meaning i bought a $25 certificate and got $25 free, so basically I got my meal and drink and Hubby's was free. It cut our bill in half. As far as I can see this is only in the US right now but it is great thing to keep in mind for Canadians who plan and a visit across the border.

4. Check to see if there is a bundle card available for attractions. San Francisco has two options, the Go Card available here http://www.smartdestinations.com and the City Pass available at www.citypass.ca. We bought 5 day Go cards that allowed us to do our choice of 31 attractions. There is one catch, you can only do then until 5:30 each day. From tours of Alcatraz and boat tours to bus tours we used this card to see pretty much every thing we wanted to see. They were $150 each and I calculated we did about $450 in sightseeing so we saved $150. If I wasn't hindered by work :) I am sure we would have added another $200 to that at least as we would have squeezed in the bus tour to Napa at $85 each and a few other items.

5. Now calm down I didn't go to San Fransisco and not go to Napa, the bus tour just didn't work with my work schedule, I mean that is what I was truly there for remember? We decided to rent a car and make the most of the last two days we had there as the conference was over by then. We got our rental car for $20 a day. Don't just call a rental place and ask for a rate, as you did with the hotels, check online. I used www.priceline.com and I did the name your own price. If they don't like the price you named they will just come back with their lowest anyways. We got a small economical car and drove to Napa one day and all the way back to Santa Cruz the next, it cost us $35 in gas.

So there, those are my suggestions, never take a listed price at face value. I am always determined that there is a cheaper option out there somewhere and I just gave you a few good sites to find them. The tourist industry is a multi billion dollar industry for a reason, just aim to give them a little less of your hard earned money without sacrificing the trip of a lifetime you have planned. It can be done with a little advance planning.

So where are you headed next?