Damn I miss that place. That's where I do my weekly grocery run.

There is an old lady manning the fruit station. We got along so well she hid the best ones for my family lol.

But they are way higher then Alberta. Income tax is lower in Alberta. We pay 5% tax on purchases and last I saw 1.09 a liter for gas. All that adds up.

improve their own lives?
dude they wash money to canada because they cant keep it in their own country EXAMPLE ;CHINA
why? you tell me.

I get my produce at Crystal Mall.

Sunrise Market is technically not in Chinatown, BTW. I used to go to Rice World across the street from Sunrise, but have found cheaper places. There's this Korean grocery store on Broadway that I shop at now. It's near Fraser Street.

T&T is definitely not cheap. Once in a while they have good deals in their flyer (it's on line), but everything else is on the expensive side. No Frills is still my main place to shop, but recently their sales haven't been that great. Shoppers Drug Mart has some good sale prices. Large eggs for $1.99 Milk 4.29 for 4L, etc.

You can save a lot of money by using the right credit cards. I always pay off the cards, but the points I get on my PC card is great. Right now, just under a grands worth in points. 300 bucks on my Shoppers Optimum Card (non credit card). Costco is another place I get my groceries from, but you really have to watch your prices there, as well. Not always cheap.

I can go on, but TL;NR

Incorrect: TaxTips.ca - Tax comparison for 2011 by province/territory

For most members here (single, young, making ~$50K) BC actually has lower income tax rates than Alberta. Not by much, yet still lower.

If you're really seeking lower taxes, head north, not east.

Yeah, but you got live somewhere else? would you own a condo in Edm or rent in Vancouver....simple answer...

Good for you....sounds like you are doing a great job providing for your family. From my experience, to make it in Vancouver, you cannot do it with only one source of income. Even if you are a director or VP in a larger company making $200K+. Taxes killed you. To be financially successful in Vancouver, you need to a main good paying gig that pays the day to day bills (mrgt, car pymts, kid stuff, etc.) and another gig that will set up your future. This could be additional rental properties, buying a business, day trading if you are good, etc.

Net, net in Vancouver, you must be an entrepreneur (spelling) and must keep you eyes and ears open for any business opportunities. Unfortunately there are not that many high paying corporate jobs in Van.

Think of all the reallly successful people in Vancouver, Bosas, Lee family, Louie family, Galardis, Bentalls.....one thing in common, they all built there empires thru real estate.

I just signed up for an MNBA that gives 3% cash back towards groceries and gas and 1% everything else. :D

i used to be with citibank but they got bought out by cibc
:heckno::fuckthatshit:

^ because I use the PC credit card so much, I got a letter last week telling me I am eligible for a PC black card. Double points on everything. Credit limit is something astronomical. LOL. I think I can buy a house with it.

As long as Canada has no limit on foreign ownership of real estate, the cost of housing in Vancouver will continue to rise and become more and more unaffordable.

LOL @ making $50k a year..

:) I was trying to be nice for a change :smug:

Australia has much harsher rules, and it didn't work there either. Thus it probably wasn't the issue to begin with.

average RS wage is probably more like 25k/yr

Own. It's better to have equity than not. Better loans, etc.

And I did not say Edmonton. East refers to Ontario.

^ I used Edm as an example, regardless you would rather own in a shitty Ontario town Vs living life in Van.....it if makes sense to you.....

Yes, you're right, I would much rather own:

04 Modded Porsche GT3
08 Alpine White M5 LCI
09 Stock Acura RDX

...here in BC.

Seriously, no one will argue that "beauty" of living in BC is awesome. What people are discussing here is whether or not a young family can afford to own their own place at the same time as being able to truly enjoy all of the "beauty" that BC offers.

^ I agree about owning Vs renting.....heck I am asian, my parents would kill me if I rented......my pt was that I would rather own a 500sq ft condo in East Van Vs having a larger home in a town I don't really like....I travel allot for work and I always love coming home....no better city in the world for quality of life. Making a living here....that's a different story.

why do your parents have any say in what you do? arent you an adult?

^ it's just a joke man, I stop listening to my parents a decade ago!

yep people in australia dont make 28 an hour out of highschool, they all work for 8 dollars an hour.

:rolleyes:

If you just signed up for the mbna, You should be getting 5% for gas/groceries for the first 6 months. Did you sign up at great canadian rebates? That's where i signed up and received $60 from them for doing it :)

MBNA Smart Cash MasterCard - Cash Back Rebates & Online Coupons @ Great Canadian Rebates

I earned $150 back from them within the first 6 months. Great card imo. I use it to pay for everything unless the place takes cash or debit only.

yes i got that, i didn't want to post that part as that's only for the first 6 like you said. i didn't sign up through cdn rebates, directly on the mnba site through the sponsor link on RFD so i guess i missed out on the $60

Get it ASAP. TD bought MBNA and knowing the big banks, they will probably cut down on the cash back.

Sweet tip! Signed up and applied.