Life is pretty expensive these days. We have expenses for food, schooling, transportation, and don’t even get me started about housing. So it’s no surprise that there’s an appetite out there to make a bit of extra money to help cover the costs. I definitely do it, even though I’m also trying to simplify and spend less where I can at the same time.

This post will cover off how to make money taking online surveys. I’ll cover off which sites are best, which sites to avoid, and give you a few tips along the way too. (more…)


Ever heard of Maki-e before? Yeah, didn’t think so. Most people haven’t, and I think that’s a real shame, because in my opinion it’s one of the most beautiful forms of art in existence. This post is dedicated to bringing some awareness to the art. (more…)


It’s no secret that I love nature and greenery. During a recent trip to Bali, I realized that plants have far more impact on my general level of wellbeing than I originally gave them credit for. There’s science to back that up, too – give this article a read if you’re curious to know more! Since that trip, my wife and I have been working to add more plants and greenery into our home and our life.

Here, I’ll share five of my favourite plants that fit well with the clean lines and style of contemporary homes. These plants are more than just pretty faces though. Are you lacking a green thumb? No problem, these guys will survive despite your best efforts to kill them! Have asthma or allergies? These plants also remove common pollutants from the air, so you can breathe easy. (more…)


This post is part of a series on lessons I’ve learned through my studies of Karate that I’ve found apply well to other areas of my life. To read the first post of the series, click here.

As I’ve said before, I’ve been training karate for over three years now. Not long by any means, but long enough to have recognized that there are lessons I’ve learned in the dojo that apply to other areas of my life. Last time, we talked about the principle of Shu-Ha-Ri. This time, we’ll focus on the quote at the top of this post. It hangs on the wall in my dojo, and it’s a quote I find myself returning to over and over again. Heads-up: this one’s a little sappy, so brace yourself. (more…)


Some people remember their trips through photographs. Others remember them through storytelling. Still others do it through writing in their journals. I usually fall into the first camp, but for some reason I felt compelled to document my experiences in detail while in Bali. I outline some of my motivations for that in this post. Here though, I’ll share transcriptions of my journal entries on a day-by-day basis. Be warned though, these were written for my own enjoyment, so they may or may not be a little cheesy! (more…)


The other day, I was talking with someone about taking some time to do some reflecting. You know, the kind where you sit there and just think, without regard to anything else going on. I think it’s important to do that every once in a while, but apparently the person I was speaking to thought differently. (more…)


There are few things more satisfying than walking around feeling like you look your very best. Attention to detail matters, and in order to look put together your entire ensemble needs to tell a cohesive story. That includes your shoes, especially walking into work. If you’re wearing a power suit with faded, scuffed up leather shoes, your get-up will lose its impact. Here, I’ll teach you how to get a mirror-shine on your shoes, so that you can walk around looking and feeling like a boss, and not the rookie using the $5 express shine from Aldo (good lord please don’t do it, no shoe deserves that). (more…)


I’ve been studying karate for nearly four years as of the date of this post. Throughout that time, I’ve learned a ton of lessons; lessons that apply both to karate and the world beyond. Sometimes the lesson is painfully clear (like keeping your guard up while sparring so you don’t get punched in the face). Other times it’s not so clear, and I’m still exploring most of them. But this series of posts represents a chance for me to reflect on those lessons for both your benefit and my own. I’ll specifically focus on lessons that I’ve been able to apply outside the world of karate. Today’s focus is the principle of Shu-Ha-Ri. (more…)


My wife and I recently purchased a new home; and by new, I mean 35 years old. Not ancient by any means, but old enough to be in need of a little TLC. As first-time homebuyers in the way-overheated Canadian real-estate market, we were lucky to even be able to afford this place, but it came with a few expenses we weren’t prepared for.

If you’re planning on buying a resale home, you want to be as prepared as possible upfront for the expenses you’ll be facing. That’s why I put together this list of expenses I’ve had to deal with. You may not need to address everything on this list, and it’s not exhaustive, but hey, it’s better than having to take a week’s worth of cold showers when your faucet craps out, right? (more…)