Now that I’ve landed in Hollywood and I have my amazing pad here I naturally need to decorate it.  I’m planning on being Canada’s youngest snow bird and spend six months here in the sun and write and work on some exciting projects.  (I’ve already practised driving slowly in the fast lane with my signal on, looking for a discount mall).  Seeing that I only will need the place for six months I naturally wanted it to be on the cheap yet chic.  Exactly what I do well. Because my places have always been modern and minimalisticy at home – I wanted to change it up this time.

I thought that I would change it up and be a bit out there.  To decorate in a style that I would never do at home.  Why not?  Eccentricity is what I do well, especially on a budget. My guest house is 100 years old and so are the neighboring houses.  My place has really beautiful dark hardwood floors, huge floor moldings and those crystal door knobs you find in other century homes.  I decided to play up these accents and make the place super Victorian. I’m here for six months why not shake up my decorating comfort zone. I got fancy flowered plates, and decorative knives from Target that cost less than $100.  I got the biggest, comfiest Lady Penelope sofa at IKEA that was deeply discounted.  It is blue and white with decorative pineapples!  It’s so awesome. The complete opposite of my sleek grey modern sofa from my loft.

Not only was it only $450 but it suits the place so well.  It is super comfy for watching CNBC on in the AM too. From IKEA I also purchased a decorative bed and mattress and some other kitchen and home essentials for another $700. Knowing that it is so easy to run up a huge tab decorating a new place, I separated all of my purchases into NEEDS and WANTS.  The needs were the sofa, bed, mattress and TV. A trader needs his CNBC, right?  Now with the WANTS I got everything used.  TV stands, bed side tables, coffee tables, and decorative paintings.  Some I’m still on the hunt for.  I hit up all of the antique markets, craigslist, garage sales and flea markets and bought or continue to buy the little things I need for a steal. Now how do I keep the dime you ask as per the title?

When I leave I purposefully purchased quality antiques, furniture and furnishings that I’ll be able to sell at mostly what I paid for them.  I made sure that I got an awesome 40 inch LED TV that when I sell it in six months it’ll still be worth most of it’s value.  Compared to a 32 inch cheapo brand that wouldn’t be worth squat in six months. The plan is to live in this eccentric and fun place and then leave with most of my initial investment back.  Gotta love your money. Keep loving your money and it’ll help you love your place – even for six months.  Check out my book in Kindle format on Amazon.com.

You can read it on your iPhone or iPad too! Have an awesome week,

Dave

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving everyone!  My Thanksgiving was ah-mazing.  It was the first time that I hosted dinner with all the fixin’s and everyone said I did an amazing job.  When I try something new I like to do it perfect the very fist time so that everyone has a great time and on a budget.   Let me share some pics of my golden bird and my tips to keep everyone maximizing their holiday with friends and family and their dollar.

Here are my tips below:

1. Make sure that you shop for all of your groceries at the no frills supermarket.  When spending on a huge amount of groceries this really helps bring down the budget.  Get veggies, stuffing, condements, etc. here and save a bundle!

2. Get all of your decorations, table clothes and napkins at the local dollar store.  This will make the place festive but save you some fivers.

3. Buy your turkey at a butcher fresh.  Yes, I said it!  I always spend a bit more for a fresh turkey but my friends and family are worth it.  Remember my philosophy on money – save on everyday things to pump back into items that make you truly happy.  Plus my extra savings will MORE than pay for the extra $10 bucks for a mean bird.

4. After the night take inventory of extra booze that you didn’t drink and you won’t drink and take it back.  I manage my booze and food inventory with an iron fist and booze in my cupboard that I won’t drink is inefficient inventory management.  The store will take it back with a receipt or you can change it for something you drink.

5. Feast on yummy turkey pies, soup, sammies, and anything else you can make with the left overs.  I won’t have to buy groceries for a week after Monday dinner.  I won’t want to see another turkey in a while but that is why we only have them three times a year, right?

Gobble up those savings and have an awesome week, Dave