In a world where expenses seem to sprout like weeds, finding ways to save money can feel like a treasure hunt. Especially, now that the holidays are over and the aftermath of our holiday shopping will soon be evident on our credit card statements. The good news? You don't need a pirate's map or a hidden chest. Sometimes, the path to saving starts right in your daily routine. Here are 10 things you can cut out of your day to rescue your budget:

A quick recap

Inflation is slowing, demand continues to weaken, households have stopped borrowing money (the real estate industry has ground to a stand still in some markets) and as a result, the economy appears to be circling the drain.  GDP fell well below the Bank of Canada's expectations and while economists argue whether we have "officially" entered a recession, real GDP has fallen for five straight quarters - not good.

I don't know many Canadians who haven't felt the sting of the post pandemic monetary measures to reign in inflation.  Debts are rising as people do their best to just get through the worst of it.  Consumer credit in Canada has slowed to its weakest pace in 30 years!!  When that figure is adjusted for inflation, we haven't experienced a decline like this since the great recession of the 1990s.

Based on the technical definition (i.e. "sustained period of weak or negative growth in real GDP (output) that is accompanied by a significant rise in the unemployment rate."), it would appear so. So what does this mean for rates, real estate and the economy?

A quick recap...

When selecting a toilet, there are several factors to consider. First, consider the size of your bathroom and the size of the toilet you need. Measure the space to ensure that the toilet you choose will fit.

Every year, March pulls the rug out from underneath me.  After decades of living here, the third month of the year is still a tease in Ontario.  Just when I dare to put my pasty feet into sandals, it hails "unexpectedly."  Mother Nature has a wicked sense of humour.  So while we wait for Spring to peek her petals out, I like to bring some green indoors.  It gives just the lift to my home to get me through these blah shoulder months and take the edge off all the dead, brown grass outside.