Canada: Free Certified Tax Software For 2015 NETFILE Program

The Canadian Revenue Agency (aka. The IRS of Canada), published a list of free tax software programs Canadians can use to file your taxes. This is a great resource which I wish I knew about before we filed our taxes a couple of weeks ago. Like most Canadians, I purchased tax software for $30 for the honor of paying more taxes.

View image | gettyimages.com

For anyone who has manually filed their taxes (I have had one horrible experience doing this), using a tax software is a lifesaver as it saves you time, improves accuracy and may even prompt you for tax deductions and credits you might have missed otherwise.

To all those who still have not filed your taxes yet, please check out CRA's website for a list of free tax software you can use. The deadline to file for Canadians is April 30, 2015.

Please note that there are some restrictions on who can use the free software. Please visit CRA's website for more information.

Free Starbucks Coffee: April 22, 2015 (Canada Only)

On Earth Day (April 22, 2015), Starbucks Canada is offering a free cup of coffee if you bring in a reusable cup. I have participated in this freebie since 2011 and have noticed a change in my habits as I always try to bring my own reusable cups when I buy coffee.

Not only is bringing your own reusable cup good for the environment, it is also good for your wallet. Every time you use a reusable cup, Starbucks (and most coffee shops) will offer you a slight discount of 10 cents. If you are in the habit of purchasing coffee on a daily basis, this can equate to a few free drinks over a year.

Before you head out the door on April 22, take a moment to do your part on Earth Day. Walk, bike, run or take public transit to your local Starbucks to cash in on this freebie.

Free Monthly Kids Workshop at Home Depot (Canada & US)

At an early age, most toddlers recognize the corporate logos of McDonalds, Disney, Apple, Lego, Walmart and Starbucks. For my niece and nephew, they recognize the iconic orange logo of Home Depot long before they recognized McDonald's. (No joke!)

They recognize Home Depot's logo mostly because they have attended the free monthly Kids Workshop offered by the home improvement giant since they were toddlers. That and the fact their dad (my brother-in-law) is a regular customer.

When my brother-in-law heard that we were expecting, he reminded us to take our little one to the monthly Home Depot Kids Workshop. That made my husband (who is also a Home Depot regular) very happy.

This morning, we attended our very first Home Depot's Kids Workshop. Today, the workshop offered kids a chance to build a chalkboard planter stand.

This workshop was particularly popular!

The workshop was a great experience. Every child is provided with an authentic Home Depot apron, a commemorative pin and a building kit, which includes the instructions and all materials needed. Home Depot also provides all the tools to assemble and decorate the planter at designated tables, including hammers, paints, glue, paper towels and guidance (if the parents needed some help). Most of the items created from these workshops are practical items that can be used around the home and it is a great way to teach kids some useful life skills.

Ready to learn!

The workshop is geared towards 4 to 12 year olds, but we saw quite a few toddlers working away with their parents. Our little man is quite mature for his age, listens well and knows (for the most part) not to put small things (like nails) in his mouth. My husband enlisted the little man to "help" build and paint his planter.

Hammering away; just like his Little Tikes work bench at home.

After the planter has been built and painted, Home Depot gave each child a certificate of achievement. It was the perfect way to spend a bit of our morning at our little man's new favorite store. I have a strong feeling he will recognize the iconic orange signs before long!

The finished product!

TIPS

• Go early to avoid crowds and avoid disappointment (as they can run out of kits). According to the friendly sales associate I spoke with, certain workshops are extremely popular: May (Mother's Day), December (Christmas).
• Be courteous to staff and other participants. Please do not hog more resources than what you need.
• Stay safe. Watch younger children as there are lots of small parts.
• Say thanks to the friendly staff who run these workshops!

		Home Depot Canada		Home Depot United States
When		Second Saturday of each month 10am - 12pm*		First Saturday of each month 9am - 12pm*
RSVP		Register online		Register online
Cost		Free		Free
Ages		4 to 12 years old		5 to 12 years old

* Please call your local Home Depot before attending the workshop. While supplies last.

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Free Swimming at Greater Vancouver Recreation Centres

Growing up in an immigrant family, we were all about free or inexpensive. My family knew how to stretch a penny, let alone a dollar. Free was the golden word, especially when it came to family entertainment.

If you live in Greater Vancouver, you will be happy to know that Westminster Savings sponsors free public swims at select recreation centres (see the list below). In addition, the City of Vancouver sponsors a free public swim twice a week at Britannia Pool in East Vancouver. Until April 26, 2015, Britannia offers free swimming between 3pm to 4:55pm every Tuesday and Thursday.

Yes, you read that correctly. Free swimming!

Last Sunday, my husband suggested checking out the free public swim at Eileen Dailly Pool. Unfortunately, the free swim conflicted with the little man's need to nap after having too much fun at Burnaby Central Railway (read about our visit here).

From the viewing area, the pool looked busy but not overly packed. We will have to try again as this looks like it would be a great family activity especially if you have young children.

UPDATE: August 2, 2015
We went to the free swim hosted by Westminster Savings on Sunday, August 2nd (aka the first Sunday of the month). Since the free swim was at 12:30, we arrived 15 minutes prior and lined up at Eileen Dailly. We could tell this was a popular event by the crowds who were scattered throughout the viewing area.

Here are some tips for those of you wanting to visit:

1. Arrive early (at least 15 minutes).
2. Bring a quarter to rent a locker for the locker room. There are a limited number of large lockers for rent; great for those with little ones.
3. Supervise your children. With the number of people who attend these free swims, you want to ensure their safety and the safety of others.
4. Be considerate of others. The showers in each of the washrooms are for you to quickly rinse off; not to spend 15 minutes lathering up. So please, be quick with it and do your full hair conditioning at home.
5. Lastly, thank Westminster Savings for their generosity! You can follow Westminster Savings on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram. Even better, go thank them in person at any one of their fourteen branches in the lower mainland.

**Please note that the free swims are subject to change. Please call before you go and arrive early.**

Free Swimming in Greater Vancouver

Location	Start	End	Location	Address	Phone	When
Burnaby	12:30pm	2:30pm	Eileen Dailly Leisure Pool	240 Willingdon Ave, Burnaby	604-298-7946	First Sunday of every month
Burnaby	7:00pm	9:00pm	Bonsor Recreation Complex	6550 Bonsor Avenue, Burnaby	604-297-4597	First Wednesday of every month
Coquitlam	7:00pm	9:00pm	Poirier Sports & Leisure Complex	633 Poirier Street, Coquitlam	604-927-6027	First Sunday of every month
Coquitlam	7:00pm	9:00pm	City Centre Aquatic Complex	1210 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam	604-927-6999	Third Friday of every month
Langley	2:00pm	4:00pm	WC Blair Recreation Centre	22200 Fraser Highway, Langley	604-533-6170	Second Sunday of every month
Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows	2:00pm	3:30pm	Maple Ridge Leisure Centre	11925 Haney Place, Maple Ridge	604-467-7322	Last Saturday of each month
New Westminster	2:30pm	4:30pm	Canada Games Pool	65 East 6th Avenue,New Westminster	604-526-4281	First Wednesday of every month
Port Coquitlam	1:00pm	3:00pm	Hyde Creek Recreation Centre	1379 Laurier Ave, Port Coquitlam	604-927-7946	First Sunday of every month
Surrey	2:00pm	5:00pm	North Surrey Recreation Centre	10275 City Parkway, Surrey	604-502-6300	Last Saturday of each month
Surrey	6:00pm	8:00pm	Newton Recreation Centre	13730 72 Avenue, Surrey	604-501-5540	Second Sunday of each month
Surrey	3:00pm	5:00pm	Surrey Sport & Leisure Complex	16555 Fraser Hwy, Surrey	604-501-5881	Third Sunday of each month
Surrey	1:00pm	4:00pm	South Surrey Indoor Pool	14655 17 Avenue, Surrey	604-502-6220	First Saturday of each month
Vancouver	3:00pm	4:55pm	Britannia Pool	1661 Napier St	604-718-5800	Tuesdays and Thursdays* until April 26, 2015

Please let me know via the comments form below if there are more recreation centres in Greater Vancouver that offer free swims! :)

Source: Westminster Savings and City of Vancouver

Date Night Sticks (in a Jar) and 50 Date Night Ideas at Home

Parenting is hard work. Someone once told me that in order to raise happy kids, you need a happy marriage and your spouse/partner should be your first priority (your kids are second). They also mentioned how hard it is to make time for each other when everything else is competing for your attention: work, kids, chores and other commitments.

Reflecting on my own marriage, our date nights are not quite the same now as it was before having our little man. Weekly date nights previously would include heading out to a restaurant for dinner, followed by either dessert, movies at a theatre, random drive to a beach or exploring a new neighbourhood. Nowadays, our date nights are once every three months when we go to the movies while my wonderful sister-in-law babysits the little man.

Those who have kids can attest how expensive and hard to come by good babysitters are. If you are lucky enough to live close to family who offer to babysit, count your blessings!

Last year, I saw this idea for Date Night Sticks in a jar. I thought it was a great way for couples to spend some quality time together at home and reconnect with each other after the child(ren) go to bed.

Materials
Blank craft sticks (you can buy them from the dollar store)
Jar (I reused my Better Than Bouillon glass jar)
Pens/sharpies

Directions
1. Write down each date night idea you have on the craft sticks.

2. Set a date each week/month for a date night. For those date nights you do not have any plans, draw a stick from the date night jar. Since some of these ideas require a little planning, you can draw a date night stick a few nights beforehand so you have time to purchase the materials/ingredients.

TIP

• We used the other side of the date night sticks to write Play Date ideas for our little man. Here are a few select ideas we had:
• Find a new playground
• Build a fort
• Make a craft

Here are 50 Date Night Ideas at home

1. Dance to your favorite songs
2. Order in take-out from your favorite restaurant and have a picnic in your living room
3. Give each other a massage
4. Take a bubble bath
5. Camp out in your living room
6. Watch home videos
7. Plan a trip
8. Work on a jigsaw puzzle
9. Play a two-person board game (Blokus, Pandemic, Carcassonne, Dutch Blitz)
10. Play a card game (Rummy)
11. Play a children's board game (Connect 4, Guess Who, Twister)
12. Play chess or Chinese checkers
13. Learn a new language
14. Create a scrapbook/photo book of special moments
15. Share a late night snack and chat about the week that ended/coming up
16. Watch a movie (Library, Netflix, or Redbox) and eat popcorn

View image | gettyimages.com

17. Record a video of how you met (similar to When Harry Met Sally type interview)
18. Make a fort in your living room and chat
19. Find a plant/vegetable to grow in your garden
20. Read a book aloud to one another
21. YouTube Karoke (I'm currently obsessed with "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?")
22. Build a snowman (bring a baby monitor if you have really young kids) and bring a thermos filled with yummy hot chocolate

View image | gettyimages.com

23. Collect ideas on home renovations/dream home
24. Bake a dessert
25. Try a new recipe and dine by candlelight

View image | gettyimages.com

26. Make smoothies or milkshakes
27. Sit in the backyard and gaze at the stars on a clear day
28. Have a cheese and wine pairing
29. Plan a picnic
30. Watch a sunset (great in the summer when the sun sets later)

View image | gettyimages.com

31. Binge watch a new show (I'm personally looking forward to Downton Abbey Season 5!)
32. Create new Date Night idea sticks
33. Paint (on canvas, paper) + wine
34. Invite another couple over for games night (if they have kids, have the all the kids over for a sleepover while the adults have some fun)
35. Create a scavenger hunt for each other
36. Plan and play a prank on someone (keep it safe folks!)
37. Write a story of a memorable moment you shared
38. Cuddle
39. Play a video game (Tetris, Wii games, etc)
40. Set up a String Laser Maze
41. Make a felt story

42. Listen to an E-book together
43. Watch a sports game on TV
44. Blindfold your spouse/partner, feed them various foods and have them guess what it is
45. Watch funny YouTube videos
46. Dress up and take silly pictures of each other
47. Have a theme night (Italian - antipasto, pasta and gelato. Add in a movie like The Italian Job or Roman Holiday)
48. Chocolate/cheese fondue - need I say more?
49. Make a homemade pizza (try my 35 minute pizza recipe from scratch)
50. Learn to make cocktails/mocktails

Source: (Date night sticks) Celebrate Every Day With Me

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links 

DIY Paper Christmas Tree Ornament

I love quick and easy Do-It-Yourself projects. This Pinterest project for an origami folded Christmas tree takes less than 10 minutes. It is an easy project for kids, adds a festive touch to your Christmas dinner table and best of all, you can reuse wrapping paper (destined for the trash) from all those Christmas gifts.

If you make this Christmas tree, please send me a tweet @frugalnutfree and let me know how it turned out!

What You Will Need
Wrapping paper, origami paper or printer paper (preferably colorful and thinner paper stock)
Scissors

Video Instructions
I made a video showing how to make a paper Christmas tree in case the step by step instructions below are unclear. This is my first video, so you will have to forgive any little issues. :)

Step By Step Instructions
1. Fold a square piece of paper diagonally. Unfold the paper.

2. Fold the paper diagonally so the creases form an X. Unfold the paper.

3. Fold the paper in half so it is a rectangle.

4. Fold the paper once again so it is a square.

5. Unfold the paper and flip it so the inside of the paper is facing up.

6. Fold the paper in half again. Fold A up to B while holding the bottom piece down and crease so it looks like the picture below. (Jump to 1:20 on the video)

7. Lift D and C fold in C so it looks like the picture below. (Jump to 1:25 on the video to see how it is done)

8. Turn the paper so the open side is closest to you.

 9. Fold the corners so it meets the line in the middle.

10. Repeat on the other side.

11. Unfold one side and tuck the corner in so it resembles a diamond shape. Repeat for the other three sides. (Jump to 2:35 on the video)

12. Trim the bottom of the diamond with scissors so it forms an (isosceles) triangle. Note: adults, please supervise younger children when using scissors.

13. Make 5 or 6 equal cuts on each side, cutting through all the layers. Make sure the cut is not too close to the center line.

14. Fold the sides in so it resembles a tree.

15. Fluff out so the sections are evenly spaced. Decorate your Christmas dinner table!

Source: Krokokat via Pinterest

Fun at the Richmond Country Farms

Many moons ago, my friend A, told me about Richmond Country Farms (located near the Steveston Exit on Highway 99) which sold produce at a reasonable price. Richmond Country Farms is locally owned and operated and most of their produce is fresh from their own farms. They also bring in fruit from the Okanagan, such as peaches, apricots and apples. While shopping for produce, you can also grab a complimentary self-serve drip coffee (Salt Spring Brewing Company or Starbucks). I have always found the service to be friendly and fresh, local produce that is reasonably priced.

Entrance to the animal farm

Another reason why I love Richmond Country Farms is for all the farm animals who reside right next to the farm market. Goats, chickens, pigs, cows, horses are a few you will see at the animal farm. The chickens crack me up since they are often found roaming around the parking lot foraging for food.

Awww...baby goats!

While shopping at the Richmond Country Farms in late August, I had a relaxing time grocery shopping while the animal farm kept my little man and my husband entertained. The weekend prior when we were there, the Country Farm was offering free corn and strawberry samples with live music by the Huskateers.  

Every year, the Richmond Country Farms also has a pumpkin patch in October, just in time for Halloween. The admission to the pumpkin patch includes a live band playing pumpkin picking music, a wagon ride, a Pumpkin (child size only) with a carrying bag, a visit to the animal farm, and a Spartan apple*. We are looking forward to checking the pumpkin patch out this year as the little man is more mobile.

Richmond Country Farms is open from late-April to mid-December. They are located at 12900 Steveston Hwy, Richmond BC.

*Activities may change. Please call the Richmond Country Farms for more information.

Disclosure: I was not asked or compensated by the Richmond Country Farms to write this post. All opinions are my own.

Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre

As a member of the Vancouver Aquarium, I received a special invite to visit their Marine Mammal Rescue Centre. The Marine Mammal Rescue Centre (MMR) has been around since 2004 and "is a hospital for sick, injured or orphaned marine mammals which are rehabilitated for release back into their natural habitat.*" It is currently a temporary home for 88 harbour seals, and Chester, the rescued false killer whale calf.

Main command at the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre

Sherry, the volunteer who showed us around, gave an insightful tour of what the good folks at the Vancouver Aquarium, a Not-For-Profit organization, do on a daily basis. 

MMR is a quarantined area and all visitors, staff and volunteers are asked to dip their shoes in disinfectant foot baths (grey bin).

 

How They Are Rescued

Current residents at MMR.

All of the animals who arrive at the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre have been identified by members of the public as abandoned or injured. The Vancouver Aquarium is called and the rescue team makes a decision to send help immediately or monitor the situation. When an animal is injured and requires immediate help, the Vancouver Aquarium sends staff to transport the animals to the MMR. In the event where an animal may be abandoned, the Vancouver Aquarium monitors the situation. If the mother does not return within a specified period of time (usually the result of injury or death), the animals are considered abandoned and transported to the MMR. If the rescued animals (mostly baby harbour seals) were left on their own, they will be preyed upon by their predators.

Look at the fun names: Bob Marley, Elvis, and Lithium.

A Second Chance

Once the animals have been transported to the MMR, they receive a checkup in the Med Shed and if necessary, they are treated for injuries.

The Medical Shed where all rescues are assessed upon arrival.

Then, they are transferred to "Stage 1: Intensive Care" where staff and volunteers keep a close eye on the new arrivals.

Refuge for the sick, injured and abandoned.

While we were there, we were fortunate to witness the staff tube-feeding the baby seals a milk matrix formula, which consists of milk powder, salmon oil and water.

Dinner time!

Once the harbour seals are healthier, they are transferred out of intensive care to a secondary area where they will gain more weight or further recover. At the time of my visit, there were two injured harbour seals recuperating at the rescue center. As the harbour seals continue to gain weight and recover, they are transferred to a shared tank (with other harbour seals) where they learn essential skills for survival upon their release.

Learning social skills.

Upon reaching 30 kg in weight and having mastered the essential survival skills, the harbour seals are released back into the wild. According to Sherry, most of the seals graduate and leave MMR by October of each year.

Get better soon Chester! We are all rooting for your recovery.

While we were there, I was also able to catch a glimpse of Chester, the rescued false killer whale. Chester was rescued from Chesterman Beach in Tofino in July and when he arrived at the MMR, he was underweight, malnourished and suffered serious injuries. The team at Vancouver Aquarium was instrumental in giving him a second chance. When I visited the MMR in mid-August, I spotted Chester's fin (I stood on my tip toes) as he was swimming around in his tank. In an effort to help Chester with his recovery, we were not allowed to visit with him as the steps leading up to his temporary home was off-limits and guarded by two staff.

Chester is monitored 24/7 by staff and volunteers.

Naming The Rescues

Each harbour seal is identified with name tags on their bins.

There is a standardized naming convention in place. PV stands for Phoca Vitulina, which is the scientific name for the harbour seals. The number 14 is for the year in which the seals arrived at MMR. The number 95 indicates that they are the 95th rescue for the specified year. Their gender and name are also clearly labelled.

According to Sherry, each year they have a different theme to name the rescued harbour seals. This year, the theme is elements (and musicians, it seems). My three favorite names are Boron, Aluminium and Snopp Dogg! In past years, they named rescued harbour seals after vegetables and Crayola Crayons. 

Chester, as you likely have guessed, got his name from the place where he was rescued: Chesterman Beach.

How You Can Help

The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre relies on the generous support of corporate sponsors and private donors. But most of all, they are supported by their many loyal and devoted volunteers, like Sherry. 

Face-painting (on left) and refreshments (right) donated by Coca Cola and Sysco Foods.

To donate to the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Center, please visit http://www.vanaqua.org/act/direct-action/marine-mammal-rescue.

Without generous donors, none of this would be possible.

To volunteer with the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre, please visit http://www.vanaqua.org/join/hands-on/volunteer. According to Sherry, the Vancouver Aquarium recruits volunteers three times a year. The time commitment is four hours a week.

If you spot a marine mammal in distress, call 604-258-SEAL (7325).

Learn More

To learn more about the Marine Mammal Rescue Center and the Vancouver Aquarium, please visit http://www.vanaqua.org/.


Disclosure: I was not asked or nor was I compensated by the Vancouver Aquarium to write this post. All members of the Vancouver Aquarium were invited to visit the Marine Mammal Research Center which took place in mid-August, 2014.

* From Vancouver Aquarium's website.

2 Cineplex General Admission + 2 Boxes of Cheerios for $5.98

One of the first foods we introduced to the little man is Cheerios. He recognizes the trademark yellow box anywhere and says "Chh". That is his way of telling me he wants Cheerios. We bring Cheerios everywhere with us as it is a healthy snack and nut free*. Naturally, we go through boxes of Cheerios like no tomorrow.

While shopping at Superstore, I bought two boxes of Cheerios for $2.99 which also had a Free Summer Movie Ticket offer. The free movie offer on the box of Cheerios that I had purchased gives one free general (adult) admission to a movie from Sunday to Thursday in August at participating Cineplex theatres. Alternatively, you can also use the coupon for a buy-one-get-one movie offer for July, September and October**.

This was the first time I have seen the Free Summer Movie Ticket offer. In past years, the free movie was offered in April, with other concession or movie offers in February, March and May. One year, we purchased 8 boxes of General Mills cereal and managed to see four academy award winners in April. This April, my husband and I saw Captain America with the General Mills Free Movie offer.

To redeem the offer, you would need to enter the code (found inside the box) online at http://www.cineplex.com/Promos/generalmills. Once you have completed the online ticket order, you can either print your tickets at home or pick up your ticket at the theatre. For more detailed instructions on how to redeem tickets, click here.

NOTE: The movie offer is only valid for general admission and not for 3D, UltraAVX, IMAX or VIP 19.

*The ingredients in Cheerios may change at any time. Please always read the labels and contact General Mills at 1-800-516-7780 if you have any questions.

** There are two different movie offers: adult and child admission. Read the package to purchase the correct one.

TIP

• The movie offer found on the cereal boxes is the best deal as it offers a free movie instead of a buy-one-get-one when you use it during specified month.