Online Free Tax Return

04.09.13 - An update of what is available online with automatic filing with NETFILE.
I have used various services the past few years and found them easy to use and some are FREE.

StudioTax is a FREE service. Like the others, you cannot import past returns, as they only manage past returns for returning customers.
I am using it this year and will advise of any concerns.

WebTax4U is a FREE service this year, for taxpayers without outside income (self-employed, rental, etc).

Ufile has an online version ($16 you, $9 spouse) and a Windows version ($20 for up to 8 returns). Here is a comparison of their services. Not free.

There are a few more but cost is higher.






03.22.10 - I cannot recall anything I do NOT like doing more than taxes!


Each of the last few years (now that we are retired), I look into the various online alternatives and always seem to find a "better alternative".

This year, it is a very easy process with myTaxExpress which cost $6.99 (taxes included!) for one return or $13.99 for up to 10 returns.

The last few years, I used WebTax4u ($12.99 for one return and $5.99 for each additional - taxes not included) and was pleased at how easy taxes have become.  


If you have found something/better cheaper, pls comment.


Of course, I will wait until the last minute to submit, as we always seem to have to pay ... a good thing?!

It's worse than we thought - says Al Gore

(left click to enlarge)
Yesterday, Al Gore placed this on his Twitter site.
Apparently, the arctic is worse than we thought or hoped for.
The ice is not nearly as thick as it looked from the satellite views.

2010 Olympics - CTV has made it easy

Ah! Technology!
Check out this CTV website that allows you to select the Olympics TV channels you want included on your PC and the time zone you prefer.
It then shows you the up-to-date schedule for every event in the Vancouver Olympics, for that channel.
It also allows you to send reminders to an e-mail address and a cell hone for any events you don't want to miss.
Now, if i only had an iPhone, I could be watching an event while being away from my TV or PC ... not much chance i will be away from either for the duration!

cell phones and plans and the iPhone

01/19/10 - These six pics are the various phones offered and comparison of options. For some reason, none of them include the iPhone ... which will take over the market ... and greatly reduce computer usage (see below).
I have to thank Best Buy for this paper information. 

All six carriers in the same pkg with all their phones and plans and phone options options.

This was published for December 2009. The information is available on their mobile website.
For some reason this information does not include the iPhone (my next cell phone) which I have outlined separately. 

These three charts compares the 3G vs the 3GS iPhone features. The difference in price is $100 with a 3-year plan. It seems everyone wants the 3GS version for the speed, video camera and voice control. 

I have being reviewing the applications that are developed for the iPhone. There are well over a 1,000 (a lot more coming) that are free or relatively inexpensive at the apps store, that make this the cell phone for the immediate future ... if you can get one. All the carries have it.
I have seen the GPS app (includes traffic conditions) and am quite impressed. It also acts as a hansfree speaker-phone while driving. 
I am very impressed with the web browser (the best I have seen yet on a phone) and the Internet speed is quite fast ... may result in less computer time. 
It comes with a 3MP camera but it should be a 5MP to compete with the HTC Hero phone (offered by Telus). Here is a comparison of the two. There are also quite a few YouTube comparisons.
If you hear anything interesting about the iPhone, add a comment and it will be included in this post.

01/20/10 - CNET scan and shop app - this app allows you to scan the bar code of a product in a store, before you buy,  and instantly see the CNET reviews, locations for purchasing along with prices, and directions to the various stores. It also allows you to hold in a wish list and attach a price and will notify when the price drops to what you want to pay.

02/03/10 - I am ready to buy the iPhone ... now can install a Golf GPS app!

The next pics are the various carrier phone plans.

Reducing Standby Power Usage

01/02/10 - There are a couple of devices available that will show you how much electricity you are using in your home.
1. energy monitoring device (previous blog item)
2. whole house meter
Using these tools on a regular basis, enables a home owner to determine where exactly the power eaters are. 
Now, if the libraries would allow borrowing the whole house monitor (as they do with the energy monitor), instead of the $150 to buy, it might be more attractive to home owners. 


Part of the energy usage equation relates to standby power of household appliances.
As per a BC Hydro article, the power saved could run 400,000 homes, here in Canada. 






Use of surge protectors (and turning them off when not in use) would go a long way in reducing our standby power utilization. The surge protector uses very little electricity and your appliances are protected when the protector is turned off.
Were you aware how beneficial it is to buy Energy Star appliances for reducing standby power? 




 


California is leading the way in this standby reduction by demanding new appliances use a maximum of 1W standby power by 2011 - just for TV sets. 


This is a result of a test showing up to 26% of total household electricity usage could be related to standby power. By reducing power required to run stanby function to 1W, would reduce standby power use by 68% and overall electricity usage by 7% annually.

POIs to add to your GPS

Web communities, such as POIfriend, are popping up on the web.

Although most GPSs have at least 6 million points of interest (POIs), it is not nearly enough.

If you are looking for a retail store not in your GPS, you may want to go to one of these communities and add their POIs to your GPS.

It is very easy to do, if you have your GPS connected to your computer.

Some POIs are 'direct' (click on it and your computer will automatically install it on your GPS.

You may also download and install POI Loader (here is the Garmin site), if the POIs you want to add are more than 50 locations.

If you use the 'direct' loader approach for your GPS, it will install only the first 50 locations of the POI closest to your home location.

If you are/become aware of POIs of interest (not included at POIfriend), let me know and I will update this blog item.

kill-a-watt ... or two

01/01/10 - Quite a while ago (Feb 21, 2008), I did a study using a metering device borrowed from the library.
The device was a Kill-A-Watt and it somewhat accurately calculated the electrical usage of some devices within our home.

It is now time to determine our energy reduction items. By the use of a Kill A Watt (P4400 Energy Meter at Lee Valley Tools or  Blue Planet Energy Meter at CTC), I will find the big items we can do without ... old fridge, old freezer, non energy star remaining items, etc. 








Here were the results from the 02/21/08 analysis:

A few more conclusions from the data gathered:

1. a 100W incandescent will cost you $.23 for 24 hours usage.

2. a 100W fluorescent will cost you $..047 for 24 hours usage.

3. a 250W incandescent will cost you $.60 for 24 hours usage.

4. a 4ft double fluorescent fixture will cost you $.15 for 24 hours usage.

5. a laptop will cost you $.097 for 24 hours usage.

6. a desktop will cost you $.389 for 24 hours usage.

I used my laptop and three fluorescent 4ft lights at a cost of approx $.32 a day or $9.62/month.

A laptop kW usage cost is half that of a 100W incandescent but twice as much as a 100W fluorescent.

A desktop is four times as costly as a laptop to run.

A 100W incandescent bulb usage cost is 5 times a 100W fluorescent. Time to convert all incandescents to CFLs.

We now have both the laptop and desktop computers on surge protectors and turn them off nightly. 

converting a music CD to MP3 files

Have you ever wanted to listen to one of your music CDs on your MP3/iPhone/iPod player?
By using iTunes, you can easily import the CD to your computer and then copy the MP3s to your portable player. 


See pic (left-click to enlarge) for instructions.


It may not be important, but I changed the CD Import setting to create the MP3s at 320kbps (highest quality). See/incorporate into step 2.


iTunes saves your tunes in a folder you may not find easily, if you didn't know to look in Preferences -> Advanced. You might want to change this folder, when setting up iTunes.


If you need more help with this, let me know, or submit a comment to this blog. 

MicroFIT - power to solar!

OPA seems to be - slowly - getting the message but a lot more incentive is required.

01/13/10 - Berkeley California seems to be one of the cities actively looking into methods of reducing the shock of solar home installations.
There is a plan being implemented in a few cities to soften the blow of installation with a 20 year low-interest payback plan ... to encourage home owners to get into the self-sufficiency mode. I am optimistic Ontario will rise to the challenge, at some time.


Why not install a system to generate all the electricity you require for your home and have some left over to feed into the power grid to reduce your costs ... if your municipality subsidizes your good efforts?


Stay tuned. I feel confident more effort will be made to encourage Ontario home owners to get involved ... without the installation shock.
   
12/17/09 - Ever thought of placing solar panels on your roof?
The Ontario gov't is helping offset some of the costs ... and you get to contribute energy back into the power grid!


The Ontario Power Authority's website has all the details.


The microFIT pgm Overview has details to better understand what a home project  would generate in excess electrical energy. Page 5 has  tools (RETscreen and PV Watts) to help you understand these aspects.
The PV Watts calculator (here is Toronto - looks like a profit of 10 cents per kWh delivered to the grid) indicates the estimated annual energy production and cost savings for a crystalline silicon PV system.


More on this (installation cost, ROI, etc), as I get a little deeper in the details.


Have you looked into and/or have details on any aspect?

Discarding fluorescent and buying CFL dimmers

Now that we have converted to fluorescent and discarded all our incandescents, we will need to know how to get rid of the burnt out lights (after many years use).
In Markham, there are 4 depots you can take them to.

Did you know, they now have dimmer CFLs ... no excuse now for those chandeliers with dimmer switches (not the small base variety).
Yes, I know they are quite expensive ... but they may last as long as 20 years!

The best rust protection for cars

(left-click to enlarge a pic)

When I purchased my MX-5 last month, I decided to try to improve the rust protection already on the car.

I had noticed Helen's car has an electronic device that is guaranteed for the life of the car (by Honda).

I checked with Honda and it would cost approx $800 to buy/install.

I did some forum research on the Web and was surprised by how well it appeared to work after quite a few years. As luck would have it, Canadian Tire had a device (CounterAct) on sale that week ($300 buy/install) with the same lifetime guarantee. I take the car back to CTC for a check each year (no charge).

Let see how long it does the job...  

Copenhagen summit - a failure - what's next?

01/13/10 - Time for border taxes? 
A positive step must occur soon! This economics Nobel prize winner (in the Star today) has an approach that might work ... if only countries could see the value.
Instead of wasting billions on unprofitable companies, why not invest in saving a dying planet?






 12/19/09 - As has been said before ... "a lot to do about nothing".

This summit mtg was a bust!
These 'heads of state' should be embarrassed for creating a lot of CO2 and making no progress. Another boondoggle...


The 'resulting agreement' is a draft to re-look at  things without committing to anything. 
350.org is also not happy about the progress ... 

approx 770ppm of CO2 instead of 350ppm. Can't keep the temperature increase below 1.5 degrees with that commitment.






12/17/09 - Well I guess nothing of substance ia going to happen in Denmark ... so says the Star today. 
Harper is not participating, as we had hoped.
The world leaders don't appear to want to be leaders. 
Are you surprised?
After all, why should they consider others, when their personally well-being is at stake?


They seem to have decided to not take the necessary steps to restrict temperature increase to only 2 degrees (20B tonnes per year vs expected 90B) by 2050.
It appears scientists will now need to accurately specify exactly what will happen each year as greenhouse gas emissions (GGE) continues to rise.


If the most ambitious plans under discussion were agreed to, the increase in GGE would be triple the "acceptable" level (2 degree temperature rise) by 2050.

This chart outlines the key sticking points at the conference . Seems to be like immature children ... "I won't play unless the others treat me as special".
Harper is a total embarrassment ... to-date.



One of the significant points at Copenhagen is to take immediate steps to stop rainforest destruction. This is now a world-wide mgmt responsibility! 
This article (Star today) speaks of the obvious - PLANT TREES. Seems to be another aspect of government now being overlooked.


May be time for cities and provinces/states to take action and embarrass federal gov'ts into action.




12/02/09 - There is a lot of build up to this summit meeting. 
Various articles in the Toronto Star highlight the reticence of our federal leader (does he really represent the majority?) to promote Canada's enthusiastic adoption of global warming reductions.


Are we in for a Canadian surprise next week? 


For some reason, I am optimistic ... maybe it's the scotch martini (my own concoction to soften the Harper oil sands conundrum) and the Everly Brothers Greatest Hits are responsible.


Follow the action at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

move to left lane quickly

Did I miss this important item?

Apparently, when seeing police lights flashing on the right side of the road, you are "required" to immediately move to the left lane as you proceed by the incident.
If you do not, you may be subject to 3 demerit points and a fine of almost $500!!


Are you aware of this?
While I agree it is important to be cautious of police flashing lights, should we allow the discretion of the officer to decide if this severe penalty is just?
I would suggest, to any penalized motorist, contact x-coppers or get a lawyer!

wheelchairs for sale

With the passing of both Helen's mother and my sister, in the last month, we have a few wheel chairs available.
They are/were listed on Craigslist and Kijiji.


No longer available - The first one is well used and collapsible with a secure tray.


No longer available - The second one can tilt, recline and has an adjustable headrest and secure tray.


The third one can tilt and has an adjustable headrest and secure tray.


No longer available - A walker (wheels) with cage and carrying bag.

hands-free mini speakerphone - alternatives

Nov 27, 2009 - More bluetooth enabled GPSs at lower prices. The Christmas sales are starting!

Canadian Tire has the Garmin 265T for $189. 

The Source has the Garmin 265W for $189 (11/27-28) and then $199.

Best Buy has a bluetooth Garmin for $179 (11/27-29). They don't indicate models in their ads.

Nov 26, 2009 - Last month, I indicated an inexpensive device for hands-free cell phones in your car. My son (the new techies) now tells me the way to go is a GPS that is bluetooth enabled. This is not an inexpensive solution but a good one, if you were planning to buy a GPS (another blog item). I wish I had thought of it when I bought my Garmin 350 a few months ago. Anyone want mine for $100? 

After some research, the 'best' solution appears to be a Garmin 265WT which sold for $191 at Walmart two weeks ago. Unfortunately, my son didn't respond when advised and he had to pay $219 at Costco.       
More on ease of use, as feedback arrives.


Oct 28, 2009 - As you know, you require a hands-free device in your car, if you are taking or receiving phone calls.
Now I know none of you are part of that group that ignores our laws (northern rednecks) so each of you has purchased some sort of hands-free device ... or are not using your cell phone in your car until you do.
As I let you know in a previous item, I am trying the inexpensive yada mini speakerphone ($20 at CTC).
I am pleasantly surprised how well it works, compared to my Nokia earphone ($20 at CTC a while ago). With the earphone, I had to remember to charge it and bring it in the car, and locate it before starting the car, set my cell phone to accept it, turn the earphone on, etc.

With the mini speakerphone, I just hold the on/off button for 8 seconds when I enter the car (as it is clipped on the sun visor) and it automatically sets my bluetooth ready cell phone.
To place a call from the speakerphone, I hold the on/off button for a second and then use voice dial to place a call. No touching or looking at my cell phone.
To receive a call, I just touch the on/off button.








You might suspect I am a high user of cell phones while driving. You are wrong. While I needed to be available at all time for personal reasons, at heart, I am a techy and want to check out new (inexpensive) technology.