Cutting transpe ‘WELL, IT have been car- - less-for one month ‘now. Anc I must admit I certainly miss the convenience of having my own transportation. For example, T should make an appointment for a dental che . But what . used to bea five-minute run cby car along the highway - now turns into a 90-minute eo series of bus rides — each . Way. I suppose I could call a ; ab + but to go to the den- ay often advise le if they really went oe to. north shore news < BUSINESS ly — I sold my trusty 1983 Tercel. In this first month, when I wasn’t able to talk my wife Mandy into letting me bor- row her car (“Forget it — I don’t want to be stuck here at home” was ber usual response), 3 sgznt just over $100 on buses, taxis and car “rentals, (The weekend I needed a car, | found a company that - had a special rate of $9.99 a day while most other places - were charging $29 to $30 a _day. It pays to shop around.) Spending $100 strikes me ‘OPEN For Business is a ‘listing of new business openings on the North Business owners . wishing to submit items for the listing can fax them to the attention of : Robert Galster at 985- - 2104 or e-mail them to : robert@nsnews.com. NEW © WERKS — 91 as quite a bit just to run errands and get around to places that used to be so casi- ly accessible by car. But I mustn't forget now I am sav- ing almost $100 a month by not having to pay for licens- ing end registration — plus probably at least another $200 a month for deprecia- tion, gas, car maintenance and possible repairs. Saving perhaps $2,500 a year Means more money to spend or invest —- or I could afford to earn $4,200 to $5. $5,000 less a year. Also, I can feel good I am doing my tiny bit to cut down on pollution. The last time I ran through a similar exercise, when oil prices skyrocketed in the 1970s, I traded my car for a moped. In the three years I rode it I saved almost $5,000. I don’t know if I am game for another moped, but I suppose I could buy a bike. Lonsdale North Vancouver Custom designed and 100% guaranteed furniture manufactured ata factory on East Ist Street in North Vancouver. Call 990-8380 for more information. EMBERTON P) BT CARE SERVICES _ Ave., IT CC ) -osts How about you? Could you use an extra few thou- sand dollars a year? And could you put another few thousand you would get from selling your vehicle against the mortgage or other debt? Into an RRSP or non-RRSP investments? With the weather getting worse, perhaps this isn’t the best time to sell one of your family cars or your only car. But if you can manage in the cold and wet, think how easy it will be when the weather - improves. —- Copyright 1997 M t M Creations Ltd. Mike Grenby is a columnist and independent financial adviser who works with individuals; he'll answer questions in this column as ace allows but cannot reply individually - contact him at 2444 Haywood Avenue, West Vancouver, B.C. V7V IYI; email Mgvrenlby@aol.com. Vancouver A home-based business pro- . viding vacation pet-sitting ser- vices. ‘An additional service | dubbed dog daycare outings is also available. Call 983-0434. — Robert Galster James Harper Operations Manager, Vancouver (Tri-Cities) Ronald L. Marcoux, President and CEO, McDonald's". Westem Canada, is pleased to announce the appointr.ent of James Harper as Operations Manager for McDonald's -. restaurants in the City of Vancouver, on the North Shore and in the Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam-Port Moody area: . Harper, 38, began his McDonald's career as a member of the Crewin the Portage Avenue West restaurant in Winnipeg in 1975. He entered the Manager Trainee program and *} | became a Restaurant Manager in 1980. He subsequently served as an Operatons Consultant and as a Training - Consultant before being appointed Manager of Training for . Westem Canada two years ago. He is past Manager of : the Year and the winner of the 1996 President's Award. (Arh LMcDonaigs. Finally, the cell INER DOWNS ARRISTERS & SOLICITORS Our Practice Groups: | Altemate Dispute Resolution : - China Civil Fraud _ Closely Held Businesses - Commercial Leasing _ Commercial Litigation Cornpetition Constructicn & Engineering . Corporations Employment ‘Energy & Mining Hesources Entertainment & Environmental Estate Litigation Financial institutions / Banking Forestry Telephone: (604) 646-4112, Email: gghi Hospitality intellectual Property Intemational Trade Japan Labour & Pensions Media . 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