Top 12 ways Rosedale is cutting back this holiday season

The public service here truly never ends (see prior posts “An i-bankers survival guide part 4” September 18-08 and “I-bankers don’t despair” November 24-08). In the spirit of the holiday season, and the weak-at-best bonuses that Bay Street has in store, here is a summary of some of the more obvious ways that Rosedale types are economizing:

12. Bring your own camera to Bayview Village to snatch a shot of the kids on Santa’s knee and do-it-yourself at Black’s, rather than purchase the “Family Package” from his Elves. Save $49.

11. Rather than spend $160 for an “Organic, stuffed, cooked-to-order” Turkey from Pussies, out comes the frozen ButterBall from Loblaws. Save $125.

10. No more “weekend help”. $1,200 savings per month.

9. Buy a stepladder so that you can hang your own Christmas lights, rather than engage “professional” support. $2,000 savings (less the $40 for the ladder).

8. Watch Madagascar at home on DVD, rather than take the kids to the Cineplex to see the already-panned Madagascar II. $51 savings plus parking.

7. Hire just two serving and hostess staff at the annual neighbourhood cocktail party, rather than the traditional four. $280 savings.

6. Trade in the old diamond stud earrings to Birks for an 0.50 ct upgrade, and avoid buying an enitrely new pair for the holidays. $35,000 savings.

5. Rather than book the annual three day golf trip with the boys to Myrtle Beach, why not buy Tiger Woods 09 Golf for the XBOX 360? Play better courses, and save $2,200. And no temptation with the Barmaid at the 19 hole.

4. Spend a Saturday at the TJ Max outlet store in Buffalo, rather than patronize Holts to buy all those Burberry gifts for the ungrateful neighbourhood kids.

3. Sell your allocation of the company’s Platinum section Leaf / Devils tickets for December 16th to a scalper. The Leafs will lose anyway, and you’ll pocket $800 while avoiding the pain of having to watch yourself.

2. Joe Fresh Christmas dress = $14 for daughters, $19 for Mommy. Holts? Forgetaboutit.

1. Rather than fly out to Vancouver to spend the season with your in-laws, declare it a “nuclear family” holiday zone. Win-win. $4k stays in the bank, and you won’t need to hear about the poor performance of all of those horrible stock ideas you gave to your Father-in-law last Christmas.

MRM