Clearly the best way to use aluminum foil is to fashion it into a cone-shaped hat to block aliens or the "Government" from reading your thoughts. However, aluminum foil has other uses -- even beyond cooking.

Here are a few ways to transform a cheap and durable kitchen staple into a marvel of home economy.




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Oh what a tangled web we weave when we practice to make personal gain from taxpayer money. Canadian politics has been rocked in recent weeks by revelations from the Senate expenses scandal. Already, four Senators have resigned from their respective caucuses and the Prime Minister's chief of staff fell on his sword for cutting a personal cheque to cover Senator Mike Duffy's inaccurate living expense claims. Alas, political expense scandals are not uncommon but they are invariably entertaining and, as a taxpayer, infuriating. Here are five of the most egregious expense scandals so far this century.

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Here comes the... credit card bill... Weddings can be terrific events though we've all experienced the long-winded, awkward speeches, table seat politics and the one drunk guy hitting on all the bridesmaids. As wedding season ramps up we're dealing with multiple invitations and demands on our time and pocket books. But who doesn't love the romance and promise of two soulmates tying the knot? If you're intent on going to every single wedding event this year, here are some tips to keep costs in check so you can enjoy eating pink frosted cupcakes without feeling the great weight of debt.

1. Save on Getting to the Destination
If you're being asked to get on a plane and travel somewhere to witness someone's special day, save by using points towards your airfare if you've got a rewards card (or perhaps your partner or another family member does and wouldn't mind helping you out). You also can make use of services like hotwire.com or expedia.ca where you can take advantage of discount travel packages. Be aware of any corporate hotel rates available to you or your partner through work.

You think you know what he'd like for Father's Day. But you don't. You really don't. At least I didn't. I thought he deserved a massage. And he does. But that's not what he wants. A new shirt? Nope. This year instead of trying to surprise him, I thought I'd ask him what Father's Day gift he'd most like. It turns out what he really wants -- and claims most men want -- is to be independent for a day or at least an afternoon and a night. He may even want to be treated as if he were 12 years old again. The good news is that this can be accomplished at a very reasonable cost. Here are five ideas on how to let your husband roam free at a discount.

He's a clothes horse but he's also a Dad, so although he wants to be stylish he also needs a bit of practicality incorporated into his wardrobe. If the man in question -- whether he's your Dad or Dad to your kids -- is fashion forward, or even fashion conscious, there's a lot to work with this season in the way of men's clothing that looks good but will fit in with the lifestyle of a busy father. Have a look at some Father's Day gift ideas for a stylin' Dad:

J.Crew is a fashion label known for making affordable designer-style ruffled tees, pencil skirts and "boyfriend" blouses accessible to the masses. It's created its own look -- a mix of feminine/masculine chic -- and in doing so, created its own devoted following. With constant online sales campaigns, drawing in fashion-conscious buyers who love a deal, plus smart marketing that promotes the brand as a glamorous yet laidback lifestyle, J.Crew fashion has become in demand at a time when many retailers are struggling to find an identity. Here are 10 things you might not have known behind J.Crew's success story:


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It's the largest book retailer in Canada and some even blame the demise of the independent bookstore in our country on the book retailing giant. It's core business is books and - to a degree - music, but the store also has become known for selling lifestyle products, including toys and decorative home accessories. It's become a haven for people who want to take their time browsing magazines and fiction and who might want a Starbucks latte while they're at it. But despite the obvious, there might be a few things you didn't know about Indigo's story and the top people behind it. Have a look at 10 things you didn't know about Indigo:

You're tired of dreading summer because it means more time in shorts and a swimsuit so you've made a commitment to get back into shape. That's great but... How? Unless you're part of the one per cent, personal trainers may be out of the question. Gyms are fine but at $60-$100 a month they add up too. Even purchasing home exercise equipment can mean spending a large sum of money at first. Here are five ways you can re-discover your best bod without having monthly fees or investing big money into a home gym.

If you're craving a freshness in your home that won't be satisfied by simply moving a few things around, maybe it's time for a change. In my case it was a loveseat my two young sons have outgrown (since they started wrestling on it) that sparked our home renovation. It was time to get a new, bigger, plusher couch. Now that we've purchased said couch and it's arriving in six to eight weeks, it's sparked even bigger changes. But I've learned through our renovation there are certain areas where it makes sense to splurge and certain areas where it makes more sense to save.

Here are some tips on affording a room renovation you'll actually finish:

Greece and Cyprus are a mess and much of Europe is poised to join them. Canada's relative stability has been credited to, among others, the conservative and risk-averse nature of our five big banks -- RBC, TD Bank, CIBC, Scotiabank and BMO. Over the past five years Canadians have gained a new appreciation for our banking system and yet, there are some key things that many of us don't know -- but should -- about our big banks and how we interact with them.