For the first time in years, I have an actual useable phone number!

Cellular data access is always a problem for us when we return to Canada because it's just so expensive compared to other countries. 

During the last three months, we've been using an eSIM package that costs $30 CAD ($22 USD) tax included for 15GB of data. And that's data only... no voice calls or texting. And I'll tell you, 15 GB doesn't last very long anymore!

With banking practices and two factor identification becoming more and more common, the fact that we can't receive texts around the world was becoming difficult to navigate. 

I came across a company here in Canada called Freedom Mobile. They only do business in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario. They've been around for a dozen years or so, but have only just started to make their presence known with better deals.

What attracted my attention was a plan that does all of Canada, U.S., and Mexico. With zero restrictions, and large data options as well as unlimited voice calling between those three countries and unlimited texting worldwide.

For $62 CAD ($45 USD) tax included for a 100 GB monthly package.

It almost seemed too good to be true.

So yesterday we stopped in to a nearby shopping mall and got a SIM card. For the first time in years, I have an actual useable phone number! It's prepaid, and there is a three month commitment. After that, you are free to change the package or drop it entirely.  Also, besides Canada, U.S., and Mexico, the 100GB package includes 20 GB of data available in 92 other countries. Might come in handy when we pop into Belize for a week or so.

This will be much more convenient for us, although of course it comes at a monthly cost that will probably never go away. 

Yesterday, we moved down to my mother's building where we are camped out in the parking lot until Saturday. We're going through a bit of a cold spell, which is not unusual for October. The low last night was 3C (37F) and when we woke up this morning Igor's inside temperature was 8C (46F). I turned the furnace on high, and within a half an hour it was pretty comfortable!

Things are supposed to warm up throughout the week, with highs around 20C (68F) for this weekend when our friends Bjorn and Freya arrive from Belgium. We go to pick them up in Montreal on Sunday.

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Great deal on Energizer AA Batteries.

And in Canada...

Check out the deals at Amazon.ca.