Five things to look forward to in 2013

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      As we say goodbye to the year that was 2012, here are five things to look forward to—well, okay, look for—in 2013.

      January 1: Bus riders... get to pay more for transit in Vancouver! (I know, my excitement is palpable.) As of January 1, a one-zone fare will rise from $2.50 to $2.75.

      Pro-tip: a 10-pack of adult one-zone fares will remain the same price—$21. (We're not great at math but somehow that seems like a pretty good deal.)

      January 14: Postage prices rise... Remember that thing called mail? You know, the physical items that sometimes show up at your house? As of January 14, you'll be paying more to send those things. Postage for domestic mail (up to 30 grams) is increasing by two cents to 63 cents, while the price to send U.S. and international mail will increase by five cents. The cost of registered mail is also going up by 25 cents from $8.25 to $8.50 (excluding postage).

      February 11: Family Day... is totally happening! Many British Columbians will get a little more time off in the form of Family Day, a new piece of legislation from the provincial Liberals that makes the second Monday in February a statutory holiday. B.C.'s first Family Day takes place on February 11, 2013.

      April 1: Bye bye HST... As of April 1, 2013, British Columbians will finally say goodbye to the 12 percent harmonized sales tax and resume paying five percent GST on goods and services.

      July 1: Passport fees... are going up. As of July 1, 2013, expect to pay $120 (up from $87) for a five-year passport, or pony up $160 for a shiny new 10-year passport.

      (Note to self: get your damn passport already.)

      What are you looking forward to in 2013, poppets? Let us know in the comments below.

      Follow the penny-pinching Miranda Nelson on Twitter at @charenton_.

      Comments

      5 Comments

      Eric

      Dec 31, 2012 at 1:53pm

      "April 1: Bye bye HST... As of April 1, 2013, British Columbians will finally say goodbye to the 12 percent harmonized sales tax and resume paying five percent GST on goods and services" ...plus seven percent PST. Convenient little omission there.

      slowmanluis

      Dec 31, 2012 at 2:58pm

      on certain goods...

      peter puck

      Jan 1, 2013 at 7:51pm

      another omission - 10 yr passports to be rolled out in july at only $40 more - a year too late for certain gambling site purveyors.

      lolwut peter puck

      Jan 2, 2013 at 4:16am

      " or pony up $160 for a shiny new 10-year passport." Reading comprehension for the win.

      Mr Bigggg

      Jan 5, 2013 at 5:29pm

      Family Day=Another load of feel good crap from our Dear Leader & Comrade Christy Clark. Oh & an extra day for families to go to the mall with each member to going off to do his &/or her own thing.