5 tips for buying a fuel-efficient vehicle Everyone needs a break these days and that includes saving money when you buy a new vehicle. Think about buying the most fuel-efficient one that meets your needs to save money at the pumps and also maximizes savings over the long haul. The money you save could go towards that dream vacation or big screen TV that you have always wanted. The experts at Natural Resources Canada have put together these tips to help you make an informed decision: 1. Do some research before you leave home – The NRCan website, www.vehicles.nrcan.gc.ca, has a fuel consumption ratings search tool to help you compare the fuel consumption ratings of various years, makes and models of vehicles. 2. Check out the EnerGuide Label – Compare vehicles using the EnerGuide label that is found on all new cars and light trucks. The label shows city and highway fuel consumption ratings and the estimated annual fuel cost for that particular vehicle model. 3. Choose a vehicle that fits your everyday needs in terms of size and power – Put some serious thought into your space and cargo needs – do you really need a minivan when a compact would do? Passenger cars with smaller engines tend to deliver better fuel consumption than those with larger engines. 4. Two-wheel drive vs. four-wheel drive – The added weight and drive train losses you get with four-wheel and ‘all-wheel’ drive systems increase fuel consumption. Although all-wheel drive can offer better traction when accelerating under slippery conditions, it doesn’t assist in braking; there is no substitute for safe driving habits. 5. Think about your extras – Accessories and power features can be a big drag on an engine, increasing fuel consumption. How much do you really need all those gizmos? Are they worth the increased fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions? By following these tips and doing your homework, you can watch your savings add up and your greenhouse gas emissions go down. www.newscanada.com
Budget conscious shoppers still value quality Cost-conscious Canadians are still looking for quality when shopping for everyday purchases, new research commissioned by Procter & Gamble reveals. In fact, the survey found that 69 per cent of Canadians believe they don’t have to sacrifice quality when shopping on a budget. Personal finance expert, Gail Vaz-Oxlade, explains that dependability doesn’t have to depend on cost when shopping on a budget. “Some people think shopping on a budget means relying on the cheapest brands to save,” says Vaz-Oxlade. “The reality is that these items can cost you in the long run when you have to use more of one product to get the same result.” She urges Canadians to be more savvy when it comes to everyday spending. The survey revealed over half (53 per cent) of Canadians agree well-known, trusted brands, such as Tide Simply Clean and Fresh, Dawn and Charmin Basic, represent the best value for money based on overall performance and cost. When shopping on a budget, Vaz-Oxlade suggests taking time to examine the initial up-front cost and then compare against the overall product performance over a longer period of time. “Ultimately, saving is about making informed purchasing decisions,” adds Vaz-Oxlade. “You need to make your money and your purchases work for you to see long term benefits and value.” More budgeting tips are available at savingmadesimple.ca. www.newscanada.com
Combining form and function; a guide for picking the perfect TV It’s an age – old debate – and often it takes place between an esthetically-inclined wife and a sports-obsessed husband. Should we, or shouldn’t we feature a television in our living room? There are those who think TVs are an eye-sore and should be strictly relegated to the family room. While others don’t really see the purpose of a couch and two chairs if you can’t kick-back and enjoy the tube. But why do we have to choose? These days, many top electronics companies are seamlessly combining form and function to create televisions that not only produce gorgeous picture quality but which are also esthetically pleasing. OLED (organic light-emitting diode) is the latest in television technology and is a vast improvement on LCD and plasma when it comes to picture quality. From the comfort of your living room, the crisp, clear picture of an OLED TV transforms everything from your favourite sporting event to the latest blockbuster into a real life experience. Finally, the ‘home décor obsessed’ have a TV they are willing to hang in the living room. The LG Curved OLED does double duty as a television and a piece of art. Homeowners are saying that its sleek form and gentle curve looks like a masterpiece on the wall. “This TV is beautiful enough to satisfy the design-oriented homeowner, with the picture quality to delight any home entertainment enthusiast,” says Melissa Lubert, the brand manager of home entertainment at LG Electronics Canada. “It’s as thin as a pencil, with a curve that ensures every seat in the room is the best seat in the house.” Once you’ve picked your perfect TV, here are some tips for incorporating it into your space: • Make sure you have picture perfect placement. Factors such as windows, lighting and furniture can all affect picture quality. The last thing you want is glare from the window. • Is there such a thing as too big? There can be. Make sure you have enough room to support the size of your TV. Typically a 46 inch model would require viewer seating to be six to nine feet back for optimal viewing. • The picture is important, but without crystal clear sound, the viewing experience will suffer. Make sure your TV has top-notch speakers or invest in a sound system. More information is available online at LG.com. www.newscanada.com
5 Practical Tips For Refreshing Your Closet Organizing the jungle that is your closet is an excellent way to harmonize your thoughts and streamline your morning routine. Plus, it’s a well-known fact that well-arranged closets equal better outfits. Canadian style expert Janette Ewen offers these steps to achieve closet calm: 1. Host a closet intervention: Cleanse yourself and your closet by inviting a trusted (and stylish!) friend over and sorting your closet together. Begin with the items you adore but don’t wear regularly. Imagine new ways to wear them and determine if they can be tailored. “If you figure out an inventive way to revisit old favourites, take a picture and store it in a fashion file on your smartphone. That way, during frantic ‘I-have-nothing-to-wear!’ mornings, you have it as a reference,” recommends Ewen. 2. Implement a system: Organize the remaining items by clothing type (blouses, jeans, trousers, etc). At the front of the closet, group a few ready-made outfits for dressing on the run (these should include accessories like complementary bags and shoes). Refresh these looks every couple of weeks. 3. Gather the essentials: Finally, the fun part: shopping. Revitalize your entire look by focusing on key items you need to jazz up old standbys. Make a list, investigate your options online, and start a style board using Pinterest. Need suggestions for essential winter wear? “A stunning statement coat in a wear-everywhere neutral and an impeccably tailored pencil skirt can do no wrong,” says Ewen. 4. Invest in statement jewelry: Adding a gorgeous necklace, an eye-catching bracelet or a statement ring to your roster will make every outfit feel new again. “Pandora’s new Rose collection, featuring rings, earrings, bangles and charms in warm pink metallics, flatters every skin tone and outfit,” says Ewen. “Or, stack sterling silver and 14K gold rings for an on-trend mixed metals look.” Visit www.pandora.net for even more style inspiration. 5. Add a pop of colour: In the chill of winter, greys and blacks take over our wardrobes. Turn this logic on its head by injecting rich auburn and sumptuous cobalt blue to key pieces, like cashmere pullovers and silk button-downs. www.newscanada.com
Watch for the top pests in each province Flies are one of the nation’s top pest issues, followed by spiders, moths, beetles and sowbugs, according to recent data from Orkin Canada. While all pests are constantly in search of their three survival elements – food, water and shelter – differences in physical environments can impact which pests are the most prevalent. If you’re curious about these issues where you live, here’s a list by province, the top five pests issues across Canada: Alberta: Mice, flies, beetles, spiders and moths. British Columbia: Flies, spiders, mice, silverfish and moths. Manitoba: Mice, flies, sowbugs, spiders and beetles. New Brunswick: Flies, mice, spiders, beetles and moths. Newfoundland & Labrador: Flies, mice, sowbugs, spiders and shrews. Nova Scotia: Flies, mice, spiders, sowbugs and beetles. Ontario: Flies, mice, moths, ants and spiders. Prince Edward Island: Spiders, beetles, flies, sowbugs and silverfish. Quebec: Flies, mice, mosquitoes, spiders and moths. Saskatchewan: Mice, flies, spiders, sowbugs and beetles. “This is simply a snapshot of the pests we encounter from coast to coast,” says Alice Sinia, a resident entomologist with Orkin Canada. “It is important to remember that some pests, like ants, may not be a constant threat the way flies and rodents can be. In fact, ants are a major concern across all provinces.” Experts suggest working with your pest control provider to take proactive steps, including maintenance and sanitation measures, to protect your home from these and other pests year-round. www.newscanada.com
Debt reduction essential for Boomers Financially speaking, you’re feeling pretty good about yourself. The taxes are filed and the refund should be deposited into your account in a couple of days. Like every year, you’re going to reinvest it: some into the RRSP, some in the TFSA and the balance into an RESP account. As a bonus, your debt is manageable and you’re fast-tracking your mortgage payments. Give yourself a round of applause because you are a financial champion! Sure you are — in a perfect world. But the truth is that like most Canadians, you’re probably carrying a lot of credit card and mortgage debt. And like the last few tax seasons, you owe the taxman a small king’s ransom. Feeling less smug now aren’t you? The fact is that as Boomers get closer to retirement age, many are still loaded down by debt. This is an issue because their income will be greatly reduced during retirement and paying down the debt will be increasingly more difficult. Of course, the goal is to pay it off first. The experts from Desjardins Group suggest that while you’re still working it’s important to look at your financial situation seriously and start making the necessary adjustments now. Never too late to set up good financial habits According to Statistics Canada’s “Retiring with debt” publication, over half of retirees are still paying off some form of debt. It can be in the form of loans, credit cards and lines of credit. But the good news is that these retirees owe less than Canadian workers aged 55 and up. Their median debt is $19,000, as compared to $40,000 for workers. The idea is to develop good financial habits during your working life to ensure that you have plenty of savings and few liabilities at retirement. Understanding your liabilities and paying them off There are two types of liabilities: one increases your assets like a mortgage and the other reduces your assets like a credit card. Credit in and of itself isn’t the problem, so long as it’s managed well. To know exactly where you stand make a list of what you owe: • Bank and store credit cards tend to have the highest interest rates, so you should focus on paying these off first • Lines of credit • Car loan • Investment loans • Student loans Once you’ve paid off the one with the highest interest rate, consider trying paying off your mortgage next. You can reduce the amortization period for your mortgage by increasing your payment amounts, payment frequency (e.g. weekly rather than monthly) or by making a prepayment. As an added protection, consider credit insurance and term life insurance. In case of illness, disability or death, these types of insurance will protect your family by covering off your debts and securing your assets. For more information, visit the Credit and Debt page of the Coop-Me section on the Desjardins Group website at www.desjardins.com. www.newscanada.com
A will is your most personal document Every person should have a will, which should cover at least seven essential points to avoid difficulties in the future, as follows: • Make sure only one will exists. • Determine who you want as your executor—the person who will carry out your wishes in settling your estate. • Carefully plan for your dependents. • Name a guardian for young children. • Detail specific monies or gifts to friends, relatives or charities. • Consider what people or organizations mean a lot to you for the residue of your estate. One’s church, a charity, or a favourite organization like Amnesty International, are often on this list. • Put in writing the details of your funeral arrangements. After you have taken care of these basic issues, you may want to consider a few other areas. A will is more than a simple outline of the final distribution of your property and effects. It is an occasion to plan for the financial support of people and projects that you have actively supported during your lifetime. It can also be the time to finally help those people and groups that you always intended to support but didn’t have the resources to do so. While everyone involved in estate planning agrees with the need to make a will, remember that it is, in fact, your will. Consider your own wishes and feelings. A will is an important document, but if it does not express your wishes, it is not done well. Talk it over. Consider the future. Make a draft. Think again. Your will is probably one of the most important, and personal, documents you will ever prepare. Laws about will-making and taxes vary from province to province and the specific wording to ensure that your wishes are carried out may require the help of a lawyer. Experts strongly recommend that you seek legal advice when making out your will. A free information package on wills is available from Amnesty International, 312 Laurier Avenue East, #316, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 1H9. www.newscanada.com
