Canada is a vast and wondrous place with many unique vistas but since the middle of March, most of our exploration of it has been confined to the outer edges of our backyard, or for the more adventurous among us, the outer edges of our neighbourhood. By now many of us are probably eager to expand our horizons. But how? And how far? It’s probably safe to say that not many are willing to hop...
Fraud related to COVID-19 pandemic on the rise. Canadians have seen everything from phoney fundraisers and products to sham testing kits and door-to-door solicitations. The aim of these scams is either to get money, steal your personal information or install malware on your device. Here’s how to avoid being scammed. Prominent scams to be aware of The most widely spread scam in Canada related to COVID-19 has to do with face masks. Fraudsters have been...
It’s time to break out the face masks (if you haven’t already). During the early days of Covid-19 health officials said there was no need for the general public to wear face masks to protect against the spread of coronavirus. But now, we know that wearing non-medical masks coupled with physical distancing can help stop the transmission of the virus. On May 20, Canada’s chief public health officer, Theresa Tam, said that “use of non-medical...
Feel like you’ve watched every piece of content available on Netflix, and Disney+, Crave, Hulu, or whatever streaming services you use? I feel the same way. I’m currently rewatching Friends for the millionth time and reciting lines that I didn’t even know I had memorized. Sifting through vintage stores, furniture and design shops, and flea markets is normally an activity that I partake of weekly. Not being able to do that (I’m not complaining here...
How Covid-19 Impacts Rates Rates for home loans are based on a variety of factors. One of the biggest being the price that lenders themselves have to pay to borrow money. For fixed-rate Canadian home loans, the rates are based on the five-year Government of Canada bond. The price of bonds usually increases when people are feeling fearful, such as in the current climate with this coronavirus. At the beginning of 2020, the yield on...
In April of 2019, I was putting the final touches on my rental house in Prince Edward County to re-open it for the season. It is available for rent year-round, though it is booked sparingly in the winter months when the lake is ice cold and travellers are weary of heavy snowfall and long drives. April to September marks the beginning to end of the main season, with a peak in July and August. In...
This summer will undoubtedly be different than summers past. While we might usually look forward to family gatherings, BBQ’s at friends’ houses, and cottage weekends, we will likely still be socially isolating to some degree. The thought of staying inside when it’s warm outside and the sun is shining can feel heavy. But if you have a backyard there’s so much possibility. Here are some ideas for how to make the most of your backyard...
Although we are coming to the end of winter, now might be a good time to think about your furnace and to get it ready for the fall. Furnaces typically have a lifespan of about 15 years. However, a furnace’s lifespan will greatly depend on how often the unit is serviced and if it is properly maintained. When you move into a home, you have no way of knowing if the previous owners regularly changed...
It seems like overnight we have found ourselves living in a vastly different landscape. The routines that give order to our days are no longer available to us. The need to avoid close contact with other people is very difficult as we are by nature social beings. All of this is having a definite impact on the state of our mental health. Fortunately, there are resources available that provide useful tips and strategies for coping....
With the closure of all schools in Ontario and throughout the country, our children’s access to learning is a genuine cause for concern. Fortunately, there are many resources available that can help keep them engaged and stimulated. We are invested in our community and have tried to help in a small way by providing you with some useful links that will keep your kids sharp and give them some mental stimulation. The Minister of Education...
