Audits Suck

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"𝘼𝙪𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙠"
𝐘𝐞𝐬, they do! Who wants to hear that they’re having an audit? In our industry, it’s something that happens EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR. That’s why we work so hard to make sure that everything we do is compliant and meets the high standards of not only our governing body but also the CFP (Certified Financial Planner) standards. A typical audit consists of an intensive question period of practices and policies as well as a random check of transactions, notes and updated/current information, documentation and compliance procedures. Throw in money laundering regulation tests and privacy and security checks and it’s typically a full day of deep diving into our practice. We have always ended up unscathed with only minor suggestions on new regulations to start implementing. (I mean they have to find something wrong – am I right?) We try to turn an audit into a positive and use it as a good time to review what is working and what we can improve. Because if you’re not improving then you’re not growing.
A large glass of wine at the end of the day also helps!
-Jodi

Working from home

Welcome to the WFH world, whether this has always been your normal of the new normal. Here are some tips to make your transition as healthful as possible for that 1 minute commute from your bedroom to home office. ~

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Welcome to the WFH world, whether this has always been your normal of the new normal.  Here are some tips to make your transition as healthful as possible for that 1 minute commute from your bedroom to home office.

1. Separate Your Space: If your WFH space is in a bedroom or living room, try to create visual separation with either a piece of furniture that closes the office components from view after work, a furniture layout that doesn’t have your bed or couch looking at the office area, or using a screen or room divider that lets you “leave work” when you’re done for the day.

2. Add Natural Elements: If you can, orient your desk to capture tree views from a nearby window. Also look at adding houseplants in decorative pots to your workspace. These will offer an added benefit of purifying the air.

3. Light Your Space: Make sure you have good task lighting on your work surface. For short term setups, look for an adjustable lamp you can later use elsewhere in your home. If you’re going to be telecommuting long term, consider energy-efficient LEDs that mount under a wall shelf or cabinet above your desk and shine down on your papers and projects.

4. Seating is crucial: You may want to invest in a new adjustable, ergonomic desk chair. You can find refurbished models online at significant savings, or you can add ergonomic cushions to a chair you already own that fits your height and reach.

5. Filter the Light from Your Screen: If you work long hours into the night, consider a blue light filter for your computer screen to minimize interruptions to your circadian rhythms; this is particularly important if your office electronics are set up in your bedroom.

6. Correct Laptop Ergonomics: Laptops are great for working on the go, but not terribly ergonomic for long work hours at home. Consider adding a separate screen and possibly keyboard and/or mouse to reduce hand, eye and neck strain.

7. Don’t Sit All Day: Desk risers are invaluable for letting you work standing up part-time, rather than sitting all day.

While some employees miss the watercooler chitchat or the daily interactions with work friends, the tremendous time savings involved in not going to the office is like a wellness vacation, and a financial savings if you include hair, makeup and wardrobe.   “A half-time telecommuter saves the equivalent of 11 workdays per year in time they would have otherwise spent commuting,” according to Global Workplace Analytics.          

School from Home (Distance Learning or Hybrid-Approach)

1. Just as with working from home, your student’s ideal is an ergonomic, adjustable seat. This is particularly helpful if two different-sized people will be rotating use of one desk.

2. Task lighting is also important for school work – maybe even more so with books being such a large part of learning.

3. We’re moving into cold and flu season and those germs are often spread on contact. Reducing shared touchpoints is ideal. Give each student his or her own supplies and organizer baskets so they’re spreading fewer germs among themselves, and especially if your school has taken a hybrid approach to learning. If sharing a computer is required, have electronics-approved cleaners on hand for sanitizing keyboard and mouse between uses. And, of course, make sure regular handwashing is happening, even at home.

School from Home: A Silver Lining Here’s a slim silver lining to 1.2 billion children out of classrooms around the world because of COVID-19: “Research suggests that online learning has been shown to increase retention of information, and take less  time, meaning the changes coronavirus have caused might be here to stay,” says World Economic Forum.

The Missing Link to Overall Well-Being: Don’t miss the link between your homes and your health, the pandemic is helping to shift that thinking. With our living spaces doing double, triple even quadruple-duty as shelter, workplace, classroom, and even gym, what’s getting lost is the concept of home as a sanctuary.  This is one of its most important roles for our overall well-being. The best way to achieve a home sanctuary is to provide a space that supports: healthful meal preparation and facilitates connection with family; nurtures downshifting with quiet spaces for meditation, napping, de-stressing, and maybe that glass of wine at 5; a connection to nature, and puts your family and friends first with a peaceful setting.

Bonnie  

Organizational Overhaul

If you didn’t get around to spring cleaning, now is the perfect time to take stock of how much stuff you have – and what you might be willing to part with. Simplifying your surroundings can give you a feeling of renewed energy and an overall sense of accomplishment.

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This decluttering trend is gaining a foothold in North America,  determining what possessions you can easily get rid of (such as an excess of clothing, china and trinkets) and what you might want to keep (like photographs and cherished keepsakes).

Here are five guiding principles:

1. Let go of clutter to make room for the stuff that matters.

2. Keep only the things that spark joy.

3. “Someday” never comes. (Think of that pair of pants that fit a bit snug.)

4. Treat your possessions as if they were alive. (Value the items you choose to keep.)

5. Your possessions reflect your state of mind.

Getting started

When faced with a chaotic scene of overflowing closets or piles of paper on every flat surface, it can be hard to figure out where to begin. Rather than hyperventilating over the enormity of the job, cut yourself some slack and break it into smaller tasks. Giving yourself a time limit to get the job done is also a good idea.

Tidy “like” objects, rather than decluttering room by room. Start with clothing, then books, papers and finally things with sentimental value.

Set aside the time for a focused bout of decluttering, doing all your clothing or all your books in one session.

If you’re having trouble deciding what needs to go into the discard pile,  “Does touching the object spark joy?” Are you happy wearing clothes that don’t give you pleasure? Do you feel joy surrounded by piles of unread books that don’t touch your heart?

The benefits

It might seem hard to let go of possessions like those stacks of old university books, piles of birthday cards and even boxes of electronic cables, but trust that you might reap some unexpected psychological benefits when you choose to say goodbye to that stuff you’ve been hanging on to.

Decluttering can help you flex your decision-making muscle, which in turn boosts your confidence. And then there’s the tranquility you can experience once your living space feels more clean and orderly, with everything in its place.

Financial housecleaning

As you get the hang of decluttering your living space, similar principles can help you become a bit more financially organized. Getting your financial house in order can make a big difference to your daily finances, and your advisor is the best person to help you get organized.

With a bit of elbow grease and determination, decluttering your life and organizing your finances can truly be a cathartic experience.  Letting go of stuff that doesn’t bring you joy can create a wonderful sense of accomplishment and freedom. And then there are the feel-good endorphins that kick in when you donate clothing, books, toys and other household stuff to people who might really need it.

Happy decluttering!

Bonnie

© 2019 Manulife

The Gratitude Jar

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There are many reasons as well as things each day to be grateful for.
A few years ago, I adopted a daily process of reflection on small things to be grateful for that occurred throughout the day. I really enjoy looking for the good. I find that it is a positive reminder for me to search for the good things in everyday life.

I recently found an article that I will attach here that talks about creating a Gratitude Jar.

There are many ways to look for the good!

Here is another way that you can choose. It may also be fun to do with kids. You could print this out and place it on the fridge. As a family write down the things you are grateful for as you feel them.

T- Think about what you're grateful for.
H - Have an open mind.
A - Allow yourself to feel gratitude.
N - Note your gratitude.
K - Keep it in a jar, or other special place.
S - Share it with someone else.

I hope that you can enjoy this practice as much as I do.
-Michelle

Sun Safety

Despite all the wonderful things the sun can do for us, it does not come without any risks. One of the most important ways we can stay safe in the sun is to wear sunscreen, making it important to choose wisely.

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How to be Safe in the Sun

Our bodies love and flourish in the sunlight. Getting enough Vitamin D through sun exposure plays an important role in our health and happiness.  Despite all the wonderful things the sun can do for us, it does not come without any risks. One of the most important ways we can stay safe in the sun is to wear sunscreen, making it important to choose wisely.

What Exactly Does Sunscreen Do?

The purpose of sunscreen is to block the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation from entering the body.

The sun emits both UVA and UVB rays. Most sunscreens only block UVB rays and allow UVA rays to enter the skin. UVA are the rays that cause tanning, prematurely age your skin which leads to wrinkles and age spots while UVB burns the skin. Too much exposure to both UVA and UVB rays can cause skin cancer.

There are two broad categories of sunscreen ingredients: chemical and mineral/physical filters.

The most common sunscreens contain chemical filters (ex. Oxybenzone, avobenzone) which are easily absorbed into the body and lead to hormone disruption. Mineral filters include: titanium oxide and zinc oxide which block both UVA and UVB rays and form a shield on top of the skin to prevent deep absorption.

What is SPF?

Sun protective factor (SPF) measures how well sunscreen protects against UVB rays. It is calculated based on how long it takes to sunburn skin that is treated with sunscreen.  There is no way to report UVA absorption. So always pick a broad spectrum sunscreen as this can protect against both UVA and UVB radiation.

What Are Some Pros/Cons of Sunscreen Use?

PROS:

Regular and proper sunscreen use drastically decreases rate of skin cancer

Sunscreen can combat aging and decrease the appearance of wrinkles and age spots

CONS:

Since sunscreens are applied over large areas of the skin, the ingredients are quickly absorbed and can find their way into blood, urine and breast milk.

** Important to note that these cons only pertain to chemical sunscreens and not mineral ones like zinc oxide

What to Avoid in Your Sunscreen?

Try to avoid these chemicals-

Oxybenzone - Most often found in sunscreen

Avobenzone

Homosalate 

Octinoxate

Octocrylene

Cinoxate

Dioxybenzone

Padimate

Sulisobenzone

PABA

Trolamine salicylate

Bigger isn’t better - Avoid SPF > 50:

Avoid sunscreen sprays and powders

Avoid sunscreen with Vitamin A, also known as retinyl palmitate

 What to Look For When Shopping For Sunscreen?

Pick a broad spectrum sunscreen that offers long-lasting protection and one with ingredients that does not cause long term health damage.

Look for sunscreens that are mineral-based to minimize absorption into the skin

Chose safe/mineral ingredients like:

​Titanium dioxide

Zinc oxide

Avobenzone at 3%

Pick a sunscreen with an SPF between 15-50

 How to Properly Apply Your Sunscreen:

The most common mistake that people make when using sunscreen is improper application. Sunscreen needs to be applied 20 minutes before sun exposure as this is the amount of time it takes for the sunscreen to be absorbed into the skin. In terms of how much to apply, it should form a thin protective film on the skin’s surface, about 1 ounce. Always remember to reapply sunscreen after going in the water or after sweating.

 Other Important Tips for Staying Safe in The Sun:

The best protection against too much harmful UV rays is a combination of clothing, shade, good timing and sunscreen. Keep in mind that sunscreen ALONE does not prevent skin cancer. It is important to combine safe sunscreen with time spent in the shade, with hat and clothes. Here is a checklist to follow:

Cover up-This includes, t-shirts for adults, sun suits for kids, hats and shorts.  There are  lines of light clothing that provide SPF to protect against UVA and UVB

Drink water-Hydration while spending time in the sun can prevent heat strokes

Look for Shade-Make an effort to find these spots whether it is under a tree or umbrella

Sunglasses - can protect your eyes from UVB radiation that may cause cataracts 

Timing-Ideal time to be safe in the sun and to get your Vitamin D is early in the morning or late afternoon. UV radiation peaks mid-day.  It is estimated that 15-20 minutes of exposure is recommended to get your daily dose of Vitamin D but also avoids burning.  Avoid the sun from 10 am-4 pm

Wear Sunscreen

 Sun Safety Tips for Kids

Did you know that sunburns in children can actually double the risk of developing skin cancer? Research is clear that intermittent, intense sun exposure in childhood is linked to melanoma which is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It is important to prevent sunburns in children. Children who have light coloured skin, eyes and play in the sun for long periods are at a higher risk. The best sun safe tip for kids is to always make sure they are wearing sun protecting gear like hats and t shirts.

Children’s skin is more sensitive than adults. Apply a little bit of sunscreen on their hands before lathering it all over to make sure no reactions occur.

Make sure to reapply sunscreen often if they are in the water or sweating.

 Sun Safety Tips for Infants

Infants < 6 months should be kept out of the sun as much as possible. At this age there is very little melanin production. When you take your baby outside make sure to:

Protective clothing and a hat

Always make shade for them: ex. Stroller canopy or umbrella

AVOID going out in the sun during peak hours mid day (10 am - 4 pm)

 How to Speed Up Recovery from Sunburns

A sunburn is a burn to the skin that is caused by exposure to UV rays of the sun - specifically UVB radiation. It can appear as a red, painful skin lesion that is also hot to touch. Sun burns will usually set in 2-6 hours after exposure, peaks at 12-36 hours and fades after about 72 hours.

It is helpful to use products that will help to cool and soothe the burn. You want to avoid lotions and creams, which can lock in the heat. Try the following tips post sunburn:

Hydrate - Drinking a lot of water post burn can help the body to recover quicker

Aloe Vera Gel - This is a soothing plant which can help to cool the burn

Avoid any perfumes from soaps, bath bombs, as this will be more painful and slow down healing

Apply some witch hazel

To reduce inflammation and relieve sunburns -Shea butter, apply to affected areas as this can help to restore moisture in the area

 Overall, enjoy your time outside, just be safe! Spending too much time in the sun increases your risk for skin cancer and early skin aging. To decrease this risk regularly use sunscreen, limit time in the sun, wear hats, light clothing and reapply often. Use these tips for picking out your safe sunscreen!

Bonnie

For the Love of Camping

My husband David and I have always been campers. When I was little my family always camped as a family and I have some amazing memories from those annual camping trips. We slept in a trailer, ate too much food, but it was amazing.

When David and I first dated, we used to hike more and so we tented. We enjoyed it for years. We continued to tent until our son was 5 and we were expecting our daughter. David felt guilty that I was 8 months pregnant and was sleeping on the ground so we got he purchased a tent trailer. We camped with our tent trailer for 10 years.

We recently purchased a larger trailer, as our kids enjoy it and as they grow, we needed a bit more room. We also decided that we might as well continue to camp while the kids enjoy it, and while they still like us 😊

Each year we plan about 5 camping trips a year. Our longest trip over the years has been when we went to Halifax and back 2 years ago. Thankfully the kids do love it because even though it’s a bit bigger than our tent trailer, it is still close quarters 😊

What is my favourite part of camping?

My favourite part is the family time. Whether it is just our family of four, or when we camp with our extended family and the number gets closer to 20. The campfires, the food, the walks, the bike rides, the card-playing and conversations are the best.

It feels like everyone unplugs more than usual. It’s easy to relax and enjoy it all!

Some of our favourite Campfire Snacks:

Birthday Cake Smore’s

1 marshmallow

1 JerseyMilk Chocolate bar section

1 Birthday Cake Oreo

😊I bet you can’t have just one

Reece’s Pieces Smore’s

1 marshmallow

1 Reece’s Pieces Cup

2 Graham Crackers

Camper Pizza’s- (Camper Pies)

Pie Iron- We use a Double because it’s easier to keep everything in 😊

Make a nice sized fire and let it burn down to hot coals

Spray Pam on the inside of the Pie Iron

Heat the Pie Iron in the fire, spray the pam on both the top and the bottom of the Pie Iron and wipe clean.

Butter 2 pieces of bread (as you would for Grilled Cheese)

Start your pizza on a paper plate (because the Pie Iron will be hot)

Place the buttered side of one piece of bread down on the plate.

Add Pizza Sauce and all your favourite pizza toppings

Place the second slice of bread on top, buttered side up

Use a fork or Kitchen utensil to pick up the pizza and place it in the opened Pie Iron

Now close the Pie Iron

Place in the campfire (You will need a flashlight, and need to carefully open to check each side to be sure that the bread is nice and browned the same as grilled cheese)

Once it’s cooked, remove from Pie Iron with a fork or cooking utensil, place on a paper plate. You may want to cut it in half because usually, they are pretty hot, so best to let it cool before you taste your master pizza 😊

Camper Pie’s

Same ideas with Camper Pizzas-

The difference is, they are sweet treats

We have tried many varieties of the years. Some of the favourites are Apple pie filling, Cherry pie filling, Blueberry pie filling, Nutella, Smores’, adding Marshmallow’s, cream cheese or chocolate in with the fruit filings. 

Each year my kids invent something new, and we all test it to see if it makes the to keep list.

What’s my least favourite part of camping?

Unpacking—It’s the worst

I don’t mind packing because I have a packing list that I have perfected over the years. Yes, I do share it with family and friends when asked.

Coming home, and having to unpack and do all the laundry is not my favourite part. However, we’ve trained the kids that everyone helps unpack until everything is in the house, and we start laundry when we walk in the door.

-Michelle

How to take control of your finances

Now’s a good time to look at your household expenses. Many people have had their income reduced through a cut back in hours at work or because of home isolation and lay offs.

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How to Take Control when things feel out of control when it comes to your finances.

Now’s a good time to look at your household expenses. Many people have had their income reduced through a cut back in hours at work or because of home isolation and lay offs.

What I’d like you to do, even if it seems impossibly scary right now, is to look at your monthly expenses.

If you know things are going to be tight or extremely stressful in your budget, now is the time to get that figured out instead of waiting for it to happen and being shocked by the reality of it.

Over the next few months cash flow is King!

First and foremost is to know what you have coming in to your account over the next few months.

Now look at your expenses. Figure out what things are an absolute priority to pay, food heat, water – are any of these companies allowing delay or deferral of payments. What expenses, if you could negotiate a deferral, would help your cash flow. Have you talked to your bank about deferring mortgage and loan payments, lines of credit. Have you called your credit card companies to see if deferral is an option. What things can be put on hold, things like gym membership, investment contributions, subscriptions? Make the calls and get informed so you know what is headed your way.

If you are blessed and still have income coming in and your finances have not been dramatically impacted are there impactful ways to help others? Can you shop local to help support your community? Can you reach out to your hair stylist, salon owner, massage therapist to see if they offer gift certificates. Most of these service providers are unable to work at all and will be severely impacted by physical distancing. Prepay for a few months of your regular service. How about your favourite restaurant, could you mange take out once a week or buy gift certificates that you can use in the future?

Regardless of our financial circumstances each one of us can lift someone up in this time and make positive a difference. Make a phone call to someone who is isolated. Facetime your kids or grandkids.  If you can get out to the grocery store, is there a neighbor who needs some items picked up as well? Think about your regular destinations pre pandemic. Is there someone who needs to hear from you or is there a local business that needs your support or a kind word or suggestion from you? In a time where everyone is physically distancing, you can still make a positive social connection.

Fit in some Fitness...why it matters

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Exercise has many health benefits and can help enhance quality of life. It can improve your metabolism, boost your energy, kick-start your brain and even reduce anxiety and stress to promote relaxation for bedtime. Why not invest in yourself and make a regular exercise routine an important part of your day? Here are some easy tips to help you reach your fitness goals and achieve a more active lifestyle.

Make sure your workout is efficient

With gyms closed at this time, consider what you can do at home. There are many free apps available that can be done in under 30 minutes requiring no equipment, just body weight exercises. How about a morning walk, run or bike ride?

Do something you enjoy

To build healthier habits, you need to be consistent. The best way to develop better exercise habits is to do something that you enjoy. Whether it’s a yoga practice, cross-fit training, or a jog, if you look forward to the activity, it will be that much easier to stick with it.

Keep a calendar and track your accomplishments

Track each workout by marking it on a calendar, or if you have any of the new smart watch tracking products-they help to set goals, track progress and get a more complete picture of your health and fitness. Seeing what you’ve accomplished will help motivate you to keep going and stay on track with your fitness goals.

Make an appointment

Carve out 30 minutes everyday in your daily schedule to dedicate to exercise. Even if you’re not planning to do an intense workout every day, keep that time for anything active, whether you go for a walk, jog or do yoga. This way you’ll always devote a set time to your health.

Do something, anything

If your day is extra busy, instead of spending 10 minutes scrolling on your phone, use that time to fit in a short workout – try a quick stretching break at your desk or do a stationary jog in between work tasks. There are some great YouTube videos demonstrating brief workout ideas. Short bursts of exercise throughout the day can still add up to a significant workout. Take the stairs, this may seem like a no-brainer, but the little choices can make the biggest impact in adding up to a more active lifestyle. These small changes can help you burn more calories throughout the day and stay active. Exercising should never feel like a chore. By scheduling time to do something you enjoy and sticking with it, you can build good habits for a happier and healthier you.

Stay healthy,

Bonnie

Take Advantage of Market Volatility

Take advantage of market volatility with this approach.

Investors watching the markets lately are likely dizzy with the crazy fluctuations.  It can be hard to stay focused on long term goals and investment strategies.   When markets go down it can be difficult to fight the temptation to sell and when they go back up it can be just as hard to know when to get back in.  The result for many investors is selling when things are down and buying when things are up. (Exactly the opposite of what we are taught to do)

A simple investing strategy can help investors ride out the volatility and achieve better long-term results. Creating a systematic investing plan is a fool proof way to go.  This plan consists of investing the same amount of money in a regularly scheduled way, no matter what markets are doing.  When prices are high it means buying less units of an investment and when prices are low it means buying more units.  This averages out to typically a lower cost per unit, usually referred to as dollar cost averaging.

How it works

Here’s a simple example that shows how a systematic investing plan can benefit an investor. Let’s say Janice commits to investing $100 in an equity mutual fund every week. As it happens, the equity markets are especially volatile over the next two months:

Over the eight weeks, she invests a total of $800 and buys a total of 86.4 units. Her average cost per unit is $9.26. Had Janice invested her entire amount of $800 during week 1, her average unit cost would have been $10.00 versus the weekly investment strategy where her average unit cost was $9.26, a savings of 0.74 cents per unit.

In hindsight, she could have done even better if she had somehow known that week 3, when the cost per unit was at its lowest, would be the best time to buy. In that case, her $800 investment would have bought 114.3 units, worth $1,028.70 in week 8. However, she could also have done much worse if she had wrongly guessed that week 6, when the cost per unit was at its highest, would be the best time to buy. In that case, her $800 investment would have bought just 66.7 units worth $600.30 in week 8.

Not even the most skilled professional investors can say with certainty when markets have bottomed out or peaked, so a systematic investing plan is a disciplined approach than attempting to time the markets. By averaging out the cost per unit over time, and ensuring fewer units are purchased at high prices, systematic investing may help investors achieve greater returns, which aligns with the saying “buy low, sell high”.  It also takes the emotion out of it.

Investors who are systematically investing may be better able to take the long view through volatility. The best thing about a systematic investing plan is that it’s automatic and unemotional, helping investors avoid the emotions that affect us all and can lead to costly investment decisions. Instead of selling when prices are low, or “on sale,” investors with a systematic plan keep buying in all market conditions. Just as important, instead of missing the best days of a recovery because they’re out of the markets, those investors remain invested, leading to a potentially better outcome. 

-Jodi

Source: Manulife- My Solutions-

Electronic Funds Transfer

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EFT- Yes this is Available!!!

First of all what is an EFT.

Electronic funds transfer (EFT) represents the process of money transfer from one bank account to another usually through an electronic system (computer with access to internet) without any involvement of bank managers. You can use abbreviation EFT when you speak about several payment systems:

• Debit/credit card payments for a product/service

• Direct deposit payment from the payer

• Direct debit transaction

• International bank payment using wire transfer or any other form of electronic transfers

• Electronic bill payment, issued by the bank via online banking

• Any financial transaction performed by bank or electronic money (e-Wallets) issuer where no cash is involved

How can You get Started?

The process is simple.

1)             Contact Michelle or Bonnie to let them know you are interested in this option

2)             We will Send you an email with A EFT PDF to help guide you through the process, as well as provide you with your Personal Account #. Once you receive your personal account # from us you are all set.

3)              Login in to your online bank access and set up a New Payee.

4)              Choose Investia Financial Services Inc.

(If this is not available for you there are 2 options

i) Contact your Branch ii) Search for HollisWealth

5)              Indicate your Account # provided by us

6)              Send the $ to your Investia account, as per the Account # provided by our office

Things to remember

1)             Let us know when your sending the $, and the amount.

2)              Let us know if you will be coming into sign a form for the deposit or if you would like us to send you a form so you may digitally sign it!!! (Yes, this is a NEW option too)

3) Remember it takes 24-48 hours for the $ to appear at our Head office Investia

These Tips are also available in a Video on Facebook or Instagram

Be sure to reach out to us if your interested or have more questions!

-         Michelle

Quarantine Easter

Easter this year, make it more about spending time together and the things you can still do.

A Quarantine Easter

Easter is certainly going to be different this year, here are some ideas for things we can still do together.

It’s not just for the kids. It’s also the time we spend together with our family and friends. The visits and the special meals together.

Here are a few idea’s to help keep the kids busy and a few suggestions on how to spend Easter with your family during the Social Distancing /Quarantine for COVID-19 .

1) Easter Egg Games with your Kids

•         Be Creative- have a Contest to see who can colour the best Easter Egg. You can draw your own or find a free Template online.

•         Use a Package or two of Peeps. See who can stack the most peeps in under a minute.

•         Break apart all your plastic Easter eggs, and see who can put together the most matched eggs in under a minute.

•         Create a race course, see who can complete the course the fastest while balancing a plastic egg on a spoon.

•         Stacking Eggs- Use plastic Easter eggs to see who can stack the bottom or top half the highest in a minute.

•         Bunny Tails- Stand on a chair or a stool. Place a cotton ball on your nose. Carefully let the cotton balls fall into a bowl, the winner is whomever has the most bunny tails collected in a minute.

•         Have an Easter Egg Hunt in your backyard. First, parents hide eggs for the kids, once they are all found, start over. This time have the kids hide eggs for the parents (trust me it’s fun).

2) Bake- a Special Treat

•         Bake and decorate Cookies.

•         Keep some for your family and then you could deliver some to family or friend.

3) Have a Special Meal

•         If you enjoy cooking then make that Big Special Meal. Then share the extras with a family or friend by delivering to them.

•         If you want to treat yourself- Order Take Out from a Local Restaurant (you could order something special for you and your special someone. Keep in mind if you have little ones, you could do take out from 2 separate places, so everyone enjoys:)

•         If you have the funds you could order a Take Out Meal for a friend or someone in need. Call them in advance and let them know and ask if you can deliver it for them as well.

4) Movie /TV show Date

•         Setup a date to watch a Movie with a Friend or Family. It could be a Movie you both own or one that is on the TV.

Schedule a phone call, Face-time, Skype, Zoom, Google Meeting or Online Hangout of your choice. This way even though you are not together physically you are still enjoying time together.

5) Spa @ home

•         Set a time where you treat a loved one with a foot or back massage, even if it’s just for a few mins.

•         If you have daughters, they would enjoy a Spa day, treat them to a Mani + Pedi.  Get creative and enjoy the time.

•         Afterwards you may need to enjoy a nice relaxing bath with a glass of your favorite beverage to spoil yourself.

7) Phone a Friend

•         Use this time to call a friend or loved one and have a nice catch up. This is the safest way to visit and keep everyone safe and healthy.

8) Go for a Drive

•         Make a schedule and plan a route, then go for a drive. When you leave your house call the first person and let them know you’re on your way to drive by.  Make signs or have the kids make signs. When you are leaving for the next house call or text them to let them know to watch for you:)

9) A Book

•         Wrap up a book you’ve read and want to share with a friend or family member.

•         If you like you could order a new book or a Gift Card, online and have it delivered to their house.

•         Include a new bookmark- be creative and make one, or have your children make some bookmarks as a craft.

10) Decorate outside

·         Use sidewalk chalk to write Easter messages on your driveway or sidewalk

·         Decorate with plastic eggs or homemade chicks and bunnies in your windows

Stay Home, Stay Healthy and Safe!

Michelle

Non-Toxic Spring Cleaning

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Emily Rodrigues is a Friend of Financial by Design and she wrote this post for us.  She has experienced dermatitis from harsh chemicals and now tries to live a toxic free life.  She enjoys researching chemical free products to keep the world a healthier place to be.

She’s also given us some recipes for homemade cleaning supplies that are natural and they work!

It just feels like it’s a great time for cleaning!

 If you have questions or want to follow her on social here is her information.

 @emilypaigerodrigues on Instagram

Hey Everyone,

To say the last few weeks has been a whirlwind would be a massive understatement. I think it’s safe to say this is unchartered territory for the entire world! And amidst the chaos, we are all being advised to stay home.

So, now that we are all at home and last week we saw the first day of spring, I guess it’s time to do some Spring Cleaning! I know a lot of grocery stores have been sold out of chemical cleaners that we have historically used to get that “deep clean” going in our homes. But I’m here to tell you that YOU DON’T NEED IT! Actually, you are better off NOT having it at this point! Many chemical cleaners contain harmful ingredients that can have a range of health effects from decreasing your immune system function, decreased respiratory function, endocrine and reproductive disruption, as well as skin irritants and allergies. So let’s talk about some chemicals to stay away from:

Fragrance: According to the Environmental Working Group, the average fragrant contains about 14 secret chemicals that aren’t listed on the label, many of which are linked to hormone disruption and allergic reactions, as well as about 80 percent of them not being tested for human safety in personal care products

Ammonium Hydroxide (AH): This is a common chemical found in drain cleaners, toilet cleaners, oven cleaners, glass and metal cleaners, and general surface cleaners. AH is a known allergen, asthmagen, and can cause respiratory and skin irritation. Some “well known” household products that contain AH are- Lysol Disinfecting Spray and Windex

Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether: This is found in a few heavy-duty cleaners and degreasers. The European Union suspects this chemical of damaging fertility or the developing fetus (ECHA 2011) and has essentially banned it in cleaners (EU 2008). These solvents are readily absorbed through the skin or via inhalation and can reach toxic levels in the body

There are literally hundreds of other chemicals I could go on about all day, but I want to get back to our SPRING CLEANING, and talk about what we can use to clean our houses safely using products that are #nontoxic! If you do want more information on the dangers of some products and the effects they can have on your family’s health, you can find it at: https://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/content/cleaners_and_health/

So here are some natural, inexpensive, and #nontoxic cleaners you can make at home:

Multipurpose Cleaner:

·         1 part water

1 part white vinegar

·         Essential Oils of your choice- you can use as many drops as you want, making it as weak or strong smelling as you would like (if you don’t have essential oils on hand, you can use lemon rind as well)

Mix everything together in a spray bottle and get cleaning (if you use lemon rind, you may not begin to smell a strong lemon scent for a few days as it saturates in the vinegar/ water solution)

I use this concoction to clean virtually every surface of my house, including my floors! I think a jug of vinegar costs $3 and lemons are $.50, so by making the switch to non-toxic you are not only helping your family to be healthier, you’re saving $$ along the way!

Glass Cleaner:

·         2 cups water

·         1/2 cup white vinegar

·         1/4 cup rubbing alcohol (70% concentration)

·         1 to 2 drops of essential oil

You can skip the essential oil; it’s only used to add a fresh scent. Again, mix everything in a spray bottle and label it

Kitchen Degreaser & Stainless Steel Cleaner:

4 Tablespoons Baking Soda

·         4 Cups of warm water

Mix together to create a paste and apply with a damp cloth. Rinse off and dry with a dry cloth.

You can clean out old bottles of your traditional chemical cleaners and refill them with your natural and #nontoxic ones, saving another plastic bottle from entering the landfill. I hope this helps everyone in jump starting their spring-cleaning and making some positive, healthy changes for your family and your home.

Things you can do to set yourself up for success when self-isolation ends

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Things you can do to set yourself up for success when self-isolation ends.

These are certainly scary times. It’s easy to stay living in fear but my suggestion is to don’t let it consume you. If you need to, allow yourself to be fearful for a set time period everyday – say 10 minutes, and then get on with living!

Remember the days you were begging for more time to complete tasks. Now’s your chance.

Things to Do:

Look at your finances. Now is a great time to look at what comes out and what will be coming in each month. What are your monthly expenses? If your income was or is going to change over the next months is there anything that can be cut back on now? No use waiting and having it all happen as a big surprise. Preparation is key.

Do you have a budget? How much are you spending on debt and interest payments? It’s a great time to be open with your partner and take a real look at any debt that has accumulated. Work as a team to figure out a plan to knock this down once your income returns to normal. Your monthly cash flow will thank you for it.

Set up a strategy to start saving for a 3-month emergency fund. Money isn’t everything but it gives you choices. Imagine if you were living through this event with no financial worries because you had a safety net for the monthly expenses you figured out above. Start planning for how you can set that up for the future.

Now that you are having to do without some everyday things, discuss what habits/expenses you can and can’t live without when things get back to a normal routine. (think Starbucks, Tim Hortons, gym memberships, lunch out every day)

Develop new healthy habits. Now that you have time, you can prepare healthy meals as a family. Teach your kids how to cook and measure things.

Eat as a family at the table. Use your good china (Is that still a thing?) Set up a picnic on the family room floor.

Is there an area of your house you’ve been meaning to de-clutter, rearrange or thoroughly clean? Or flip your mattress and clean your windows, change your smoke detector batteries.

Have a sleep over with your family in the living room in sleeping bags. Make s’mores.

Visit a virtual museum or zoo – here’s the links

https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/live-cams

https://naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/virtual-tour

Remember to stay safe and keep your mind positive by keeping it active. You can drown in fear or you can make progress. Your choice!

-Jodi

Office Updates concerning the Coronavirus

Office Protocol at this time

We hope that you are healthy and at home safe and sound!

We want to let you know that we continue to monitor the updates of the ever changing news on the Covid 19 virus and of course market conditions.

Currently we are in the office and available for phone consultations and to answer any concerns you may have.

We do however share office space with another company who is practicing strict protocol with all of their clients and staff.  Therefore the front doors to our office are locked, however we are still here.

We are requesting that instead of dropping by the office that you call us to set up a phone appointment and if you absolutely need to visit the office to pick up or drop off any items, then please let us know ahead of time so we are able to meet you at the door.

For now we are working out of our building however there may come a time when the government tells us this is no longer an option. 

We want to let you know that we have all capabilities of working from home and that digital signing will be available.

We have access to all of our systems and will continue to be able to service your needs, even if it is at a distance.

We hope that you stay happy and healthy!

Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Also please follow us below on social media to keep informed of any updates.

Thank You

Jodi, Michelle and Bonnie

Golden Slumber

Life always seems to busy! The big question is, Does your schedule allow enough time for a good night’s sleep? All too often sleep gets put on the back burner in favour of finishing household tasks or preparing for tomorrow’s important presentation. In fact, a report by Statistics Canada found that one-third of Canadians sleep less than the recommended seven to nine hours a night. When we don’t get enough shut-eye we can get irritable, stressed and more prone to getting sick. What’s more, it’s estimated that a lack of sleep costs Canadian businesses about $21 billion a year in lost productivity.

A restful sleep each night can help you feel healthier, happier and more productive. Here are some tips to get snoozing. 

Schedule it 

A good night’s sleep should be high on your priority list, so if it helps, why not include it in your daily schedule? Block off seven to nine hours during the same time slot each night – even on weekends. Keeping your biological clock on a regular schedule can help ensure the sleep you get is restful.  

Create a pre-bed ritual 

If you have trouble winding down after a hectic day, try some calming pre-bedtime activities such as a bath, reading, meditation or writing in a journal. The goal is to train your mind and body that it’s time to settle down for the night. 

Lights out 

Darkness triggers production of melatonin, the sleep-inducing hormone, and too much ambient light – including the blue light from a smartphone or tablet – can suppress it. The darker your bedroom, the more likely you are to sleep well. Consider installing blackout curtains to block streetlights and removing electronics with light up displays. If you like to read e-books before nodding off, try using a reader that isn’t backlit, or a screen cover that minimizes blue light from the device.  

Take the pressure off 

Poor sleep is our number-one response to stress. And it’s a double-edged sword — not getting enough shut-eye increases stress. So how do you break the cycle? Find ways to recharge throughout the day. Take ten minutes to go for a walk, practise mindfulness exercises, try yoga or download a deep-breathing app. 

Stay cool 

Our body temperature naturally drops as we’re falling asleep, so a cool room can help that process along. An environment that’s too warm may inhibit drifting off. Ideal bedroom temperatures range from 18 to 22°C (65 to 72°F) – experiment to see what works best for you. 

Get moving 

People who exercise regularly tend to sleep better. Working out three or four times a week can make a real difference over time. But be careful not to hit the gym too close to bedtime – the adrenalin from your workout could end up keeping you awake. 

Eat to sleep 

Did you know that certain foods can help you nod off at night? Your body needs vitamin B6 to make melatonin, so eating B6-rich foods like fish, bananas, chickpeas, nuts and lentils can help. Other foods such as walnuts, some dairy products and turkey contain tryptophan, a sleep enhancing amino acid that helps your body make serotonin and melatonin.

Avoid alcohol 

It’s no surprise that cutting back on caffeine can reduce wakefulness. But did you know that alcohol inhibits sleep, too? Yes, that glass of wine may help you drift off, but as its effects wear off, you’re more likely to wake up You may want to avoid overhydrating before bed, too – it will mean fewer trips to the bathroom.

If you frequently have trouble falling asleep, you may want to talk to your doctor to rule out sleep apnea or any other underlying causes. It’s also a good idea to get the go-ahead from your doctor to ensure these strategies are right for you. 

https://mysolutionsonline.ca/fall-2019/golden-slumber

Bonnie

Creating a Bucket list for the year - Dream Big- You're Worth it!

I am generally a list person. However, studies have shown that when you create a vision board you can then visualize the goals and dreams you have. This helps you focus on them. Each day you can see the images of what your working towards, along with the words that will help motivate you towards them.

Here are some quotes to inspire you to Dream Big and set Goals:

“ It is said that if you aim at nothing you will hit it every time”- Zig Ziglar

“ Anything you can imagine you can create”- Oprah

  What is a vision board?

It is a collage of images and/or phrases that mean something to you. The images on your board can be photos of what you want, where you want to be, who you want to be with. Anything that will help to motivate you. For example, if you want to live in Hawaii, find photos of Hawaii, the beaches, the sunsets, palm trees and scenery. If you want to be a doctor, find photos of a doctor. Also add in a few motivational quotes. Do whatever works for you, its your masterpiece!

Your vision board can be images cut out from magazines on a piece of poster board or a digital graphic you keep on your phone. Place your vision board somewhere you will see it everyday. Your closet, the bathroom mirror, sometimes it’s a good idea to take a picture of your finished board, and then you can look at it anywhere you are😊

Have Fun Doing it!!!! If you have kids of any age encourage them to do this with you. It is something to help them dream big and teaches them to set goals.

Here are a few fun ways to get started, of course there are tons of ideas on Pinterest.

To help you get started here are a few Templates.

 For an Easy One-page Vision Board Template for Adults or Kids Click HERE

Another Free Vision Board Template

Once you start with these, you can add pictures, words etc to make your vision board your own.

Remember Have Fun and Dream Big!

-Michelle