Live By Design

There are opportunities to experience unique design in every facet of your life. Discover the possibilities with the distinct products fashioned by these cooks, designers, artists and events from across the city. Add some flavour to your world.
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Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

Speaking at two We Day events in Montreal, flying across the continent for a speaking engagement in Seattle the following morning and readying for another in San Francisco that same afternoon, Spencer West’s campaigning for his Redefine Possible initiative has been quite the journey. But it’s nothing compared to the challenge that awaits him at the end: climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
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A Conservation Message for Every Day of the Year

For me, one of the most dramatic Earth Hour events in Ontario occurs when the Niagara Parks Commission turns off the lights that illuminate Niagara Falls (you can find photos on Flickr or YouTube). Seeing one of the natural wonders of the world and a source of our hydroelectric power temporarily darkened reminds me of how dependent we are on electricity. None of us would wish to do without the heating, lighting or other essential services that energy provides, but we need to find ways to deliver these services while doing less harm to the environment.
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Yellow Brick House’s Second Shelter from the Storm

“It was way overdue,” says Vivian Risi, president and broker of record of Royal LePage – Your Community Reality, and chair of YBH’s Second Shelter – Second Chances Capital Campaign. She explains how the original site – which has served the community for over 30 years – was performing admirably, considering its modest resources. Despite its welcoming nature, the shelter had no choice but to turn away over 500 women and children every year because of its limited capacity. “They couldn’t house them, they couldn’t help them, because they were always full.”
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The Bottomless Cookie Jar

A credit card is like a bottomless cookie jar. With easy access to credit, there’s no reason to wonder when the treats will run out, and you are never disappointed. Want a new outfit? Just stick it on a credit card. Want to have dinner with a bunch of friends? Desperately in need of a sunny vacation to beat the winter blues? There’s room on the card and that’s just what it’s for, right?

When credit became a commodity, lenders started hiking limits and offering incentives to take on more cards. People started behaving like greedy children, gobbling cookies without a thought to the tummy ache that would eventually follow. Now Canadians are spending almost 1.5 times what they make every year. Talk about lack of self-control.
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Master the Cards

According to recent data released by Moneris Solutions, Canada’s largest debit and credit card processor, spending through its debit and credit card machines in last year’s fourth quarter rose 5.8 per cent compared to 2010’s. It seems Canadians loosened up a bit for the holidays. It’s ok to splurge from time to time, but with the uncertain economic times, living within your means is not only wise, but essential. That means finding the right credit card for your lifestyle. Depending on your qualifications, you may have a beefy buffet of plastic to pick through, or, your selection may be as lean as a vegan menu. So how do you decide? We’ve asked three credit card connoisseurs to track down the perfect pieces of plastic to help you live within your means.
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Life on the Rise

From the heart of the city to the soul of Vaughan, these luxurious developments are sure to make your pulse beat faster.

1. Parkside at Atria
Tridel and Dorsay Development Corporation introduces its newest masterpiece to the condominium market: Parkside at Atria. Adjacent from the prestigious Alto at Atria, Parkside at Atria is a combination of modern architecture and unique beauty, sharing a private courtyard while remaining steps away from the community.
www.tridel.com

2. Expo City
All roads lead to Vaughan’s Metropolitan Centre, where an iconic 37-story development deemed Expo City lies in the heart of a community. In an area surrounded by luxury stores, Read more

Raise the $teaks of Personal Finance

Years ago, the late Paul Newman, he of the stunning blue eyes and insouciant stare, was asked if he’d ever been tempted to stray from his wife, actress Joanne Woodward. Newman simply smiled and said, “Why would I go out for hamburger when I have steak at home?” With apologies to Newman, I’m borrowing his comment and applying it to the investment universe: If you can have investment steak at home, why would you bother going out for ground beef?

Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are prime meat for your portfolio, while actively managed mutual funds are, for the most part, ground beef. ETFs give you a lot less fat for the money. Not only are they cheaper – the management fees (MERs) start as low as 0.07 per cent and most are under 0.5 per cent compared to the MERs of Canadian mutual funds which average 2.5 per cent annually – but they also produce a better result. Read more

Business Means Business

What do you do when a client wants to move their relationship with you beyond the required norms of business? Recently, I’ve had various clients invite me and my husband to a black tie event, a meal at their parents’ home, and even their wedding. I accepted all these invitations graciously, honoured that they thought of me so fondly. But there was no obligation on my part to accept any of them. So how do you decide what to do? How can you ensure your existing relationship with your client won’t be compromised? Here are a few things to consider.

Accepting any invitation beyond your norms of business with a client opens the door to a changed relationship – one that’s closer and more personal. Ask yourself if that’s what you want. If it isn’t, it’s best to politely decline with a gracious, heartfelt explanation. After all, we all have a life beyond our work and commitments Read more

The Key to Finding the Right Agent

When it comes to buying or selling your home, choosing the right real estate agent becomes an integral part of the process. While the sale or purchase of your biggest financial asset can be an exciting time, it can also be stressful – especially if someone who is not the right agent for the job is representing you. Here are a few tips to help you find the right agent.

Take the time to interview your candidates. It is important to meet with different agents to determine which one is the right one for the job. This provides the opportunity to ask whom you are considering to hire a number of questions about the services he or she offers. If you are selling, find out how the property is priced, how it will be marketed, and what the fees are. If you are buying, ask the agents you are interviewing how well they know the areas you are interested in and what the process will entail. Read more

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