(NC) Whether it’s in your backyard or a nearby park, lawns provide more than just aesthetic benefits, they contribute to happier and healthier communities. Here’s how:

1. Providing oxygen that we breathe
   Green space are a valuable part of creating clean air anywhere. For example 15 square metres of grass produces enough oxygen for a family of four every day. That can help make a difference to how we feel and breathe.
2. Reducing the warming effect of hard surfaces 
   When the summer heat hits, grass helps keep you cool. Street or sidewalk temperatures may reach 38 degrees Celsius or higher, but grass remains at 24 degrees. Your feet and your home can thank your lawn for lower temperatures.
   
   
3.  Acting as water filtration systems 
   A healthy lawn will slow runoff and allow time for the water to seep back into the groundwater system, rather than overworking municipal storm sewer systems and creating a flood. A 900 square metre lawn can absorb more than 22,000 litres of water.
   
   To provide these benefits, lawns require care. Pesticides are one tool that help protect lawns by keeping weeds and other pests under control. Health Canada regulates every pesticide sold in the country to ensure they do not pose risks to humans, pets or the environment, when used as directed. 

Find more information at croplife.ca

(NC) With Canada’s housing market hotter than ever, saving up a down payment can feel impossible. But wise spending and saving decisions can add up over time. Here, Vanessa Bowen, money expert and accountant, offers simple yet effective ways to save for the home you’ve had your eye on.

Ensure you have a good credit score
A better credit score means that you can qualify for lower interest rates and loans that you may require when investing in a future property. Working to improve your overall credit score, such as by avoiding late bill payments, will help make your savings go further as you look towards purchasing the house or condo of your dreams.

Contribute lump-sum payments to your savings
Large annual payments such as a work bonus or your tax return can be added as lump-sum contributions to your savings. Contributing larger sums helps you reach your end-goal more quickly, so remember to save these payments. It’s money you don’t count on in your day to day anyway, so it’ll be easier to set aside and watch your savings steadily grow.

Switch to a no-fee bank account
A small step that you can take that will add up to big savings in the long run is switching to a no-fee bank account. The PC Money Account is the bank account reimagined with no monthly fees and opportunities to earn PC Optimum Points on every dollar spent everywhere you shop. Now, instead of having to pay monthly banking fees, you can put your hard-earned money towards saving up for a house or condo.

Cut down on unnecessary spending
Try cutting back on expenses such as takeout food and shopping for things you may not actually need, like subscription services. Instead, put this money, which could potentially add up to thousands each year, towards a significant investment opportunity, such as a future home.

(NC) Whether it’s in your backyard or a nearby park, lawns provide more than just aesthetic benefits, they contribute to happier and healthier communities. Here’s how:
1. Providing oxygen that we breathe.

15 square metres of grass produces enough oxygen for a family of four every day.

2. Reducing the warming effect of hard surfaces.

Urban areas sprawling with buildings and concrete tend to be significantly warmer than areas with lush greenspaces.

3. Acting as water filtration systems.

A healthy lawn will slow runoff and allow time for the water to seep back into the groundwater system, rather than overworking municipal storm sewer systems and creating a flood. A lawn the size of 900 square metres can absorb more than 22,000 litres of water.

To provide these benefits, lawns require care. Pesticides are one tool that help protect lawns by keeping weeds and other pests under control. Health Canada regulates every pesticide sold in the country to ensure they can be used safely. A product that may harm human health when used as directed will not be approved.

(NC) After a year of working from home for many of us, it’s only natural to be hitting a rut. No matter how great your at-home work setup is, you might need a refresh.

Here are few tips to make working from home so much better:

1. Declutter your workspace
A lot of work-related clutter can build up over time. Take a few minutes to collect any office items lying around the house, such as your video call headphones or your loose papers and sticky notes. Then recycle anything you don’t need and store the rest in a dedicated location. You’ll feel fresher and ready to take on what’s next.

2. Upgrade your workwear
Just because you aren’t going into the office doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to feel your best and look sharp. If you’re keen on business wear, try easing into a new pair of pants or a simple summer dress to find a more relaxed summertime vibe. If you’ve defaulted to pyjamas and sweats every day, consider finding the happy medium with a new pair of sleek joggers, just for a change.

3. Get outdoors
Take advantage of the season and head outside while you can. A quick walk in a local park is a great way to take a break or end your workday. If you have a backyard or balcony, set up a simple internet extender to move the office outside on warm days. The fresh air will lift up your spirits and do wonders for your productivity.

4. Boost online security for your personal devices
According to a recent survey, only 18 percent of Canadians are using online identity theft protection tools, and most of us just don’t know where to start. With so much online activity taking place, including a high volume of info sharing, we’ve become increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks and identity theft, so it’s worthwhile to update your security measures for your personal devices as best as you can.

While no one can prevent all identity theft or cybercrime, using an all-in-one solution like Telus Online Security Powered by NortonLifeLock can help protect your personal devices, online privacy and information. Made for consumers, the comprehensive coverage is available across Canada (excluding Quebec residents) and includes multiple layers of protection that can help protect your identity and provide restoration if your personal information is ever stolen.

Overall, changes like these can help bring peace of mind to your work-from-home life going forward. Find more information at telus.com/onlinesecurity.

(NC) In recent years, water damage from flooding has become increasingly common across Canada. In fact, the Insurance Bureau of Canada says that water damage accounts for nearly half of all insurance claims, and the frequency and cost of these claims has risen dramatically in recent years.  

Some of this increase in property water damage is due to climate change, with strong storms becoming more frequent and lasting longer. Infrastructure in many areas is old or inadequate and unable to handle the volume of water associated with these new storms as well as flash floods or snowmelt.  

Sewer backups are also occurring more often, both with old systems and with newer ones that are designed to handle both rain and sewer water. Faulty plumbing is another factor that can contribute to water damage, especially in aging, poorly constructed or poorly designed buildings. 

Despite these concerns, a poll from the Insurance Bureau of Canada revealed that more than a quarter of people don’t know if their property insurance policies cover flooding, while another 45 per cent only “think” they do. Not knowing whether you have coverage for water damage can be costly.   

Fortunately, according to Aviva Canada, one of Canada’s largest insurance providers, there are things you can do to help protect your property: 

• Perform regular maintenance on plumbing systems, including sanitary lines and hot water tanks. Have water and sewer lines scoped to reveal damage from tree roots. Test shut-off valves to ensure they will work in an emergency. 

• Pay attention to your building envelope. Roof leaks are one of the most common causes of water damage, especially in areas that are prone to freezing weather, strong winds and hail. So, it’s important to maintain the condition of your roof and clear your downspouts and drains of obstructions. Caulk your windows to ensure an adequate seal, and make sure grading slopes away from your premises. 
• Is your water hard or soft? Depending on where you live, the quality of water can affect your appliances and plumbing systems, causing them to deteriorate much more quickly. Water softeners are available for hard water areas, but you could consider using a softener for soft water areas too, as soft water can lead to corrosion of copper piping. 
• Technology can monitor and even reduce issues related to fluctuations in building temperature. Water detection and shut-off systems can prevent damage from burst pipes due to freezing or leaking of your hot water tank. Installing these systems can help eliminate or reduce loss to your property,  particularly when you’re not there. 

Talk to your insurance broker about what level of water damage your current homeowner’s insurance covers and what additional insurance you might need. Find one in your area today at aviva.ca/en/find-a-broker. 

(NC) With the Bank of Canada recently raising its key interest rate once again, many of are concerned about the impact on our household debt and mortgages. Fortunately, there are many tips and tricks for saving and budgeting you can use for other areas in your life.

Try the three-category budget. It can be overwhelming trying to track all your expenses, but it is advisable to have a baseline to check your progress. Money experts recommend picking just three categories you want to focus and get a handle on, since most of us overspend in just one or two categories. The three-category system is an easy way to get started on trimming expenses.

Pay down high-interest debt. One in three of us sometimes buy things we can’t afford. If you’ve put a few too many purchases on your credit cards, a big portion of your monthly payment are going just towards paying down debt. To get out ahead, consider moving the debt to a low-interest option, like a line of credit. When paying off any debt, prioritize the higher-interest loans you have and work your way down.

Boost your education. If you don’t know much about personal finances, you’re not alone. A recent survey by the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada revealed 49 per cent of Canadians grade themselves C or lower on their overall personal financial skills. But it’s hard to get your budget on track when you don’t have the right tools or knowledge. Do some research and work with an expert like a chartered professional accountant to get a better handle on your income and expenses.

Work together. If you’re married or are splitting expenses with a relative, you need to be on the same page about spending and savings goals. So, sit down to outline your priorities together and create a realistic budget you both feel comfortable with and can stick to. You can even try an online budgeting tool or app to help you both track and understand expenses.

Find more information and resources to get on a path of long-term financial health at cpacanada.ca/financialwellness and also request a free educational session for any organization you’re part of.