First-Time Homebuyer's Checklist

About to become a homeowner for the first time?  Check out this video by Aleksandra Oleksak, a Toronto-based real estate agent and founder of Realty Queen TO, for a checklist on what you need to do to ensure a smooth, stress-free closing: 

The video is the first instalment in Oleksak's series You Bought a House, Now What? Check out the entire series on Realty Queen TO's YouTube channel.

Noshing at the Office

Are you guilty of being a lady who lunches at her desk? Not only is this a practice that doesn't coincide with good work/life balance, you may actually be peeving off your neighbouring colleagues while chowing down on Pad Thai takeout or your re-heated leftovers from last night's dinner. In The rules of office lunch etiquette (you’re probably breaking one right now) (The Globe and Mail's Hot Button Blog, July 8, 2013), Amber Daugherty blogs about etiquette expert and author Mary Mitchell's advice for proper workplace kitchen and eating manners. 

It seems like a recurring problem that happens in every workplace, so take the advice to heart and be a considerate office gourmand. 

Click here to read the entire post or copy and paste this link into your Web browser:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-hot-button/the-rules-of-office-lunch-etiquette-youre-probably-breaking-one-right-now/article13068412

Game On

Sometimes, there's no better way to de-stress than to get together with friends for a game night. One of our favourite board games is R& R Games' Ticked OFF! This fun game lets you show off your smarts on ordinary and easy topics such as "things people paint". Sounds simple enough, right?  But hang on a minute! A mystery category is thrown in where everyone has to write down as many items from either category before time runs out. Play until you've either ticked off all of your friends with your vast knowledge of all things trivial, or you've won the game, upon which you can then tick off your gaming accomplishments.

$24.95 USD at rnrgames.com

Hold On We're Going Home - Drake

Canadian rapper and R&B sensation Drake's newest song is the one we're loving the most on the airwaves right now. And yay! It's Friday, which means you're going home and not heading back to the office 'til Monday.

Have a great weekend, ladies, and see you on Monday!

Gals We Admire: Stephanie Holmes-Winton

She didn't become a veterinarian like she had wanted to be as a child, but in spite of that, Stephanie Holmes-Winton, CEO and founder of The Money Finder website, seems to have found a job that makes her doggone happy.

Read more »

Skip the Prepaid Credit Cards

In Beware of fees with prepaid credit cards (Toronto Star, August 12, 2013) personal finance columnist and Boomer & Echo blogger Robb Engen offers some sage advice about prepaid cards. Though they may be ideal for post-secondary students, prepaid cards come with hidden fees (such as activation fees, monthly service fees, ATM fees and transactions fees) that aren’t apparent unless you carefully read the fine print.

So, before obtaining one of these cards for your kid or a niece or nephew who may be headed off to university, be sure to do the research. Or better yet, Engen suggests buying regular store gift cards to chains such as Loblaws or Sobeys (i.e., cards that don't have additional fees or expiry dates).

Click here to read the entire article or copy and paste this link into your Web browser:

http://www.thestar.com/business/personal_finance/2013/08/12/visa_mastercard_american_express_offer_prepaid_cards_but_beware_of_fees.html#

Pouch with Personality

Though we live in an age of tech gadgets, kids will always have a need for pencil cases. Send them back to school this season with this fun ZipIt Monster Pouch, a cool-looking case that has eyes and teeth. Made of one long zipper and with a zany look, it's guaranteed to be a hit with the grade school crowd, and maybe high school kids, too.

$9.95 at chapters.indigo.ca