Thanks to low interest Calgary mortgages, many people will be able to go into retirement without certain types of debt. However, according to a recent survey, back payments are something that many Canadians will still have to deal with.

The survey, which was conducted by Leger Marketing on behalf of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, found that one in every four Canadians who are between 50 and 59 years of age expect to have some debt in retirement. In addition, of these people, 80 per cent said that these cost obligations would likely last throughout their retirement years.

"While some Canadians may feel they can incorporate monthly debt payments into their retirement, the reality is that repaying debt before retirement remains an integral component of maximizing cash flow," said Christina Kramer, executive vice president of CIBC.

In order to reduce some of their back payments, it may be a good idea for those nearing retirement to consider meeting with a Jencor Mortgage advisor. They can explain how low mortgage refinance rates are a great way to reduce debt obligations so loans can be paid off more quickly.

SEEDS

It’s time to harvest the remaining vegetables from our garden.  While we enjoy the taste of garden fresh vegetables, a big reason for planting the garden is for our grandchildren.  They are excited to pull carrots, get them washed and then eat them with the tops still attached.  Whenever they get the chance they like to pull their own, which many times results in the tops being in their hands while the carrot is still in the ground.  This is particularly true of the larger carrots.  Often there will be a large carrot and right next to it a small one.

How can this be?  The seeds we planted were all the same, put side by side in the same soil, at the same time and cared for in exactly the same way.  Yet they have not all matured at the same rate.

As I think about this I wonder, if this is true for seeds, is it not also true for people?  Deep within each of us we have many seeds.  We have seeds of potential, of love and kindness; seeds of confidence and self-worth.  We also have seeds of disappointment, of anger, of discouragement and low self-esteem.  Some of these seeds grow larger and stronger than others, depending on which ones we focus on.

No matter the seeds, they need the proper nourishment to grow and flourish.  For me, I know that I have a choice to feed the negative seeds by focusing on them, or to let God nourish the positive seeds that He has planted in me.

As I look at the various sizes of carrots, side by side in my garden, I stop and wonder, which of the seeds in my life am I putting my focus on.

“What a person plants, he will harvest.  The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others – ignoring God! – harvests a crop of weeds.  All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds!  But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life”    Galatians 6:7b-8   The Message

Visit:   www.timewithtandy.com  -     written by Tandy Balson 

Tandy is a local business woman and motivational speaker in Airdrie/Calgary Alberta

Geese

Have the courage to change the things you can

If you are a seller, there are plenty of buyers in the market for a home they consider priced correctly. You have to decide what the correct price is for your home if you truly want to sell. If you want your house sold, you must list it at a price a buyer will pay for it. Not a buyer from 2006 but today’s buyer who has plenty of homes from which to choose. It will take courage to sit with a real estate professional and honestly decipher the true value of your home. If you want to sell, you must have that courage.

If you are a buyer, and you believe now is the right time for your family to purchase a home – DO IT! Prices are back to pre-bubble prices and interest rates are at historic lows. That means that your monthly housing expense will be lower than any time in the last 50 years – and probably lower than your current rent payment.

The wisdom to know the difference

We all realize that the economic situation will take some time to correct. The question is whether or not it makes sense to delay moving on with your life until everything gets ‘better’. Should you not sell your home and delay reconnecting with friends and relatives that have all moved to another part of the country?

Should you not buy a house and enable your kids to attend the school you have already decided is best for them? Should you spend another winter up north even though your doctor recommends you move to a climate better suited to your current medical situation?

This is where your wisdom must kick in.

You already know the answers to the questions we just asked. You have the power to take back control of the situation by moving forward. The time has come for you and your family to move on and start living the life you desire. That is what is truly important.

10 Questions to Ask BEFORE Renting Your Home

1.) How will you respond if your tenant says they can’t afford to pay the rent this month because of more pressing obligations? (This happens most often during holiday season and back-to-school time when families with children have extra expenses).

2.) Because of the economy, over ten percent of homeowners can no longer make their mortgage payment. What percent of tenants do you think can no longer afford to pay their rent?

3.) Have you interviewed a few experienced eviction attorneys in case a challenge does arise?

4.) Have you talked to your insurance company about a possible increase in premiums as liability is greater in a non-owner occupied home?

5.) Will you allow pets? Cats? Dogs? How big a dog?

6.) How will you actually collect the rent? By mail? In person?

7.) Repairs are part of being a landlord. Who will take tenant calls when necessary repairs arise?

8.) Do you have a list of craftspeople readily available to handle these repairs?

9.) How often will you do a physical inspection of the property?

10.) Will you alert your current neighbors that you are renting the house?