Category: Finances

Healthy Eating and Rising Food Prices

6/25/2019

By: Getty Stewart, P.H.Ec. of www.gettystewart.com
For the original post, please click here

The Annual Food Price Report predicts rising food prices for 2019. The annual predictions prepared by a joint group from Dalhousie University and the University of Guelph have just been released and given the political and economic uncertainty across our borders, climate change and general eating trends, most of the predictions don’t come as a surprise

Rising Food prices chart by Getty Stewart PHEc

Rising Food Prices. Source: Getty Stewart

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Feed Your Family Without Breaking the Bank

1/28/2019

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By: Mary Carver, P.H.Ec.

Source: Mary Carver, P.H.Ec.

It's important to understand how you can plan your meals to help make the most of your budget. Here are some helpful tips from a Professional Home Economist (P.H.Ec.) to help feed your family without breaking the bank:

Take 10 minutes to plan meals for the entire week. Include variety – one of the best ways to ensure healthful eating.
Make a shopping list. Stick to it to resist impulse purchases. Buy specials whenever possible. Remember - it is not a bargain if you don’t need the item.

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The 10% Savings Solution

1/15/2019

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By: Patricia White, P.H.Ec.

Adapted from a previous OHEA media release for the Ask a Professional Home Economists (P.H.Ec.) series.

The 10% solution takes the math out of saving and it makes good financial sense. To figure out how much you need to save, simply take your net pay (the amount after deductions) each pay period and ‘drop’ the last digit. For example, if your pay is $600, save $60. What could be easier?

piles of coins and jar of coins with small trees growing and green background

While it may sound easy, the personal savings rate for Canadians in the first quarter of 2007 was just 2.6%. This is down 0.7% from the previous year and down significantly from 20% in 1982. Canadians no longer have the ‘rainy day’ cushion to protect themselves from the ups and downs of the economy or personal difficulties.

Canadians are doing better than their American neighbours when it comes to paying off credit card balances each month. In 2005, 43% of Americans carried balances compared to 27% of Canadians. However, this indebtedness comes at a cost with interest charges.

What can saving do for you?

Saving relieves personal stress and improves relationships. Many studies suggest that disagreement over finances is the major reason for marital strife and divorce. Financial stress is not necessarily due to a lack of income, but instead is due to unsustainable spending patterns.
Saving reduces reliance on credit, and you can save money by avoiding interest charges.
Saving helps fund a comfortable retirement, yet most Canadians are not putting enough away for their retirement years. As employers decrease or eliminate pension benefits, private savings are the only remedy.
Saving increases confidence and the likelihood of having sufficient money for your needs.
Saving is habit forming. If 10% is too daunting, start with 5% or 3%. Small amounts of savings add up quickly.

Once you’ve started the habit of saving, the question is where to put this money. Consider placing one-half of the monthly savings amount into a pension plan that may be matched by your employer or your own retirement savings plan. Save one third in an emergency fund and the remaining portion in another account earmarked for savings. These last two portions can be held short-term in savings and/or money market accounts. The rule of thumb for emergency savings is to have three to six months of household expenditures set aside for unplanned expenses.

Start saving now!

You will feel better and can watch your money grow.

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Healthy Eating and Rising Food Prices

Feed Your Family Without Breaking the Bank

The 10% Savings Solution

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