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Beat the winter blues with lovely warm hues (NC)—

CBC daytime hosts Steven Sabados and Chris Hyndman have tips to beat the seasonal blues with some decorating boosts that embrace the latest trends – and you may not need to spend a dime. The décor duo from Steven and Chris say the first step is to look through what you already have with fresh eyes and think about arranging things in your home a little differently.

1. Embrace Colour: seek saturated jewel tones in amber, plum or peacock blue. Pull out all of your objects in one colour and group them. For example, take an amethyst-coloured glass vase and pack it full of deep purple tulips.

2. Pick Patterns: checks and tartans are huge this season. For that warm country classic feel, go for a tartan with rich colours. The key is to build the look – for example, a Royal 'Stewart plaid' could be great with a big wooden bowl of Macintosh apples or red candles.

3. Group Finishes: warm metallics are this season's rage. Bring out the bronze, brass or gold accessories, frames and bowls and group them together on a simple tray. Just as in fashion, we are seeing designers mixing and matching with silver and gold, so give it a try.

4. Display the handmade homespun: employ vintage with a vengeance. Bring out that handmade quilt and display it on a plain sofa or chair, or pull out that earthy pottery bowl from the craft fair. These “back to basics” are great as décor accents, but be mindful of moderation. Limit yourself to one trend – the careful contrast between old and new can be the most effective way to accessorize your space.

There are many more décor ideas from Steven and Chris online at www.cbc.ca/stevenandchris , and you can submit your own décor questions for the guys' expert advice.

For furnaces, the right size matters (NC)—

If your home heating system is more than 15 years old, this winter is a great time to consider upgrading your equipment to more energy efficient models, all the more because of the large number of government, utility and manufacturer incentive programs in effect.

If you do make the decision to replace your heating and/or cooling system, be sure to insist that the installing contractor “sizes” the system properly. To determine the correct heating or cooling capacity of your system, a contractor should perform a “heat loss and heat gain calculation”. This calculation relies on an assessment of the size and age of the home, insulation levels of walls and attic, the type and number of windows, air infiltration rate, indoor design temperature, coldest outdoor temperature found in your area (typically in January) and other factors that influence the rate at which your home loses heat.

The “right-sizing” of replacement equipment is one of the most commonly overlooked methods for ensuring that you get the most from your system. Properly sized equipment performs more effectively and more efficiently, ensuring optimal comfort, less temperature differentiation between floors and maximum energy efficiency. If your contractor refuses to do a heat loss/heat gain calculation, find another contractor.

Over-sizing equipment can result in increased fuel consumption and higher operating costs, potential premature parts failure, higher noise levels, and reduced comfort (including hot or cold spots within the home). On the other hand, under-sizing can result in higher operational costs, particularly with today's sophisticated models. The units will be working at full capacity most of the time, which can lead to premature breakdowns and, more generally, reduced comfort levels.

Furnace technology advanced significantly over the past few years. The introduction of two-stage and modulating technologies have allowed furnaces to provide heating at two or more different capacities. This will allow the furnace to deliver air to the home at a rate which more closely matches the heat loss requirements found throughout the year providing a more even temperature and comfortable environment.

A replacement furnace is not an everyday purchase, so make sure you look at all the options carefully. Remember to get three quotes when considering the purchase of new HVACR equipment, and make sure the contractor you select includes the cost of performing a heat loss/heat gain calculation in the price. You can find a qualified contractor by calling HRAI at 1-877-467-HRAI or online at www.hrai.ca

Life begins at 60! (NC)—

Current retirees are a wealth of information for future retirees, both from a financial and a social standpoint. Desjardins Financial Security's 2009 Rethink Retirement survey asked more than 400 retired Canadians about life in 2009.

There's no question that Canadians are living longer, healthier lives. However, according to Statistics Canada, 43.4 per cent of people aged 65 or older are living with a disability and conditions such as cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure are on the rise.

What did retirees who responded to the Desjardins Financial Security Survey on Health say about their health? Nearly three-quarters (74 per cent) rated their physical health as good or better, with only one-quarter (26 per cent) saying it was fair or poor. The numbers were even higher when respondents were asked about their mental health. Over nine in 10 (92 per cent) described their mental health as good or better, with only 8 per cent rating it as poor. Those results have remained relatively stable over the past three years.

However, it's hard to plan when you don't know for sure how healthy you'll be throughout your retirement. The following research findings may help. According to Dan Richards, founder and president of Strategic Imperatives, there are generally three stages to retirement. In early retirement, you're likely to be most active with higher expenses for activities like travel. In mid-retirement you'll probably still live independently, but because of health concerns you may have to start scaling back on your activities and spending. In late retirement as your health declines you may need costly assistance, including home care and long-term care.

How long each stage lasts will have a significant impact on how much money you'll need for retirement. That's why it's so important to develop a flexible financial plan that will carry you through all the stages of retirement and will cover the associated expenses.

This Month's
Video Collection!

info4yourLife

Atrial Fibrillation
Mario Lemieux shares his experience with AF a little known yet serious heart-related illness.

Home Humidity Levels
When the temperature drops, and the snow begins to fly, it's important to maintain good humidity levels within the home to avoid serious health problems, like childhood asthma and other respiratory ailments.

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MORTGAGE RATES

Helping Habitat for Humanity invest in communities (NC)—

Why would a third-party forest certification program work with Habitat for Humanity to build homes for low-income families?

The answer is simple says Danny Karch, national director, market access (Canada), for the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI), who has been instrumental in coordinating support for Habitat projects in Manitoba and Ontario.

“Forest certification is built on the concept of sustainable development – and that means considering environmental, economic and social values,” says Karch. “So in addition to the environmental and economic aspects, we want to find ways to address the immense social value of forestry to Canadian communities. Supporting Habitat for Humanity is great way to use wood from our communities to build our communities.”

Through its partnership with local Habitat for Humanity affiliates, the SFI program (www.sfiprogram.org) is helping to build homes in Manitoba and Ontario – including the first Habitat home in a First Nation community in Alderville, northeast of Toronto and energy-efficient homes for Métis families in Winnipeg.

“SFI program participants have volunteered hundreds of hours of their time, and donated thousands of dollars worth of products to Habitat projects in Canada and the United States,” says Karch. “Our involvement is a natural fit because Habitat is increasing its emphasis on sustainability, and our donated forest products are from responsible sources.”

And this is something that's appreciated by Chief James Marsden of Alderville First Nation who says: "We are very pleased to establish partnerships like these with businesses and the community because it allows us to create an affordable home for an Alderville First Nation family. Partnering with SFI also allows us to reinforce our respect for land and forests.”

Sandy Hopkins, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Winnipeg, also welcomes the partnership: “The SFI program is helping us source our wood building supplies from organizations that are committed to responsible forest management, which is important for our sustainable construction model.”

Habitat for Humanity (www.habitat.ca) is a national, non-profit, faith-based organization that mobilizes volunteers and community partners to build affordable housing and promote homeownership.

Know the danger signs of carbon monoxide poisoning

Here are the most common household warnings:

• You or other members of your family are experiencing the symptoms of CO exposure such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, burning eyes, confusion, drowsiness and even loss of consciousness;

• You notice a sharp penetrating odour or smell of gas when your furnace or other fuel-burning appliance turns on;

• The air feels stale or stuffy;

• The pilot light of your gas furnace or other fuel-burning appliance goes out;

• Chalky, white powder forms on the chimney/exhaust vent pipe or soot builds up around the exhaust vent;

• Excessive moisture forms on windows and walls;

• The alarm of a carbon monoxide detector sounds.

Information on where to find a qualified contractor in your area can be found on the website of the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada at www.hrai.ca , or toll-free 1-877-467-HRAI.

Energy saving tips for the winter (NC)—

If you are looking for ways to cut down on your monthly heating bills, it might be time to consider an energy audit for your home. While you may not realize it, a professional energy advisor will immediately locate where the problems are and find ways to help improve your home's energy efficiency. Before you do, here are some energy saving tips you can do on your own:

• Upgrade your windows and doors

• Replenish your caulking around windows and doors since it deteriorates over time to help prevent warm air from escaping through drafts and gaps

• Upgrade your attic insulation

“Simply topping up on caulking or insulation will eliminate areas where you may be losing heat that cause you to spend more on your energy consumption as a result,” says David Flood, insulation expert at Owens Corning.

Since there are over 7 million underinsulated attics in Canada, this may be a primary cause of heat loss in your home. How do you fix this? If your attic does not meet the recommended standard of R-50, then it is time to insulate, and the solution is easy. Install up to 15 inches of PINK FIBERGLAS batt insulation or 18 1/2 inches of PROPINK Blown Insulation. By upgrading the insulation in your attic, you can help save up to 28 per cent* on your monthly heating bills and help reduce up to a half ton of greenhouse gas emissions annually**. Not only will you save money and energy, the government grants available will make renovating even more affordable.

The ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program is offering a grant of up to $5000 from the Government of Canada for energy efficiency renovations which have not yet started. Some energy utilities and provincial governments offer additional funding. For more information on ecoEnergy grants and incentives, visit www.ecoaction.gc.ca/homes .

www.newscanada.com

*Savings vary depending on the original amount of insulation in your home, climate, house size, air leaks and personal energy use and living habits. **Based on an average attic size of 1700 SF with existing R19 insulation, averaged over seven cities in Canada. The colour PINK is a registered trademark of Owens Corning ©2010 Owens Corning. All Rights Reserved.

It's not easy being blue

Five simple steps to help you banish the winter blues (NC)—

With cold temperatures, grey skies and snow in the forecast, it's no surprise that winter often leaves Canadians feeling lethargic, irritable and down in the dumps. But embracing the seasonal changes and lifting your spirits isn't as difficult as it may seem. Consider the five simple steps below to help you banish the winter blues for good.

Get physical. Heading outside for 30 minutes of physical activity will not only increase your energy levels, it will enhance your mood. Skating, tobogganing or engaging in a snowball fight with friends will help increase your heart rate and keep the winter blues at bay.

Eat healthy. Though cravings for comfort foods and sugary sweets tend to peak during the winter months, it is important to choose foods wisely as they can greatly affect energy levels and mood. This winter, keep your spirits high and satisfy your sweet tooth with a basket of California strawberries, conveniently available all through the winter. Sweet and delicious, strawberries have only 8 grams of sugar per 1 cup serving, less than other popular fruits.

Break up your routine. Changing up your regular routine is one of the easiest ways to brighten your day. Enrolling in a course, taking up a new hobby or learning a new language are great ways to meet new people and keep your mind off the winter weather.

Give yourself a boost. Give your immune system a boost during the winter months by choosing fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamins and minerals. Packed with folate, potassium, fibre, and more vitamin C than an orange, strawberries are a nutritional powerhouse that can help keep winter cold and flu symptoms at bay. These red berries also contain a powerful mix of antioxidants which are critical to warding off chronic diseases and promoting optimum health during the gloomy winter months.

Catch some ZZZs. To remain energized and alert throughout the day, aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Maintaining a consistent bedtime and waking time can keep you from feeling sluggish throughout the day.

Four useful steps to spring clean your savings

Tip Sheet: (NC)—

The Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) provides coverage from $1 to $100,000 per depositor per financial institution that is a member of CDIC. To ensure your savings are protected and to calculate your maximum coverage amount, follow these four easy steps:

1. Verify that your financial institution is a member of CDIC.

2. Make a list of your accounts and financial products where you hold savings.

3. Make a note of the total amount of savings held in deposits in each account or financial product.

4. Visit www.cdic.ca to easily enter this information into the deposit insurance calculator. It will help you find out if your savings are protected by CDIC.

You can also call 1-800-461-CDIC (2342) toll free or ask where you bank or invest to learn more about CDIC deposit insurance coverage.