It’s that time of year when the weather is trying to be spring-like (where I live anyway) even though it’s more than a month past the “official” spring equinox. I can’t wait to get outside and start digging in the dirt.
Most of my family lives in British Columbia and conversations with them always include the spring flowers that are blooming and having to mow the lawn again. My lawn is still under a foot of snow (and if it isn’t right now, it may well be by tomorrow).
No self respecting Calgary gardener even sets foot in a garden centre until the May long weekend at least, and then you have to be quick on your feet lest you get trampled to death going for the last flat of petunias. I still have to be patient.
Organic Food Gardening – The New Trend
Recently, interest in organic food gardening has exploded to become one of today’s hot new activities. Growing our own food is a healthy trend that is being embraced by many city dwellers – young and old. Backyards, balconies, patios and even rooftops are becoming mini farms.
A growing sense of independence, lack of trust in international food production and a desire to have pesticide-free food are why we have decided to return to natural goodness and flavour. When we grow our own food we know exactly what we’re eating and can count on its freshness. Growing your own edibles means you’ll be pushing a lighter shopping cart too.
With smaller living and growing spaces available, organic food gardening can now be done entirely in containers. This has triggered the development of new varieties that are not only very productive and flavourful, but are also easy to grow in a confined growing space and a shorter growing season.
Easy and Fun to Grow
It doesn’t take much effort to grow a tomato plant on the patio or herbs on a sunny windowsill. Growing your own lettuce blends in a shady spot sure beats buying the slimy product in plastic containers from the supermarket.
It’s also fun to try novelty vegetables such as yellow and purple cauliflower, yellow tomatoes and hot peppers, and purple carrots.
People have been paying serious attention to their health and one behavioral change has been eating locally grown fruits and vegetables. If you can’t – or don’t want to – grow your own you can get them from farmers’ markets and community gardens which are springing up everywhere. Some of the hottest restaurants are selecting more local ingredients from nearby farms for their fresh flavour.
If you’re like me and like to get “down and dirty “ in the garden, give organic food gardening a try. You won’t believe the difference in taste, even in herbs. In fact my husband always disliked the taste of rosemary (in its dried form) until I grew my own to cook with.
Or at least try to buy locally. It’s good for the environment and local producers and your taste buds will thank you.
Canadians love to travel and collect frequent flyer miles, and one of the most popular rewards programs in Canada is Aeroplan. Aeroplan members redeem their miles for over 1.5 million flight rewards each year.
Aeroplan Miles: How to Collect and Redeem
I first began collecting Aeroplan miles back in 2007 when I was travelling a lot on business. They were easy to accumulate when I was flying across the country with Air Canada.
I’ve also earned Aeroplan miles on occasion by filling up at Esso and shopping at Home Hardware. I even thought enough of the Aeroplan loyalty program to purchase shares in Groupe Aeroplan (AER).
Redeeming your Aeroplan miles for flights is fairly straightforward. Redemption for short haul flights in Canada and the U.S. starts at 15,000 miles, and long haul flights starts at 25,000 miles.
I’ve redeemed Aeroplan miles for a free short haul flight from Lethbridge to Edmonton with no hassle, other than the extra fees and taxes. I also like to redeem my points for products, and I have redeemed my Aeroplan miles for gift cards at Toys R Us, HBC and Home Hardware.
Changes to the Aeroplan Program
Many Canadians heard about recent changes to the Aeroplan program that came into effect July 15th, 2011. These changes increased the number of miles required to redeem for certain long haul flights. According to Aeroplan, these changes represent an average increase of less than 5% in the number of miles per flight rewards.
There has also been an outcry from members over the apparent expiration of Aeroplan miles over time. The Aeroplan website claims that when you stay active in the program, you make sure that your Aeroplan Miles don’t expire.
All it takes is one transaction every 12 months to keep your account active, and you have a full 7 years from the time you accumulate the miles to redeem them for a reward.
For the record, my last transaction was in March 2012 and there is a note on my account stating that my Aeroplan miles will expire in March 2013 unless I redeem my points or add to them with another transaction.
Best Loyalty Program or Waste of Time?
After I changed careers and stopped traveling frequently I found it difficult to collect Aeroplan Miles. They don’t have a long list of sponsors like the Air Miles program does, especially here in Alberta.
My transaction activity last year consisted of two flights, three visits to Esso and one trip to Home Hardware. I even sold my Groupe Aeroplan shares last year.
For frequent Canadian travelers, the Aeroplan card should be in your wallet just for the simple fact of having Air Canada and the Star Alliance partnership.
But with the recent changes to their rewards program, constant booking issues and customer service complaints, lack of other retail sponsors and the possibility of your rewards expiring due to inactivity, it seems that collecting Aeroplan miles is more of a hassle than it’s worth.
Do you collect Aeroplan miles? What are your thoughts on their rewards program?
Having a will is one of the cornerstones of good financial management, but before making an appointment with your lawyer take some time to assess your situation and review your estate plan.
Estate Plan: Start With a List
Prepare a list of the financial institutions where your assets are held. Include key contacts – banker, advisor, stockbroker, lawyer, accountant and insurance agent and their contact information. Identify your proxies. Who will exercise Power of Attorney if you become disabled or can’t direct your own personal affairs?
Select an Executor
Choose your executor carefully. If you choose your children or other relative make sure they are willing to shoulder the responsibility. Make sure the person you choose is willing to make the commitment and has the time and skills to look after your affairs. They should also live in the same town or city as you, or at least close by.
Settling an estate can take several months. For these reasons, or for more complicated estates, a common solution is to appoint your lawyer or trust company jointly with a family member.
Who are your Heirs?
List exact names and contact information in your estate plan, as well as their relationship to you. Likewise, if a favorite charity will be a beneficiary write down all the details.
What do you want each of your heirs to receive? Identify gifts. Will any of your heirs require assistance with ongoing income? Discuss options for the transfer of assets and funds during your lifetime and at death.
Guardians and Succession
Give some careful thought to whom you will name as guardians in your estate plan. Prepare a list of those people you would trust to care for your minor children (think also of those who should not have that responsibility).
If you own a business, identify your business succession plans. How should your business interests be distributed and who do you favor to step in to run the show?
Assets, Liabilities and Taxes
Identify your capital assets and their fair market value annually. Which assets could be transferred during your lifetime and which should be transferred only upon death? If beneficial, use tax fee rollovers to your spouse or transfers and Fair Market Value.
Deal with debt. List all your debt obligations and how they should be paid.
Plan for probate fees and capital gains taxes at death. Review life insurance policies that may be used for these purposes.
Keep it Safe
Draw up your will and tell your lawyer where it is to be kept. Give a copy to your executor and discuss anything that may need clarification.
Keep all your important documents in a Safety Deposit Box and identify the location. Be aware that unless you have a co-signor with “right of survivorship,” your box will be sealed until your will is probated. Keep necessary copies easily accessible in your home.
Keep it Current
Review your will whenever family circumstances change, such as marriage, divorce, a birth or death among your beneficiaries or a significant change in your assets.
An estate that can’t be settled promptly can cause needless delays, financial hardship and legal problems for your heirs.
With a little attention and forethought you can avoid any problems and fighting among heirs (you think it won’t happen, but it does) and your assets will be distributed exactly as you intend them to be.
What’s your estate plan?