Community News
Financial Fitness

Many of us have multiple income streams from side businesses or part-time/seasonal jobs. It’s important that we track multiple income streams properly to ensure we don’t end up with a large bill at tax time. One way to do this is to use a spreadsheet that includes the following categories: Employer, Gross Income, Income Tax, CPP, EI, and Net Income for each stream of income. Total all streams so that you can calculate the total earnings, tax, CPP, and EI deducted so far. Then determine what the actual deductions should be based on the combined income. The Canada Revenue Agency has a Payroll Deductions online calculator that is useful for this (http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/esrvc-srvce/tx/bsnss/pdoc-eng.html). A qualified accountant can also help with any questions you might have.
Brian Denysuik, CREDITAID.ca

No “Quick Fix” for Hearing Concerns

There’s more to hearing loss than just hearing aids. The growing market for over-the-counter amplification devices has concerned the Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC) and Canadian Academy of Audiology (CAA) associations. According to these associations, hearing loss can be affected by a number of factors such as earwax, genetics, illness, medication, trauma, noise exposure, and age. Determining the underlying cause of one’s hearing loss through a complete hearing assessment should be the first step in your hearing healthcare. Purchasing an over-the-counter amplifier ignores the possibility that further medical assistance may be necessary. Don’t self-diagnose. If you have questions about your hearing, see a certified hearing specialist. Enhanced Hearing Centres, EnhancedHearingCentres.com

Get More From New Year’s Resolutions

If you’re planning to adopt a healthier lifestyle this year, know that no matter what type of stress-handling techniques you use, how well you eat, or how much exercise and sleep you get, to achieve your goals and get the most out of your efforts, your body must be functioning optimally. You could be eating healthy and exercising, but if your thyroid, adrenals, or digestive system are not working efficiently, you are not going to burn calories or build muscle. Options like specialized nutritional testing, biofeedback, and digital pulsewave analysis can help you get the information you need. Centre for Alternative Healing, AltHealing.ca

Matchmaking Testimonial

“I joined Camelot Introductions and found the love of my life! If it wasn’t for Lianne’s persistence, and her innate ability for matching people, then I would still be floundering. On-line dating was a waste of my time. Camelot was exactly what I was looking for – a professional service dedicated to matching people with similar interests and dreams. Getting married in November – I’ve never been happier! Thanks Lianne!”
~Brian. Camelot Introductions, CamelotIntroductions.com

Sciatica? Try Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the treatment of choice for sciatica, an excruciatingly painful condition. The sciatic nerve is the largest in the body; it carries sensory and motor information down to the legs. Most people present with a sharp pain running down the back of the upper thigh and, in very severe cases, reaching the foot. It can also involve a pain that runs down the side of the leg or, less often, the front of the leg. The exact position of the pain determines the choice of the acupuncture points to be used. The longer you put up with the pain, the more muscles and structures are affected, and the more treatment is required. Straight to the Point Community Acupuncture, Sttpca.com

How to set SMART fitness goals

What better time than the New Year to set goals? SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely. These are the qualities that help to create a fitness goal that is more easily achievable.
Specific: be very specific in your goal setting – what is it that you want to achieve?
Measurable: it is important to set goals that you can measure – how will you track your progress?
Attainable: set a goal you know is realistic – it’s not wrong to want to dream big, but setting lofty goals can sometimes set you up for disappointment!
Relevant: goals need to be relevant – why is achieving this goal important to you?
Timely: ensue that you don’t give yourself too much time to accomplish your goal – too long of a timeline and you might get bored and give up!
For more information on how to set SMART goals, come chat with one of our trainers!

Set Intentions, Fulfill Your Dreams

People set intentions on all kinds of dreams. When you set an intention and then act on it to demonstrate your commitment, amazing things occur. Intention can also give us fortitude for dealing with tough times. I am currently rebuilding my home. I simply wanted to add on a new bathroom, but with all the surprises an old house can offer, every turn has been a shock, sometimes even a nightmare. My intention is to live through this process with dignity and grace. I am tested daily. It’s often not easy, but this intention has helped me maintain composure, sanity, and on a good day, a sense of humour.
Rev. Anne Ahokangas, Spiritual Director, Centre for Spiritual Living Winnipeg, CSLWinnipeg.org

Medication-Related Falls among Seniors

According to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada, falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospital visits among Canadian seniors. Between 20% and 30% of adults 65 and older have at least one fall per year. Medications are increasingly being recognized as contributors to falls, and common problematic medications include opioids, sedatives, anti-depressants, cardiac medications, and hypoglycemic agents such as insulin. It is important that seniors and their caregivers are aware of possible side effects of medications, and that correct dosages are given and any negative drug interactions are avoided. A pharmacist can assist in determining how and when to use medications to help avoid injury from falls.Source used: https://www.ismp-canada.org/download/safetyBulletins/2015/ISMPCSB2015-12_Falls.pdf. Care at Home Pharmacy, CareAtHomePharmacy.ca

Book Club:

The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact
by Chip Heath, Dan Heath
Many of the defining moments in our lives are the result of accident or luck—but why would we leave our most meaningful, memorable moments to chance when we can create them? The Power of Moments shows us how to be the author of richer experiences.

Where Is Love?

You’ve decided enough is enough. You have plenty going for yourself and you want to share your life with someone special but where on earth are you going to find them? Times have changed. We live in an electronic world but computers don’t have hearts and you don’t know if the person behind the screen is authentic. You have asked your friends and coworkers if they know anyone right for you and you have been insulted by who they have suggested! A matchmaker specializes in finding love for people who are looking for one special partner. An effective matchmaker meets with all potential clients in person and determines who the right person is for them. A criminal record check should be conducted on each client. When choosing a matchmaker it is important that you work with a service that has been in business for quite some time and has many success stories. Lianne Tregobov, Camelot Introductions, Camelot Introductions.com