Lock Box: Why you need one
How many times have you left a spare key
hidden in your garage, in a pot in your garden
or under a back-door mat, for someone to gain
access to your home while you’re away?
Lock boxes are often used by Real Estate
agents when a house is listed for sale. They are
safe, the codes can be changed as often as you’d
like, and they are constructed of strong material.
• Perfect for parents of teens who keep losing
the house key
• Safely stores extra car or garage key,
neighbours keys
• For caregivers or cleaning people, so seniors
don’t have to run to the door after bell rings
• Forgot your key? There will always be one in
the lock box for you!
more reasonable than a cruise, except for where you plan
the cruise and flights separately – and a good agent can
help you with that!
How to save for a vacation
1. Set up a separate savings account for your holiday planning.
Make weekly contributions and watch it grow faster.
2. Take lunch to work instead of buying it – for many people
this can save a lot of money (For example: Lunch at $6
per day x 5 days per week: $30 savings. Times 4 weeks per
month: $120 in a month’s time!
3. Take coffee to work instead of buying it. Do you really
need that latte at Timmy’s... every single day?
4. Cut back on habits, like alcoholic beverages and cigarettes.
Many people stop for drinks at the local watering hole and
end up spending mega dollars. Instead buy a bottle of wine
for consumption at home, or try mixing it up with soda
water to make summer “spritzers”, or even try making your
own wine. The savings here can be astronomical! Same for
cigarettes: Even cutting back on 5 per day can save you big
bucks, and benefit your health too.
5. Set up a piggy bank and put all loose change in every day.
My husband saved up for our 10-day honeymoon to the
Barbados just by doing that! And it only took him about
a year to do it!
enter to
win one!
Send us an email or
letter with your name,
address and phone
number, before
August 1st 2016
...and you could win
this MasterLock 5422
lock box,
valued at over $50!
Our privacy policy guarantee
applies. Flip to page 5 for
contact information.
6. Cut back on eating out or ordering in. Instead bring out
the slow cooker and cook up some meals that will go a long
way, like chili, soups and stews. Reward yourself by buying
nicer cuts of meat or specialty shellfish once per week, which
are still going to save you money rather than eating out.
7. Instead of buying lavish gifts for everyone for the holidays,
offer babysitting, invite them for dinner or a BBQ at home,
bake cookies, and make gift cards yourself. It will be more
appreciated in the long run!
8. Have a garage sale to clear out that clutter – it will help
you pay for that trip!
9. Take transit to work instead of a taxi or paying for costly
parking fees. Do you really need that extra car sitting in
the driveway year after year? Talk to your coworkers about
carpooling too.
Budget and planning ahead
Figure out how much the trip will cost, when it has to
be paid out, but don’t forget to budget for the insurance,
medical and cancellation fees. Divide it by the months you
have before you want to go, and put those dollars little by
little. Talk to a reputable travel agent that can help you get
the best value – and don’t forget to shop local! There are many
local travel companies that plan day trips and make them into
mini vacations. You don’t have to go far to enjoy yourself. •
Marianne Vogel has been in the travel industry since 1983, and
is a Certified Travel Counsellor and Cruise Specialist. She may
be reached at www.justforyoutravel.ca or 905-627-0272
Celebrating our 10th year! ~ Summer 2016
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