You are protected with new mortgage broker legislation
(NC)-Mortgage brokers and agents play a big role in the borrowing needs of Ontarians. Recent data indicates, for example, that as many as 30 percent of first-time homebuyers use mortgage broker services. To promote consumer protection, encourage more competition and enhance professionalism in the mortgage brokering industry, the Ontario Government has updated the licensing requirements for mortgage professionals. On July 1, 2008, the new Mortgage Brokerages, Lenders and Administrators Act, 2006 went into effect. This new legislation requires all businesses and individuals who conduct mortgage brokering activities in the province to be licensed with the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO). FSCO is an arm's-length agency of the Ministry of Finance and is responsible for regulating the activities of all mortgage brokerages, administrators, brokers and agents throughout the province. Benefits for you To become licensed with FSCO, a mortgage broker or agent needs to meet specific education, experience and suitability requirements. Now, for example, all mortgage brokers and agents in Ontario must: be at least 18 years of age; have no criminal record; work for only one mortgage brokerage; meet specific education requirements; conduct all activities in accordance with the new act and regulations; and be adequately supervised by a principal broker. The principal broker is appointed by the mortgage brokerage, and is responsible for ensuring that the brokerage's employees are adequately supervised, and that requirements are followed. In addition to individual compliance, this new law makes mortgage brokerages more responsible for the actions of their brokers and agents. It also ensures that individuals working in this sector meet minimum education and experience criteria-and are held accountable for their actions. For example, under the new act, all mortgage brokerages must be incorporated or formed in Canada, or if a sole proprietor, be a resident of Canada. Mortgage brokerages must have errors and omissions insurance, including coverage for fraudulent acts. These are just a few examples of how the new act is making mortgage brokerages more accountable. If you would like to make sure that you are dealing with a licensed mortgage professional, a full list of mortgage brokerages, administrators, brokers and agents is available under the Mortgage Brokers section of the FSCO website: www.fsco.gov.on.ca. The website also includes many valuable consumer resources, such as brochures, videos, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Kitchen organization for busy families
An organized kitchen is more user-friendly and helps families manage
their often busy schedules. (NC)-Countries have capitals, corporations have headquarters and families have the kitchen. No longer simply the room where meals are cooked, the kitchen has evolved to become the hub of family activity and the centrepiece of the home. To keep up with busy families, the kitchen must be the most organized room in the house. Storage Area Optimizing storage space is the best way to get the most out of your kitchen. First, determine what your family does there - besides cook and eat. Then, design your kitchen storage taking into account its multiple uses and taking advantage of vertical and hard to reach shelves and corners. Items can be stored on hooks behind doors and on walls, and lazy susans turn dead areas into extra space. Group similar items together in containers and label them so that everyone can find what they are looking for. A good electronic labeller is a must-have for the organized kitchen. Brother pioneered them and today offers its P-touch models at most office retailers and online at www.brother.ca. "Our P-touch labellers are ideal for busy families because they are a quick, convenient and easy-to-use solution for getting organized around the house," says Brian Caldwell, senior product manager at Brother Canada. "Our exclusive line of tapes come in various sizes and are extremely long-lasting. They move from freezer to microwave without peeling or fading, which is great for preparing lunches for school and work." Cooking Space Whether you are a working parent or an aspiring chef, cooking for a family is a big job. By making your kitchen more user-friendly, you and your family will be more likely to cook at home - eating more healthily and saving money in the process. A well-organized pantry is a good way to ensure a happy cook. Grouping items and labelling shelves make ingredients accessible and easy to locate. Cooking equipment and tools are getting more plentiful and sophisticated. Wherever possible, opt for multifunctional devices like food processors instead of several small pieces. And make room for a cookbook shelf so that inspiration is close at hand. Schedule Keeper Some kitchens feel like busy train stations. With all the comings and goings, it's an ideal space to organize the family's activities. Install a large corkboard and use it to post the kids school and activity schedules, phone lists, grocery store flyers and coupons and the all-important family calendar. By making the most out of the most popular room in the house, you'll create order in the busiest home and spend less time organizing and more time enjoying your family. |
Protect your home from pests year-round
(NC)-Your home is likely your largest and most valuable asset, but even the smallest of pests can threaten your property and jeopardize the health of your family. According to the experts at Orkin/PCO Services, pests can enter your home in both the warmer and cooler months. Rodents are likely to come indoors during the fall and winter - causing structural damage by chewing through plaster, wood and electrical wiring. Warmer weather pests, including ants, cockroaches and flies, can transmit disease-causing bacteria including salmonella and E. coli. "No matter the season, pests always look for food, water and shelter," said Bill Melville, quality assurance manager for Orkin/PCO Services. "The optimal temperatures in your home, along with readily available food and water, put the welcome mat out for pests." Fortunately there are proactive steps homeowners can take to prevent pests. First, call a pest management professional to inspect your home inside and out. A licensed professional will identify existing pest problems and alert you to conditions that are conducive to a pest infestation. Make sure the company you call guarantees their work. Other pest prevention tips from Orkin/PCO Services include: . Tightly seal trash cans. Pests aren't picky about meals, and the odours from trash can invite pests toward the home - increasing the likelihood they'll make their way inside. . Install door sweeps and weather stripping to prevent pests from coming in through gaps around doors and windows. . Caulk any holes, cracks and gaps around your home with weather-resistant sealant. . Don't think of spring as the only season for cleaning, but keep the house free of debris the whole year through. . Pests need only a small amount of food to survive, so wipe counters and floors free of crumbs. In addition to preventing pests with sanitation and home repairs, it's a good idea to schedule regular visits with a professional. He or she will help ensure you're ready for the pests each season brings. More information is available online at www.orkincanada.com.
Infrared cooking saves time for busy families
By Mark van Tol (NC)-The kids are heading back to school and you're busy with work . it's a stressful time for many Canadian families. For working parents, finding quick and easy meal solutions for the kids can be a challenge. It seems you just get in the door and the kids are already looking for something to eat. Patience can wear thin, as you desperately try to get a meal on the table in record speed. The microwave is undoubtedly one of the kitchen's best time-savers. It's great for defrosting foods, reheating leftovers, and preparing many side dishes, such as pastas, and vegetables. It has really changed how Canadians plan and cook their meals. However, there are many foods you simply can't prepare in the microwave, or where you have to sacrifice taste for speed. The texture of some foods can become soggy or dry. The newest innovation in meal preparation is infrared technology, which combines both speed and great taste. Infrared ovens harness the power of light waves to produce light-textured, golden, browned and sizzling food the same way a conventional oven can, but up to 50 per cent faster. Until recently this type of technology was only used in restaurants, where speed and great taste are essential, but it is now available to all Canadians. A countertop infrared oven can quickly cook side dishes, bake homemade rolls or favourite desserts, bake casseroles, roast a tenderloin or even broil steaks. When using an infrared oven, keep in mind that you should use ovenproof ceramic, metal or glass bakeware, just like you would use in your regular oven. "Our InfraWave Speed Oven can be a real time saver for any busy family," says Yvethe Rodriguez of Black & Decker. "Its many pre-programmed options include many of your children's favourite foods and snacks, such as chicken nuggets, wings, pizza, and cookies Not only does the oven significantly cut your cooking time, there is also no preheating required - saving you more time. Use your Infrawave for anything you would make in a conventional oven; it even has a handy Convert function, which you can use to convert your favourite recipes to faster Infrawave time." Pizza cooked from frozen is ready in about 15 minutes. Frozen chicken nuggets are ready in about 8 minutes, and chicken wings are ready in 10 minutes. And imagine a child's delight in getting freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. you don't need to tell them it only took 7 minutes to make. So when you're looking for fast meal preparation, an infrared oven can really be the answer, and a great time saver for the busy family. Now if only it could help with homework. |
Serve up a truly Canadian barbecue dinner
(NC)-If you think peameal bacon is best served up on a bun for lunch, wait until you try this fabulous new barbecued roast from www.homebasics.ca. Easy to prepare, with a sweet and tangy sauce, this will surely become a family favourite meal. Leftovers are dazzling served on buns or in eggs benedict. Oh Canada, indeed. Barbecue Peameal Bacon Roast * 1/2 cup barbecue sauce Preheat the barbecue to medium-high and grease the grate. Combine the barbecue sauce, jam, mustard, maple syrup and cider vinegar in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high, stirring often, for 2 minutes or until smooth and glossy. Let cool slightly. Brush a third of the sauce over the peameal roast. Grill, turning and basting often, for 10 minutes or until the roast is evenly marked. Turn the burner directly under the meat off and set the remaining burner(s) to medium-low. Close the lid and roast over indirect heat, turning and basting occasionally, for 30 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the meat registers 160° F (71° C). Transfer to a carving board and let stand for 5 minutes. Slice and serve with Cheddar Cheese Pasta.
Ontario mortgage brokers and agents must now be licensed
Photo courtesy of metrocreativegraphics.com (NC)-The Government of Ontario has taken an important step recently to enhance consumer protection in the mortgage brokering industry. As of July 1, 2008, under the new Mortgage Brokerages, Lenders and Administrators Act, 2006, all businesses and individuals who conduct mortgage brokering activities in Ontario must be licensed with the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO). FSCO is an arm's-length agency of the Ministry of Finance and is responsible for regulating the activities of all mortgage brokerages, administrators, brokers and agents throughout the province. Under the new act, all mortgage brokers and agents now need to meet specific education, experience, and suitability requirements. In addition, the law requires each mortgage brokerage to appoint a principal broker to ensure employees are adequately supervised and that requirements are followed. As important, the new law makes mortgage brokerages more responsible for the actions of their brokers and agents. The new law is expected to enhance consumer protection, encourage greater competition and increase professionalism in the mortgage brokering industry. If you would like to make sure you're dealing with a licensed mortgage professional, a full list of mortgage brokerages, administrators, brokers and agents is available under the Mortgage Brokers section on the FSCO website: www.fsco.gov.on.ca. The website also includes many valuable consumer resources, such as brochures, frequently asked questions and videos.
Your tools: Safe and sound
(NC)-One of the major elements in the successful performance of work around the home, both inside and outside, is the proper choice and use of tools. In this respect, the seal of the Canadian Standards Association is a reference, because it indicates that the tools bearing the seal respect the Canadian Standards of manufacturing and safety, and are equipped with a ground wire or double insulation. This is very practical. Here are a few tips from Hydro-Québec to help you use your tools safely: . The Power cord: Do not handle the tool by its cord. This tends to damage the cord (and the damage is not always visible). . The plug and the handle: Grip the plug (not the cord) to disconnect the tool and use the handle to move it about. . Damaged Tools: Never use a tool if the electric cord has been damaged or if the ground wire is twisted or cut. Likewise, never use a damaged extension cord. . Three-pronged plug: Never cut or fold the rounded ground prong of this part of the tool. . Power cord: When using an electric saw or drill, keep the electric cord behind you to be certain that you do not accidentally cut into it.
Back-To-School: Top three test-taking tips
(NC)-"Give your children the advantage by teaching them skills for taking school tests," says Dr. Donna McGhie-Richmond, educational specialist with Kumon Math and Reading Centres. These are the top three test-taking tips on her list: 1.Read the questions and directions carefully before answering. It will prevent misunderstanding the information required and it maximizes the time to complete the test. 2.Answer the questions you know well first, then go back to the more difficult ones. 3.To avoid second-guessing, don't spend too much time reviewing your answers as you proceed. |
