A Trusted Regina Insurance broker's tip on tenant insurance

21. Jul 2015 trusted Regina Insurance, TRUSTED TIPS

Tenant or Renter’s Insurance

As a renter you may feel you don’t need insurance coverage. But take a look around. How much would it cost to replace all your belongings if they were lost?

Tenant or Renter Insurance can protect your contents and your liability exposure. All it takes is a few extra dollars a month and you’re covered.

Not all home policies are created equally, or priced the same. They are designed to meet each individual’s needs. Make sure you’re covered! Contact an Insurance Representative today for your free quote!

Trusted Regina Moving Tips

21. Jul 2015 Admin Regina Movers & Storage, Regina Real Estate, TRUSTED TIPS

Moving Tips That Will Make Your Life So Much Easier

1. Pack an overnight bag containing all the essentials

Chances are, you’ll be too tired to unpack your things. You’ll want your essentials within easy access, including a change of clothes if you’re going back to work the next day as well as all your toiletries. It’s also a great way to transport a laptop, which could run the risk of getting stolen during a move.

2. Pack the items you will need FIRST in a clear plastic bin

This includes things like a box cutter, paper towels, trash bags, eating utensils, select cookware, power strips, phone chargers, toilet paper, tools, etc. The clear bin allows you to see inside; it also separates itself from the myriad of cardboard boxes.

3. Wrap your breakables (dishes, glasses, etc.) in clothing to save on bubble wrap

Two birds, one stone: You’re packing your clothes and kitchenware at the same time.

4. For extra padding, pack your glasses and stemware in clean socks

5. In addition to labeling what’s in your boxes, add what room they’ll be going into, as well

When you arrive at your new home, unpack BY ROOM. The unpacking process will feel more manageable.

And remember to label the SIDES of the boxes, not the tops. This way, you’ll be able to identify them even if they’re stacked.

6. If you can, show up to your new home before the move and pre-clean the bathroom and kitchen

Put up a new shower curtain liner and stock some new bath towels and toilet paper, as well. You’ll want to take a hot shower after a long day of moving.

7. Place an extra cotton pad or ball into your powder cosmetics to keep them from breaking

This is a great tip for travelling in general.

8. Cover the openings of your toiletries with saran wrap, then put the tops back on

This will keep your toiletries from breaking and leaking all over your stuff during the move.

9. Pack plates vertically, like records. They’ll be less likely to break

10. Keep drawers intact by covering them with Press’n Seal

Dresser drawers are like their own moving boxes — this will keep you from having to unpack and refold their contents.

It’ll also make moving the actual dresser much more manageable.

11. Press’n Seal is also great for keeping jewelry displays intact

12. Buy a roll of stretch wrap

It works like Press’n Seal but on a bigger scale. You can group items together, and it’ll protect your furniture from getting scuffed and scratched.

13. Keep sandwich bags handy for holding any small parts of things you have to take apart, like curtain rods or mounted flat-screen TVs

Tape the sandwich bags to the back of the item they correspond to.

ALSO: Use this method with the cords for your electronics

14. Beer boxes are the best for books because they have handles on the sides

So be sure to hit up your local liquor store.

15. Take a photo of how your electronics are connected so you can remember how and where all the wires go

16. Cut down on boxes by making all of your baskets, laundry bins, hampers, and suitcases work for you

Pack them with stuff! Use the wheeled suitcases for heavy things like books.

17. The fastest way to pack a closet:

This also keeps your clothes on their hangers, for much faster unpacking.

18. Vacuum seal your out-of-season clothing

Not only will they take up less space and be a breeze to pack, but they can go directly into storage in the new home.

19. Along with food and alcohol, give your friends who help you move first dibs on anything you originally planned to sell or donate

It’s just an extra perk, since you won’t be paying them.

20. Make sure everything is completely packed before your friends show up to help you move

Trusted Regina Gym share a Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe

21. Jul 2015 bonnied Regina Fitness & Gyms, TRUSTED TIPS

Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe:

One of the easiest ways to lighten up a pasta dish is to add tons of protein and vegetables to your dish which keeps the portions large and the carbs low and this dish is a perfect example. Be sure to be generous with your Cajun spices, it should have plenty of kick so don't be shy!

Celebrate Mardi Gras with this colorful Cajun spiced pasta tossed with chicken strips, bell peppers, red onion, mushrooms and scallions in a creamy light sauce.

You can make this with shrimp instead of chicken, or use a combination of both. Make this vegetarian by leaving the chicken out or replacing it with tofu and the chicken broth with vegetable broth. You can also make this gluten-free by using brown rice pasta and replacing the flour with 1 teaspoon of corn starch.

Cajun Chicken Pasta on the Lighter Side

Servings: 5 • Serving Size:1 1/2 cups • Old Points: 6 pts • Points+: 8 pts Calories: 323.8 • Fat: 6.2 g • Protein: 25.9 g • Carb: 44.1 g • Fiber: 6.3 g • Sugar: 3.2 g Sodium: 126.5 mg (without salt)

Ingredients:

8 ounces uncooked linguine (I used Dreamfields)
1 pound chicken breast strips
1-2 tsp Cajun seasoning (or to taste)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 medium yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
8 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/2 red onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium tomatoes, diced
1 cup fat free low sodium chicken broth
1/3 cup skim milk
1 tbsp flour
3 tbsp light cream cheese
fresh cracked pepper
2 scallions, chopped
salt to taste
Smart Balance cooking spray

Directions:

Prep all your vegetables.
In a small blender make a slurry by combining milk, flour and cream cheese. Set aside. Season chicken generously with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder and salt.
Prepare pasta in salted water according to package directions.
Heat a large heavy nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; spray with cooking spray and add half of the chicken. Sauté 5 to 6 minutes or until done, set aside on a plate and repeat with the remaining chicken. Set aside.
Add olive oil to the skillet and reduce to medium; add bell peppers, onions, and garlic to skillet, sauté 3-4 minutes.
Add mushrooms and tomatoes and sauté 3-4 more minutes or until vegetables are tender. Season with 1/4 tsp salt, garlic powder and fresh cracked pepper to taste.
Reduce heat to medium-low; add chicken broth and pour in slurry stirring about 2 minutes.
Return chicken to skillet; adjust salt and Cajun seasoning to taste, cook another minute or two until hot, then add linguine; toss well to coat. Top with chopped scallions and enjoy!

Trusted Regina financial professionals tip on marriage finances

13. Jul 2015 bonnied Regina Financial Services, TRUSTED TIPS

Trusted Regina’s Financial experts tip on 50/50 finance in a marriage:

Can 50/50 finances work in a marriage?

Bills can be a headache at the best of times. Figuring out who pays for what in a relationship can be complicated enough to trigger a migraine.

Should you split bills evenly in your marriage or partnership? What if one person makes substantially more? Should it be based on a percentage of income instead?

A 50/50 split is one way to go, but it seems fraught with problems.

“Fifty/fifty isn’t usually sustainable as incomes differ, and over a lifetime one partner usually takes time off to raise children, care for elderly relatives, or may be on sick leave for a period,”. “Fifty/fifty is a roommate, not a marriage.”

Fee-only financial planner Marie Engen of Boomer & Echo agrees that splitting expenses down the middle has the potential for unhappily-ever-after.

“This may work if both salaries are somewhat equal, but if there’s a considerable difference the lower-income partner is eventually going to resent it,” Engen says.

Ron Graham, president of fee-only financial-planning firm Ron Graham and Associates Ltd., has seen the ways a 50/50 split can work out for the worst.

“I have some clients with vastly different incomes who keep their finances separate,” Graham says. “They discuss and agree to which expenses they will pay jointly and each put an equal amount into the pot to pay those joint expenses. The balance of their incomes is then available to be spent according to each partner’s wishes. This is where sometimes conflicts arise. One person has money to go on vacation, and the other cannot afford it. I have seen some couples take separate vacations as a result. Sometimes these relationships do not last.”

A better plan

So what are alternatives? Some couples decide on another breakdown, say 60/40. Some have an informal agreement where one covers the mortgage and the car, and the other takes care of things like food and kids’ clothing. Others have the higher-paid partner pay the bills while the lower income-earner’s wages go straight to investments.

Pooling resources appears to be the most effective means to a marriage not marred by money woes.

“I have seen most harmony from a joint account all income goes into,” Waite says. “From this, pay fixed expenses … Figure out what you afford as an allowance for each person and open individual bank accounts. That way, the lower-income earner isn’t overstretched paying a high percentage of income towards fixed costs, and you each have some personal money you can spend without feeling guilty.

“Save for joint goals out of the joint income so no one feels the mountain is insurmountable alone,” she adds.

Graham says that putting money into a joint account, with each person having an equal amount of spending money, works well, especially when there’s a large discrepancy in incomes.

“If you go into a relationship thinking that your money belongs to you, this can lead to conflict and potentially separation,” he says. “My suggestion for newlyweds is to pool their resources to pay for the family expenses, put aside savings for future goals, and pay five to 10 per cent of the total to each partner to spend as they wish.

“This way, each partner gets to spend the same amount on what they want,” he says. “The family expenses are covered, and they are putting aside funds for future goals like buying a house, new vehicle, kids’ education retirement, et cetera.”

Engen is onboard with the idea of shared money too.

“I believe that in a committed relationship, income should be pooled,” she says. “Couples should determine together what is required and budget for regular expenses and short- to medium-term savings for large purchases and Registered Education Savings Plan (RESPs). Longer term Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP) investments would depend on variables such as the availability and type of company pension plans. Each partner should have an amount for their own discretionary spending, no questions asked.”

Often one person has more of an interest in financial matters than the other, Engen notes, from paying bills to investing. “The other partner should be involved in discussing goals and strategies and at least have basic knowledge of assets owned,” she says.

To avoid future disagreements, Waite suggests handling joint expenses systematically.

“It’s really important to write down what you agree [to],” Waite says. “Email it to each other, use a spreadsheet saved in a joint Dropbox or OneDrive, or write it in a notebook so there are no arguments later.

“Set up automatic transfers,” she adds. “Use phone apps and tools like Mint and FreshBooks …to track progress.”

Trusted Regina’s Finance Experts -give them a call to see how they can work for you!