Trusted Regina Shares 6 New Year’s Resolutions for Every Homeowner

19. Jan 2022 Trusted Regina

6 New Year’s Resolutions for Every Homeowner

Lately we have been spending much more time in our homes than usual. With homes and finances at the forefront of many household conversations, here is a list of 6 things you can do to improve both your home and your finances.

Pay Off Your Non-Mortgage Debt FIRST!

The general rule of thumb is that you should focus on paying off higher-interest debt before lower-interest debt. You may be paying a higher rate on a credit card or private student loan than on your mortgage, so you'd benefit more by paying those off early.

Don't pay so much toward the higher-interest debt that you risk defaulting on mortgage payments. Yes, credit cards can be expensive, and the issuer may take legal action if you default on card payments. But defaulting on mortgage payments can be an even bigger risk because you could lose your home.

Build A Realistic Emergency Fund

Owning a home comes with many responsibilities and expenses, some that you can plan for in advance, like property taxes, and some that just pop up unexpectedly. If you haven’t already started saving for those unexpected expenses in an emergency fund or rainy-day fund, the new year is a great time to start! Saving any amount is beneficial in an emergency, but about 3 to 6-month’s salary is usually recommended. A high-interest savings account is a good place for your emergency fund. You’ll still be able to earn interest on your savings, and it’s not entirely locked away in case you need to access the funds quickly.

For some people, work-from-home measures may be in place indefinitely. The lines between your personal and professional life may be blurred during this time. The best way to keep firm boundaries is by trying to maintain a similar routine to when you’re in the office. Ensure you set boundaries to limit overtime work, always take breaks throughout the day, and log off your work computer at the usual end of the workday.

Make Your Home As Energy Efficient As Possible

We live in Saskatchewan, so there's no avoiding heating and cooling costs, and they will only rise as time goes on. Whatever you can do to make your property more energy-efficient is a worthwhile investment! It also makes it more attractive when you decide to sell.

For tech-savvy homeowners, making your home more energy-efficient with smart thermostats or programmable LED lights can be fun! Even if technology isn’t your thing, minor fixes around the house can help make your home more energy-efficient and save you money. Here are a few things to add to your list:

Seal all air leaks around windows and doors
Use cold water or energy-saving settings for washing machines and dishwashers
Unplug devices and appliances when not in use
Lower your thermostat while you’re away from home or in less-used areas of your home
Install a low-flow showerhead
Opt for energy-efficient window treatments like honeycomb shades

Make Your Home A Space You Love

Starting off the new year ( or a new week! ) in a clean, organized space is a huge mood booster. With many people working from home now, organized space can also help your productivity. While there’s no right or wrong way to declutter and organize your home, one useful method is to work by room to make the task more manageable. Look at everything you have and split the items into three piles: Keep, Donate, and Toss. Perhaps you could read Marie Kondo's book The Life Changing Method of Tidying Up, she is a Japanese professional organizer with a simple method to declutter your life, from clothes to books to knickknacks. She wants you to answer just one simple question when it comes to any of the items in your house:

Does it bring you joy?

If you answer yes, you keep the item. If you hesitate or say no, you donate it or throw it out. It’s simple, it’s brilliant, and it’s completely intuitive.

Once you’ve decided what’s staying, you can make sure everything has a designated place to keep things tidy in the long run.

Start A Household Maintenance Checklist

As with most New Year’s resolutions, it’s easy to start the year off strong, but as time goes on, it may become more challenging. Set yourself up for success and stick to your home goals by creating a household maintenance checklist. Create a recurring calendar reminder so you never forget to handle tasks around the house. For example, set a reminder to change your HVAC filter every three months or clean your eavestroughs twice a year. Proper home maintenance is a good way to prevent having to pay for home repairs over time.

Plan To Pay Off Your Mortgage Sooner

Depending on how much you still owe on your mortgage, paying it off may be daunting but don’t be discouraged. Even small steps now can help you become mortgage-free sooner. Start by increasing your regular payments. For example, instead of purchasing a takeout dinner, put that extra $50 towards your monthly mortgage payment. Keep that up for a year, and you’ve already put an additional $600 towards your mortgage and, over five years, an additional $3,000.

Another simple way to pay your mortgage off faster is to put any additional or unexpected income towards your mortgage. That can be anything like funds from a tax return, a bonus from work or inheritance. Before you make any pre-payments, double-check your mortgage pre-payment options with your mortgage lender so you don’t exceed your allowable limits.

Campbell & Haliburton Trusted Regina Insurance Brokers Tip On Preventing Ice dams

13. Jan 2022 Trusted Regina Regina Insurance, TRUSTED TIPS

Trusted Regina Insurance experts at Campbell and Haliburton Insurance Inc have been in the community for over 50 years. They know it is customer service and knowledge that counts when you are in need of an insurance company in Regina. Campbell & Haliburton Insurance, myCH.ca, dedicated insurance brokers in Regina can assist you with finding the plan that works best for you. In their latest Trusted Regina Insurance Tip, they share a tip on preventing ice dams on your Regina property.

Winter is here and as a homeowner, it’s important to check your property for issues and commit to regular preventative maintenance. Doing this will save you stress and money in the long term. In our latest Campbell & Halliburton Regina home insurance tip, we share important information from SGI regarding ice dams.

Spotting and Preventing Ice Dams – Tips and Information From Campbell & Haliburton Insurance

Freeze, thaw, freeze, thaw – those are the ideal conditions to make an ice dam. And that’s something we know you don’t want. Ice dams will cause a lot of damage to the walls, ceiling and insulation of your home. They may even lead to mould.

With the weather cycle we’re currently experiencing, we’ve put together some information to help you prevent major ice damming problems in your home.

What’s an ice dam?

Ice dams are caused by on- and off-periods of melting and freezing. Snow becomes a layer of insulation on your roof, which warms up the air in your attic. Your warm attic then causes the snow to melt and roll down to the edge of the roof and the soffits. Unless the melted snow is able to drain properly, it will freeze and build up over time creating ice dams.

Throughout the winter, if this weather cycle keeps going and the ice dams spread up the roof, water will eventually work its way under your shingles and get into your attic. The water can seep into your insulation causing it to fail. As a result, warm air from your home will rise into your attic making the ice dam grow.

icicles in roof cause ice dam issues Ice damming is a vicious cycle. If you don’t take care of it right away, it’s going to get worse. Over time, wet surfaces attract mould, which causes breathing problems and makes repairs much more expensive and labour intensive.

4 tips to prevent ice damming

Keep the snow load down

You should always keep the snow load on your roof to a minimum to prevent it from causing an ice dam. However, we don’t recommend climbing on top of the roof yourself. Use a roof rake or hire a professional to clear away excess snow. .

Clear your gutters and downspouts

Melting snow and icy water need somewhere to go. Clean leaves out of your downspouts and gutters in the fall and then dispose of ice, snow and gunk regularly throughout the winter. Break off any icicles that develop around the roof of your home.

Keep the air moving in your attic

Your attic needs good insulation and ventilation. Without it, the heat inside your home will leak into the attic and cause the snow on the roof to melt. We recommend bringing in a roofing contractor to make sure the airflow is working properly.

Make sure fans and venting are well-sealed

Many homes have exhaust fans, air ducts, chimneys, attic hatches and pipes – and many of these are vented into the attic. They’re designed to move airflow properly but if they aren’t sealed well, extra air can escape around them. We recommend getting into your attic and checking the seals. If they need help, you can fix them yourself or hire a professional to take care of them for you. Good seals will also save you money by keeping your house warmer and preventing your furnace from working as hard to heat it.

As you walk out of our door, you can do so with the assurance that you are covered with the home insurance that best meets your needs. If you don’t have an insurance broker and want to talk to someone who is truly passionate about your insurance, contact us at Campbell & Haliburton Insurance. We would love to help you.

Campbell and Haliburton Insurance

They offer many different insurance policies to protect the most important areas of your life including:

Campbell & Haliburton Insurance Is A Trusted Regina Insurance Broker

Trusted Regina Insurance Provider Campbell & Haliburton Insurance Discuss Buying Insurance Online

8. Sep 2021 Ashlyn Regina Insurance, TRUSTED TIPS

Trusted Regina Insurance experts at Campbell and Haliburton Insurance have been in the community for over 50 years. They know it is customer service and knowledge that counts when you are in need of an insurance company in Regina. Campbell & Haliburton Insurance, myCH.ca, dedicated insurance brokers in Regina can assist you with finding the plan that works best for you. In their latest Trusted Regina Insurance Tip, they share 10 things to know about buying insurance online in Regina.

10 Things to Know About Buying Insurance Online from Campbell & Haliburton

For years, decades even, purchasing insurance has followed the same basic formula. You or I realize that we need insurance. So what do we do? We book an appointment and meet with an insurance broker to let them know what we are looking for. They then help assess our needs and provide us with options. We purchase and presto! We are insured.

But what about buying insurance online?

That model has worked well in the past, and for many of us, it continues to be our preferred means of choice. There is something very comforting about talking with a professional who knows and understands our needs.

A growing number of us though, are looking for something different. Many of us turn towards the online option: banking online, ordering groceries online, doing our Christmas shopping online, and even shopping for cars online. So why not purchase home insurance online too?

Campbell & Haliburton Insurance, myCH.ca has launched a new online platform. This enables our customers to purchase some of the more common insurance products online from the comfort of their own homes. Are you looking for home insurance, tenant insurance, or condo insurance? No problem, we’ve got you covered! Most customers can obtain a quote and even have their policy issued instantly online. Are you a landlord needing insurance for a rented dwelling? You can do that too!

10 Things to Know About Buying Insurance Online from Campbell & Haliburton

But this is new and we get that. You have questions, we have answers! We have compiled a list of “Top 10 Questions About Buying Insurance Online”.

10. "How Does Buying Insurance Online Actually Work?

It’s actually quite easy! You simply go to our myCH online landing page and click on the “Get Started” link. You will be asked to enter some basic information about yourself, and your home. Don’t worry, none of it is too difficult or complicated. After all, we are in the business of making this as easy as possible for you! We use some neat state-of-the-art software that does some quick behind-the-scenes calculations which then provides you with a quote in real-time! You can customize it and make any changes that you need. Once you are ready to complete it, click on the purchase button, and voila! Your policy is issued.

9. "That Does Sound Easy - But, I'm a Bit of a Technophobe."

No problem! We have a live chat feature that is fully operated during regular business hours. If you have a question at any point along the way, just type it into the chatbox and one of our brokers will answer it right away! We don’t use automated chatbots, only real people, the best people! Suppose, you want to purchase a policy at 3:00 a.m.? You can certainly do so! The online tool is available 24/7. Our agents, however, are not. They need their sleep. But rest assured the next morning someone will get back to you and answer any questions you may have!

8. "Can I Make Changes Down The Road?"

Absolutely! If at any time, you want to take a look at your policy or make changes, you can do that within your own self-serve pocket account. Simply log into your pocket account to view or make changes to your policies!

7. "I Did This Online, But Can I Still Call in if I Have Questions?"

Yes, most definitely! You can either chat, email, call or stop by the office! We will accommodate whatever is the most convenient for you. Just because you purchased online doesn’t mean that you can’t call in! At Campbell & Haliburton we are available Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

6. "How Can I Pay?"

We’ll make buying insurance online as easy as possible for you. Do you want to pay monthly or once per year? Both are options. Credit card? No problem! Directly from your bank account? Yes, you can do that too! To keep you as safe as possible, all of the payments are made through a secure payment portal.

5. "Is Online Legit?"

Buying insurance online is completely 100% legitimate and completely above board. We made sure of this before we launched it! At present, there are a couple of different insurance companies that are available through this platform: both SGI CANADA and Exhale Insurance are set up to provide quotes. We hope to have some of our other partners on board in the coming months. Stay tuned!

4. "What About My Business? Can I Purchase Online Insurance?"

Yes and no. At present this platform is only available for home, condo, and tenant insurance. But we can certainly assist you with your business! Just call or email Campbell & Haliburton, we would be pleased to assist you with whatever you need.

3. "My Insurance Situation is a Little Unique. Can You Still Help Me?"

Most certainly we can! Most home and tenant policies can be done online. But then there are some things that don’t quite fit into that box. Perhaps you are running a business from your home, or operating an Airbnb*? Or even breeding magical unicorns? No problem! We’ve seen just about everything that there is to see and can insure most of it. (Okay, we are having some difficulty in obtaining unicorn insurance, but hopefully someday soon!) Just because it can’t be done online doesn’t mean we can’t do it at Campbell & Haliburton! Likely we can. Just contact us by phone or email and we’ll see what we can do!

*If you are doing any sort of home business or renting out any portion of your home including Airbnb, we recommend that you contact us right away.

2. "What About Car Insurance?"

Not at present. We are hopeful that you will be able to purchase an extension auto policy through this platform soon! But for now, if you need an auto insurance quote please contact us and we can assist you with whatever you need.

1. "Can I Get a Puppy if I Buy Insurance Online?"

Sure! Why not? We recommend that ALL of our clients get puppies! Oh, wait. Did you mean would we give you a puppy? No, sorry, we can’t. But we would love to see pictures of any of your pets!

If you don’t have an insurance broker and want to talk to someone who is truly passionate about your rental dwellings, contact us at Campbell & Haliburton Insurance. We would love to talk to you.

- Daryl Arendt, Office Manager & Licensed Insurance Broker

Our Trusted Regina Insurance Agents at Campbell & Haliburton have your best interests and safety in mind and our commitment to customer service is one of the pillars of our business. We also know insurance inside and out, so please contact us for all of your insurance needs and we will be more than happy to help ensure what you value most is protected. >

Campbell & Haliburton's doors opened in 1957. Since then, they have seen run-away inflation, recessions, and now, a global pandemic. Through it, all their doors have remained open as they are committed to providing outstanding service to you. No matter what the next years and decades bring they have committed to continue to stay open to serve you.

They offer many different insurance policies to protect the most important areas of your life including:

Campbell & Haliburton is a Trusted Regina Insurance Broker

Dust N Shine Your Trusted Regina Cleaners Offer Some Helpful Cleaning Tips!

14. Jan 2016 Admin Regina Cleaning Services, TRUSTED TIPS

Dust N Shine Cleaning Services is proud to be a family-owned business serving Regina and the surrounding area. Their team will provide professional service and treat your home or business as if it were their own. In their first Trusted Regina cleaning tip they share 6 things you should clean more frequently!

Dust N Shine Cleaning Services is a TRUSTED REGINA MAID AND CLEANING SERVICE.

General household cleaning tips!

1. To eliminate unpleasant odours in the refrigerator, place a bowl of new or used coffee grounds on a shelf inside, and replace every two months for a continually fresh smell.

2. When dishes come out of the dishwasher with residue, run an empty load with 1/2 cup of white vinegar in the detergent cup. Alternately, use several tablespoons of Tang, lemon-flavoured Kool-Aid or powdered laundry detergent for the same effect.

3. To combat grease buildup and maintain cleanliness, grind a handful of ice cubes in the garbage disposal every few weeks. Add the peels from lemons or limes to help eliminate odours.

4. The anti-static component in dryer sheets helps break down the bond between food and pots and pans, so put a sheet in a dirty pot filled with water, soak it overnight, and easily scrub the pot clean the following day.

5. Keep shower doors clean by using a glass cleaner to initially remove streaks, and use a Magic Eraser to navigate the crevices of textured glass. Razor blades can scrape off the more challenging buildup. Dry the door, and then use a water-repellent product, such as Rain-X or Aquapel, to cause water to bead up and wash away from the glass. Wipe the repellent with a microfiber cloth, and repeat the process every six months.