Trusted Tips and Resources

Trusted Tips & Resources

Ryan Boughen a Trusted Regina Mortgage Broker Shares Mortgage Renewal Tips!

The land of mortgages is a big one and Ryan Boughen a multi-award-winning Regina Mortgage broker with TMG The Mortgage Group, understands how confusing it can be with new rules and rates and information appearing regularly in the market. There are also dozens of lenders with thousands of mortgage products available. Each lender is unique in the types of situations they will lend on, their terms and conditions, and their best mortgage rates. Ryan Boughen is a Trusted Regina Mortgage Broker and in this Trusted Regina mortgage tip, he shares mortgage renewal tips!


Your mortgage is probably the single biggest expense. Unfortunately, most people give it little thought. Here are the most expensive mistakes you must avoid when you renew your next mortgage.

✅ Don't take the first offer - Most times the first offer you receive from a bank or lender is never their best. Don't be afraid to shop around.

✅ Refinancing - Many mortgage brokers and lenders will bring up the opportunity to refinance your debt or take out equity from your home at the time of mortgage renewal. For more than 99% of us, this is a bad idea. The lure of “cheap money” is strong – whether it is to pay off debts or use the money for a home reno – going into more debt when you renew your mortgage will cost you in the long run.

✅ Paying off Debt Responsibly - If you have car loans, lines of credit, a balance on your credit card, or other personal debts, you should never pay more than the minimum on your mortgage. Paying off these debts, along with saving for your child’s education and putting away 15% of your gross income into retirement ALWAYS takes priority over paying off your house.

✅ Have A Master Plan for your Finances - If you fail to plan, plan to fail. Ideally, you should have a monthly, yearly and 5-year plan for your overall finances. Anything from planning your monthly expenses such as budgeting housing, automotive, and general expenses to the amount you want to see in your RRSPs and retirement fund.


Trusted Regina Electrician Shares a Tip About Home Electrical Safety for Winter

Active Electric are Trusted Regina Electricians and they get it right the first time, delivering all electrical services including installation, upgrade, and repair solutions.

Active Electric are your TRUSTED REGINA ELECTRICAL EXPERTS

Active Electric Shares a Tip About Home Electrical Safety for Winter

We all know in Saskatchewan the winter season comes with difficulties and hazards. Winter brings weather that can create further dangers in the form of electrical hazards. Active Electric wants to ensure that everyone is equipped with the right licensed electrician tips for home electrical safety for winter to keep them safe and warm.

Electrical Winter Safety Tips

When winter comes around, it is important to be prepared for the difficulties that can come with the cold, wet weather. Some tips to keep in mind to make sure that you and your home stay safe this winter include:

Heater Safety


If you are using a space heater in your home, make sure you place it at a safe distance from furniture, walls, rugs, curtains, and other belongings. Space heaters are a great way to keep specific rooms warm without ramping up monthly heating bills but, because of the high heat output of electrical heaters, it is important to keep them away from flammable material. If you feel objects around the heater becoming hot, move the heater. Fires can easily be started by an unattended heater. Always turn off the heater when it’s not in use.

Prepare for Power Outages

The increase in snow and icy weather can cause downed tree branches and car accidents, which can damage power lines and cause electrical outages. In the event that there is a power outage, you should be as prepared as possible. Sometimes power can be out for hours; other times, it can be out for days. If an outage occurs at night, you cannot rely on space heaters to keep you warm. Be prepared for extended power outages with an emergency kit. 

The emergency kit should be readily accessible and contain batteries, flashlights, blankets/sleeping bags/warm clothes, non-perishable food, a first aid kit, and sufficient water for your family. This will help to keep your family warm, fed, and safe during an emergency.


If you have a backup generator, ensure that it is ready to go. The start of winter is a good time to have regular maintenance and check-ups done on your generator. Have a professional inspect it to ensure that oil and gas levels are correct and that the connection to the home or business is safe and secure. If a power outage occurs, you want to be confident that you can rely on your backup power supply.


Avoid using candles during power outages. Many people use candles to light their rooms during power outages and, while this can deliver a nice ambience, it is very dangerous. If the candles are unattended or wax drips and causes build up around the candle, it can result in a fire. Instead, use flashlights or LED candles.


Preparing Your Home’s Electrical Setup

Power outages can do damage to your home, and harsh weather can be a hazard to many of your home’s electrical components. There are a few ways you can defend your home’s electrical setup against winter:


Be aware of water and exposed wires. With freezing and thawing occurring repeatedly, it is possible for water to find its way into some of the nooks and crannies of your home. Walk around your home’s interior and exterior walls and look for any exposed wires that could come into contact with water. Make sure any problems are addressed quickly.

Having a home surge protector will help suppress surges to prevent electrocutions and damage to appliances and electronics.

You can also protect your appliances and electronic devices in your home with surge protectors. Review your home setup to check if surge protectors are active and still functional.

During an extended power outage, unplug your major appliances (oven, fridge, freezer, television) and turn off light fixtures (although you can leave on some lights so that you know when the power returns). This can prevent power surges from occurring and damage the appliances when power returns.

Keep Away from Downed Power Lines


If an icy tree branch knocks down a power line or if a car hits a power pole and the electrical wiring falls down, keep at least three metres or 10 feet away at all times. Power lines are very powerful and can cause serious electrocution if you are not careful. Keep your family and children educated, as they could come across a downed power line during their daily commute. 

Always call 911 when you see a power line down.

If you are interested in finding out more licensed electrician tips for home electrical safety for winter, or If you are ever uncertain about a potential electrical issue in your home please Contact Active Electric.  and one of their qualified professionals would be happy to help.  They also provide Free quotes! 


ACTIVE ELECTRIC is a TRUSTED REGINA ELECTRICIAN -  Check out his listing here in REGINA ELECTRICIANS on the Regina Directory of excellence!

Trusted Regina Auto Body Shop Bergen's Auto Body Share a Handy Back to School Vehicle Checklist

Bergens Auto Body is a local family collision repair business and from the moment you walk in the door you will be treated like family! 

They are proud to have an amazing 80 Years Auto Body Experience, and they have been serving Regina Auto Body needs for over 30 Years....they have a loyal customer base that simply wouldn't think of going anywhere else. Bergen's Auto Body are a  Trusted Regina Auto Body Shop, they offer courtesy cars to their clients and they specialize in foreign vehicles. In their latest Trusted Regina Auto Body Tip they share information on paint matching. 

BERGEN'S AUTO BODY SHARE A HANDY BACK TO SCHOOL VEHICLE CHECKLIST

Back to school checklists aren't just for school supplies of books and papers.  Bergen's Auto Body also wants to remind you that your vehicle needs to be back to school ready as well.