Heart attacks that occur in the early morning may be more serious than those that occur later in the day, a new study suggests.
The results show that people who have heart attacks between 6 a.m. and noon have about 20 percent more damage to their heart tissue than those who have heart attacks at other times of the day.
Patients with more tissue damage after a heart attack are known to have a worse prognosis, including a greater risk of death.
The findings suggest hospitals should be well-staffed in the early morning hours to attend to heart attack patients, said study researcher Borja Ibanez, of the National Centre for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC) in Spain. A larger staff will help ensure the patient's coronary artery is opened as soon as possible, which will lead to a better prognosis for the patient, Ibanez said.
Coincidentally, previous research has also shown heart attacks are more likely to occur in the morning. The findings suggest "those individuals are also suffering from the worst amount of injury," said Martin Young, of the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, who was not involved in the study.
Worst Time to Have a Heart Attack: Morning
Canada donates to coast guard auxiliary as wedding gift for William, Kate
OTTAWA - Canada's wedding gift for Prince William and Kate Middleton will be a $50,000 donation to the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary.
The organization was chosen by the couple to be the Canadian beneficiary of a special charitable fund set up to celebrate their wedding.
In a statement today, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the government of Canada will offer this gift on behalf of all Canadians.
He said the donation will help the group provide a permanent search-and-rescue program, and to help prevent injuries or loss of life at sea.
Harper said the selection of the cause is symbolic of Canada’s affection for the royal couple.
The prime minister said Canadians are eager to welcome the newlyweds on their coming visit to Canada.
Their June 30-July 8 visit will include Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and the Ottawa region.
Emergency Dentist And The Tooth Pain
Tooth pain can be one of the most excruciating forms of pain that there is. In fact, many people would rather deal with sharp body pains than toothaches. Perhaps it is the fact that your teeth are so close to your brain, and you simply cannot ignore the pain like you can in other parts of your body. Whatever the reason is, when you are having tooth pain you need to get it taken care of quickly.
Teeth don’t just hurt for no reason, so if you’re in pain you know something is wrong. If you chip a tooth or have any broken dental work you should call an emergency dentist right away, the longer you wait the more damage is being done to the base of the teeth. Good oral care is something that affects the whole mouth, so when a tooth is having pain or is infected the whole mouth is going to suffer.
Dentists can do a lot of good in about an hour and a half. Even if a tooth seems to be damaged beyond repair they can jump in and save it if you get there in time. They will file down the top of the tooth and get to the root. If that root and pulp is health they will save that to keep the tooth alive and put a crown over the top of the tooth. This is good because you’ll be able to eat again on that side right after you’re done, and you don’t have to worry about any long term effects.
Participate in Banner Exchange
Grow Your Local Business Online using Banner ExchangeThe most appealing factor of banner ad exchanges is the cost effectiveness of these situations. Most banner ad exchange groups are free to participants. Unlike placing a banner ad independently, there is no financial cost for the appearance of the banner ad on another website but the business owner does have an obligation to fulfill. Most banner ad exchanges will find another website to post your advertisement without charging a fee but they will require you to post at least one banner ad, and sometimes more, on your website in exchange for having your banner ad displayed on another website. Many banner ad exchanges will work to attempt to match your banner ad to a relevant website but this is not always possible and your banner ad may wind up on a website which is not relevant to your products or services. This will likely mean that the banner ads will generate very little interest in your products and services. Similarly the advertisements you are asked to post may not complement your website well. You will likely have the opportunity to reject advertisements in particular categories you find to be offensive but will have little control beyond that to moderate the banner ads on your website. Read more at http://growlocalbusinessonline.com/participating-in-banner-exchanges.
Air Brush Tanning vs Bed Tanning
I don’t know anybody who isn’t dying to have that “sunkissed glow” and America is not the only country who’s obsessed about tanning. Most of us are concerned about safety issues though. More than anything, we are concerned about the possible health hazards and harmful side effects of tanning beds. It’s always safe to be sensible and remember that anything in excess is not good. If you are not too keen on tanning beds, why not try airbrush tanning instead?
Airbrush tanning is done by applying the tanning solution using a compressor and airbrush. A typical session is done from 20 to 30 minutes. So how do these solutions make your skin tan? The active ingredient DHA builds a reaction with the outer layer of skin to produce a bronzing effect; this is somewhat comparable to what a traditional tan does.
DHA has long been used in cosmetic preparations and was listed with the FDA in 1973. Yes it is safe and suitable to color the skin. DHA comes from glycerin which is a commonly used cosmetic and food ingredient. Since DHA is not absorbed into the body, it eliminates the risk of toxicity.
One great thing I LOVE about airbrush tanning is that the pigments do not cause substantial damage to the skin if there is any. It must be emphasized though that these tanning solutions do not provide protection against UV rays. Read more at http://tanningincalgary.com/air-brush-tanning.
Beauty Salons Services
Services Offered By Most Beauty Salons
Are you interested in getting a little appearance update or are you just interested in pampering yourself a little bit? If you are, you may want to think about heading down to your local beauty salon. Beauty salons are the perfect place to a new hair do or even another beauty update.
When it comes to visiting a beauty salon, many individuals wonder what type of procedures they should undergo. If you are one of those individuals, you may want to keep on reading on. Although different beauty salons provide different services to their customers, you will find that many offer the same or similar ones. A few of the most popular beauty salon services are outlined below and they are ones that you will definitely want to checkout.
When many people think of beauty salons, one of the first things that pops into their mind is hair cuts. Hair care is a service that is offered by almost all beauty salons. Hair care services often include a trimming, shampooing, dying, highlighting, and so forth. Many beauty salons also specialize in doing “up-dos,” or other elegant hair styles for popular events like proms and weddings. Whether you are looking to just get a haircut or you need an “up-do,” your local beauty salon should be able to offer you assistance. Read more at http://hairsalonedmonton.net/beauty-salons-services.
Tips on Hiring a Window Replacement Company
Homeowners are now becoming more aware on how to increase energy efficiency which is why window replacement companies are doing a lot of business. While it’s very easy to find a window replacement contractor because there are so many of them (depending on your area), keep in mind that they are not the same. You want to deal with a company which will give you an assurance of high-quality work and service. What are the things you have to consider when hiring a window replacement company?
Don’t Settle with the First Company You Find
In some rural areas there may be one or two window contractors but in most places, you can find several local window replacement companies. The trick in finding the best is by talking to each. Now this can be an arduous task but the benefits of contacting at least 3 companies will be well worth your effort and time. It’s very important to get estimates from these companies and please ask them to make it detailed or itemized. You want to do this so you’ll get an idea of how much a particular project would cost you. After meeting with these companies, you will most likely have a feeling who you will be comfortable to work with. Consider both the price and their customer service. Read more...
Death toll passes 190 as storms ravage US south
The worst storms to slam southern US states in years flattened buildings and overturned vehicles, with intense tornados and floods leaving a trail of destruction and 190 people dead.
The severe weather killed 128 people in Alabama on Wednesday alone, authorities said, and President Barack Obama said Washington would be rushing assistance to the battered southeastern state.
States of emergency were declared in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and Oklahoma, and governors called out the National Guard to help with rescue and cleanup operations.
The National Weather Service (NWS) had preliminary reports of more than 300 tornados since storms began Friday, including more than 130 on Wednesday alone.
Alabama was especially badly hit, caught by two lines of storms and an evening tornado that tore through the city of Tuscaloosa, home to the University of Alabama.
Tuscaloosa Mayor Walter Maddox told CNN that the tornado had "obliterated blocks and blocks" of his city, leaving 36 people dead there.
Kate may get written notes from the queen
Photo by Chris Ison - WPA Pool/Getty Images
LONDON – One of Princess Diana's closest friends has warned Kate Middleton she will be stepping into a strange and unfamiliar world when she marries Prince William on Friday.
Jennie Bond, a former BBC royal reporter who became a Diana confidante during the breakup of her marriage to Prince Charles, lifted the lid on one of the monarchy's quirkier customs by insisting that the queen uses written notes to communicate with her family, even when they are in the same house.
"The royal family does act in an odd way," Bond told the Daily Mail. "Even in their own palaces, they write to each other. When (Prince) Andrew is at Buckingham Palace, and the queen hears he is there, she'll send him a note."
Members of the public might assume that as William's grandmother the queen and Kate would have spent considerable time in each other's company, both at events and in private. However, one of the more telling moments of William and Kate's television interview upon getting engaged was when Kate revealed she had not met the queen until 2008, at the wedding of William's cousin Peter Phillips.
What Prince William and the royals earn
Charles and Camilla dine with the Norwegian royal family at Buckingham palace in 2005 (Anwar Hussein Collection/ROTA/WireImage.com)
LONDON – Prince William’s grandmother, the queen, can be thanked for the grandeur of next Friday’s big occasion at Westminster Abbey and the surrounding hoopla. She’s paying for most of it, with the Middleton family kicking in an undisclosed amount too.
Though the royal family has an enviable portfolio of holdings that include property, stocks, and even the sea bed around the United Kingdom coastline (yes, really), less is known about how the Windsors maintain their lifestyles and pay for travel, upkeep, and related expenses.
So what do the royals earn?
In conventional terms, not as much as you think. Prince William’s base salary in his Air Force career is $61,388, which doesn’t go particularly far in super-expensive modern Britain. Currently, that is the only wage he receives, although his wealth and spending power is boosted by the dividends on his inheritance from his late mother, Princess Diana.
Car Payments 101: What to do when the car you bought costs too much
Ever since James Bond first roared around the curves of Europe in his Aston Martin DB5, luxury sports cars have been stuck in the imaginations of men. But these days, you're just as likely to find women having love affairs with their cars.
Take China, for example. China is producing more female millionaires than anywhere else in the world right now. And what are these ladies doing with their newfound riches? Buying cars! According to Maserati, 30 per cent of its Chinese sales are to women, versus 10 per cent in Europe. Women account for 20 per cent of Ferrari sales in China, which is twice the average elsewhere.
Sadly, we are not all millionaires (yet!). And whether you drive a Maserati or a Toyota, the price of that little purse-extender can take a massive toll on your monthly finances. Between the price of gas, maintenance and financing, all too often the car you thought you could afford turns out to be way more expensive than planned.
Is Harry single or not?
Getty Images/Ben Stansall
Though Prince William gets the fancy wedding watched by the world, the stunning bride, and the right to one day be crowned king, it is his brother, Prince Harry, who truly has the lifestyle envied by millions.
Harry, the self-styled playboy prince, has a public image as a dashing, debonair young man with good looks, a charming manner. and a status as undoubtedly one of the most eligible bachelors on the planet.
The question hopeful young women around the world are desperate to know is this: Is Harry single?
A few months back and the answer was a resounding "yes," as Britain's third in line to the throne reveled in the young-and-free lifestyle, being seen in the company of a series of stunning women and reportedly enjoying a fling with Norwegian pop starlet Camilla Romestrand. His confident persona, coupled with the fact that not too many women find a royal title a turn-off, meant there was no shortage of interest from the opposite sex.
Popular birth control pills may boost clot risk
Two of the most popular birth control pills available in Canada — Yasmin and Yaz — carry a higher risk of serious blood clots than some other oral contraceptives, two new studies say.
The studies — both published Thursday in the online edition of the British Medical Journal — show that pills containing a new type of progestogen hormone called drospirenone carry up to triple the risk of serious blood clots (known as venous thromboembolisms) over an older generation of pills containing a hormone called levonorgestrel.
Drospirenone is the key ingredient in Yasmin and Yaz, which are manufactured by Bayer and widely prescribed in Canada.
Drospirenone-based pills like Yasmin and Yaz had worldwide sales of $2 billion US in 2009, reports indicate.
CBC's Marketplace program raised health concerns about Yasmin and Yaz in January. Co-host Erica Johnson talked to a number of young women who have taken the two brands of pills and experienced serious health problems.
More than 4,000 women have taken legal action against Bayer and more than 800 in Canada have joined a class-action lawsuit.
via news.ca.msn.com
Why Kate Middleton won’t toss her bouquet
REUTERS/Alastair Grant/Pool
LONDON--The ceremonial fight for the bride's bouquet is a symbolic, entertaining, and occasionally violent staple of most weddings, but there won't be a throng of eager young ladies queuing up to catch Kate Middleton's lavish flower arrangement on April 29.
British royal protocol dictates that instead of being hurled skyward and giving one lucky and sure-handed girl a superstitious shove toward marriage, Kate's bouquet will come to a far more solemn rest.
As she heads back down the aisle at Westminster Abbey, having completed her nuptials to become either Her Royal Highness Princess William of Wales or another title of the queen's choosing, she will take a moment to lay her floral creation at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, a historic grave embedded into the church floor in 1920 to commemorate anonymous soldiers killed at war.
[ Related: How Prince William is breaking royal tradition ]
"It is one of the ways I remember the boys who didn't come home," Michael Selby, a private during World War II, told Yahoo!. "It is a symbol for the men whose bodies lay in a foreign field, a lot of them never identified."
The ‘royals’ get spoofed
Something hilarious to watch:
http://youtu.be/Kav0FEhtLugSource:by Mike Krumboltz, Buzz LogMon, 18 Apr, 2011 4:28 AM GMT+00:00
We'll be the first to admit that the oh-so-serious nature of the royal wedding can be a bit much. Credit cheeky European and U.S. wireless service provider T-Mobile for finding a fun way to poke fun at the hype.
The impending nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton get spoofed in this two-minute ad featuring look-alikes for Prince Charles, Prince Harry, Queen Elizabeth, Camilla, and, of course, the happy couple.
Doctor-approved treatments for bad breath
WaterHow it works: Bad breath can occur when the bacteria on your tongue break down the proteins in mucus and food—especially sugar and dairy products—which can cause the bacteria to release sulfur compounds. Result: stinky breath. However, bacteria's sworn enemy is oxygen, which is found in your own saliva. And drinking water (go with straight water over sugary flavored versions) makes you produce more saliva, which in turn neutralizes bad breath, says Harold Katz, a dentist in Los Angeles and the founder of TheraBreath.com.
Good to know: Some medications, including anti-depressants, blood-pressure drugs, and antihistamines, can cause a dry mouth. If you take them, you may want to increase your water intake beyond the widely recommended eight glasses a day.
See More: 6 Doctor-Recommended Sleep Aids
Vegetables
How they work: Fibrous vegetables, such as celery and cucumbers, boost your mouth's saliva production, which washes away odor-causing bacteria. In fact, holding a slice of cucumber between your tongue and the roof of your mouth for about 90 seconds helps limit odor. Crunchy vegetables help remove plaque on teeth and gums, which bacteria can feed on, says Gregg Lituchy, a cosmetic dentist in New York City.
Coping With a Breakup: Find out how to Get Your Life and Your Ex Back
Breaking up is among the hardest things a person can go through. Even in the event you’re the one who’s causing the breakup, it might still be painful and filled with problems. In case you are the one who's being dumped, the disappointment may be overwhelming. Dealing with a breakup is rough. Luckily, there’s hope for surviving a breakup and even getting your ex back (that is, if you want your ex back). Getting yourself back collectively after a breakup takes time and it additionally takes understanding what to do to help yourself. We’re typically so confused and upset that we don’t have a clue about how one can really feel better about life, our future and ourselves. That's the time when you have to take some management and learn the things that that you must do to fix your broken heart. And there is loads of hope. If you've skilled a painful breakup and you need your ex back, there is plenty of hope for that, too. Believe it or not, you will get each your life and your ex back. It is just a matter of studying the best strategies and strategies for reaching both goals. Dealing with a breakup is tough. You must be strong. Getting your ex back takes strength, too. You possibly can achieve confidence in yourself to renew your life and your relationship with your ex by finding out the confirmed strategies that others have used to turn issues around and make them higher than ever! Visit http://www.exbackadvice.info to learn more.
Actor Nicolas Cage arrested in New Orleans
Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office / AP
This booking photo released by Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office shows actor Nicolas Cage on Saturday, April 16, in New Orleans. Authorities say Cage has been arrested in New Orleans on charges of domestic abuse battery and disturbing the peace.TODAY news services TODAY news servicesNEW ORLEANS — Oscar-winning actor Nicolas Cage was arrested in New Orleans after a drunken argument with his wife outside a residence in the French Quarter, police said Saturday.
The 47-year-old film star was taken into custody at about 11:30 p.m. on Friday and booked on suspicion of domestic abuse battery, disturbing the peace and public drunkenness, New Orleans Police spokesman Garry Flot said in a written statement.
Cage was ordered to appear in court on May 31.
E! Online reported Sunday that Duane "Dog the Bounty Hunter" Chapman posted Cage's $11,000 bond . "I am a truly dedicated fan of Mr. Cage and will not be granting any interviews about my client as I wish to respect his privacy. I performed my duties as a bail bondsman and not in connection with our show. This is what I do for a living,"
Why people get crazy like this?
5 Simple Steps That Help Fresh Flowers Last
Spring flowers are the perfect pick-me-up for yourself or your sweetie. Make sure your bouquet stays fresh its longest by following these simple steps.1) Prepare a solution of warm water and a flower food packet, or mix 2 tbsp fresh lemon or lime juice and 1 tbsp sugar per quart of water
2) Fill a vase with the solution to within 1-2 inches of the rim
3) Remove any leaves and foliage that would fall under the water line
4) Cut each stem at about one-half inch from the bottom, at a 45 degree angle, with a sharp single blade knife or floral clippers
5) Display arrangement in a cool location between 65-72 degrees and away from direct sunlight and heat or dehumidifying sources
Will apples keep heart doctor away? Consumption lowers bad cholesterol
TORONTO - The conventional wisdom about an apple a day keeping the doctor away is getting some added heft from a study of women who snacked on dried apples every day for a year.
The heart-healthy results presented at the Experimental Biology conference in Washington on Tuesday might provide encouragement to anyone trying to get their bad cholesterol levels under control, or even shed a few pounds.
Researchers at Florida State University randomly assigned 160 women aged 45 to 65 to eat either 75 grams of dried apples or 100 grams of prunes each day for a year. The snacks worked out to 240 calories a day for each woman. Otherwise, the women were instructed not to meddle with their normal eating patterns.
Blood samples were taken at three, six and 12 months, and it didn't take long for a change to show up in the women assigned to eat apples.
"To my surprise, in less than six months, it decreased LDL cholesterol 23 per cent and increased HDL a little bit more than three per cent — three to four per cent. So that's incredible," said co-author Bahram Arjmandi of the university's Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences.
Choosing The Right Home Builder
Have you decided to build your own custom made and stylish home? If so than you must be sure to choose the right home builder. There are plenty of questions that you should ask to ensure that you're going to receive the high quality and precision that you require as a property owner. Never allow yourself to be rushed into any decisions regarding the house you intend to create. Remember that this house will be your escape from the world - the spot where you enjoy your life with your friends and family. It should be the way you pictured it. The amount of time you will commit during the early stages of planning with the instructions of a chosen builder will be important to the end result.
When choosing the builder do not forget that you and your opinion are what counts the most when making decisions about your new residence. The builder is there to help you and advise you in all particulars of turning your fantasy into a reality including the physical structure, the time frame and the budget. The two of you must work alongside one another because this will help to make the right choices together. Visit http:// homebuilderedmonton.net to give you more ideas about good home builder vs bad.
When choosing the builder do not forget that you and your opinion are what counts the most when making decisions about your new residence. The builder is there to help you and advise you in all particulars of turning your fantasy into a reality including the physical structure, the time frame and the budget. The two of you must work alongside one another because this will help to make the right choices together. Visit http:// homebuilderedmonton.net to give you more ideas about good home builder vs bad.
Girl power in a geek world
If you know Facebook (if you don't, we need to have a chat), then you know Mark Zuckerberg. The Zuckster's shiny 26-year old face is plastered all over the media. But the bombshell brains behind the scenes belong to 42-year old mother of two, Sheryl Sandberg.
As Chief Operating Officer, Sheryl oversees the company's sales, marketing, business development, human resources, public policy and communications. Since she joined Facebook in 2008, Sheryl has been credited with successfully managing the college website through its hypergrowth stage and, more importantly, making it wildly profitable.
Who's that girl?
A Harvard MBA, Sheryl began her career as an economist with the World Bank and then (at age 27!) became Chief of Staff for the US Secretary of the Treasury under President Bill Clinton's administration. Her tech experience started with Google, where she worked as Vice President of Global Online Sales and Operations.
In 2007, former Yahoo CEO Dan Rosensweig held a Christmas party. It was in the foyer that Sheryl met Zuck. While everyone around them swilled cocktails, the two stood by the front door, immersed in a deep conversation that would lead to Sheryl's move to Facebook.
Does Angelina Jolie’s new tattoo mean she’s adopting another kid?
Angelina Jolie's arm tattoos signify where her children were born. Photo by Getty …
Angelina Jolie likes two things: tattoos and babies. Over the last decade she's collected six kids (three her own, three adopted,) and to commemorate their unique birthplaces (Cambodia, Ethiopia, Namibia, Vietnam, and France) she has the exact longitude and latitude earth coordinates of where they were born tattooed on her arm. It's sort of a nice idea, but we can't help but wonder if she deliberately gave birth in Africa and France to spice up her tattoos.
We have another theory about her arm tattoo: we think she won't stop birthing or adopting children until her entire original Billy Bob name tattoo is covered up. Clearly she started her list of coordinates high up on her arm for a reason. Why not get them in the middle of the old tattoo? Perhaps because she planned on having an expansive family. A new report may be proving our theory to be correct.
While visiting the Tunisia-Libya border on a U.N. trip this week, the NYDN reports that Global Ambassador Jolie debuted a seventh set of coordinates on her arm. This new location was not on her arm during her last public appearance in December, and to us it can only symbolize one thing: another kid! Jolie recently shot down rumors that she was adopting a child from Haiti, and people are speculating what the new coordinates could signify. Based on latitude (longitude isn't visible from the new photo) possibilities include Algeria and Tunisia.
Canada's worst places to live 2011
Deciding on Canada’s Best Places to Live is a relatively happy pursuit. Parsing through reams of data from Statistics Canada, Environment Canada and local real estate boards, the staff at MoneySense magazine assembles a picture of thriving, prosperous cities and towns with strong economies and easy access to health care and jobs. Local media from places in the top 10 trumpet the news, and municipal governments step out to remind residents how great their communities are.The process of compiling Canada’s Worst Places to Live is decidedly less pleasant.
While Canada is a rich country, there are cities and towns in each province and territory facing serious problems such as unemployment, crime and pollution. Some of these places are fighting back, while others are in decline. Many are simply victims of economics, geography or an unfortunate combination of the two.
Each year MoneySense magazine studies every community in Canada with a population of more than 10,000 people — 180 cities and towns in all — and ranks them in more than 20 different categories for a final figure out of a possible 105 points. Economic indicators such as unemployment rates, real estate prices and household income are included, as well as crime, access to health care and taxe
Residential Mortgage Rates Are Up
To buy a house is one of the biggest dreams for many people. With the economy being down now is the best time to buy. If you are the one who is saving money to make this a reality here are some news from the Canadian banks:
By The Canadian Press
TORONTO - Several of Canada's big banks are raising most of their fixed-term mortgage rates ahead of the busy spring real estate market. Read more...
Organic? Farm-Raised? The Truth About Which Type of Salmon is Healthiest
Genetically modified salmon is controversial. But what about those confusing descriptions — "organic," "wild," "Scottish"? David Carpenter, Ph.D., explains.MYTH: Organic is best.
TRUTH: There's no standard for organic fish, so go with wild. Organic implies antibiotics aren't put in the water, but the salmon still get feed that has contaminants.
MYTH: Skip all farmed salmon.
TRUTH: If you can't get wild, opt for farmed Canadian, which has fewer contaminants than farmed European.
MYTH: Mercury is the issue with farmed salmon.
TRUTH: Salmon has little mercury. Dioxin, polychlorinated biphenyls, and other toxins are the culprits.
MYTH: Wild salmon has more omega-3s than farmed.
TRUTH: Farmed salmon has more. They're fed fish oil. But the toxin risks outweigh the benefits of the fatty acids.
Keep more of what you earn!
If you've just prepared your tax return, you're probably reflecting anew on how much of your hard-earned money escapes you in the form of income tax — and what you can do about it (in a very legal and legitimate way, of course). Well, here's the good news: there are ways to help ensure a more profitable tax season this year if you start getting organized now. Here's how to get your dollars in order:
1) Check and review last year's return to ensure you won't miss out on any deductions and credits in the current year. Look at your carry forwards - your unused Retirement Savings Plan (RSP) and Tax-Free Saving Account (TFSA) contribution room - and do your best to fill them up fast to potentially reduce your taxes while enhancing your eventual retirement income.
2) Get organized by setting up a simple filing system and separating your information by type — income, deductions, credits and so on. Your tax tasks will be much more manageable in this way.
3) Keep track of all your expenses and retain receipts even though you don't necessarily have to submit them with your return. Don't forget moving expenses, accounting fees, investment management fees and the like.
4) Keep more of your paycheque by reducing payroll tax deductions. When you get a tax refund, it means you've paid the government too much during the year, providing them with a tax-free loan and reducing the amount of money in your hands that you can invest during the year. If you expect a fat refund next year, apply to your employer to reduce the amount of tax deducted from your paycheque. Then use that extra cash to invest wisely in your future.
Fast food and coffee make for a dangerous health combination
Everyone gets a craving for a fast-food fix once in a while, but a new study shows you shouldn't follow up that meal with a coffee because doing so can result in a spike in blood sugar similar to levels in pre-diabetics.The study, conducted by doctorate student Marie-Soleil Beaudoin at the University of Guelph, found drinking caffeinated coffee six hours after eating fast food high in fat resulted in blood sugar levels increasing by 65 per cent. A healthy person's blood sugar levels normally spike after eating a fast-food meal, but drinking two large cups of coffee hours later doubles the effect.
Beaudoin says the saturated fats found in fast foods interfere with the body's ability to clear sugar from the blood, which results in the initial spike. When caffeine is added to the equation, the problem is compounded.
Both fat and caffeine have the ability to impair communication between the gut and the pancreas, according to Beaudoin, therefore making it difficult for the body to get rid of sugar in the bloodstream.
10 common car-buying mistakes
Buying a new car can be exciting. But it's also a complex process through which you can end up overpaying by hundreds or thousands of dollars or with a vehicle that you won't be happy with down the road. Below are 10 mistakes that car buyers often make that can quickly turn that initial excitement into buyer remorse--and how to avoid them.
More from
• Consumer Reports’ annual auto issue
• Complete ratings for 200 cars and trucksYou can find more in-depth information and advice on each of the following subjects in Consumer Reports' new 384-page Smart Buyer's Guide to Buying or Leasing a Car, available in bookstores. It provides a five-step plan that guides you through every aspect of the car-buying experience, showing you how to simplify the process, find key information, and take control of the negotiations at the dealership.
1. Falling in love with a model.
When spending tens of thousands of dollars on a car, emotion shouldn't rule the day. Becoming infatuated with a single model can blind you to alternative vehicles that may be better for your needs or make you skimp on thoroughly researching a vehicle's ratings, reviews, reliability, or safety and pricing information. A wide-eyed approach can also leave you more susceptible to a salesperson's tactics to get you to pay more than you should. To determine which vehicle is best for you, you should set emotion aside and focus on doing your homework, comparing different models, and assessing your real wants and needs. There will be plenty of time for emotion after you've bought the vehicle.
The great Canadian tax quiz
Income taxes are a mystery to many Canadians. The Income Tax Act is over four-inches thick, making it nearly impossible to know everything about Canadian taxes, even for professional accountants. How much do you know about the taxes you pay? Here's a list of 10 Canadian tax questions to test your knowledge.
1. Who has to file a tax return?
Not everyone has to file an income tax return, but you will if you have any of the following situations: You owe taxes, you sold capital property, you are splitting pension income with your spouse, you have to pay towards the Canadian pension plan (CPP) on self-employment earnings, you have to repay part of your Old-Age Security benefits, you still have amounts owing under the Home Buyers Plan or the Lifelong Learning Plan, or if you received certain advanced benefits. Even if you don't have to file, though, there are often good reasons to do so if you qualify for refundable tax credits.2. Which spouse must claim the child-care deduction?
The deduction for day care, camp and other child-care fees must be claimed by the spouse with the least amount of taxable income. If the other spouse is a full-time student or a full-time inmate in prison, however, the higher income spouse can claim the deduction. (Yields in excess of 10 per cent aren't rare, but these unique investments need to be chosen very carefully, see An Introduction To Canadian Income Trusts.)
The 5 fastest ways to save for a down payment
Saving money for a down payment on a home takes time, effort and patience. Having a large down payment can save thousands of dollars over time because the home owner will carry a smaller mortgage. A down payment over 20 per cent will also prevent a mortgage company requiring that you pay mortgage insurance premiums - an added expense that often gets amortized into the cost of the mortgage.
Some methods of saving for a down payment are faster than others. Here are five tried and true ways to get into a house faster:
1. Home Buyers' Plan (HBP)
If you have money already saved in a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), the Canada Revenue Agency allows you to borrow from those funds under certain conditions. You can borrow up to $25,000 from your RRSP if you are a first-time homebuyer, defined as someone who has not owned a home in four years. If you are purchasing the home with a spouse, he or she can also withdraw up to $25,000 from their own RRSPs.In the second year after the withdrawal, you begin paying the funds back into your RRSP for a period of 15 years. If, in any year, you do not make the required repayment, the amount is included in your taxable income. Some financial planners recommend borrowing money to make RRSP contributions, then withdrawing them under the HBP. There are risks and rules surrounding this strategy and it should be discussed with a tax accountant before attempting. (Increasing your savings will provide tax benefits - and peace of mind. Check out Maxing Out Your RRSP.)
Miners discover 110-million-year-old dinosaur bones in Alberta oilsands
Standard procedure at the Suncor Energy mine north of Fort McMurray, Alta. went out the window when a shovel operator discovered dinosaur bones believed to be 110 million years old.Officials from the Royal Tyrell Museum were contacted after the shovel operator noticed "something different in the wall that he was digging at with the shovel," Suncor spokeswoman Lanette Lundquist explains in a Fort McMurray Today story. "This was really like finding a needle in a haystack."
The Suncor staffers took a few initial photos before forwarding the news to museum officials, who were promptly on location the next day.
The bones are believed to have belonged to an ankylosaur, one of the most commonly known of the armoured dinosaurs. Featuring short limbs, hard plates and a clubbed tail, this formidable plant eater roamed the earth during the late cretaceous period.
"They (museum officials) thought it was a marine reptile which is what is normally found in the oilsands and it turns out it's an actual dinosaur," said museum marketing coordinator Leanna Mohan in the story.
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