Suman Bhandari

Ways to Save on Groceries in Tough Times

Suman — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 23:01:20 +0000

In recent times, the surge in the cost of living, from gas prices to grocery bills and rent, has been hard to ignore. As consumers, we often feel helpless in the face of these rising expenses, especially when it comes to fixed costs like fuel or rent. However, there are practical strategies to mitigate the impact on our grocery bills without compromising quality or quantity.

While some may perceive this approach as requiring significant effort, others incorporate it into their routine to consistently reduce costs. Saving $5 on one grocery trip equates to an extra $5 to allocate towards leisure centre entrance fee or other essentials. Here are some straightforward steps to help trim expenses:

Plan Ahead: Start by creating two lists—one for immediate needs and another for items you’ll need to replenish in the coming weeks. Note down your favorite brands to streamline price comparisons and offers.

Collect Coupons and Flyer Deals: After preparing your lists, browse websites and apps to find coupons or discounts for the items you’ve listed. Make a note of these potential savings and be on the lookout for sales and special offers. Consider using apps like Flipp to browse through store flyers. If you find the best prices, simply mark them, and the app will add them to your list for easier reference at checkout.

Set a Budget: Determine a weekly or monthly spending limit and adhere to it rigorously. Try not to go above the budget. Avoid impulse purchases and stay focused on your list to prevent overspending. Don’t buy things you don’t need just because they are on sale.

Shopping Strategy: Now, head to a store that offers price matching, such as Superstore, No Frills, or Save On Foods. As you shop, keep an eye out for better deals on items at nearby stores. If you find a cheaper price, don’t hesitate to request a price match at the checkout counter. Most stores accept digital flyers like Flipp or Reebee and manufacturer’s coupons.

When price matching, ensure that the item is identical in brand and weight. While this rule typically applies to dry goods, for produce, stores usually only compare weights. For instance, if you’re buying Red Seedless Grapes at Superstore and find a lower price at Save on Foods, Superstore will match it. However, if the flyer advertises a different type of grapes, the match won’t apply.

Don’t forget to use loyalty or points cards, as they often offer special discounts or pricing. Keep an eye out for in-store deals like buy-one-get-one-free or bulk purchase discounts, especially for dry goods. For example, buying pasta in bulk during a sale can yield significant savings compared to purchasing weekly.

In conclusion, saving money on groceries is achievable through strategic planning, savvy shopping tactics, and prudent decision-making. By incorporating coupons, smart shopping practices, and astute choices, you can effectively manage your grocery budget without sacrificing essential needs. Here’s to smarter spending and happier saving!

2023 End of Year Financial checklist

Suman — Sat, 09 Dec 2023 02:32:05 +0000

December is upon us, bringing the festive cheer of the holiday season and the anticipation of a new year. As you gear up for the celebrations, don’t forget to take a moment to review your finances and set the stage for a prosperous 2024.

Here’s a checklist to help you put your financial house in order:

Perform a Comprehensive Financial Review

Budget: Evaluate whether you stayed within your budget this year. It’s an opportune time to scrutinize your income and expenses, making necessary adjustments for the upcoming year. If there are surplus funds in any category, consider allocating them to your emergency fund or investments.

Debts: Check your progress in repaying any outstanding debts. In the coming year, prioritize paying off debts with higher interest rates.

Emergency Fund: Ensure you have sufficient cash reserves to cover 3-6 months’ worth of expenses.

Estate Planning: Review and update your estate plan or will. If you don’t have an estate plan in place, now is an ideal time to create one. Feel free to reach out to me for more information.

Assessing Your Insurance Needs

Have you ensured adequate protection against unforeseen and potentially devastating life events? As your advisor, I want to stress the importance of insurance, whether it’s for life, car, or home.

Consider scheduling a conversation with your advisor to conduct a comprehensive needs analysis. Have there been any major life events, like acquiring a new home or job, or starting a family? If so, it’s probably a good idea to reassess your insurance coverage.

Maximize the Potential of Your Registered Accounts and Contributions

TFSA/RRSP
If there’s still available room in your TFSA/RRSP, think about making contributions to benefit from tax-free growth and potential tax credits.

TFSA limit The 2024 tax-free savings account dollar limit will increase to $7,000 (up from $6,500). For someone who has never contributed to a TFSA, and has been a resident of Canada and at least 18 years of age since 2009, the cumulative TFSA limit will be $95,000 in 2024.

RRSP limit: The registered retirement savings plan dollar limit for 2024 is $31,560, up from $30,780 in 2023. Of course, the amount you can contribute to your RRSP in 2024 is limited to 18 per cent of your 2023 earned income, which includes (self-)employment and rental income, up to the RRSP dollar limit of $31,560, plus any unused RRSP contribution room from 2023, subject to any pension adjustments.

Boost RESP Contributions
It’s wise to make the most of your RESP grants. If there’s room to spare, consider making additional contributions. After all, you’re saving for your children’s future.

Prepare for Tax Season

Unless you are self-employed, you must file your 2023 income tax return by the end of April 2024. Start gathering the documentation you need at tax time to ensure you don’t miss out on important tax deductions and credits.

Plan for the Future

Maybe you had some shortcomings this year. You can avoid the same problems in the coming year by planning well ahead.

Take a look at your budget to determine if you need to tweak it to accommodate your new financial goals. Do the same for your insurance and estate plan.

Feeling uncertain about where to begin?
If you’re facing challenges with your finances or finding it difficult to outline and reach your goals, I’m here to assist you.

Referral
Your recommendation to family, friends, and co-workers is one of the highest compliments I can receive. If you were pleased with my service, please feel free to refer.

Adjustment for personal income tax and benefit amounts in 2024

Suman — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 00:38:00 +0000

The Canada Revenue Agency in November 2023 announced some changes for 2024.

Indexation
The Canada Revenue Agency’s indexation increase for 2024 is 4.7%

TFSA contribution Limit
The TFSA contribution limit for 2024 is $7,000.

RRSP Contribution Limit
The RRSP dollar limit for 2024 is $31,560.

Tax bracket thresholds

Description	2024	2023
Taxable income above which the 20.5% bracket begins	$55,867	$53,359
Taxable income above which the 26% bracket begins	$111,733	$106,717
Taxable income above which the 29% bracket begins	$173,205	$165,430
Taxable income above which the 33% bracket begins	$246,752	$235,675

CPP Contributions

The maximum pensionable earnings under the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) will be $68,500—up from $66,600 in 2023. The basic exemption amount for 2024 remains at $3,500.
Employee and employer CPP contribution rates for 2024 will be 5.95%

Canada Child Benefit

Description	2024	2023
CCB (base benefit, child under age 6)	$7,787	$7,437
CCB (base benefit, child aged 6 to 17)	$6,570	$6,275

Did you know? You can increase your CCB next year. Call me to find out how.

Information recent as of November 15, 2023.

For more detailed information click here to read in CRA website.

Initiate Conversations with Your Children about Finances!”

Suman — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 21:31:43 +0000

Discussing money with children is often a topic parents shy away from. However, it’s crucial to teach kids the fundamentals of financial management from a young age so they can develop good money habits early on. Here’s a simple guide to help you get started:

1. Initiate Conversations About Money: While finances are often a taboo subject, it’s essential to introduce children to the concept of money. The sooner you start discussing it, the better prepared they will be to make informed decisions. You can talk to them about your income and expenses without divulging too much detail to avoid causing unnecessary stress.

2. Encourage Savings: Saving is a vital skill for a secure future. Here are 5 tips to instill the savings habit in your kids:

i. Three-Jar Method: Provide your children with three jars for their money – one for spending, one for saving, and one for special occasions or gifts.

ii. Lead by Example: If you manage money wisely and have a savings habit, your kids are more likely to follow suit.

iii. Teach Consequences: Explain how spending can have consequences, like wasting money on low-quality items.

iv. Ask Questions: Encourage them to think before making a purchase by asking if they’ll use it often and if it’s a necessary purchase.

v. Limit Impulse Buying: Show them that sometimes it’s better to leave a store empty-handed to prioritize needs over wants

3. Invest in an RRSP: Consider setting up an RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan) to save for their post-secondary education. The government provides incentives for this.

4. Open a Savings Account: As soon as they start earning money, help them open a savings account and make deposits regularly. This allows them to see their savings grow over time.

5. Explain Paycheques: When your child receives their first paycheck, help them understand the deductions for taxes, employment insurance, and other government contributions. This will illustrate the difference between gross and net salary.

6. Seek Financial Advice: Encourage your kids to consult a financial security advisor as they secure stable jobs. Advisors can provide valuable insights and recommend strategies to help grow their savings, such as investing in RRSPs, TFSAs (Tax-Free Savings Accounts), or FHSA (First Home Savings Accounts).

7. Discuss Insurance: Even though insurance may not seem appealing to young workers, it serves as a crucial safety net. Inform your children about insurance options, especially if they don’t have coverage through their employer. Life insurance is particularly important when starting a career, as it can provide financial support for family and loved ones in the event of an unexpected death.

8. Emphasize Responsible Credit Use: Teach your kids about credit and its responsible use. Explain that timely payments and responsible borrowing can be helpful for financing significant life events, such as education or starting a business. However, they should also understand that credit is a form of debt, and late payments can negatively impact their financial history.

By openly discussing these financial topics with your children, you can demystify money matters and empower them to make informed decisions as they grow older. Financial autonomy is a valuable skill that will benefit them throughout their lives.

ABCs of Financial Planning for Retirement

Suman — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 21:12:21 +0000

You Need a Plan

Whatever your age or situation, you should have a plan for retirement!

Planning for retirement means answering one basic question: how much should I put aside each year to reach my retirement objectives? Planning for your retirement can be broken down into four main steps.

Step 1 – Setting Your Objectives

First you need to set your objectives:

The age at which you want to retire
Be aware that if you want to retire early, you will need to save more money because you will be living off your retirement income for a longer period of time.

The amount of money you will need when you retire
This will depend on what type of life you want to live after you retire. Experts often express the amount of money you will need as a percentage of pre-retirement income. In determining this percentage, you need to take into consideration that some types of expenses will likely decrease or disappear during retirement (such as transportation costs, clothing, saving for retirement, mortgage, and expenses for dependent children) while others will likely increase (such as travel and health care).

Step 2 – Evaluating Your Retirement Income Sources

Then you need to make an inventory of all your potential income sources during retirement. Your income sources will typically include government plans (Quebec or Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security), employer plans (past and present) and your personal savings (RRSP, TFSA and others).

What you want to do is estimate your total retirement income from all sources, taking into account the savings you have already accumulated as well as future contributions and future investment income.

Using a calculation tool or consulting a personal financial advisor can be most helpful at this stage. As a first step, it’s a good idea to read over documents such as the annual pension statement you receive from your employer, your personal RRSP account statement from your financial institution and any statement available on your participation in government plans.

Step 3 – Establishing Your Saving Strategy

When you know where you stand, you will be able to determine if you are on the right track. If you are not on track and the figures show that you will likely not reach your objectives with what you already have, you can then decide to increase your savings and/or change your investment strategy… or modify your plan.

Step 4 – Monitoring Your Progress

For successful long-term planning, you also need to review your plan regularly to see if it needs to be modified. Your financial situation and economic conditions will change over time, and you will likely need to make adjustments as you go along.

In Conclusion

Planning is the only way to avoid unpleasant surprises, like not being able to retire when you expected or not having enough income during retirement.

The key to retirement planning is starting when you still have enough time to accumulate adequate savings, before the amounts you must save become too high.

Obviously, there is much more to retirement planning than this. For example, you will need to answer other questions such as:

How should I invest my savings and what is my risk tolerance?
How can I take full advantage of the income tax system?
What other assets or income should I consider in my retirement planning?
How should I use the money during retirement?

Hopefully this will point you in the right direction and persuade you of the importance of planning for retirement.

We strongly suggest that you meet with a personal financial advisor to help you draw up your plan.

What is Blood pressure? How to reduce the risk?

Suman — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 17:03:20 +0000

Is your blood pressure too high or too low? It can be affected by a number of factors throughout your life. Hypotension and hypertension have an impact on your overall health.

Hypertension can be treated with a combination of blood pressure medications, which are very effective at preventing complications. One in six Canadians don’t even know they suffer from hypertension.

The best thing you can do is adopt healthy lifestyle habits and check your blood pressure regularly.

Here’s what you need to know about hypertension and hypotension.

What is blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the pressure of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. It fluctuates throughout the day based on emotions, digestion, physical activity or stress. It drops at night and goes up again early in the morning.

Is your blood pressure in the optimal range?

Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) using a blood pressure monitor. It’s expressed using two numbers (an upper number over a lower number). The systolic pressure (the higher number in mmHg) is the pressure in the artery when the heart contracts. The lower number (in mmHg) indicates the diastolic pressure, which is the pressure in the artery when the heart relaxes between beats. The average of your home blood pressure readings should be less than 135/85 mmHg. If you have diabetes, it should be 130/80 mmHg.

High blood pressure

Many people with high blood pressure don’t experience any symptoms. Hypertension is an insidious, terrible disease that’s often called the silent killer. For most people, the cause is unknown. For others, the cause is renal or vascular impairment. Some people may experience:

headaches
nosebleeds
buzzing in the ears
dizziness
visual problems

What are the dangers of high blood pressure?

Hypertension that’s not controlled through blood pressure medication can lead to a number of complications linked to the development of heart disease. These complications can affect the kidneys, arteries or eyes, and include:

stroke
cerebral hemorrhage
myocardial infarction or angina
heart failure
atrial fibrillation
left ventricular hypertrophy
leg pain or pain when walking (claudication)
end-stage renal disease
certain dementias
diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease)
erectile dysfunction
retinal bleeding
premature death

What factors contribute to high blood pressure?

In the long term, a number of unhealthy lifestyle habits can contribute to high blood pressure. Tobacco, alcohol, ultra-processed foods such as fried food, food that’s very high in sugar, junk food, a sedentary lifestyle, stress, and forgetting to take your blood pressure medication all increase the risk factors, allowing blood pressure to rise abnormally for a long period of time.

How can you reduce the risk of hypertension and its complications?

By adopting a healthier lifestyle, you can further reduce your risk of developing this disease. Here are a few changes you could make:

Quit smoking
Reduce your salt intake to less than 2,000 mg/day
Do at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day or exercise regularly
Limit your alcohol consumption
Maintain a healthy weight
Learn to better manage your stress

Low blood pressure

What are the dangers of low blood pressure (hypotension)?

Blood pressure lower than 90/60 mmHg is considered more of a symptom than a health problem in itself. Many high-level athletes have low blood pressure. Blood pressure that’s too low to send enough oxygen to the brain may cause dizziness or fainting, and can be brought on by a number of things:

changing positions too quickly after eating a large meal
a heart problem
a neurological problem
certain arrhythmias
dehydration
taking medication
excessive heat from a sauna
hormonal changes

The important thing is to find the cause of your low blood pressure so it can be better treated.

How can you reduce the symptoms of hypotension?

A few preventive measures can help you avoid certain symptoms:

Don’t stand up too quickly.
Stay well hydrated by drinking enough water (8 glasses a day, and even more in hot weather).
Limit alcohol or cannabis.
Don’t cross your legs.

-Compiled from various sources

What is a Will and Probate?

Suman — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 23:38:27 +0000

Have you heard the term probate? Do you know when probate happens? Is it free?

When a person passes away in Canada, their estate will typically go through a process known as probate.

Learning more about the probate process may help you minimize its potentially lengthy and costly impact on your inheritance.

What is Will & Probate?

A will is a legal document that sets forth your wishes regarding the distribution of your property and the care of any minor children.

Probate in simpler terms, is a legal process of proving to the court that a will is legally valid, and once approved, your property and belongings are distributed to the beneficiaries as per your wishes. So, it is very important to understand why having a will makes probate process easier on your family.

What is Probate process?

During probate, a court will first authenticate your Will, and then authorize your Executor to pay all debts and taxes and distribute your remaining property accordingly, per the instructions you leave. An Executor is the person charged with overseeing your final wishes.

For example, assets that must be probated typically include:

Bank accounts and investments.
Real estate.
Vehicles, like cars or boats.

Probate process with a Will?

Having a Will doesn’t mean you skip Probate process, your Will still goes through probate (with some exceptions), however having a Will makes the probate process so much simpler for your living families, if you have a solid Estate Plan in place.

Probate process without a Will?

This process obviously becomes more complicated. Because there is no documentation stating your final wishes, it is up to the courts to handle proceedings and make all decisions for you. Everything you own (money, car, house etc) will go through probate court.

Without the presence of a Will, probate can take a long time (sometimes years).

If you do not have a Will and you own property at the time of your passing, the court will control the bidding and sale of your home.

Where Does Probate Happen?

Typically, your executor will apply for a grant of probate in the province where you lived at the time of death. If you don’t have a will, the court will appoint an “administrator,” who acts in the same role as an executor.

What Are Probate Fees and other costs?

If your estate requires probate, there is a fee based on the size of your estate.

Cost can vary depending on your estate and provincial law.

In Ontario, if the estate is over $50,000 there is a $250 fee plus 1.5% per additional $1,000. For example an estate of $800,000 costs probate fee of $11,250. An estate valued at $1,000,000.00, the amount of estate administration tax payable will be: $14,250.00

In B.C for estate over $50,000 there is a $358 fee plus 1.4% per $1,000. An estate valued at $800,000.00, the amount of estate administration tax payable will be: $10,650.00

In Alberta, Flat fee starting at $25 based on the size of the estate; the most you pay is $400 if the estate is over $250,000.

Saskatchewan’s probate fees are a percentage of the total size of your estate, regardless of the size. As a result, the larger your estate, the higher your probate fees. No flat fees; just a 0.7% fee on every $1,000 of assets

In Manitoba, estate over $10,000 there is a $70 flat fee plus 0.7% per $1,000.

Benefits of having Life Insurance?

Life insurance can offer you a great sense of peace of mind, knowing that you’ve set up your loved ones with something that’ll protect and financially care for them even after you’re no longer here.

If you hold an active life insurance policy and you pass away, the Beneficiary you named on the policy will receive the policy’s death benefit.

Life insurance does not go through probate.

Your beneficiary can use the life insurance benefit to pay probate and other associated costs, liability and fulfil any wishes you may have that costs money such as burying or cremating abroad.

Need a Will, Estate Planning or a Life Insurance? I’m here to help.

-Compiled from various sources. Information current as of Feb 03, 2023

What is financial stress and how to manage it?

Suman — Fri, 06 Jan 2023 22:52:35 +0000

How to manage financial stress

They say money can’t buy happiness. This is especially true when you consider the side effects of financial stress.

Here are a few tips to help you turn financial stress into financial well-being and infuse some order into your spending habits.

What is financial stress?

Financial stress is much more than worrying about your unpaid credit card balance. It often includes:

Problems staying within your budget
Rising debt
Living paycheque to paycheque, with no flexibility
Being unable to save, whether for short-term projects or for retirement
Inability to take on unexpected expenses
A decrease in income due to a disability

The impacts of financial stress

Almost all aspects of your life can be impacted by financial stress:

Couple or family life
Relationships with friends and colleagues
Your work, including your production levels
Sleep
Overall health
Appetite

Financial stress by the numbers

According to the National Payroll Institute (NPI), worrying over money is a significant cause for stress:

48% of Canadians confirm they suffer from insomnia caused by money woes.
44% admit they would have trouble managing their budget if their paycheque was deposited late.

Don’t let financial stress take a toll on your physical or mental health. If you feel it’s impacting your daily life, consult a healthcare professional and take action to improve your financial situation. Every little bit helps!

Is your work impacted?

Financial stress can follow you to the office. Lack of concentration, distractions, absenteeism and even an increase in work accidents…these are just a few examples of how financial stress can wreak havoc on your professional life.

An NPI survey revealed that employees in this country spend approximately 40 minutes a day at work thinking about their finances.

Time spent checking their credit card balance or talking to a bank employee means an 8% decrease in daily production.

Time is money is another expression we often hear. For a company of 200 employees, financial stress adds up to approximately $200,000 in lost productivity.

Plan your budget

It’s the most important step of this process. It allows you to see exactly where the money is coming from and where it’s going.

Take all the time you need to list all your expenses and make sure you don’t omit anything.

Separate worthwhile from unnecessary expenses

You can’t eliminate every expense! So focus on investments that will pay off in the long run, such as:

Purchase of a property
Savings
Launching your business
Education

Make changes in other areas instead to cut down on excessive spending. Access to credit and your spending habits could be contributing to your debts. Be disciplined and resist temptation.

Make changes

Have all your budget numbers at hand to assess where you should make cuts.

It’s easier to adjust your expenses than increase your income. Grab the bull by the horns and start reducing some budget item expenses.

Start by sharpening your negotiation skills to get better prices for things such as your cell phone package or your next car.

The easiest way? Cut “small” expenses that add up like eating in restaurants or your daily latte.

Seek professional help

If you can’t seem to right the ship even after trimming your expenses, it’s time to turn to the experts: financial security advisors.

Before putting together a personalized plan for you, they will examine all your finances:

Budget
Investments and savings
Retirement planning
Life insurance
Estate planning etc.

In addition to getting a picture of your financial situation, they will propose steps you can take based on your reality and needs.

Now you know what to do to leave your financial woes behind and avoid daily stress. You’re on your way toward financial well-being!

Source: Beneva

Ways to take care of your health

Suman — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 19:41:11 +0000

Taking daily care of your health is important—especially in light of the last year. Here’s a gentle reminder about adopting healthy lifestyle habits.

Eat a healthy diet

You are what you eat! Eating well gives you energy all day long while reducing the risk of vitamin or fibre deficiencies. Eating a healthy diet also cuts down the risk of all sorts of illnesses. Canada’s Food Guide recommends preparing a budget and a plan to ensure you have a healthy diet. Here’s a few ideas for eating well.

Buy fruits and vegetables in bulk and freeze them.
Avoid highly processed meals, which often contain too much salt and lack nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
Check the quantity of carbohydrates per portion on the label.
Eat less food that is fried or contains white sugar (carbohydrates).
Choose good fats such as olive oil, avocados, walnuts, almonds, etc.

Canada’s Food Guide also recommends filling at least half your plate with fruits and vegetables. A healthy diet strengthens your immune system and helps fight various types of cancer.

Sleep well

According to Statistics Canada guidelines, adults age 18 to 64 should get an average of 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night. The number of required hours varies also for children and seniors. Some factors that might be preventing you from sleeping well are:

Artificial light from screens at night
Consuming caffeine
Work duties
Social commitments
Family dynamics
Stress

You need sufficient rest to be in good physical condition. Are you having difficulty getting a good night’s sleep? Try mobile apps designed to promote relaxation. There are also several types of smart watches that calculate the quality of your sleep. Leave behind the TV and your mobile devices before going to bed.

Do 30 minutes of physical activity every day

According to the Institut de cardiologie de Montréal, being physically active at least 30 minutes per day improves and maintains your health. Three sessions of 10 minutes are just as beneficial as one single session. A simple walk will do, or you can do more intense activity such as jogging or cycling.

Here are the benefits you’ll notice when you become more active:

Increased energy
Reduced stress
Extended physical independence as you get older
Prevention of several diseases such as cancer, obesity, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.

Drink water

This natural drink has many advantages. It hydrates you and quenches your thirst. Replace the water that your body eliminates through sweat, respiration and urine. This quantity includes what is found in foods such as fruits and vegetables.

To encourage yourself to drink enough water:

Keep a bottle with you all day.
Add various fruits or fragrant herbs to enhance the flavour.
Drink water with every meal.
Drink some before, during and after exercise.
Choose this drink over other liquids that contain too much sugar, sodium, saturated fat or caffeine.

Look after your mental health

The most important thing: Simply take time for yourself to do the things you like to do. Disconnect from work or other obligations by giving yourself moments of relaxation. Need some ideas? Here’s a short list that might inspire you:

Find a peaceful place to read.
Take a walk in nature.
Spend quality time with your family and friends.
Name at least three things for which you are grateful.

In short, many factors influence your health. These are just a few ideas for improving your overall physical, psychological and emotional well-being every day.

The 8 most common causes of winter car accidents

Suman — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 23:45:58 +0000

Winter can cause a lot of problems for drivers. To get through this winter safely, read up on these 8 causes of accidents and how to avoid them.

1. Speed and braking distance on snowy or icy roads

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), speed is one of the most important factors in car accidents. Adapting your driving habits to winter conditions by reducing your speed will allow you to increase your braking distance and react more quickly to unforeseen events, such as a car in front of you suddenly stopping or turning without signalling. Snow and ice can not only slow down braking, but also complicate it.

2. Inadequate removal of snow

Snow and ice must be removed from the windshield and windows so that the driver has a full range of vision. Purchase a good snow brush to avoid driving in an igloo on wheels! Get up 15 to 30 minutes earlier to warm up your car and have time to remove snow and ice. Otherwise you may be facing a fine. The amount depends on the highway safety code of your province.

3. Inadequate tires

Check if your province has any rules for winter tires. Purchase good quality tires that grip snowy and icy surfaces.

4. Lack of winter windshield wipers and fluid

Choose windshield wipers with a rubber surface that is made for winter conditions. They sweep away snow and ice more efficiently and improve your range of view. Buying windshield fluid that is designed for temperatures below zero will help clear up the windshield more rapidly.

5. Sun reflecting on the snow

The sun can blind drivers both in winter and summer. Snow can reflect up to 80% of UV rays so wearing sunglasses on sunny days will help you see better when driving.

6. Time changes and low light

On the other hand, dim light at the end of the day starting in the fall may surprise drivers. After work, it’s already dark outside. Put your headlights on and be even more careful when driving.

7. Extreme weather conditions

A snowstorm or ice storm can be a problem for driving your vehicle. Adapt your driving, or better yet, avoid non-essential travel. If in doubt, check the Canadian Weather website to find out if a highway has become blocked due to the weather.

8. Inadequate car maintenance

Take advantage of the new season to do general maintenance of your vehicle, such as:

Have an oil change done
Check the brakes
Replace windshield wipers
Check the tire pressure
Check that the battery is in good condition

You can avoid a lot of worry this winter if you have a well-maintained car.

Drive Safe!

Sources: SSQ