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© on OPINION IFP - Halton Hills | Thursday, April 28, 202: 2 LET US KNOW IF WE CAN HELP, WRITES KAREN MICELI “WE'RE SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY CHARITIES IN 2022 vide local charities and non-profits with $2,022,000 in free advertising in the next calendar year. You may have seen the ads in KAREN MICELI Column ow This is a massive un- dertaking and commit- ment for us, put we heard the people who need their services. We're hoping to help change that,” Jordan Bitove, co-owner of Torstar It'sabout trust. Ourrela- and publisher of the Toron- tionship with our readersis _ to Star, shared inanewslet- built on hon- tert ity advisory esty and integrity. As such, memb we have launched a trust Local o organizations are initiative to tell you whowe encouraged to apply for areandhowandwhywedo funds by sending an email what we do. This column is part of that project. The last couple of years have taken a toll on nearly every aspect of life as we OW it Through our coverage, ‘we've fried todocument the fected. Last year, we also embarked on a journey to check in with members of our community in a much more intentional and spe- cific way. I've written be- fore about the 16 communi- ty advisory councils formed by Torstar that saw our editorial leadership teams across the province meet with community rep- resentatives. In those council meet- To address the growing § need, Torstar has launched : a special program to pro- to cael terest star.com, indicating in which Tewspaper(s)” they would like promotion. Ap- plications will be re- viewed, and oncea selected organization has been ap- proved, they will be allot- ted a nominal budget and will work directly with the advertising department to book ads. This is an exciting pro- gram that we believe will make a difference in our communities. We welcome your ques- tions and value your com- ments. Email our trust committee at trust@met- roland.com. Miceli is manag- ing editor of Metroland s at kmiceli@metro- com. SIGN UP FOR OUR bi it emer AT Baby robins peak out from their nest in a backyard in rural Georgetown. Do you have photo you'd like to share? Send it to sleblanc@metroland.com, along with a brief description. TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT THEIFPCA SNAPSHOT Tony Fortunato photo a great local ABOUT US This newspaper, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 70 community publications across Ontario. This newspaper is a member w Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2, Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca ocna el newsroom@thei IndependentAndFreePress @IFP_11 WHO WE ARE VP, Regional Publisher Kelly Monta; Regional General Manager Jason Pehora Director of Content Lee Ann Waterman Deputy Director of Content Catherine O'Hara FINANCIAL STRESS FOR FIRST TIME HOMEOWNERS ine, can learn a lot about ional side effects bet the real estate market by connecting the dots be- tween real estate and per- sonal finances. people are new to home ownership, the same ‘way some investors are rel- atively new to investing igni Thos PETER WATSON Column ton need to control infla- interest eee have already occurred, will likely continue. At some point, mortgag- es come due and have to be renegotiated at the current interest rate. If you think mortgage payments are daunting now, imagine What ithey will be in several the Ontario announced. stimulate new investment funds may have and ¢ often nervous — apout origi ment 5 severance pay or an inheritance. pee these people a large investment Patolto, Similar to the wayanew eowner sud- denly owns an asset valued at significantly more than they could have imagined only a few years ago. [y observation is rela- tively that new investors who have significant assets are much more aware — partici larly when the vuarket is is volatile. at is normal after some- ie makes a large pur- chase to have post pur- chase doubt. The two main risks, from a financial perspec- tive, of home ownership have been highlighted in the news. The Bank of Canada has is that interest rates will increase due to house The new supply could have a downward pressure on prices. New homeowners have two potential areas of con- cern. Rising interest rates and the value of their house. Peter Watson, of Watson Investments MBA, CFP®, R.EP., CIM®, FCSI offers a weekly financial plan- ning column, Dollars & Sense. He can be contacted through www.watsonin- vestments.com. Karen Miceli Director rr Distribution Cindi Campbell and Graeme Macintosh Director Creative Services Katherine Porcheron CONTACT US The Independent & Free Pres: 901 Guelph Line Burlington, ON L7R 3N8 Phone: 905-873-0301 Classifieds: 1-800-263-6480 Fax: 905-873-0398 Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 320 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters. Published letters will appear in print and/or online at theifp.ca Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please e-mail Ipolar@miltoncanadianchampion.com or call 905-234-1019. EO}