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A 48* V S -rr J som ething else, you w ant to look at the big picture. Fortunately, the Financial Consum er Agency o f Canada has an easy-to-use Financial Goal C alculator to help you create a realistic plan. The tool helps you make a plan to get out o f debt or save fo r other priorities, such as edu cation, a down payment, a house reno vation, a vacation, an em ergency fund and more. Before you use the calculator, gath er som e recent inform ation, e ith er in paper fo rm a t or online. This could in clude credit card statem ent(s) fo r each credit card you have; line o f credit statem ent(s); loan agreem ent(s), such as those fo r your car loan, stu d en t loan, etc.; and m ortgage agreem ent(s). " Having a plan gives you the confi dence to manage your money and helps you feel in control o f your finances. We have many free to o ls to help consum ers," says Jane Rooney, canada's finan cial literacy leader. These include budget and m ortgage calculators, bank account and credit card selector to ols, and more. There's also the Canadian Financial Literacy Database w ith more than 1 ,3 0 0 re sources and events from d iffe re nt orga nizations to help you budget, manage debt and save. Find more inform ation online at itpaystoknow .gc.ca. (NC) Create a budget before planning your home renovation DO Spring is a tim e fo r renewal, and th a t can mean renovating or buying a new fam ily home. It's also a good tim e to review your finances. Before you take on any big spending or more debt, such as a m ortgage or renovation, it's im portant to se t fi nancial goals and manage your existing debt. Many Canadians have various form s o f debt. When ta king on new costs, w hether it's your home or a trip or ^jsfix.ca Call for free in house quote END OF SEASON SALE Special pricing on all gas m odels · C ontem porary and tra d itio n a l designs C O N C R E TE S e e o u r re v ie w s g a s fix re p a ir.h o m e s ta rs .c o m .A I Goncrete In m m in g s Ltd. EXPOSED AGGREGATE (Pebble) A Honda Triple Play Take home a top performer. · DRIVEW AYS · FRENCH CURBS · PA TIO S i STEPS · WALKWAYS · GARAGE FLO O R S uality At Its Best! C a ll F e rn a n d o ream 2624 ROYAL WINDSOR DRIVE, L5J 1K7 FR EE E S T IM A T E S 905 - 8 44 -5 5 18 - 8 88 - 9 4 4 -5 5 1 8 MADE IN CANADA FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FOR 35 YEARS KITCHENS S BATH BUILDING FINE ART INTO YOUR HOME. K i T C H E N S AND BATH MANUFACTURER SHOWROOM 111 Brockley Dr., Hamilton, Ontario 905. 573.2311 Visit our showroom online @ www.laurentidekitchens.ca Monday-Friday 9am-4:30pm, Saturday 10am-3pm, Sunday & Evenings by appt. only