The best time of day to get groceries

Shopping for groceries just before closing time is an efficient way to fight a jump in your grocery bill, according to one savvy Ottawa shopper.

Christa Amyot, a stay-at-home mother of two, said she spends about 15 minutes a day looking for coupons and 30 minutes perusing flyers.

But Amyot insists it take more than coupons, discipline and scavenging skills to find the best deals at the grocery store.

She said she tries on only buy groceries that are marked down at least 50 per cent off, which often happens just before stores close when stores mark down prices.

"I get pretty excited when I see them with their roll of [discount] stickers," said Amyot, who quit her job as a trainer of teachers to be a stay-at-home parent and run the household.

"That's kind of my new job, to provide savings for the family."

Amyot said she saves about $100 per week with what she calls three layers of savings.

She said it begins with buying items you have coupons for and shopping where you can earn grocery points. If you can find a deal and the item does not go bad, stock up for the near future.

Shoppers such as Amyot put a lot of work into their savings, but another Ottawa man is trying to help the many shoppers who do not have the same time to invest in their savings.

Software designer Remsy Schmilinsky put eight months of his own time into creating FlyeronFire.com, a search engine that allows browsers to compare flyers for products in 30 local stores.

"It allows people to find deals in Ottawa, groceries, electronics, week after week it's there [in one place]," said Schmilinsky.

Schmilinsky was able to show the CBC's Judy Trinh how to save $5 on baby diapers in just five minutes. He added it is a cost-efficient and time-efficient way to save.

Immigrants healthier than Canadian-born citizens : Stats Can

The healthy immigrant effect persists, according to a Statistics Canada study released Wednesday that found immigrants are generally healthier than Canadian-born citizens.
Although the edge in health declines for immigrants the longer they live in Canada, the mortality rate for newcomers continues to be lower than for Canadian-born residents, even after immigrants have lived here more than 20 years.
The study does not examine the reasons immigrants tend to have better health, but those are likely to include the screening that selects an inherently healthier group of people who arrive in Canada, and also those who have a healthier diet and are more physically active in their native countries.
The longer the immigrants live in Canada, the more closely they adopt the patterns and behaviours common here.
The relationship between immigration and health has become more difficult to determine, however, as the origins and demographics of immigrants to Canada have changed.
Statistics Canada’s current analysis relies on the 1991-2001 Canadian mortality followup study, which examined 2.7 million people, of which 552,300, or 20 per cent, were immigrants.
Immigrants had significantly lower mortality rates than Canadian-born people: 1,006 versus 1,305 for men, and 610 versus 731 for women.
In 2006, immigrants made up 19.8 per cent of Canada’s population, a proportion that is expected to increase to at least 25 per cent by 2013, Statistics Canada says.
Mortality rates differ according to the origins of immigrants, and the study suggests there is a need for more in-depth analysis of health by country of origin.

Bentley's Paris Hilton Problem

When paparazzi started snapping Paris Hilton cruising around Los Angeles in a bubble-gum-pink Continental GT, the folks who make the car nearly spat out their Courvoisier. Yes, next year they'll sell a new muscular $212,800 Bentley convertible designed to appeal to a similar demographic of young, monied drivers. But while Hilton is appropriately young, rich and well-connected, she's not exactly a cover girl for class, what with those sex tapes, drug charges and reality TV shows.

This presents a delicate challenge for stewards of the 92-year-old brand. One insider says the company appreciates the fact that "celebrities and influencers" buy the car for its excellence. But, he adds, "there's a certain element still buying it possibly for very different reasons: the follow-on crowd who just said, 'Well, so-and-so is driving the car, so I want one.'" To combat such brand-deflating associations, recent marketing overtures at Bentley have boosted cool folks like Carine Roitfeld, former editor of Vogue Paris; the polo player-model Nacho Figueras; and Peter Brant, an art connoisseur. Not a Hilton type among them.

Bentley is hardly the first company to want to distance itself from certain admirers. Other examples:

Abercrombie & Fitch: In August the apparel retailer announced it would pay a muscle-bound Jersey Shore star to stop wearing its clothing, as it was possibly "distressing to many of our fans." Nice p.r. move, in fact.

Burberry: Chavs, akin to Jersey Shore kids but British, deck themselves in head-to-toe Burberry. The brand, hurting from overexposure, is trying to move back upmarket.

Cristal: The champagne-maker faced criticism when an exec said rappers' affection might not be bubbly for its image. Jay-Z called for a boycott, which eventually fizzled.

Source: Forbes

Honda Civic Canada's best-selling car, for now

The Honda Civic is still Canada's best-selling passenger car, but could soon lose that title to Hyundai's fast-charging Elantra, industry figures show.

Sales data from DesRosiers Automotive Consultants show that the Civic was the most popular car in Canada last month and for the first nine months of the year.

But Civic sales slumped more than 20 per cent last month and are down almost 12 per cent year-to-date.

The Korean-made Elantra, on the other hand, is enjoying double-digit increases, with sales this year up almost 35 per cent.

It isn't just the Civic that has recorded slower sales. Sales of the two other traditionally big-selling Japanese models - the Mazda 3 and the Toyota Corolla - are all down significantly.

"The three Japanese models are all struggling," says auto analyst Dennis DesRosiers. "Some of this is due to supply issues related to the tsunami, but also with the increased competitiveness from the Koreans and Detroit-based brands."

DesRosiers says the Chevrolet Cruze has entered the top 10 list because General Motors has been "reasonably successful picking up entry level share with the Cruze."

Volkswagen's Jetta has also made an appearance in the top 10. "VW has positioned and priced the Jetta to be more of a mass appeal vehicle and are having considerable success with this strategy," DesRosiers writes.

In the light truck market, the best-selling vehicles continue to be Ford's F-Series pickups - well ahead of the No. 2 Dodge Ram. But DesRosiers notes that Ram sales are up more than 14 per cent this year, which he attributes to Chrysler being "very aggressive with incentives in this segment."

Total vehicle sales in Canada in the nine months ending Sept. 30 came to 1,224,149. That's up 1.5 per cent from the same period last year.

Source: CBC

Winter Driving Tips in Canadian winters

We all know it is just around the corner, so we may as face the harsh reality. Winter driving can be risky, so be ready and be safe. As the cold weather is fast approaching, Transport Canada is pleased to launch the 2011-2012 winter driving campaign. Transport Canada is joined this year by the Canadian Automobile Association and Canadian Tire to promote safe winter driving.

 

As part of the campaign, Transport Canada encourages Canadians to prepare their vehicles for this coming winter season and to drive safely throughout the coming season.


Canada’s winter roads can be a challenge for drivers, so give yourself every advantage by preparing yourself and your vehicle before setting out on Canadian roads this winter. Keep in mind that proper vehicle maintenance, coupled with safe driving techniques, will help get you through the winter safely.

 You can reduce the chance of collision and help improve road safety by following these Transport Canada safety tips:

                                 

-          Install matching winter tires on all wheels of your vehicle. Winter tires outperform all-season tires when the temperature falls below 7°C, whether the roads are dry or covered in snow and/or ice.

-          Pack a winter driving emergency kit in your vehicle.

-          Check tire pressure at least once a month.

-          Have your battery, ignition system, lights and brakes tested.

-          Ensure your wipers are in good working condition.

-          Clear the snow and ice off your vehicle.

-          Give yourself extra distance to stop, as roads may be icy.

-          Check weather conditions before hitting the roads.

-          Dress properly — wear warm clothing.

-          Bring a cell phone for emergency purposes, but never use it while driving.

 

More helpful winter safe driving tips are available atwww.tc.gc.ca/winterdriving. Now is the time to prepare, before the snow and cold settle in for the long winter ahead.

Top 10 vehicles stolen in Canada

It's hard to stop a thief who really wants to steal your car. But knowing which vehicles thieves target gives you, the motorist, a crucial advantage. 

Having your car stolen is like getting mugged: non-fatal, yes, but extremely unpleasant. And while both are unfortunate facts of life in big cities, it's easier than you think to protect yourself.

When shopping for a new or used car in Canada, make this your first question: What were the top 10 vehicles stolen last year? According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), these were Canada's most stolen vehicles in 2010:

1. 2000 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
2. 1999 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
3. 2002 Cadillac Escalade 4-door 4WD
4. 2004 Cadillac Escalade 4-door 4WD
5. 2005 Acura RSX Type S 2-door
6. 1997 Acura Integra 2-door
7. 2000 Audi S4 Quattro 4-door AWD
8. 2003 Hummer H2 4-door AWD
9. 2006 Acura RSX Type S 2-door
10. 2004 Hummer H2 4-door AWD

In November 2010, the Canadian government passed Bill S-9 - the Tackling Auto Theft and Property Obtained by Crime Act - giving Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) the authority to seize stolen vehicles intended for export. Auto theft is a huge reason auto-insurance rates continue to climb annually across Canada.

"IBC congratulates the federal government for cracking down on organized crime and auto theft for export, and for making the safety and security of Canadians a priority," said IBC Vice President of Investigative Services Rick Dubin. "IBC will continue to work vigorously with law enforcement and government agencies across Canada to fight auto theft and recover stolen vehicles before they leave the country."

Bill S-9 updates the Criminal Code, making motor vehicle theft a separate offence; creating the offence of altering, destroying, or removing a automobile's vehicle identification number (VIN); and creating the offences of trafficking property obtained by crime and possession of property obtained by crime for the purpose of trafficking.

Auto theft by the numbers:

• According to Statistics Canada, 108,172 vehicles were stolen in Canada in 2009, a drop of 15 per cent from 2008.
• In 2009, auto theft cost Canadian insurers $419 million. If you add emergency response, court, policing, legal and out-of-pocket expenses (such as deductibles), the total cost of auto theft each year in Canada approaches $1 billion.

A professional auto thief without a key needs about 30 seconds to steal your car or truck, although an electronic immobilizer, which requires unlocking, makes it more difficult. The IBC has a few suggestions for thwarting thieves intent on stealing your vehicle.

• Roll up car windows, lock the doors, and pocket the key.
• Keep your vehicle registration and proof of insurance in a purse or wallet at all times - not in the glove box.
• Never leave valuable objects or packages in plain view. Put them in the trunk.
• Never leave a vehicle running unattended - when you're getting a coffee, say, or warming it up on the driveway. Some 20 per cent of cars are stolen with keys in them.
• Always park in a well-lit and busy area.
• At home, park in a garage, if available, and lock the garage and car doors.

Let's face it; if a thief wants to steal your vehicle, he's likely to be successful. But knowing how to protect your rolling investment - and understanding which vehicles thieves like to target - will help your cause. No vehicle, no matter the age or desirability, is completely safe. But preventing auto theft is like preventing personal theft. A little planning goes a long way.

HC for model relief plan for crime victims

Chandigarh, November 16
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today made it clear that it was in favour of formulating a model “victim compensation scheme”.

The Division Bench of Justice MM Kumar and Justice Augustine George Masih asked senior advocate-cum-amicus curiae RS Cheema to suggest the scheme for victims of crimes in consultation with other counsel, for consideration by the Court.

The direction came during the resumed hearing of a PIL filed by advocate-cum-petitioner HC Arora. The High Court too has taken suo motu cognizance of the matter.

The instructions were issued soon after the Court took on record the victim compensation schemes evolved by some of the state governments. The High Court observed that there was a huge difference in the amounts prescribed by various States, including the States of Punjab, Haryana and UT Chandigarh for victims of crimes.

The Bench also issued notices to the States of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on Arora’s plea for directions to the respondents to incorporate suitable provisions for payment of compensation to victims of acid attacks and those afflicted with burn injuries. He also asked for free medical aid, including reimbursement of expenses for plastic surgery of such victims.

He argued the Punjab Government had fixed totally inappropriate amounts for compensation to victims of this type of crime, while the UT has not prescribed any amount at all for the purpose.

The Bench asked the amicus curie to take note of Arora’s suggestions, while formulating the model scheme to be presented before the HC.

Court says...

There is a huge difference in the amounts prescribed by various states, including Punjab and Haryana for victims of various crimes

While the Punjab Government has fixed totally inappropriate amount for compensation to victims, the UT has not prescribed any amount at all

Some states have already evolved compensation schemes