The phone rings; you answer. The caller speaks quickly – it's urgent that you donate now to a pressing charitable cause. They will even make it easy, and take your credit card number right now. But you have to do it right away, the opportunity to give will only be available for a short time The charity name sounds familiar, but not precise. The caller is practically demanding your donation immediately. They really won't take no for an answer.

According to a recent survey, three of the top five most important considerations for Canadians when purchasing new products are health-related. Consumers say they’re looking for new products that are more nutritious, have simple/natural ingredients, and improve health. These considerations rank higher than new products that save time or make life easier.

By: Claudette Mortimer

At the end of every holiday season, I promise myself that next year will be different. Next year, I will be organized and I will make a list. Next year, I will start my holiday shopping in August and finish by November. Next year, I’ll really get my act together!

OTTAWA, December 7, 2009

It was Boxing Day, December 26, 2004.

Propelled by an earthquake deep within the Indian Ocean, a wall of water swept towards unsuspecting residents and vacationers in Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and other countries. The deadly waves killed more than 220,000 people.
Sri Lanka’s coastal cities and villages were hit hard by the devastating tsunami leaving 35,000 dead and over half a million homeless.

As holiday shoppers brave the crowds in the malls this holiday season, there is a new way for them to make sure they are moving through the checkout more quickly – by making sure they know the PIN for their chip card. Canadian financial institutions have been rolling out credit cards with chip technology for over a year so many of the Visa cards in Canada now have chip and PIN technology.

Every Christmas it’s the same story – what do you get for someone who is impossible to buy for? The one person who keeps you awake at night re-evaluating what gift you should get for them. It can be tough knowing what to buy someone who is hard to please. This year, avoid the worry and stress with these helpful tips that will leave even the pickiest of people excited about their gift:

Dropping temperatures and falling leaves signal the end of summer and the beginning of another cold Canadian winter. But with the change in season, there is more to remember than turning up the thermostat. People must also consider indoor air quality and how it affects their health.

Student life isn't what it used to be. Gone are the days when college life meant the bare bones standard of living, as many parents today are filling their children's dorm rooms and rental apartments with valuable consumer goods, including flat-screen televisions, home theatre systems, laptops, cameras, and stereo equipment.

Student life isn't what it used to be. Gone are the days when college life meant the bare bones standard of living, as many parents today are filling their children's dorm rooms and rental apartments with valuable consumer goods, including flat-screen televisions, home theatre systems, laptops, cameras, and stereo equipment.

Student life isn't what it used to be. Gone are the days when college life meant the bare bones standard of living, as many parents today are filling their children's dorm rooms and rental apartments with valuable consumer goods, including flat-screen televisions, home theatre systems, laptops, cameras, and stereo equipment.