My plans for less stress at Christmas

Marci • December 21, 2012

Christmas is one of my favourite times of year, but having a family and being an entrepreneur is stressful enough without throwing Christmas into the mix!

 

I’ve been consciously trying to make the season more about family and less about obligations in the last few years. It’s not easy, but here are a few of the things I’ve been working on to keep focused on what matters to me:

 

–       I make a list and plan to shop in late November (this year that was bumped to early December!!). It’s usually a weekend trip to get all the big gifts and other items taken care of in 24 or 48 hours. This allows me the time to enjoy the delights that come with December – baking, decorating and time with my husband and the kids.

 

–       I try to keep my calendar as clear as possible during December because there is plenty going on. I won’t over commit myself socially. If it’s going to be a strain to fit something in, I do my best to decline.

 

–       At the same time, I make some time for some down time and a catching up with friends. There is nothing better to “de-stress’ than and evening off, enjoying a glass of wine, good food and good company!!

 

In our house, one Christmas tradition is baking. My daughter and I do a lot of it together and she has become a huge help as she’s gotten older. Gingerbread cookies, and Jam Thumbprint cookies are a must!

 

Another mother / daughter Christmas activity we always find time for is a live show. We’ve seen Annie, the VSO’s concerts and It’s a Wonderful Life. We attended Skate Canada’s Holiday on Ice show this year and my daughter was delighted to receive a hug from her idol, Joannie Rochette! That’s a holiday memory she will never forget….. In the kids’ younger years we did the Christmas train in Stanley Park, but now that they are older their interests have changed.

 

I try not to get caught up in making everything perfect. This is hard! But, one thing I do want to be perfect is the tree. We always get a big, full tree and have it up by the second week in December. Christmas morning comes with cinnamon buns and French toast – both are prepped the night before. Turkey dinner is usually at our house with friends and our extended family to join us.

 

Christmas is a big deal in our house. It’s hard to keep everything under control, but I pick the things that are important to me and try not to get overwhelmed by the things that aren’t. Whatever is important to you, I hope you enjoy it and have a wonderful Holiday Season!

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RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan Explained: A Smart Way to Buy Your First Home

By Marci Deane • July 22, 2026
Saving for a down payment is one of the biggest challenges first-time buyers face. What many don’t realize is that the Canadian government offers a program designed to make it easier—the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) . This program allows you to withdraw money from your RRSP to help purchase your first home, without immediate tax consequences. Here’s how it works: Who Qualifies? To be eligible, you generally need to be a first-time home buyer. In practical terms, this means you must not have owned a home in the past four years, nor lived in a property owned by your spouse or partner during that time. There are also special allowances if you’re living with a disability or helping a relative with a disability. In these cases, you can use the HBP even if you’ve owned a home more recently. How Much Can You Withdraw? Under the program, you can access up to $35,000 from your RRSP as an individual. Couples can combine their withdrawals for a total of $70,000 . These funds must have been in your RRSP for at least 90 days before you take them out. Paying It Back The HBP isn’t “free money”—it’s an interest-free loan from your own retirement savings. You’ll have 15 years to repay the full amount back into your RRSP, starting in the second year after withdrawal. Each year, the CRA will send you an HBP Statement of Account outlining how much needs to be repaid. If you don’t make your repayment in a given year, that amount will be added to your taxable income. Why It’s a Smart Strategy The HBP can give first-time buyers a powerful boost toward homeownership. It helps you put together a larger down payment, which can reduce your mortgage amount and monthly payments. Just remember: it’s important to balance the short-term benefit of homeownership with the long-term impact on your retirement savings. Next Steps Thinking about using the Home Buyers’ Plan? Let’s sit down and review whether it’s the right move for you. Together, we can create a strategy that gets you into your first home while keeping your future financial goals on track. 📞 Reach out anytime—it would be a pleasure to guide you through the process.

Bank of Canada Holds Rate at 2.25% — July 15, 2026

By Marci Deane • July 15, 2026
The Bank of Canada announced today that it is holding its target for the overnight rate at 2.25%, with the Bank Rate at 2.5% and the deposit rate at 2.20%. The tone of today's announcement is notably more optimistic than previous months. Here's what's changed and what it means for you.

Let’s Talk About Getting Top Dollar for Your Property

By Marci Deane • July 8, 2026
When it comes to selling your home, most people think the first call should be to a real estate agent. But the smartest first step often isn’t with your agent—it’s with an independent mortgage professional. Why? Because your mortgage plays a bigger role in your bottom line than most people realize. Planning to Buy After You Sell If selling means you’ll also be purchasing another property, you’ll want to know exactly where you stand financially before listing. Mortgage rules change regularly, and qualifying once doesn’t guarantee you’ll qualify again. Getting a pre-approval in place ensures you know what you can afford and eliminates surprises later. On top of that, reviewing the terms of your existing mortgage could uncover options you may not have considered. For example, porting your mortgage instead of arranging a brand-new one could save you thousands. Selling Without Buying Even if you aren’t planning to buy right away, there’s still an important step: understanding the cost of breaking your mortgage. Unless your mortgage is open, penalties apply—and they can be significant. By reviewing the numbers with a mortgage professional, you might find that simply adjusting your timeline could reduce or even avoid costly fees. Navigating Life Changes In situations like a marital breakdown, it can feel like selling the family home is the only path forward. But that’s not always the case. With the right guidance and a legal separation agreement, one spouse may be able to buy out the other, keeping the home and providing stability for everyone involved. The Bottom Line Selling your property is more than just putting a sign on the lawn—it’s about creating a financial plan that protects your equity and positions you for the best possible outcome. Before you take the leap, let’s sit down and review your options. 📞 If you’re ready to talk strategy and make sure you get top dollar for your property, I’d be happy to connect anytime.