Maybe, as a kid, you looked for empty pop bottles in fields and empty lots, loading them up on your wagon and rolling over to the A&P for a cash refund – two cents for the standard bottle, and a whopping nickel for the big ones.

Or, perhaps you’ve saved up your empties and returned them to the beer store or bottle depot for a little cash.

Did you know that a use for those empties is helping charities? Save with SPP had a look around to see what good your empties can bring to others.

The group Boston Terrier Rescue Canada (BTRC) operates bottle drives in Ontario, Alberta, B.C., Quebec and Nova Scotia.

“Empties help fill bellies and pay vet bills,” the group notes. “In 2023, BTRC Team Empties volunteers raised $6042.65 by returning empties for deposit.”

“We are challenging people and businesses everywhere to start a #Recycle4Animals drive to collect refundable items in their area. It’s a cost-free way to raise money to help Boston Terriers while also protecting the environment,” the group notes.

The group’s website offers a list of locations where bottles can be either dropped off, or where pickup services are available, and contact details to find out more.

The folks at Empties for Paws want to “challenge Canadian residents and businesses to donate their empty alcohol containers to raise money to help local animal charities.”

Their website provides listings “of as many bottle drives as possible” across Ontario, and all profits from these efforts go to helping animals. Some of the bottle drives are carried out by the rescue organizations themselves, in other cases, donors arrange to have their empties picked up and cashed in for the charity.

“In Ontario, empty beer bottles and cans can be returned via the Deposit Return Program (through beer stores) for 10 cents each, making your empty two-four worth $2.40, which is also the average cost of a tin of wet cat food.” Imagine, the website asks, how much cat food and care could be provided if more people donated their empties.

Another example of empties in action is Ottawa-based BottleWorks.

“BottleWorks offers residential home pick-ups for Ottawa residents looking to donate their empty alcohol bottles, cans, and containers. BottleWorks can issue a tax receipt for the value of the bottles donated and you can feel good knowing that your empties are helping charity and supporting youth facing barriers to employment gain paid work experience, develop skills, and receive support to make a brighter future for themselves,” their website notes.

The group received a whopping 1.08 million empty alcohol containers in 2023, employs 15 young people, has 143 commercial partners, arranged 563 residential pickups and organized 20 bottle drives, the website adds.

So, if you are finding a growing collection of empties in the garage that you haven’t found the time to return, consider finding a charity in your area – they may not only be able to take those empties off your hands, but they’ll also put the money from them to good use.

We used to pick up empties when we walked the dogs in the park each morning. We’d put the money from that into our retirement piggy bank, along with things like money from scratch ticket wins and other loose change. When the bank got heavy, we’d take it to a coin counter, deposit the bills in the bank, and then make a contribution to our Saskatchewan Pension Plan accounts.

SPP took those hard-earned savings and invested them in their low-cost, professionally managed pooled fund. Both of us are now in receipt of lifetime monthly annuity payments from SPP! Another option is the more flexible Variable Benefit, but both options add up to retirement income you can use and enjoy!

Check out SPP today!

Join the Wealthcare Revolution – follow SPP on Facebook!

Reaction to America’s decision to place tariffs on imports from other countries – including Canada – is still playing out, with start dates announced, paused, re-announced, changed, and so on.

But the reaction in Canada at talk of annexing our country has sparked consumer boycotts of U.S. products and has prompted many to cancel plans to make vacation visits south of the border. Save with SPP decided to take a look to see how these protests are going.

The BBC reports on the case of Nova Scotia’s Todd Brayman, “who is no longer buying his favourite red wine, which is from California.” He’s drinking Canadian wine instead.

“I have in my life served alongside American forces. It is just profoundly upsetting and disappointing to see where we are given the historical ties that our two countries have,” Brayman, an armed forces veteran, tells the BBC.

“But I think right now it’s time to stand up and be counted, and in my mind, that means buying local and supporting Canadian business,” he tells the broadcaster.

He says he uses an app called Maple Scan to identify Canadian products in stores. “Other apps include Buy Canadian, Is This Canadian?, and Shop Canadian,” the BBC reports. The Maple Scan app has had more than 100,000 downloads since it was launched this spring, the report adds.

The Daily Upside notes that Canada imported $350 billion (US) worth of American products last year, making the U.S. “Canada’s largest trading partner.”

Already, orders from U.S.-based diaper manufacturers and fruit growers have been reduced or cancelled outright, the publication reports. And after U.S. alcohol products were largely removed from Canadian retail outlets, states like Kentucky, which produces “95 per cent of the world’s bourbon,” are feeling a pinch.

“The loss of business has sparked growing concern in the (bourbon) industry, which was already on uneven footing before the trade war,” the Upside reports.

“In January, Brown-Forman — the publicly traded maker of Jack Daniel’s, Old Forester, and Woodford Reserve — said it was cutting 12 per cent of its 5,400-strong workforce and selling a barrel-production facility, in search of $80 million in annual savings,” the article adds.

Canadians are thinking twice about U.S. vacation plans, reports the CBC.

“The number of return trips among Canadians travelling to the U.S. in March plummeted compared to the previous year: down by 13.5 per cent for air travel, and down by a whopping 32 per cent for land travel,” the CBC reports.

“Reasons for the drop in travel include the low Canadian dollar and anger over U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war. Another reason gaining ground: concern over beefed up border security following Trump’s pledge to crack down on immigration,” the article adds.

The Daily Mail notes that Canadians spent $20.5 billion on US vacations last year.

“Even a 10 per cent dip could wipe out $2 billion in economic activity and cost 14,000 jobs, according to the U.S. Travel Association,” the newspaper reports.

“With the latest car and air travel figures pointing to even steeper declines, the impact could be closer to $4 billion,” the article concludes. “Tourist hotspots that rely heavily on Canadian visitors, such as Buffalo, New York and Old Orchard Beach in Maine, will be hit hardest.”

We’ll all have to keep an eye on this situation, and hope that it can somehow be resolved or at least made more predictable. Until then, that vacation to the East Coast or that long-desired visit to relatives in Saskatchewan will move up on our priority list.

If you’re saving for retirement, an all-Canadian pension plan to partner up with is the Saskatchewan Pension Plan. SPP is open to any Canadian with available RRSP room. You decide how much you want to contribute to your savings, we’ll take on the more difficult job of investing your savings in our low-cost, professionally managed pooled fund. When it’s time to turn savings into income, you can choose between such options as a lifetime monthly annuity payment, or the more flexible Variable Benefit.

Check out SPP today!

Join the Wealthcare Revolution – follow SPP on Facebook!

It’s an age-old question – is it better to focus on paying off your debt, or should you make saving money for the future a higher priority?

Save with SPP took a look around the blogosphere to see how the experts are weighing in on this topic.

At Forbes magazine, writer John Egan calls saving versus paying down debt “a balancing act that many of us face.”

His article suggests that the answer to that question “depends, in part, on whether you’ve already got enough money stashed for emergency savings, and how much high-interest debt you’re carrying.” For some, the answer may be a “balanced approach” where you are doing both things – saving and paying down – at the same time, he continues.

His article quotes Kansas City-based certified financial planner Dan Mathews as saying that you also have to look at the “opportunity cost” in this situation.

Huh?

“If you’re likely to earn six per cent in annual returns from retirement savings, but you’ve amassed credit card debt with an APR (annual percentage rate) of around 18 per cent, your best bet likely will be to first clear out the debt. Why? Because paying 18 per cent credit card interest will more than cancel out the six per cent you’ll earn from your savings,” the article explains.

The article suggests that you set up an emergency fund – enough to pay for six months of living costs – first. Then, when taking on debt, the article recommends that you “first pay attention to high-cost debt without any collateral, such as high-interest credit cards or a high-interest personal loan.”

If any of your debts are overdue, they should have super-priority, the article adds.

For saving, the article suggests that you focus your efforts on tax-efficient savings. Here in Canada, that would be contributing to a registered retirement savings plan or registered pension plan, or a Tax Free Savings Account. The point Forbes makes is that these accounts, in addition to offering you investment returns, will also offer you tax savings.

At Sun Life Canada, the authors suggest that if your debts are so bad that you can’t make the payments, a debt consolidation loan may be a first step.

But when tackling debt, the article suggests, there are some strategies to consider.

“It’s best if you pay off debt with the highest interest first,” the article advises. This, the article continues, usually means credit cards, and if you ignore them, “it will end up costing you dearly in interest.”

“Let’s say you make only the minimum payment (3.5 per cent) on a $5,000 credit card debt. You would end up paying $3,992.03 in interest over 187 months, or 15.6 years,” the article warns.

Sun Life also makes the same point about focusing your savings plan on tax-deferred or tax-free vehicles, like RRSPs and TFSAs.

The article gives the example of Chantal Pelletier, who has a mortgage she began four years ago at a rate of four per cent. The article suggests that investments in her RRSP and TFSA are a better choice than focusing on paying off the mortgage.

“Her investment earnings are also tax sheltered. And they would grow through the magic of compound interest, which is interest you earn on interest. In Chantal’s case, she’s better off saving for retirement, using registered investments. That’s a better strategy for her situation than paying off her mortgage faster,” the article concludes.

The folks at Nerdwallet see a hybrid approach as the best bet.

“Paying off debt can feel like it has to be your only priority,” their article begins. “But you should do some saving while you’re paying down debt. Even a small cushion of emergency savings can keep you from going deeper into debt when an unexpected expense pops up. And you don’t want to miss out on free money from an employer match on retirement savings if it’s available.”

That’s a good point – if your employer has a retirement program of some kind, be sure to take part, because you’ll get a tax deduction for contributions and as well, there may be an employer match to increase your savings rate.

The article suggests a “50/30/20” budget approach – this means half of your money goes on “needs, 30 per cent on wants, and 20 per cent on savings and debt paydowns beyond minimums.”

Your savings should operate under a “pay yourself first” method, where money earmarked for savings is “directly deposited… into a savings account.” This is better, the article continues, than hoping you’ll have something left over after the end of the month to put into savings.

The message thread that is clear from reading all these articles is that you need to be on top of both your debts and your savings assets. All three articles recommend a budget that sets out how much you want to save but also how much extra you want to pay on your debts. No matter how you target debt – smallest balance first, or highest interest rate first – the idea is that when one debt is paid off, the money you were paying for it should be applied to the next high-priority category.

Another point that you pick up from reading these articles is that you should always direct something – even a small amount – towards long-term saving. You can, the articles all say, ratchet that amount up when debts begin to clear up.

The Saskatchewan Pension Plan offers you a lot of much-needed flexibility on your savings efforts. Unlike other pension plans, SPP allows you to decide how much you want to contribute. You can increase or decrease your savings rate as you see fit. SPP will do the hard work of investing your savings via a professionally managed, low-cost pooled fund. And at retirement, your options include getting a set monthly annuity payment for life, or the more flexible Variable Benefit, where you decide how much you want to take out (or leave in).

Check out SPP today!

Join the Wealthcare Revolution – follow SPP on Facebook!

First, it was one class a week. Then two. Then three. Some of our friends are doing four and even five.

We are talking about time in line dance classes throughout the week, including time we are instructors. And the classes are bursting out of the door. What’s the draw for happy seniors to be doing all this dancing?

Save with SPP took a look around to see what folks are saying about the benefits of dancing.

According to Yahoo Life UK, a new study from Northeastern University in Boston has found “that just 20 minutes of dance each day could help you hit your recommended exercise target.”

That’s any kind of dance, the article notes – the point is that you are being active.

And there are other measurable health benefits, the article continues.

A UK study found “moderate intensity dancing is linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.” Mental health, the article continues, also benefits.

“Not only can dancing help you keep fit, it has a wide range of mental health benefits. If done in a social setting, dance can help improve connections and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation,” the article notes.

Dance also helps your brain, the article adds.

“In addition to its mood-boosting effects, dancing can also promote learning, memory and navigational skills. One study suggested that a 30-minute salsa class boosted spatial working memory by 18 per cent after just one session,” the article reports.

“Dancing has even been linked to a lower risk of dementia, with a 2003 research paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine finding that regular dancing reduced the risk of dementia by 76 per cent,” the article concludes.

The Everyday Health blog lists a few more benefits.

“Dancing can be many things: An expression of art, a fun hobby, a representation of culture, and a great form of exercise,” writes Leah Groth.

Dancing, which the article refers to as “the ultimate workout” helps build core strength.

“Dance requires balance and helps build core strength, which helps promote good posture and prevent muscle injuries and back pain, according to the Mayo Clinic,” the article reports. Ballet, the article continues, is particularly ideal for core strength.

Another dance benefit, the article notes, is flexibility. “Many forms of dance stretch the limbs of the body, which improves flexibility,” the article adds. Again, ballet does this the best, the blog notes.

If you are looking to drop a few pounds, dance can get it done for you, the blog tells us.

“Depending on the style of dance and your bodyweight, 30 minutes of dancing can burn between 90 and 252 calories, according to the Harvard Medical School. This type of high-intensity calorie burning can help support weight loss if you’re trying to shed pounds,” the article explains.

The Myacare blog suggests that there are many overall benefits from dance.

“Aside from improving both mood and cognition, dance is known to enhance several other aspects of one’s mental-emotional health. Life satisfaction increases through practicing dance, as does one’s confidence, connection to self and ability to socialize. Genetic studies reveal that dancers have elevated levels of active genes that regulate serotonin and vasopressin expression, both of which make them far more social,” the article notes.

It also, the article states, is a way to age gracefully.

“In a meta-analysis that aimed to assess the benefits of dance for the elderly, it was shown that dance of any style is able to improve metabolism and balance in aged individuals, with or without chronic illnesses. Most data included interventions that spanned a length of 60 minutes, three times a week for a minimum of 12 weeks.”

When we talk to our fellow line dancers about why they like it, they hit most of these points. One dancer says she has no problem jumping in the car to drive to dance class – but it is more of an effort to make the trip to the gym. We are all making new friends and going to new places through dance, she says.

Retirement is a great time to take up new hobbies, like dancing. So it’s important for those of us who are not yet retired to build up some savings to fund the fun of our future selves.

If you have a workplace retirement program, be sure to sign up and contribute as much as you can. If you don’t, not to worry – the Saskatchewan Pension Plan has everything you need. You provide the savings, and SPP will invest them in a low-cost, professionally managed pooled fund. You can transfer in funds from your RRSPs to boost your SPP balance. And like an RRSP, contributions you make to SPP are tax deductible. Check out this made in Saskatchewan retirement savings solution all Canadians can enjoy.

Check out SPP today!

Join the Wealthcare Revolution – follow SPP on Facebook!

Building an emergency fund essential, experts say

These days, with so much uncertainty swirling around the economy, inflation, and trade, experts suggest that socking away money in an emergency fund may be a wise move.

Save with SPP took a look at what the experts are saying about emergency funds.

The Winnipeg Free Press calls emergency funds “an absolutely crucial part of any financial plan, regardless of the life stage or situation.”

“For people who already have high-interest-rate debt, having an emergency fund can help guard against resorting to additional high-cost financing in a pinch. It also helps you defray unexpected expenses without needing to raid your retirement accounts,” the newspaper reports.

“Finally, the big reason to have an emergency fund is to cover your basic costs in case of job loss,” the Free Press adds.

The paper suggests that your minimum target savings amount for an emergency fund should be three times your basic living expenses – that’s “housing costs, utilities, food expenses, servicing debt, insurance and taxes.”

You can subtract any savings you already have from that minimum target and then begin adding savings to make up the gap, the Free Press notes.

The folks at MoneySense set out some of the advantages of having an emergency fund.

A fund, the publication reports, can be put into use when you face:

• “Urgent major repairs (not renovations) to your home or car.”
• “Unexpected medical expenses not covered by universal health care or insurance.”
• “Lack of income due to job loss.”

“Just like the name implies, an emergency fund is meant for emergencies. Unexpected events happen in life: the car breaks down, the fridge stops working or you get laid off during a recession. Without an emergency fund to help cover your expenses, you could end up paying bills with a credit card, relying on payday loans or heavily using your secured or unsecured line of credit,” reports MoneySense.

Having to go that route means your emergency is costing you an additional 19.99 per cent (if paid via credit card) or an eye-popping 442 per cent if paid via payday loan, the publication warns.

Forbes magazine notes that your savings target will be larger if there are more people in your household than just you. Base your monthly expense number not only on your expenses, but all the expenses you cover for everyone under your roof, the magazine suggests.

Finding money to divert to your emergency fund may be as simple as trimming the “non-essentials” you spend money on, such as “clothing, entertainment, and dining out.”

“Go through the list of things you normally spend money on that aren’t actual needs and consider what you can reduce or eliminate,” the magazine suggests. If that doesn’t work, you may need to aim for a higher income.

“Consider ways you can make more money each month. This may include taking on extra hours at work, getting a part-time job or starting a side hustle. Even selling things around the house you no longer need can help. The more money you can bring in, the more you can add to your emergency savings,” Forbes advises.

Forbes concludes by suggesting four steps to help build your emergency savings:

• Make savings automatic – make an automatic deposit to your savings account every pay day.
• Save “windfalls,” like tax returns, rebates and “other unexpected financial windfalls.”
• Use “cash back” apps or cards and direct the money to savings.
• If you are getting tax refunds every year, considering reducing the tax withheld from your pay and adding the difference to your emergency fund.

Writing for GoBankingRates, Caitlyn Moorhead suggests a few more saving ideas for boosting the balance in your emergency fund.

Find a chequing account that also pays interest, and move the interest received to your emergency fund, she writes. Cut back on your cable package and bank the savings, she continues. Be a stickler about sticking to your grocery list, she advises, and develop a meal plan that is based on weekly grocery sales. Bank the extra money.

In fact, you consider your emergency fund to be a bill, she writes. Huh?

“When it comes to financial planning, it’s a lot easier to part with the money you put in savings when you take on the mindset that it’s just another bill. Instead of looking at saving as an optional move, think of it as a mandatory expense like paying rent or your phone bill. That way when unexpected expenses arise, you already have it covered,” she concludes.

We’ll add a few we used when building up our savings. Lottery ticket winnings can be banked. When you roll up your change, you can deposit it in your account. And when you get a payout from your dental or vision insurance, you can pop that into savings.

The same tactics listed in these articles can be used – perhaps once you have built up that emergency fund – to save for retirement. And a great vehicle to speed along that savings journey is the Saskatchewan Pension Plan. You provide the savings, SPP provides the investment expertise, and will grow your hard-earned loonies in their low-cost, professionally managed pooled fund. When it’s time to retire your choices include a lifetime monthly annuity payment or the more flexible Variable Benefit.

Check out SPP today!

Join the Wealthcare Revolution – follow SPP on Facebook!

We frequently write, in this space, about good ideas to help boost your long-term retirement savings.

But what about the opposite – bad retirement decisions that can hurt or hinder your efforts? Using the theory that we often learn the most from making mistakes, Save with SPP scoured the Interweb to drum up some bad retirement ideas to avoid.

Let’s start with the Money.ca website, where Michelle Robertson discusses a half-dozen common retirement planning mistakes Canadians too frequently make.

The first, she explains, is “not having a plan.”

“Driving to retirement with no plan is like a trip to a mystery location with no map. You have no idea where you will end up,” she warns. “A plan shows if you’re investing enough to be ready at your desired retirement age. The more time and clarity you have, the easier it is to reach your goals,” she continues.

And for those who think their house will provide the retirement income they need, she suggests that “you can’t eat your house in retirement.”

“People see their house as an investment. They expect to use its equity in retirement. But, you can’t access your home’s equity if you live in it without borrowing your equity from the bank (for the second time),” she writes.

A third, classic mistake Robertson warns us about is to “take too much debt into retirement.”

“Debt is debilitating at any stage of life, but especially in retirement. It will quickly erode your retirement income,” she explains.

In an article published by GoBankingRates, Yaël Bizouati-Kennedy provides a few more bad ideas to watch out for.

First mistake, the article notes, is “starting your savings journey late.” The article quotes money and financial coach Adeola Monofi as saying “by starting early, you can leverage the power of compounding interest and allow your investments to grow significantly over time. Make it a priority to start saving for retirement as soon as possible, even if it means making small contributions initially.”

Another red flag is underestimating retirement expenses, the article continues. Healthcare costs can rise when you’re older, the article notes, as can the cost of housing, travel, hobbies and other leisure activities.

A third mistake is thinking that Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) benefits will be enough to fund your retirement, the article notes.

“While programs like the CPP and OAS provide valuable income, they may not cover all your retirement needs,” Monofi is quoted as stating in the article. She tells GoBankingRates that these government benefits should be augmented by personal savings in “registered retirement savings plans (RRSPs), tax-free savings accounts (TFSAs), real estate, permanent life insurance and other investment vehicles suitable for your circumstances.”

Last word goes to Canadian Essence, who list, in an article by Ash Kaushik, some of the worst advice people can be given about retirement.

“Invest in only safe options, like bonds,” is one such piece of advice, the article reports.

“Bonds are risk-free, but if you’re obsessed with them – it’s counterproductive. Retiree funds have to keep up with inflation and a well-diversified portfolio comprising stocks can deliver higher long-term returns. Don’t play it too safe and you’ll fall short on your financial expectations,” the article warns.

Another bad bit of advice, the article continues, is that idea that if you haven’t saved enough, “you can always work longer if you’re not ready.”

“You shouldn’t rely on working longer to save money. Unexpected illness, unemployment or a caregiver need can lead to you retiring before you have any choice,” the article cautions.

“Retirement will be just like your vacation,” is our final bit of bad advice presented in the article.

“Retirement sounds simple enough, like a one-week vacation but it’s often not. Even all the free time feels a little unenjoyable if you don’t plan how to remain active, productive and be on track. So, don’t be surprised if you’re expecting a vacation-like lifestyle, but haven’t considered how you’ll spend your time or how you’ll cope with changes in your daily routine,” the article tells us.

Having left full-time work more than 10 years ago, this writer can attest to the truth of the “retirement is like a vacation” comment. It’s more like it is always the weekend, which is still good but a little different than being on a trip.

If you haven’t got going on your retirement savings yet, and don’t belong to any sort of retirement savings plan through your work, there’s an option out there for you that is worth considering – the Saskatchewan Pension Plan. SPP is an open, voluntary defined contribution pension plan that any Canadian can join.

You decide how much you want to save, and SPP does the rest, investing your savings dollars in a low-cost, professionally managed pooled fund. At retirement, among your options are a lifetime monthly annuity payment or the more flexible Variable Benefit.

Check out SPP today!

Join the Wealthcare Revolution – follow SPP on Facebook!

If you’re looking for a low-cost, effective way to improve your mental and physical health, the answer may be no farther away than a good pair of walking shoes.

Save with SPP decided to take a stroll through the Interweb to see what is being said about this reliable old form of exercise and transportation.

“Medical experts agree that walking is an easy way to improve physical and mental health, bolster fitness and prevent disease. While it’s not the only sort of exercise people should do, it’s a great first step toward a healthy life,” reports the CBC.

Walking, the broadcaster reports, “can help meet national recommendations that adults get at least 2½ hours of moderate-intensity physical activity every week. This helps lowers the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, dementia, depression and many types of cancer.”

As well, the CBC continues, walking “also improves blood sugar levels, is good for bone health and can help you lose weight and sleep better.”

Some first-hand testimony on the benefits of walking can be found in a recent article in Readers Digest Canada.

Nancy Duguay, a 39-year-old nurse from New Brunswick, was trying to kick her smoking habit when “an idea struck her – walking instead of smoking,” the magazine reports.

She hiked to the top of nearby Sugarloaf Mountain, “in just my regular sneakers, a pair of shorts, and a T-shirt,” she tells Readers Digest Canada.

“I just felt so good,” Duguay states in the article. “My natural endorphins kicked in, and the craving was gone.”

“Almost every day since, she has gone for a walk—and the habit has changed her life. Not only did she quit smoking, but her resting heart rate dropped from 80 beats per minute to 60. The ritual has given her a lot more, as well: stress relief, mental-health management, and a sense of community,” the article reports.

“There’s a psychological and physical need to do it now,” she tells the magazine. “I want to keep healthy and keep moving.”

Some other findings from Readers Digest Canada:

• 150 minutes of walking per week “can reduce the risk of most chronic diseases by 20 to 50 per cent.”
• A brisk, 20-minute daily walk “is linked to a lower risk of seven types of cancer.”

The VeryWell Health blog lists a few more advantages of getting the running shoes on.

It burns calories, the blog notes – around 133 calories in 30 minutes for a person weighing 155 pounds.

It “helps strengthen the heart by improving the heart rate and improving circulation, which can lower blood pressure,” the article continues.

Walking can lower cholesterol levels and is great for easing joint pain. “Walking is one of the most important things you can do if you have joint pain or arthritis because it helps strengthen the bones and keeps joints flexible,” the article notes.

Finally, the article concludes, there is a strong link between brisk walking and longer life expectancy.

These are all very good points. We find we walk more in the summer, when the dog trails are clear of snow and ice, but we still get the pups out nearly every day in the winter. So, for sure see if you can build a little more walking into your day.

It can be difficult to save on your own for your retirement if you lack a workplace retirement program of some kind. That’s where the Saskatchewan Pension Plan can come in very handy. SPP is open to any Canadian with available registered retirement savings plan room. You can contribute any amount up to your annual RRSP limit, and you can transfer in funds from any other RRSPs you may have.

Once your savings dollars find their way to SPP, they will be professionally invested in a low-cost pooled fund. Your savings will grow as you continue to work and contribute, and when it’s time to retire, your options include receiving a lifetime monthly annuity payment or the more flexible Variable Benefit.

Check out SPP today!

Join the Wealthcare Revolution – follow SPP on Facebook!

It’s a tough landscape for saving out there. Higher costs for housing, groceries, fuel, and life in general make it very hard to squeeze out a few bucks to earmark for your post-work future.

However, having been the brother of a very frugal sister, Save with SPP has seen what a little tightfistedness on the spending side can do for one’s piggy bank. Let’s take a look at some frugality tips from the experts.

The Little House Living blog offers up some “frugality outside the box” ideas.

One is to “meal plan for an entire month.” With this idea, you’d not be eating out at restaurants, and would know what to shop for at the grocery store.

Another radical idea – “get rid of the cell phone and go with landline.”

“So few of us truly NEED a cell phone, we’ve just become spoiled to the idea we do. Also, extreme? Get rid of the TV and thus the streaming needs. With all that, do you need internet,” the blog asks.

Wow. That’s extreme frugality!

A final one from this blog that we’ve not seen before is “shop the perimeter of the store… it literally cuts grocerying in half.”

The A Dime Saved blog features some tips that “people laugh at, but actually work to save money.”

The blog suggests making your own condiments. “You’d be surprised at how easy—and cost-effective—it is to whip up your own condiments. Salad dressings, flavored vinegars, or even your own ketchup—once you get the hang of it, you’ll never want to buy those pricey store versions again,” the blog notes. We recall our grandma in New Brunswick making her own mayo, among other things.

What about cutting your own hair, asks the blog.

“For some, the idea of cutting their own hair is terrifying, but with a little practice and the help of online tutorials, you can easily save on salon visits. A trim here and there can make a huge difference, and you might just find you’ve got a hidden talent for it. Worst case? You save money,” the blog explains.

Finally, a more familiar one – grabbing a few toiletries when you stay at a hotel.

“From soaps to toilet paper to tea bags, those small items are already factored into your hotel bill. Why not take advantage of them? It’s one less thing you have to buy when you get home,” the blog concludes.

Finally, GoBankingRates provides a few tips for retirees.

First, the blog suggests, review your streaming subscriptions and cut back. “If you take a close look at your monthly bills, you might be surprised to see how many recurring charges you rack up every month,” the blog warns. There are cheaper and even free streaming options out there, the blog adds.

“Comparison shop,” the blog advises. “Nearly any product or service you’re interested in is likely offered by a number of different vendors, so you can pick and choose the combination of price, service and quality that works best for you.”

As well, retirees who are also empty nesters should consider moving to a smaller house, or an apartment.

“Frugal living tips can go a long way toward saving for retirement or living your best life once in retirement,” the article concludes.

If you are able to squeeze some savings out of your monthly spending, then for sure retirement saving is a good place to direct those loonies to. If you are saving on your own for retirement, take a good look at the Saskatchewan Pension Plan. SPP takes the hassle out of retirement saving by making it simple – you contribute however much you want, and SPP invests it in a low-cost, professionally managed pooled investment fund. At retirement, your options include collecting a lifetime monthly annuity, or the more flexible Variable Benefit.

Check out SPP today!

Join the Wealthcare Revolution – follow SPP on Facebook!

You continually read stories, or watch TV interviews, about people who are 100-plus, sharp as a tack mentally, and still living life to the best.

What are they doing that the rest of us aren’t? Save with SPP decided to take a look-see.

The Mental Floss blog offers up 100 pieces of advice from folks who are 100 years old or more.

“Don’t look at the calendar,” begins one tip. “Just keep celebrating every day.”

“Travel while you’re young and able,” suggests another. “Don’t worry about the money, just make it work. Experience is more valuable than money will ever be.”

A third tip – “most times, things will figure themselves out.” Another tip is simply “forgive.”

And this bit of advice – “have a pet. Life gets lonely sometimes. Pets are a reminder of how we’re all living things.”

The Life Extension blog serves up a few more ideas.

“Eat meals with loved ones,” the blog advises. “The important ingredient here is the people, not the food.”

A second suggestion, also a simple one, is to “laugh… laughter nourishes your soul. It brings levity into your day and helps lower stress levels, crucial to healthy aging.”

Learning new things, the blog continues, will “keep your mind sharp and your soul happy for the long run. When you start a new hobby, master your chess game, learn a new language, or stir up a new recipe, it opens your world to different experiences, increasing your joy, widening your social circle, and improving your quality of life.”

A final thought from this blog is to “live in the moment.”

“Studies suggest that adults who practice mindfulness tend to experience less stress, pessimism, and regret as they age. Practicing present-moment awareness is a wonderful way to stay grounded and focused on the life you’re living now, so you can make the most of every moment—from daily tasks to big events,” the blog adds.

An article from People magazine provides us with some additional insights.

Lucia DeClerck, 105 when interviewed, suggests “prayer, prayer, prayer. One step at a time. No junk food.”

Arlena Labon of Ohio, who was 108 when interviewed, advises us to “love one another” and “treat one another good.”

On the scientific side, People quotes Don Buettner, who has studied the so-called “Blue Zones” where people seem to live the longest, sees activity and diet as important. According to his research, the article says, citizens of Sardinia currently live the longest and “are mostly shepherds – a job that requires a lot of physical activity.” As well, Buettner notes in the article, they tend to “eat a plant-based diet, as eating meat is considered a luxury. Still, most of the people in Sardinia still enjoy a glass or two of red wine with dinner.”

We don’t know today if a long, long life is in the cards for us. But more and more of us are living longer lives. That makes another tip worth mentioning – be sure to save for your retirement, as it might last as long, or longer, than the time you spent working.

A great saving partner is the Saskatchewan Pension Plan. The plan is open to individuals or groups – SPP can serve as your organization’s pension plan. SPP will carefully invest your retirement savings dollars in a professionally managed, low-cost, pooled fund. At retirement, your options include the security of a lifetime monthly annuity payment, or the more flexible Variable Benefit.

Check out SPP today!

Join the Wealthcare Revolution – follow SPP on Facebook!

Let’s face it – it’s not easy to go through the checkout line at the grocery store these days without having a sharp intake of breath when it’s time to pay. There seems to be less and less money left over after the bills are paid.

Is this impacting Canadians’ ability/desire to support charities? Save with SPP decided to do a little digging.

According to The Financial Post, citing research from the Fraser Institute, Canadians are “turning more stingy” when it comes to charity.

“The number of taxpayers who gave to charitable causes dropped to 17.7 per cent in 2021 — a 20-year low, according to the Fraser Institute’s annual report measuring generosity in Canada,” the newspaper reports. “Charitable giving hit a high in 2004, with 25.4 per cent of tax filers making donations, but gifts to charity have dropped each year since. Twenty-three per cent of taxpayers gave to charity in 2011.”

Not only are fewer people making donations, but those who do are giving less, the article adds.

“People are also donating less money, the study said, with the total amount given dropping to 0.55 per cent of income in 2021 from 0.58 per cent in 2001,” the article continues. Jake Fuss of the Fraser Institute, a co-author of the report, tells the newspaper “the data shows Canadians are consistently less charitable every year, which means charities face greater challenges to secure resources to help those in need.”

CanadaHelps, an organization that assists charities in gathering charitable donations, also sees a downward trend in charitable giving.

The organization’s Giving Report provides a couple of reasons why people are donating less these days. First, the group says, Canadians aren’t joining as many groups as they once did and are volunteering less.

“Canadians are increasingly disconnected, and their social networks have shrunk; this correlates with lower rates of giving. From 2013 to 2022, the number of Canadians with six or more close friends has declined by 40 per cent (from 37 per cent to 22 per cent), and those who feel a very strong sense of belonging to their community have dropped by 12 percentage points. More than 80 per cent (84 per cent) of those with many close friends donate, while just over half (53 per cent) of those with very few close friends donate,” an article on the CanadaHelps website explains.

Similarly, CanadaHelps sees a disconnect between causes we all say we value, and the actual cha-ching coming out of our pockets in the form of donations. An example is the environment, the group says.

“Only 1.5 per cent of donations made through CanadaHelps are directed to environmental charities, despite 32 per cent of Canadians saying climate change or protecting the environment is a top cause for them, and almost half (48 per cent) of Canadians expressing anxiety about climate change on at least somewhat of a regular basis,” the group charges.

So, at a time when “more than half of charities are unable to meet current levels of demand,” fewer of us are donating. The CanadaHelps article concludes by noting that “one in five Canadians was using charitable services to meet essential needs in 2023.”

As an example, reports the CBC, Toronto’s Daily Bread Food Bank saw about 55,000 client visits each month before the pandemic. Since then, the monthly client visits have nearly tripled to 130,000 visits per month. Donations, on the other hand, have not tripled, the article says.

If there’s a takeaway here, it is that times are tough for everyone but are even worse for those of us just scraping by. Consider making more charitable donations – bump up any you might be making, or start doing some, perhaps via automatic withdrawals from your bank account. Alternatively, volunteer some of your time. Every dollar and hour of donated time will help.

Have you got a retirement savings plan in place? If not, take a look at the Saskatchewan Pension Plan, a voluntary defined contribution pension plan open to any Canadian with registered retirement savings plan room. With SPP, you decide how much money to contribute, and we do the rest. Your precious retirement savings dollars are investing in a professionally managed, pooled, low-cost fund. They’ll grow while you work, and when work is done, your retirement income options include getting lifetime monthly annuity payments, or the flexibility of our Variable Benefit option.

Check out SPP today!

Join the Wealthcare Revolution – follow SPP on Facebook!