Not happy with your cell phone provider? Who is?! Here are eight ways of getting out of a phone contract without paying any extra.

22 million Canadians own cell phones, but how many are perfectly happy with their cell phone plan? That number must be way smaller, so here’s how to get out of your cell phone contract without bleeding money.

Watch for service changes

One of the most tried and true ways to get out of your phone contract is when there are changes to it. Any changes to your service, whether it is service charges, rate changes or coverage area, are just cause to cancel since this is not what you agreed to in the original contract. Most cell phone carriers will allow you to cancel due to changes. Mark Choma, Director of Communications with the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Centre says, “If your carrier makes a change, you can get out and there is no time limit.”

Except changes that are made due to the law, such as Ontario’s new distracted driving law, which bans the use of handheld devices while driving.

Pass it on

Companies like Cellout.ca, allow you to put your phone and contract up for grabs. By doing this, you may be able to pass your phone and contract on to someone else who wants it. If that fails, try to find a friend who might want to take it on.

Find something wrong with your phone

If there seems to be nothing wrong with your phone, you may have to look for something. Keep a record of dropped calls so you have a hard number to use when speaking to your service provider. Dropped calls mean that you are often in an area where there is no service, and no service on your phone is cause for cancellation.

Choma cautions against this method, noting that coverage area is something that should be checked out before the contract is signed. However, if you move to an area where your cell phone service is now spotty, cancellation may be an option.

Shrink your plan

If your plan and phone are just not working for you, shrink your plan down to the bare minimum so that you’re not paying for what you’re not using. You may be able to use this to get out of your contract in the end by pointing out that the phone gets no use, and they are making little money from you.

Cancel quickly

Check to see if the contract you have signed falls under a consumer protection law. If it does, the law usually gives a certain amount of time for the customer to change their mind and cancel service after signing the contract. Choma notes though that this idea may not work as consumer protection laws fall under provincial jurisdiction while wireless services are federal.

Look for false advertising

Look for features that you may have been promised when you signed up that have failed to come through. Whether you were promised free minutes, unlimited texts etc.

Get a problem phone

This may require some research but if you find a lemon phone that gets many complaints consider switching. Make several complaints after using it and then use this as justification to cancel the contract.

Don’t sign a contract

It sounds so simple, could it really work? Choma notes that most people think they have to sign a contract to have a phone, which is simply not true. While it does cut down the cost of the phone itself, if you have the money upfront a contract is not needed.

“People think you have to sign a contract, but most carriers would be happy to have you as a customer even without a contract,” Choma says. Choma adds that a lot of people are going the prepaid phone route in order to avoid nightmare-ish phone contracts.

Getting laid off or even fired can be a shocking and upsetting experience. Being prepared can help cushion the blow so take our quiz to find out if your job could be on the chopping block next.

Whether it is due to tough economic times or poor work performance, find out where you stand in the working world:

1. No matter what you have still waiting to be done on your desk, you leave the office:
a. Not until everything is done, you hate leaving with work still waiting.
b. Probably an hour late, you don’t want your desk to look too messy.
c. Right at 5:00, you do have a personal life after all.

2. During staff meetings you:
a. Take careful notes and often send out meeting minutes for those who didn’t follow as carefully as you did.
b. Sip your coffee trying to stay awake, jotting down the occasional thing that filters through your mind.
c. Barely cover your yawns with your hand, what happened to your note pad anyway?

3. When given a big new project to tackle you:
a. Jump in feet first, you love a new challenge.
b. Moan and groan a bit to your friends and colleagues, but start working away.
c. Procrastinate until the deadline is approaching. You work better under pressure anyways.

4. The frequency of personal emails to your inbox could be described as:
a. Absolutely none. Your friends know you are at work to work.
b. A couple every day, some things just can’t wait.
c. Frightening, and you hope your boss never finds out. But everyone does this, right?

5. When you read about your company in the news it is usually about:
a. One of the top employers in Canada again!
b. A few rumblings about possible layoffs, but nothing in your division.
c. How your main client is no longer signed with your company.

6. When your co-workers start planning an office get together you think:
a. Of course! And is there anything I should bring?
b. An hour tops, and then I need to get out of here.
c. Spend time outside of work with them?!

7. Your office has just acquired a new computer system. The first thing you notice is:
a. How much faster you can get everything done now.
b. No more long waiting times for the Internet to connect!
c. That it does your job for you. Hold on…

8. The product your company produces is:
a. Cutting edge and priced accordingly.
b. A little slower, but a lot cheaper than its competition.
c. Recently recalled.

9. You use your sick days:
a. As sparingly as possible, you never get sick.
b. Now and again when you’re sick or feeling ‶under the weather″ on a Monday morning.
c. As much as possible, who needs to wait until they’re sick to have a day off!

10. When you have completed a big project your boss:
a. Thanks you with words of encouragement and mentions your work to those higher up.
b. Nods their appreciation and moves on.
c. Doesn’t acknowledge your contribution at all, in fact, they barely know who you are.

Mostly A’s: You’re in the clear.

Take a breath and relax, you’re in the clear! The star of your workplace, you are the model employee. While you may not love your job, you realize that hard work and professionalism are the keys to not only keeping it, but getting ahead as well. Well rounded, you realize that hard work and good teamwork are essential to a productive workplace for you. Surranna Sandy, President and Editorial Director of Resume Solutions, a Toronto-based career coaching and career management company, notes that people who are both strong performers and strong team players are the ones who will remain when people need to go.

Mostly B’s: You could potentially get laid off.

While not quite out the door, you may have one foot over the threshold. While you do go that extra inch, it’s not quite the extra mile your employer may be looking for. One way to get back onto the path to success – communicate with your manager, set goals and prioritize what is critical to getting your job done. In addition to your own work, work on strong working relationships, as they can help you succeed. “People should build workable relationships that enable them to meet their goals,” says Surranna Sandy, President and Editorial Director of Resume Solutions. Even if you don’t like someone, remind yourself, this is my job, and they are essential to helping me get my job done.

Mostly C’s: You need to start looking for a new job.

Completely unproductive and uninterested in your job, it’s only a matter of time before you’re out the door. If you leaving is due to your company’s decline, what you can do at this point is prepare for leaving says Surranna Sandy, President and Editorial Director of Resume Solutions. She advises taking stock of what you have done in your role to launch your job search and begin networking. “If you prepare, you can adapt,” says Sandy. If you leaving is due to your own performance, start looking at why it’s not the right fit for you before it affects your overall reputation.

Seduction and exercise all rolled into one – then let the stockings fly and the good times roll! Here are some burlesque moves to surprise that special someone.

Burlesque is perhaps more popular than ever thanks to the popularity of Lady Gaga, Dita von Teese and even the Pussycat Dolls, all who incorporate burlesque moves into their acts.

Known as provocative theatre with bump and grind moves meant to tease and seduce, Burlesque also relies on tongue-in-cheek playfulness, poking fun at something and not taking life too seriously.

Burlesque can get not only get your partner’s heart pumping but yours as well…

Select your story
“Burlesque is all about telling a story,” says Coco Framboise, burlesque dancer and owner of the Coco Framboise School of Burlesque. Decide first what kind of seduction scene you’re going to set and take it from there. Are you a naughty girl, an innocent eager to entice or an exotic seductress? No matter who you are, know ahead of time what mood you want to set and go for it!

Get your groove on
The music you’re going to move to is one of the most important things you will be using. Framboise advises having at least three songs that you’re going to run while doing your moves. “Beginners always tease too quickly,” Framboise points out, she encourages newbies to slow it down and add one more song so you cut the risk of running out of music and you can take your time making your moves.

Space is key
While you don’t need a huge amount of space, having enough to make your moves and control your audience is important. “You need to have full control of your show,” Framboise says, adding that you don’t want to be too close and risk having your seductee get nailed with a stiletto, nor do you want to be too far away so that you lose the impact you’re working on. Whether it’s your bedroom, family room or even the kitchen, know what space you have to play with.

Chart your course
When it’s time to set your scene, Framboise recommends using a V shape. During your seduction, keep your intended at the peak of the V so that you can approach and then retreat. Consider using a chair in which to sit to take things off as well as to pick up props (a boa and a feather tickler perhaps). “It can be very overwhelming to a new performer, it’s nice to have a place to regroup and catch your breath,” Framboise points out.

She’s got legs
No matter what else you bring with you, don’t skimp on the stockings. And by stockings, Framboise stresses it’s the true stockings (the ones held up by garters) which count in Burlesque.

Sitting with your profile in view or at a three quarter view, turn and tease with the leg that is closest by stretching it out and pointing the toe. Keeping the foot lightly pointed, instead of in a hard gnarl will make a foot cramp less likely.

Choose shoes that you know to take off easily. Take them off as though it turns you on and seduce yourself with this movement allowing your partner to watch. Holding your shoe, brush the tip of it across your cleavage and then lean back to put it behind you, arching your back as you do so.

As you make your way back up, undo the garters — even giving them a playful snap if you choose to. It’s now time to peel the stockings down and off your feet before either flinging them away or rolling them up to carefully dab at your face and chest.

Shimmy!
“Everyone has got to have a shimmy,” Framboise says. And what’s the key to shimmy success? Really let go. Don’t worry about sucking in your tummy or tucking everything in place; just let it all hang out.

Begin with a good stable stance with soft knees. Bounce your knee and then try both sides, alternating knees and just let it ripple up through your body, through your arms.

Follow it through
Where your performance goes from here all depends on you. Watch your audience first to see how they are reacting before deciding how to proceed. Some suggestions Framboise offers are using a boa to trail behind you while walking in a circle.

When planning your seduction, Framboise offers a few more bits of food for thought:

- Good lighting is key. Pink bulbs make people look younger and less flawed.
- Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! Don’t take it seriously.
- Trust your instincts. Do what feels good.
- It’s always more sexy if you are enjoying yourself.
- Wear something that makes you feel comfortable and beautiful.

Want to learn a few more moves for your repertoire? Visit www.cocoframboise.com for lesson information.

Click here to read more on love, sex and relationships specifically for 20-somethings.

No one likes tax season but here’s some advice to get you through all the paperwork without pulling out all your hair…unless you can rock the bald look.

Please be advised that this article should only serve as a jumping off point for your taxes education and you should speak with an accountant for professional tax advice.

Organize your files

Before you attempt to fill out your income tax forms, you should have all of your information with you says Brad McNeil, an accountant and partner with Famme and Co. Professional Corporation in Stratford Ontario. Make sure you have a tax slip from every employer over the past year as well as any other tax slips received in the mail or documents marked for tax purposes.

McNeil advises to also gather any RRSP, medical, donation, rent, public transit and tuition receipts you have.

Make your tuition work for you

Both tuition and rent receipts may get you some money back.  Students can claim credits for both tuition and books and rent (rent receipts are required if you live off-campus).

Know your numbers

The education amount allowed is $400 per month for each month you are in school on a full time basis. The textbook amount provides an additional $65 per month. For part-time students the amounts are decreased to $120 and $20 per month respectively.

Take note that what you pay in rent can qualify for a tax credit if your income is under a certain amount for the year. You also may be able to claim moving expenses if you were a student at the time of the move (whether it was moving to school or moving home for the summer).

Plan ahead

A good tax refund is not always your goal says McNeil. If you receive a large refund, this may indicate that you paid too much tax during the year and simply prepaid your taxes.

If you are a student with a relatively low income, try requesting that your employer not withhold income taxes from your wages.  Your take-home pay will be higher and your tax refund will be smaller, and this way you are getting the money when you need it with each pay. “Having a dollar today is always better than having a dollar tomorrow,” says McNeil.

An ode to student loans

If your student load is registered with the government the interest you pay on it may be eligible for a tax credit but the principal payment on the loan is not deductible.

Get a helping hand

Because tax laws are complex and can change frequently, McNeil advises getting some help with your taxes to take advantage of all the benefits you are entitled to. Preparation is generally not too expensive and don’t be afraid to get a second opinion.

I don’t usually look this happy when dealing with phone companies but here’s how to communicate with them so you get the phone service you need.

Whether it be cell phone, or land line, Blackberry or iPhone, no one is immune to the pitfalls of technology. What can be even more frustrating is communicating with the phone companies when your phone service doesn’t meet your needs. Here’s how to haggle and negotiate your way to better service.

Know your facts

Before you pick up the phone, know exactly what the terms of your phone service are. Sean Provencher, a Toronto-based entrepreneur who is well-versed in dealing with phone companies says that knowing your numbers such as how much you pay per month and per year is key.

“Use [these numbers] when negotiating and remind them how much money you bring them and how long you’ve been a good and loyal customer,” Provencher says. Pointing out how many minutes you use, how long you have been with them or how many of their other services you use can all play a part in the negotiating process.

Provencher also advises knowing your facts. If you’re experiencing problems with your service have the dates when the issues started, length of time and frequency to make your point that it has genuinely affected you.

Keep track of your calls, because getting results from a phone company may require more than one phone call. Track the times and dates of all previous calls, not to mention who you spoke to and about what, otherwise you’ll just go in circles.

Take what you can get

Although it may be money or a reduced bill you’re after, that may not be what you end up getting. Provencher notes that compensation these days mostly comes in the form of tweaks to your hardware or plan, such as monthly discounts, free services for a while or free handset upgrades.

Timing is everything

The best time to try to negotiate your services is when your contract (if you have one) is set to expire. Providers want you to sign a new one and may be more willing to throw in a few extras for that commitment.

Watch your attitude

Although you may be upset when you call staying calm and polite will get you further than rude and aggressive. It also indicates that you are an intelligent, rational person who is honestly concerned about your service. Getting upset and angry will likely only result in the representative disconnecting the call.

Know who you’re speaking with

If you’re not speaking with someone who has the authority to resolve your problem or offer compensation you’re at a dead end. As Provencher points out, the person answering the phone is likely not a manager, so clarify what their capabilities are and if they aren’t able to help you ask to speak to someone higher up. You will likely speak to several people before you reach someone who can help you, so don’t give up after the first try.

Do your homework

Know what other providers offer in order to get what you want. If they are hedging on agreeing to something you are looking for, point out that their competitor would only be too happy to provide the same thing.

Know where to focus

Poor service is the easiest issue to complain about because it’s very hard to dispute. What may not be bad service to one person is terrible to another. Items under warranty are a no-brainer as you have the proof in your contract of what you should be owed.

They need you

Always remember that any provider is a service that needs customers, and they want to keep your business. It may not hurt to remind them that you pay them a lot of money when asking for something so have these numbers readily available when you call.

Know when to fold

Know when to walk away and save yourself the hassle. Provencher advises if you have asked for the supervisor three times and they have refused to transfer you, you’re not likely to get any further during this call.

Whether it’s work, school or just the daily grind, everyone needs to take a vacation. But where to go? What to do? The choices are endless. Read on, and figure out your perfect getaway.

1. Which of the following ideas appeals to you the most:
a. Top accommodations with everything taken care of.
b. Seeing as much as possible in what time you have.
c. Using your time to help others.
d. On the go, constant excitement.

2. Your friends would most describe you as:
a. Calm and relaxed
b. Impatient and easily bored
c. Caring and thoughtful
d. A daredevil

3. The number one thing you look for in a vacation is:
a. Comfort
b. Diversity
c. Meaning
d. Exercise

4. Your hobbies mostly consist of:
a. Relaxing with a good book or movie
b. Museums, art galleries, anything historical
c. Volunteering for different organizations
d. Hiking, biking, anything outdoors really

5. The true meaning of vacation to you is:
a. Absolutely no work, and no decisions to be made.
b. Seeing and learning something new every day.
c. Travel while helping others at the same time.
d. Enjoying the great outdoors with a front row view.

6. Which celebrity’s travel habits would you love to have?
a. Paris Hilton
b. Lauren Graham
c. Angelina Jolie
d. Matthew McConaughey

7. When you go somewhere new, you want to check out your surroundings by:
a. Taking part in a few hotel-planned activities like a leisurely horseback ride on the beach.
b. Taking your guide book and heading out.
c. Taking others along who may have wanted to see the sights too.
d. Getting on a bike and pedaling your way around.

8. When you have children, you hope to show them the world by starting with:
a. The hot and sunny tropics
b. Great Britain, Europe, Asia, the whole nine yards.
c. An area in need of help.
d. The mountains, the oceans, the biking and hiking trails.

9. If your significant other was surprising you with the vacation of your dreams, but it is still a secret, you would pack:
a. Sunscreen, a bathing suit and a good book
b. Good walking shoes and a Eurail pass
c. Reusable items, you like to plan ahead so as not to create garbage in your host country.
d. Your hiking boots and scuba gear.

10. You know when you look back on life; you’ll always regret not seeing:
a. The sunset in Maui.
b. The Eiffel Tower.
c. Something great being done with your help.
d. Shooting the rapids in Brazil.

Mostly A’s: All inclusive

As someone who truly enjoys all the comforts of home, nothing less than an all-inclusive vacation will suffice. With everything from your hotel room to your meals taken care of, you are free to sit back and relax with a good book, or just laying in the sun with a drink (prepaid!) in your hand.

Mostly B’s: Backpacking through Europe

Impatient and easily bored, diversity is the name of your vacation game. Moving from city to city and seeing new sights every day is what you’re looking for. With museums, historical sights and an abundance of different culture, Europe’s many cities have something for every backpacker.

Mostly C’s: Volunteer vacation

Putting other people’s welfare ahead of your own is your standard operating procedure. From helping build a community, to teaching English to studying marine life, a volunteer vacation will give you that sense of helping others that you are looking for in your vacation.

Mostly D’s: Adventure vacation

A physical thrill-seeker, rafting the Ottawa River is old news to you. Nothing but the highest mountain to the roughest rapids will hold your attention, and thankfully you’ve got plenty to choose from in Canada. Stretching both your physical and geographical limits is what you seek, so go for it!

You don’t have to sit at a desk from 9-to-5 to make a living. Finding a job you love is all about following your passions. Here’s how one man went from chef to mind reader.

How would you describe mentalism?

Mentalism is the art of using five senses to create the idea of six. These techniques require years of experience to master and are the very same techniques used for centuries to fool people into believing psychic powers existed in the first place. It’s a branch of magic. It really is the last frontier of magic, where people think, ‘that possibly could be real.’

How did you get interested/started in the business of mentalism?

I always had an interest in the paranormal and all things bizarre. I was interested in the Amazing Kreskin and mind reading when I was a young child and from there I learned the basics of mentalism and hand magic.

Did you ever do anything else besides mentalism?

I am a trained chef, but I began to get into magic more. I wasn’t doing anything theatrical, and the mentalism just started to click and shine through more and more.

Is it all about mentalism now?

I’m an exclusive entertainer; I do about 300 shows a year. Mysterion is my creative character, based on what I like such as monsters, science fiction, and wrestling (Mysterion moonlights as a professional wrestling manager under the moniker The Grand Wizard 2). I do corporate events, bar mitzvahs, weddings, private parties, galas, theatre stage shows, you name it, I’m all over the place. Around Halloween (Mysterion’s birthday, naturally!) I perform Victorian ghost séances, both at Theatres and re-occuring at Black Creek Pioneer Village.

What is a typical day for you?

A typical day starts with the tasks of morning phone calls, emails, updating Facebook, and the day-to-day domestic chores. Later on I usually have a gig to do, or I’m working at promoting a gig. If I don’t have an event and I’m at home I usually watch a movie or read ( 2 books a week) and I always make sure I have a good dinner. I’m a vegetarian and take pretty good care in what I eat. I’m a pretty average guy though, I don’t live in a castle or a dungeon as some would assume although I wouldn’t mind (laughs).

What has your most interesting show been?

I did a show in the Bahamas and they loved me. I was featured on their local news and some locals thought I was a witch from Canada. I’ve been pretty lucky in that I have no real crazy tails of being on the road. My strangest local gig – I was hired by a dominatrix to do events at their dungeon on customer appreciation day (which is ironic). In one day I’ve managed to do a children’s party, a corporate event, a bar mitzvah and then a show for 300 bikers, I really had to adapt to the environment I was in and it was then I realized that I can entertain any crowd.

What reception did you get from family/friends when you decided to make mentalism your career?

I got a lot of people saying I was throwing away my career, but I knew it was going to work. I had to pound the pavement and paper the city with notices about gigs, and people began to realize that I wasn’t stopping. I’ve had people say, ‘you’re a fake, you’re a quack,’ and I’ve had people say ‘I just don’t believe.’ I bring them into a world where spoons bend and you can communicate by thought. People are just people and people are still kids. It’s just for entertainment and I don’t claim it’s legitimate like others do.  Once people realized this they caught on, even if they were being fooled.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to try becoming a mentalist?

There is nothing more important than understanding people. You have to be a people person and be able to really interact with them. You need the desire to make people smile and just have a good time. Then, get out and do as many gigs as possible, do shows for everyone. I’ve done a show for blind people that I made all about description and thought provoking. Mentalism takes years and it’s not about a few cool effects, but based on a psychology on how to get into peoples patterns and play with perception.

For more information, or to find out where Mysterion will be performing next, check him out at www.mysterionthemindreader.com

Buying a car is a big commitment – take our quiz to find out whether you’re ready to buy your own car or stick with public transportation for now.

So you’re thinking of buying a car? Whether you’re tired of your daily transit commute, or just looking to get that extra level of independence there are many perks to having a car at your disposal. But, there are also many downsides to consider before you head out to the dealership with your hard earned money.

1. Your daily commute to work consists of:
a. Over an hour each way on public transportation.
b. Probably about half an hour, and the weather usually determines what your mode of transportation is.
c. You have no commute because you work from home.

2. Your weekend plans usually involve:
a. Out of town travel visiting friends or relatives.
b. You like to leave your options open and spontaneous.
c. You mostly stick close to home.

3. Your “in case of emergency” money is:
a. Well stocked and always being added to.
b. In pretty good condition, but it better not be a big emergency.
c. Non-existent. You might have spent the last of it on take-out last week – it was an emergency!

4. The last time you took a car out for a long trip, the items in your trunk were:
a. An emergency kit with flashlight, food, spare tire, jack and jumper cables.
b. A flashlight and a spare tire, but you wouldn’t know how to change a tire if it came down to it.
c. Your bag of clothes and a few cases of beer for the party you were headed to.

5. If the engine light was flashing, you would:
a. Pull over at the nearest service centre, pop the hood and pull out your tools.
b. Pull over at the nearest service centre, you’re pretty sure that can’t be good.
c. Not really notice, wasn’t that light always flashing?

6. Weather calls for snow tomorrow, you plan to:
a. Leave extra early, and wish for the millionth time that you had a car.
b. Instead of riding your bike you decide to hop on the subway instead.
c. Stay at home, who goes out in this anyway.

7. Your idea of buying a car is:
a. Researching your choices thoroughly, visiting many different car lots and talking to people who have purchased the car you are interested in.
b. Taking a look at a few different car lots and then making your decision quickly (and mainly based on the non-essentials like colour and leather seats).
c. You see it, you want it, you buy it. It’s always worked well in the past.

8. Based on the car you have in mind, your monthly payments would total:
a. Probably about five per cent of your monthly income, you have a good down payment socked away.
b. About 20 per cent of your monthly income, it’s a bit of a stretch, but you can do it.
c. About 30 per cent of your monthly income, and this might mean skipping some other bills.

9. How much driving experience do you have?:
a. Got your license the moment you turned the legal age and have even owned a car before.
b. Have had your license for awhile but have never owned a car.
c. I have a learner’s permit but I plan to get my full license when I need a car.

10. If you were handed the money tomorrow to buy a car, you would get:
a. Something well built, comfortable and good on gas.
b. Something well built, great to look at and a little pricey.
c. Something outrageously expensive and the shinier the better!

Results:

Mostly A’s: You should Buy A Car.

Responsible and mature, you are at the right stage of your life to buy or lease your own car. You have thought about the pros and cons carefully and you are well prepared both personally and financially to handle the day-to-day life of having a car.

Mostly B’s: You should Try Sharing A Car.

While you feel you are ready to be a car owner and you have some of the major issues thought out it isn’t essential to your lifestyle that you own your own car. You should try out a car sharing program like Zipcar or AutoShare. Allowing you the freedom to go pretty much where you want, when you want, and for minimal cost, these services give you freedom without the hassle of worrying about maintenance and sudden expenses.

Mostly C’s: You should Not Buy a Car.

Cars are huge money pits that absorb a lot of money, so if you’re not prepared financially you may find yourself swimming in debt. You should consider borrowing a friend’s car the next time you need to hit the road or renting a car on an as-need basis.

Whether it’s falling back or springing forward, a time change is hard to adjust to. Here are five ways to get your body clock back on schedule after Daylight Saving Time.

Daylight Saving Time (DST) is the act of moving our clocks forward one hour in the spring and back one hour in the fall to standard time in order to maximize daylight hours during the spring and summer evenings. Naturopath Rob Ayoup, ND, offers some tips for bouncing back after the time falls back or springs forward without leaving you feeling sapped of energy.

The upside of Daylight Saving Time

Living in the northern half of the world, Canadians may not get as much sunlight as our bodies need. However DST basically prolongs the amount of daylight hours, providing us Canadian with more sun exposure. Exposure to sunlight is a significant source of Vitamin D (not available in many foods), which is essential for calcium absorption and bone growth.

The downside of Daylight Saving Time

Anything that interferes with sleeping patterns is going to have repercussions on our health. While DST may give us more daylight, it does take away an hour of sleep and when the body’s inner clock is disturbed it can result in fatigue, irritability and sleepless nights as it tries to find its rhythm again.

Studies have shown that people are more prone to heart attacks in the first hour after they wake up, and the stress of waking up an hour earlier in the spring could increase your chances. Ayoup says that research also shows that the number of heart attacks increase in the spring for women, during the first three days of DST. And car accidents are also higher in the first few days after DST.

Five ways to adapt quickly to Daylight Saving Time:

1.    Change your routine bit by bit. Begin by going to bed a bit earlier or a bit later each day, instead of trying to do it all at once when daylight saving time (DST) hits.

2.    Stick to a sleep schedule. Keep within a two hour window of wake up time and bedtime.

3.    Use a sleep mask. Giving your eyes the maximum amount of darkness stimulates more melatonin in the body which helps you fall asleep faster, and sleep longer.

4.    Keep your bedroom slightly cooler. Eighteen degrees Celsius or opening a window should do the trick.

5.    Give it time. It may take a week or two, but sleeping well and  exercising regularly should make all the difference.

If one person’s trash is another person’s treasure, than thrift stores could definitely be described as hitting the mother load, especially for home décor. By Melissa Reynolds

Whether you’re cash strapped, or simply a frugal shopper, thrift stores could well have what you’re seeking. Sara Noel, owner of www.frugalvillage.com, a frugal living community that offers money-saving strategies for everyday living, notes that she has many household items from thrift stores, and no one would even know the difference unless she was to tell them.

“I just replaced my old wok with one from the thrift store. It was new, in the box, and $1.50,” Noel says.

Thrift stores can be a money-saving alternative to hitting the local shopping mall and a haven of unique finds to either stock your home with the essentials or redecorate when the mood strikes. Beyond those benefits, thrift store shopping is also environmentally-friendly as you keep those unwanted goods from ending up in a landfill as well as supporting some good organizations doing charitable work, such as Goodwill or the Salvation Army.

Thrift store shopping tips

With thrift stores full of merchandise, it’s important to know what to look for amongst the mass of merchandise, and what a good deal really is. Noel advises that the key to making good finds is to know your prices.

“Know your retail prices on new merchandise, your typical garage sale experiences or eBay.com to compare to thrift store prices,” Noel says. “I suggest not buying an item unless it’s at least half the cost when buying it new.”

What’s hot right now in thrift stores:

- Bedding
- Kitchen items: storage containers, serving dishes, utensils and cookware (Pyrex and Wilton)
- Bread makers
- Dehydrators
- Slow cookers

And don’t limit yourself to the kitchen. Thrift stores can be a treasure trove of artwork, even if you only intend to use the frames, seasonal decorations, table linens, candle holders and even candles if they haven’t yet been used. Furniture is also often a good buy. If it isn’t in the condition you’re looking for, it can probably be fixed up as a do-it-yourself project!

As opposed to discount stores and shopping malls, thrift stores are also a great place to go if you’re looking for vintage items. Although you may have to go with a set of dishes that do not match, you can score some unique patterns and prints in both dishes and glassware.

How to sort through the junk:

Some people are somewhat daunted by the prospect of digging through mounds of merchandise to find what you are looking for. It doesn’t have to be that difficult though. Leah Ingram, writer of the frugal-living blog www.suddenlyfrugal.wordpress.com, advises visiting often to catch the latest additions, as well as visiting before the end of the weekend when everything will have been picked over.

If you visit regularly, find out when restocking days are and plan to hit up your favourite store either that day or the next to check out the new merchandise. Similarly, if you live in a city or town that has a university or college, try visiting thrift stores in the spring time when many students may have left a lot of stuff they don’t want to take home to their parents. And, like many other stores, try stopping by during the week if you can.

What not to buy at a thrift store:

While Ingram admits that the sky is the limit for what you can find at a thrift store, there are some limits on what you should buy. When it comes to fabric items, Ingram says she would steer clear of anything that could not be washed, such as stuffed pillows or fabric-covered furniture. “It’s hard to know what’s lurking beneath,” she says. She also advises recovering couches or chairs with new fabric, while washing everything else well in the dishwasher or washing machine.

Noel adds that she buys pillows that have zippers so she can remove and wash their covers. Furniture she cleans just as she would new furniture while carefully following cleaning instructions.

Noel says that when it comes to appliances, small appliances are great because you can usually plug them in there to test them out. Noel also advises looking them over carefully, checking for rips, stains or missing pieces, and checking to make sure they meet safety standards.

Creative shopping tips:

- Bring cash as most thrift stores have a cash only policy
- Wear comfy clothes to dig into those boxes that may be stashed on the floor
- Use your imagination to see what can be reused or refashioned into something usable – - Know your stores return policy in case you are unsure
- Take your time looking as some items may have been misplaced.
- If you won’t use, don’t buy it!

No matter what your needs, thrift stores can hold an abundance of useful goods from clothing to furniture to household items. Now, it’s just up to you to seek them out!