Gifts in the digital age

The days of opening dollhouses and action figures from under the tree are long gone. Today, children and youth are receiving more and more toys that connect digitally to a phone or laptop. Gifts of online subscriptions are on the rise and tablets themselves have become popular presents. In today’s digital age, it’s becoming ever-important to ensure your child’s access to electronics and digital presence is safe and healthy.

If your child has received a gift you don’t know a lot about, take the time to research it through verified sources. It’s imperative to understand how that digital gift or a toy’s connected app may be using or storing their information. Review the company’s privacy policy and ensure it includes clear guidelines on who is collecting the data, how it is stored and used and what the parental rights are for removing that information.

Some toys require parental consent for children to use them. If this is the case, be sure to read the policy carefully rather than quickly clicking through. The app itself can ask your child for personal information that it may not securely store, or worse, actually sell to fraudsters and criminals.

Other apps appear safe and are quite well-known. But even they can cause headaches and unwanted surprises. Many parents have found themselves in deep water after not realizing the extent of in-app advertising or in-game purchases. One mother reported a $16,000 bill from her son playing a game on his iPad and, unbeknownst to her, agreeing to in-game offers.

A journey of mind, spirit – and many steps

Long-distance walks are an ideal way to see a region, immerse yourself in it, and learn a little more about it. They also offer the benefit of stripping your existence down to the bare basics and encouraging a simplicity that is difficult to otherwise attain amid the busyness of life.

When your only tasks each day are to put one foot in front of the other, ingest some food and water along the way, and find a safe place to lay your head at night, clarity creeps in. After a few days of establishing a routine, something begins to shift. You stop trying to figure out your life and start living it.

Walking teaches patience in a culture obsessed with doing things fast. During a long walk, the outside world slowly begins to fade over time. It becomes replaced with focus on the present, and mindfulness of the steps you are taking. Walking every day removes urgency and gives our thoughts the chance to untangle themselves. It’s in the repetition that reflection happens.

When the body settles into the simple pattern of wake-walk-eat-sleep, the brain can take a well-deserved break from the daily demands of decision-making. Gradually, progress becomes measured in steps, not achievements or acquisitions. Walking becomes mentally transformative as a daily practise in moving and meditation.

Taking care of both ends of your pet

Most customers come into my store looking for options and advice on what to put into the front of their pets, but that’s not the only end of a pet people seek advice about.

One of the least fun and most odiferous topics we deal with are the anal glands of dogs. Most dogs have no issues, but when they stop working properly, you know about it.

The most obvious sign of issues is “butt scooting. Most of the time this is due to anal gland issues– either infection or impaction. It can be irritation from another source, or excessive self-grooming, but most of the time there is an underlying condition, and it is often directly linked to diet.

Yeah, I know. Raw food again. And yes, raw food does reduce these issues dramatically, and a properly selected raw food diet, with an appropriate bone and fibre content, reduces these issues tremendously.

Have a great Canadian winter

Winter in Canada is something to celebrate. For a healthy dose of below-zero magic, lean into it with a thermos in hand, a toque on your head, layers of warm clothing, and an infinite sense of curiosity and adventure.

In Quebec City, winter makes an unforgettable entrance. The ‘Old Town’ almost doubles as a life-sized European snow globe, complete with cobblestone streets, old-fashioned store fronts, and twinkling lights. Glistening ice sculptures will catch your eye, and so will the view of the historic Château Frontenac looming in the background. It’s the perfect place to sip a hot beverage, indulge in decadent foods, and marvel at the beauty that the season brings.

Yellowknife offers a winter experience like no other. With the sun dipping below the horizon in the afternoon, and less than five hours of sunlight each day, the sky often rewards visitors with dazzling displays of Northern lights. They might even make you forget the biting cold that surrounds you, and each exhaled breath that visually suspends in the air before slowly dissipating into the darkness of night.

For splendid alpine scenes, Whistler delivers equal parts outdoor ruggedness and cozy indoor comfort. Snow-draped peaks set the stage for world-class skiing and snowboarding, while the village hums with firepits, the sound of boots crunching on fresh powder, and après-ski energy. Take a lap in snowshoes through silent forests, or a gondola ride that whisks you away to breathtaking vantage points high above it all, before settling in for an evening with cocktail menus and internationally inspired cuisine.

Have you considered a reverse mortgage?

Dear Money Lady Readers:

Many seniors have considered a reverse mortgage, but most have kept their thoughts a secret, not wanting to discuss it with friends or family, owing to the “shame” of having one.

First up, let’s address that shame square in the face. There is none! There is no shame in having to resort to a reverse mortgage if you’re running out of money and wish to age in place just a little longer. I am so tired of hearing from bankers who claim that it’s a horrible product that just forces seniors into boatloads of debt through the compounded interest that over time will suck-up the entire value of their home and leave them penniless and homeless.

Do you think that the Canadian banks that currently offer reverse mortgages (HomeEquity Bank and Equitable Bank/EQ Bank) would ever want that kind of bad press? There are matrices in place to ensure you cannot take out arbitrary amounts of your home equity at will, all based on your age, your home value, location, future value and your current debt situation. HomeEquity Bank is owned by the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System – Canada’s largest defined-benefit pension plan corporation – and EQ Bank, which has $137 billion in assets under management, owns Concentra Bank, which partners with 90 per cent of Canadian credit unions. There is also a new player on the Canadian scene this fall, as Home Trust just launched its reverse mortgage, which is called equity access reverse mortgage.

A clean slate for home improvement

The trees have come down; the decorations rest back in their boxes and all the extra lights and sparkles no longer adorn the nooks and crannies. With the magic of the holiday season stripped away, our bare homes remain. The flaws, previously concealed by garlands and bows, scream to us that it’s time to act on long put-off home improvement projects. Whether yours is cosmetic or functional, January is a great time to explore options.

First, establish a budget of what you can and can’t afford. You’ll be far more comfortable working within your budget once you know where your limits are. Next, consult local experts. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. Whether you’re looking for a home security system and have no idea what the options are or realizing you’ve never done any of the duct cleaning a home requires, asking an expert is the starting point.

A great place to start is the Winnipeg Renovation Show, which runs Jan. 16-18 at the RBC Convention Centre. There, you can peruse vendors, speak to experts on your particular problem or project and weigh different options.

With Winnipeg’s harsh winters and hot summers, online advice does not always apply to home ownership in our particular climate. But local business owners who have studied and worked here for years can better guide you in the right direction. Hundreds of companies that have operated successfully in Manitoba will be together at the Renovation Show with hands-on demonstrations. Find more information at winnipegrenovationshow.com

Tell a new story in 2026

Dear Money Lady Readers,

Today my husband read me my horoscope for 2026, and he said it sounds like me. Have you read yours, too? Most of us want to make changes in a new year to ditch old habits – stop smoking, lose weight, find a new job, the list could be endless.

So, is this the year you change the narrative of your life?

Often, the story of a new life is right in front of us but for whatever reason we can’t see it, can’t feel it, and certainly can’t imagine making the necessary changes. However, we all know that having the courage to change the course of your life will always bring new opportunities. A healthier life, less pain, a new career, more money, more love – it’s all out there for those who want a different story. Of course, this all sounds great, but making a change and keeping up the fight is always easier said than done. Sure, we all plan to make changes every January, with 58 per cent of us making a new year’s resolution every year. However, 87 per cent will give up and settle back into their old ways by the end of February.

New companions for a new year?

Cindy Lou is a four-month old shepherd cross who is looking for her forever home.

Prepare for your heart to grow three sizes when you meet this sweet little ‘who’. Cindy Lou is a friendly pup, full of love and cheer. She’s also a total water bug, always splashing around her water bowl, so we think she’d love to learn to swim this summer!.She can’t wait to find a family to adventure with, and to snuggle up with at the end of each fun-filled day. Could she be right for you? Come meet her today.

Baby Bell is a two-year-old domestic short-haired cat looking for love. She has been in our care the longest and we’re hoping it’s her turn to find her purr-fect match really soon. This pretty gal is the right blend of sweet and spicy. She would love to find a furever family who can appreciate both her snuggly and her sassy sides. She would do best in a calm environment without young children or other pets and not too much activity going on. Could she be the right fit for you?

The raw and the cooked

I talk with people every day about nutrition and their pets. It’s my job and my passion. But, as regular readers of this column know, I don’t always agree with the conventional wisdom that pets are meant to only eat little brown pebbles. Yes, I know it is convenient, it can be less expensive, and it is “scientifically formulated for your pet,” but, given all the pets I have seen flourish by changing their diets away from ultra-processed foods, I will always be an advocate for fres,h clean food.

Some veterinarians, and I applaud them for taking the time, have done research and will work with clients to ensure they are feeding their pets raw foods correctly. Those who have not done so, or are required by their workplace to discourage raw feeding, are often misinformed about the differences between raw-fed pets and pets fed processed foods.

I recently had a client tell me about being shown an X-ray of their pet’s gut, in which little white spots of bone were pointed out in the digestive tract. The client was told that this was dangerous. It sounds reasonable, especially coming from a professional you are paying. Unfortunately, the veterinarian was wrong in this instance.

Properly sized, uncooked bone fragments are vital parts of a raw diet, and they are something a dog’s gut is designed to process. The low pH of the gut (i.e., acid) dissolves these uncooked bones, from which the pet gets much of its mineral content.

Sharing the burden

This topic is not new, and I know it’s not fun, but it is one we deal with too often, and it always helps when we share. A favourite line from Spider Robinson, my favourite science fiction author, is: “Shared pain is lessened; shared joy, increased.” We see this when we get a new pet, and people join in on the joy. When we lose a pet, our village shoulders the pain with us.

The hardest part of these situations is making the decision that it is time. The best advice I ever got on the subject came from the incredible Dr. Pol. For those who don’t watch nature channels, The Incredible Dr. Pol is a show featuring an endearing Dutch veterinarian who practises in the American Midwest. He is very straightforward, and his love for the animals is very evident.

We had just had our first French bulldog put down, owing to severe back issues that would have left her in pain the rest of her life, and my heart (and Jackie’s) was heavy, having made that decision. She was otherwise hale and healthy but condemning her to a life of pain would have been unfair.

A few weeks later, I was at a trade show where Dr. Pol was promoting a local brand of dog food. It was quiet, so we got a chance to talk after the photo op.

Parcels piling up?

It’s delivery o’clock. That time of year when packages pile up at the door. After Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the deliveries seem endless and we often forget everything we’ve ordered. During the holiday shopping season, it’s nearly impossible to keep track of the gifts, deals, rewards, stocking stuffers and decorations we’ve purchased from various places.

Add holiday revelry, parties, long to-do lists, and increased stress, and you may not be thinking entirely straight when you get a text message stating your package is stuck at the border. You might immediately think of the limited-edition item you went out of your way to buy for a loved one. If it’s stuck at the border, the big surprise will be ruined. You desperately wanted the recipient to feel an extra bit of holiday magic. You get upset and anxious to fix the problem — and you click on the link in the text.

But the link was fake; and so was the text. They were part of a scam, designed to work exactly like it did — by preying on emotion and holiday stress.

Scammers take advantage of this season to lure victims into clicking on links, making phone calls and providing information. They will send messages that explain an array of issues — your package is stuck at the border, the driver cannot find your house, the address information is incomplete, and many more. They may include a link for you to click or provide a phone number. It’s important you don’t take any of the actions requested. Clicking on a link could lead you to malware and open to hackers. Calling the number will often lead to a “customer service representative” asking you questions they can then use to steal your money or identity.

‘Buy now pay later’ not as convenient as it seems

Dear Money Lady Readers,

Have you been offered a BN-PL option at a store self-checkout or when shopping online?

It’s the latest thing this fall, offered by retailers, whether you’re buying household goods, car parts or even groceries. So, what is it you ask?

BN-PL stands for “buy now pay later” and is a new stream of business almost all financial institutions are getting involved in for 2026. With the rising cost of practically everything these days, banks, credit unions and even smaller companies that offer point-of-sale (POS) services have now realized there is an opportunity to capitalize on Canadians who are struggling.

Adorable adoptables are looking for homes

Meet Scrambled.

She is a 2.5-month-old, medium cross-breed looking for her forever home. This egg-cellent little lady is full of snuggles, kisses, and goofy antics. She loves to tumble and play and tell her stories all day. If your looking to add a furry family member who is good with everyone she meets, head to the shelter to meet this bundle of joy

Baby Bell is a one-year-old. domestic short-hair who is the purrfect blend of sweet and spicy. She would love to find a furever family who can appreciate both her snuggly and her sassy sides.

She would do best in a calm environment without young children or too much activity going on. Could she be the right fit for you?

Exploring Christmas Markets: Part 2

Part 2 of 2: This story is the second in a two-part series about Winnipeg’s Christmas market scene. You can read the first part here.

Third + Bird Winter Market is a cozy and magical experience taking place just outside Winnipeg. Wander through the van der Meer Garden Centre in Ile des Chênes, where they transform the space into a wonderland featuring more than 60 local vendors, fir and balsam trees, and sparkling lights. With the comforting aroma of hot brewed beverages wafting through the air.

This market blends the charm of an artisan fair with the natural beauty of a garden centre, creating warm and inviting surroundings to support independent makers. Keep an eye out for Santa and Mrs. Claus, who will be on-hand to take photos with kids of all ages. Don’t forget to step outside for marshmallow roasting around the bonfire. (Dec. 12-13) www.thirdandbird.com/wintermarket

The fourth annual Pitâw Mīno Muskîki Indigenous Handmade Holiday Market takes place at Winnipeg’s historic Via Rail Union Station. The market is organized by Pitâw Mīno Muskîkî (which means ‘brings good medicine’) a collective co-founded in 2022 by three Indigenous women. Browse goods from more than 90 Indigenous makers showcasing 100 per cent handmade crafts, jewelry, paintings, baked goods, clothing and accessories, and more.

Investigating disability tax credits and programs

Dear Money Lady,

My nine-year-old daughter has multiple sclerosis. I read your newspaper column about government programs. It’s not exactly easy to make sense of all the information out there. What are the first steps I should take?

Thanks,

Marlene