The average university graduate earns almost twice as much as someone with a high school diploma. Over a 30 year career, that could add up to $1.1 million of additional income.1

A $208.33 monthly contribution to an RESP for 18 years combined with a $500 annual government grant for 14.4 years compounded at 6.5% over 18 years can provide you with a pre-tax market value of $99,018 to finance a post secondary education.2

Feel free to contact with questions or more information

Douglas J. Bodtcher                               
Investors Group Financial Services Inc.
780-448-1988 ext. 284

1 2001 Census Data – Statistics Canada. Average earnings for a High School graduate: $34,631; for a University graduate: $61,156. Assuming an average annual inflation rate of 1.99% (Bank of Canada,
June 1997 – June 2012), the difference over 30 working years will total $1,095,765.
2 Assuming a $208.33 lump sum contribution on the first of each month, a $500 annual Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) for 14 years and a $200 CESG in year 15 providing a maximum $7,200 lifetime
CESG. The CESG and Canada Learning Bond (CLB) are provided by the Government of Canada. CLB eligibility depends on family income levels. Some provinces make education savings grants available to
their residents. The rate of return is used only to illustrate the effects of the compound growth rate and is not intended to reflect future values or returns on investment.
Written and published by Investors Group as a general source of information only. It is not intended as a solicitation to buy or sell specific investments, nor is it intended to provide tax, legal or investment
advice. Readers should seek advice on their specific circumstances from an Investors Group Consultant.
™ Trademark owned by IGM Financial Inc. and licensed to its subsidiary corporations.
“Kids need to learn to earn”© Investors Group Inc. 2012 MP1286 (08/2012)

Come join us for our open house on this brand new listing!

This Sunday, the 21st from 1pm-4pm at 7511 189 Street Northwest, Edmonton.

Beautiful 4 bedroom, 4 level split. This home and yard is gorgeously developed and well maintained. The home offers a front and back deck which is perfect if you’re looking to grab a little sun in the morning or evening. The neighborhood is quite quiet with very little traffic and mature trees to provide privacy. The home offers a few extra features such as soft close drawers and USB charger outlets in kitchen, low flow toilet and shower head in main bathroom, closet organizers in all bedrooms, automatic light in pantry downstairs, key pad locks, newer shingles, updated trim throughout, and underground sprinkler system. The master bedroom has his and her closets and a large Jacuzzi tub in ensuite. The family room features a stone wall fireplace. Large garage with painted floor, shelving and a work bench. Very convenient location, close to schools, a playground, Whitemud Drive, Anothony Henday, and West Edmonton Mall. This home is really a must see!!!

To View & Search All MLS Listed Houses for Sale Visit Us At:

www.EdmontonHomesforSale.biz

Prettify your porch or patio with these time-sensitive decorating boosts you can do yourself

With advance planning and perhaps a few friends to help (bribe them with dinner out), you can make a big difference in your patio in a single weekend. Arranged from fast and easy (hang lanterns, make a repurposed table) to more time- and labor-intensive (create a canopy, paint the floor) projects, these DIYs are sure to offer something to suit your time commitment and style

1. Make a quick table. Cluster a trio of ceramic garden stools together and top them with a glass tabletop for a nearly instant outdoor coffee table.

2. Warm up a look with candles and solar lights. Enhance the ambience at night by setting out lanterns filled with votive or battery-operated candles, solar garden lights and string lights. Try surrounding your seating area with lights, light up the pathway or place lights in the landscaping along a fence line.

3. Enhance your seating area with a backrest. Use a small curtain rod with decorative finials to re-create the look of this eclectic patio seating area. Just be sure to measure the hanging height of your rod with someone seated there — you don’t want it so low that it will be bumped into. Finish by sewing fabric ties to a rectangular cushion and hang it from the rod.

4. Try a wall planter. Jazz up a big, empty wall with a wall-mounted garden. Use store-bought planters designed for this purpose or fashion your own using found materials.

5. Add style and privacy with outdoor curtains. Outdoor curtains can be pulled closed to block unsavory views, provide privacy from close neighbors and shade you from the sun — and even when open, they add to the ambience.

If you have any sort of framework or roof on your patio, you can attach curtain rods. Be sure to choose hardware and curtains meant for outdoor use for the most durability.

6. Repaint outdoor furniture. Give your old patio furniture a lift with a bright new coat of paint. Even metal furniture can be repainted — look for a paint designed for use on metal, such as Rust-Oleum.

Don’t feel like doing it yourself? Have your metal patio set powder coated at an auto paint shop instead.

7. Create a chic new floor with gravel. If the only space you have to work with has a floor made of cracked concrete or unsightly asphalt, consider covering it up with a few inches of compacted, crushed gravel.

8. Build a unique planter from cinder blocks. Architectural photographer Zack Benson came up with the innovative idea of using stacked and glued cinder blocks to create a cheap and easy DIY succulent planter. You can find more information about this project on his blog.

9. Filter the light. Unfurl rolls of bamboo trellising over a pergola or similar structure (free of plants) to form a roof that will protect you from the sun. If you can climb a ladder and wield a hammer, this should be a pretty doable weekend project. Attach the bamboo using a heavy-duty staple gun or by hammering in U-shaped nails.

10. String up a canopy. Whip up a lovely, albeit temporary, outdoor roof by tying lengths of lightweight fabric to bamboo stakes, fence posts or even a nearby tree.

11. Paint the ceiling or floor. If you have a covered patio, paint the ceiling for a major lift. Pale blue and sunshine yellow are great foolproof options.

If you have a cement or wood floor on your patio, consider giving it a new look with a few coats of porch and floor paint.

12. Get crafty with stripes or stencils. Take your floor paint job to the next level by painting wide stripes or layering stenciled designs over a solid base color.

Turn Your Carport Into an Outdoor Dining Room

Source: Houzz.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hgA0hnt5QQ

Over 2,000 sq.ft. of developed living space in this great 5 bedroom, 4 level split, with 2.5 baths.  Nice size 24′ x 22′ double detached garage. Some of the recent upgrades include new high efficient furnace, hot water tank, new windows, new kitchen cabinets, new siding,  new stainless stove, fridge and dishwasher. Other recent improvements include new laminate floors, painting, new front & back entrance doors. The house shingles were done about 5 years ago. There is a nice size back yard, located close to schools, easy access to all amenities. This is a great home for a large family.

To View & Search All MLS Listed Houses for Sale Visit Us At:

www.EdmontonHomesforSale.biz

A good credit report and credit score are important factors in determining whether or not you will be approved for a mortgage. Here are some simple steps you can take to maintain a good credit history and improve your chances of being approved.

What is a Credit Score

Your credit score is a number that illustrates your financial health at a specific point in time. It also serves as an indicator of your financial past, and how consistently you pay off your bills and debts. This is one of the factors mortgage professionals consider in qualifying you for a mortgage.

How to Check Your Credit Score

To find out your credit score, contact Canada’s two credit-reporting agencies: Equifax Canada at www.equifax.ca and TransUnion Canada at www.transunion.ca.

For a fee, these agencies will provide you with an online copy of your credit score as well as a credit report – a detailed summary of your credit history, employment history and personal financial information on file. You can also obtain a free copy of your credit report by mail. If you find any errors in your report, notify the credit-reporting agency and the organization responsible for the inaccuracy immediately.

If You Do Not Have a Credit Score

It’s important to begin building a credit history as early as possible. You can begin to build one by applying for – and responsibly using – a credit card. Your financial institution or mortgage professional can help.

How to Improve Your Credit Score

Demonstrating your ability to manage credit is key to maintaining a good credit score. There are a number of things you can do to improve your credit score.

These include:

• Always pay your bills in full and on time. If you cannot pay the full amount, try to pay at least the required minimum shown on your monthly statement.

• Pay off your debts (such as loans, credit cards, lines of credit, etc.) as quickly as possible.

• Never go over the limit on your credit cards, and try to keep your balances well below the limits.

• Reduce the number of credit card or loan applications you make.

Once your credit score has improved, work with your mortgage professional to obtain a mortgage that works for you.

Find Out More

To find out more about credit scores and reports, visit the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada website at http://www.fcac-acfc.gc.ca and download or request a free copy of their guide, Understanding Your Credit Report and Credit Score. This guide provides practical, straightforward information on how to obtain and understand your credit report and score, as well as how to build and maintain a good credit.

Source: CMHC Resource

Many Canadians wait until the RRSP deadline each year to make their annual contribution, but they may be leaving the possibility of increased investment returns on the table. There really is a tangible benefit to making RRSP contributions early. Investing annually on January 1 can make a significant difference but, if your budget won’t allow for that, talk to us about the value of monthly contributions.

Feel free to contact with questions or more information

Douglas J. Bodtcher                               
Investors Group Financial Services Inc.
780-448-1988 ext. 284