Featured News



assistance Payment (EAP);
anniversary of the plan); or

AIPs do NOT include:
– The funds from educational assistance payments (EAPs);
– Payments to an educational institution in Canada;
– Transfers to another RESP.

Tax considerations:
An AIP is subject to two taxes:
1) Regular income tax


benefit return for the year you got the AIP.


Lowering AIPs Subject to Taxes
– You are the original subscriber
– You acquired the former subscriber’s rights through marriage or breakdown

You also have to meet BOTH of these conditions:


Read Full Article

If you want to improve your career prospects, you need to become well-versed in risk management. Liability and privacy are both important to companies nowadays, as businesses are concerned about maintaining a good reputation with their customers. Therefore, if you want to increase your value to your company, you should strongly consider the risk management courses that are featured online. The following reasons will help you make a decision for this type of training.

1. Your employment prospects are better

If you want to make sure that you can obtain a job after graduation, you need to supplement your academic degree with risk management training. This type of coursework increases your expertise so you can be of more benefit to your company. When you are considered an expert, you will also feel more interested in your job overall.

2. Risk management training supports your understanding of business

While a business degree is general in nature, you can complement a number of business areas by taking courses in risk management. These areas include finance, marketing, accounting, management, and statistics.

3. You will make a difference when you take part in risk management training

If you wish to make a positive difference in your field, you should consider risk management education. You can help a business handle any unexpected events with more proficiency.

4. Risk management training will stabilize your position

Risk management training is frequently associated with the insurance industry and with the computer field, both of which remain stable in poor economic times. Therefore, knowing this information can enhance your job security.

5. You will be in higher demand if you understand the basics of risk management

According to business statistics, people who take risk management courses are in high demand today. Statistics reveal that about 40% of the workforce is expected to retire within the next decade. Therefore, your talents will be needed if you choose to advance your career by taking this type of training.

6. Risk is inherent in society

As a society or business grows and develops, it constantly experiences risks. That is why risk management training is important. In this fast-paced world, risks can elevate rapidly. Therefore, it is important to know how to manage risks and minimise their threats.

7. Reducing risk allows a company to meet its goals

You can be an integral part of a business when you understand the dynamics of risk management. For example, enterprise risk management (ERM) is an area that is used in corporations. ERM permits a company to manage risk across its sectors and its extended networks.

8. You can be a key player in diverting a business crisis

One of the risk management subjects that students learn is crisis management. Learning how to prevent a crisis can help you support your company’s security goals and objectives.

9. You can support your company in reducing cyber risks

Because technology is used extensively in business today, a course in cyber risk management can help you support your

company’s mandates for customer and corporate privacy. This type of support can go a long way in keeping a company afloat.

Read Full Article

Sheet metal is an incredibly versatile material, and as such there are many different methods that can be used during sheet metal fabrication, especially for cutting the metal. Different cuts are used depending on the reason for cutting, what is being cut, and how thick the metal being cut is.

In sheet metal fabrication, cutting the metal occurs during many steps of fabrication, so it appears throughout the entire process.

1. Shearing

Shearing is probably the most basic type of cutting sheet metal during fabrication. It is frequently used to separate the sheet metal from the larger sheet or roll. It is not meant to create any detail, just to separate a piece of sheet metal into two so that it can be more easily managed and be further processed into the desired shapes.

Shearing uses force and a shearing blade to separate the metal into two pieces.

2. Blanking

Blanking is a method of cutting in which force and blades are used to push out a usable piece of metal from a larger piece of metal. So, the machine would push out the desired shape from a larger piece of metal, and all the surrounding metal would then become scrap. The blank, the piece that was pushed out, can then be further processed into the desired shape needed for the item being built.

3. Punching

Punching is exactly the opposite as blanking, it is a method where a hole is punched into a piece of metal. The piece that is punched out is scrap metal, and the larger piece of metal with a hole or multiple holes in it is the usable part that can then be further processed into whatever is being built.

There are multiple types of punching, each describes a different type of hole that can be made in the metal.

4. Piercing

Piercing is one of the types of punching. It is one of the most basic punching methods used. In piercing, a circular shape of a predetermined size is punched out of the larger metal piece. The punched-out piece becomes scrap. Often, when using piercing in sheet metal fabrication, the exact same machine and method is used as in blanking, except the user just switches out which piece becomes scrap metal.

Piercing is sometimes used as a general word synonymous with punching, however sometimes, as described above, it indicates only the punching out of circular shapes.

5. Slotting

Slotting is another method of punching. Similar to piercing the punching method is used to knock out a shape, however unlike in piercing, the shape that is punched out is a rectangle instead of a circle. This method is sometimes referred to as piercing as well.

6. Lancing and slitting

Lancing is a method which just creates a half cut where the piece is actually still attached to the rest of the piece. This type of cutting sheet metal during fabrication is good for pieces that need vents or louvers. To best describe lancing, it would be cutting three sides of a rectangle, specifically one long side and the two short sides, and then leaving the second long side attached.

Slitting is very similar to lancing, however it is just creating slits in the metal, straight or curved lines cut into the metal that are not a part of any real shape.

Neither of these methods create any scrap metal, as nothing is being punched out of the original piece.

7. Trimming

This method is simply just a matter of removing excess material from any part that has been created. This is a significantly more detailed type of cutting that occurs later in the whole sheet metal fabrication process.

Read Full Article

Promotional products have been around for a long time, but the trends are always changing. When considering a promotional product campaign, it’s important to stay ahead of the curve. Here, we’ll discuss the 6 hottest trends in promotional products for 2018 and onward.

1. Using brand-name, retail-inspired products

Companies looking for promotional products are turning to beloved brand names to help boost their image. These deals can be valuable for both brands, making it a clear win-win.

A popular example is branding drinkware products that people already love to use. Nalgene, CamelBak, and S’well bottles are all extremely popular water bottles that can be branded with your company’s logo.

Because these branded bottles are coveted, people are much more likely to use them than if you used generic promotional products.

2. Branded apparel that’s wearable outside the office

While that t-shirt may look great on the job, it’s unlikely that employees are going to wear it on the weekend. Unless, of course, it’s useful to them.

Current trends suggest that athletic designs with performance materials perform very well outside the office. Employees are more likely to wear the clothing if it has features like a good design, moisture-wicking fabric, and functionality.

This trend definitely combines with the previous one: people are more likely to use promotional apparel if it’s a well-known clothing brand.

3. Promotional products are an investment

In 2018, marketers are seeing promotional products as a worthwhile investment, and more companies are willing to spend for good quality. Cheap, unbranded products simply don’t cut it anymore. Investing in high-quality promotional products will give you a better ROI than cheaping out.

You can stand out from the crowd by choosing high-quality promotional products that people will actually use. While you will spend more on these products in the first place, the products are much more likely to get used, and increase your brand visibility rather than ending up in a landfill.

Consumers want useful products, not just free stuff.

4. Eco-Friendly promotional products

Consumers these days are conscious of their environmental choices. They’re less likely to accept a promotional product if they think it’s going to end up in a landfill.

You can make the choice easier by offering eco-friendly promotional products that make consumers feel good using them.

5. Tech promotional products

People love technology, and promotional products are no exception. Consider investing in branded speakers, phone chargers, smart watches, wireless headphones and USB battery packs. Consumers are eager to use these products, and they’ll give your brand more visibility.

6. Materials like wood grain, cork, and copper

In 2018, consumers are looking for functional and beautiful products that use high-quality materials. Some cutting-edge trends include copper, cork, and wood grain products. These materials give off an impression of high quality while also providing functionality. Customers are much more likely to use your products if they’re made with these trendy materials, and they’ll give your brand a modern, up-to-date image.

Read Full Article

Consumers are more aware of the green practices of the companies they do business with. People may choose a business solely on their environmental impact. One area where any business can improve their sustainability is through waste reduction. Trash compactors make this a possibility.

1. Compactors Help Save Money

Businesses may decrease the cost of waste removal with the addition of a compactor. The machine compresses the trash into a small cube, limiting the size of the waste. This results in the waste bins getting filled less often.

When a business takes longer to fill their waste bins, they require fewer trips from the waste removal company to collect the trash. This saves the business money and may prevent the need for scheduled pickups. Instead of scheduled removal, the business may save money with on-demand pickup.

2. Compactors Save Space

Trash compactor also save space compared to the need for several large waste bins. If it takes longer to a fill a bin, the business may no longer require as many bins. This reduces the space required for trash purposes.

At a retail location or warehouse, the loading area or the dock may have more room to sort and unload merchandise. The space that is saved can also help create a safer environment by providing more room for the safe operation of dollies and forklifts.

3. Avoid Messes and Spilled Trash

Using large trash bins increases the chance of a large spill or mess. Employees may miss the bin. The bins may also fill too quickly. These problems lead to a mess around the trash site and may become an eyesore if the area is visible to customers or guests.

Trash bins may produce horrible odours that spread to other areas of the property. Keeping these odours at bay is difficult with a trash bin that is regularly overflowing with waste. This is especially common with bins that do not have lids.

Compactors help prevent messes by pressing the trash into a compact cube. Once compressed, the trash is unlikely to spill or create a mess.

4. Increase Worker Safety

Improperly disposing of waste may lead to accidents such as a slip-and-fall injury due to a trash spill. Exterior trash bins are also occasionally the source of scavenging. Scavengers may injure themselves while trying to retrieve trash. These issues are eliminated with a compactor. The machine prevents spills and the compressed waste is difficult to scavenge.

5. Improve Environmental Sustainability

Reducing the amount of waste produced limits the waste that goes in the landfills. Fewer trips to the landfill require less fuel. These benefits reduce the business impact on the environment.

Waste reduction also increases efficiency. Fewer garbage bags are used and the waste removal company makes fewer trips to the business. The result is more efficient waste removal and better sustainability.

The use of compactors reduces the demand for waste removal. Reducing waste can help businesses save space, energy, and money. It also helps maintain a clean environment, improves worker safety, and protects the environment. Simply by adding a compactor, businesses can make a profound difference.

Read Full Article

As you get older, you may lose a tooth as a result of decay over time. In the past, many people used false teeth as a solution to this problem. But today, dentists offer the very best in implant technology, meaning you can easily replace a single tooth.

As with any medical procedure, there are often a number of misconceptions about the process. Here, we’ll discuss and debunk 6 common myths about dental implants.

1. People can tell the difference between implants and natural teeth.

Dental implants are placed in the mouth permanently, and are not removable. The materials used to make the implants are as close to natural tooth as possible. Your specialist will also take great care to match the colour of your implants to the colour of your natural teeth.

All of this means that dental implants are indistinguishable from the rest of your teeth to the naked eye. You’ll be able to smile confidently knowing your dental implants blend right in with the rest of your teeth.

2. Dental implants are extremely expensive.

While dental implants are certainly costly, they are very affordable when you consider the value you get out of them. Dental implants should be seen as an investment in the future.

The average dental implant lasts up to 15 years. When you spread out the cost over 15 years, you’ll see that they’re actually very affordable.

Many people can get assistance, or even full coverage from their dental insurance provider. If you’re unsure, you can always ask your clinic to find out what your insurance will pay.

3. Dental implants are hard to take care of.

This myth stems from people’s beliefs about other forms of cosmetic dentistry, such as false teeth. False teeth need to be cleaned and stored properly to avoid damage.

However, because dental implants are permanently attached to your bone, they are cared for just like regular teeth by brushing and flossing.

4. Any dentist can give you implants.

While technically, any dentist could provide you with implants, it’s important to choose a dentist with plenty of implant experience and expertise.

It’s a good idea to shop around for an experienced provider who specializes in implants so you know you’re getting the best care possible.

Read online reviews and schedule a consultation to get a feel for your dental healthcare provider’s qualifications, expertise, and skill.

5. Getting dental implants is painful.

The process of getting dental implants would definitely be painful without pain management. Thankfully, your dental clinic can offer you many pain management options, including local anaesthetic and sedatives such as nitrous oxide gas.

6. Dental implants can have side-effects.

Dental implants are actually made of chemically inert materials including titanium and ceramic. This means they will not interact with the body or cause any side-effects.

This unfortunate myth has deterred many from getting treatment that could improve their smile and their health. But experts agree that dental implants are completely safe and do not cause any unpleasant side-effects.

Read Full Article

If you’re in the market for a locksmith, you may have a number of misconceptions about what it is that locksmiths do. Check out this article for the top 5 myths about locksmith services.

1. Anyone can pick a lock.

Lockpicking and locksmithing are two very different specialties. A locksmith does much more than simply pick a lock, including changing the locks, cutting keys, and installing safes and vaults.

Picking commercial grade locks is not easy, and it’s not something that can replace the services of a professional locksmith.

2. Locksmiths are so expensive that I may as well break a window.

Unless you’ve actually looked up the price of replacing a broken window, you might not know that locksmith services are cheaper than replacing the window — not to mention safer and less destructive.

Breaking a window to get back into your house may seem like a good solution, but you can easily get injured in the process.

Before you go to these extreme lengths, call your local locksmith for a quick quote. In many instances, it only takes a few minutes for you to get a price.

3. You can do it yourself.

Locksmithing is simply not one of those DIY projects.

Contrary to popular belief, locksmithing equipment is considered “restricted” to the general public, and for good reason, too. While you may swear you’re only using them to pick your own locks, criminals could use them to gain access to restricted places.

While you may still be able to get your hands on a set of lockpicks, that doesn’t mean you’ll be successful when you try and use them. Lockpicking is extremely difficult and requires hours upon hours of practice to learn. Plus, you’ll probably only get this idea when you’re already locked out!

Leave it up to the pros and hire a professional locksmith.

4. All locksmiths are certified.

You should always verify your locksmith’s credentials before hiring them. After all, you are trusting them with the keys to your house (or car, or safe… you get the picture!).

Some people may be able to acquire locksmithing equipment and learn the basics without qualifications. However, it’s always important to hire a qualified locksmith because they will be bonded and insured.

Be on the lookout for impossibly low prices. This is often a sign that the person you’re hiring is not qualified.

5. A locksmith could keep a copy of my key.

Professional locksmiths deal with keys all day, every day. They’re simply not interested in keeping a copy for themselves. In addition, locksmiths are bonded and insured and would not keep an extra key, as this is a liability.

If you’re concerned that a locksmith Toronto might keep a copy of your key, ask to watch them cut the key. You’ll see that they take the original and trace the new key from a blank, making only two keys total. Any professional locksmith would be happy to let you watch if it eases your fears.

Read Full Article

If you’ve got a situation involving water in your house, chances are, it’s time to call a plumber. You can use professional plumbing services for many reasons, from water leaks to installing a new appliance. Here are the top 5 reasons to call a plumber.

1. You have a leak.

You might notice the paint bubbling on the walls, or perhaps there’s a puddle forming below the sink. Whatever the source of your leak, a professional plumber can help you fix the problem and prevent new problems from arising.

Common causes of leaks include a shift in the foundation of your house, failing parts, and clogged pipes. A professional plumber will be able to identify the source of the leak and put an end to the damage.

2. You have low water pressure.

Some people don’t call the plumber unless they have a serious problem. But did you know you can use a professional plumber for non-emergency services, like low water pressure?

A plumber can help you determine why your water pressure is low, and help you have those luxurious showers you’ve been dreaming of.

Common causes of low water pressure are clogged pipes, issues with city service, and problems with valves. Your plumber will evaluate the situation, and take steps to restore normal water pressure to your household.

3. Your sink is backing up.

The kitchen sink can clog for a number of reasons, including putting food and grease down the drain. While you may be tempted to try using products like Drano first, these can sometimes fail to resolve the problem.

A professional plumber will be able to clear out the blockage and get your sink back to draining normally. Your plumber will also give you instructions to prevent this happening again, such as installing a fine mesh sink strainer to prevent food particles from clogging the drain.

4. You have no hot water.

As refreshing as a cold shower may be sometimes, it’s not something you want to indulge in every day. A lack of hot water makes everyday activities like bathing, washing dishes, and doing laundry much more difficult.

Fortunately, professional plumbers know how to fix a failing water heater and restore hot water to your house. If you have no hot water, now’s a good time to enlist the services of a professional plumber.

5. You want to install a new fixture or appliance.

Installing a new dishwasher or toilet may seem like something you can do yourself, but making a mistake can cause costly leaks or other damage. It’s a good idea to have a professional plumber install any new fixtures or appliances to prevent incorrect installation.

A plumber can install a new sink, toilet, tub, or shower giving you added confidence in your bathroom and kitchen remodeling projects. Plumbers can also install appliances such as washers and dryers, dishwashers, and garbage disposal units.

Read Full Article

Promotional products go beyond having your brand, personalized message or logo on them. An assessment process is vital for every business to understand the most appropriate promotional product that will bring the right message and meaning to clients for its marketing campaign. The right promotional products give the right experience to customers and in the end, meet the company’s marketing goals.

1. Promo products should enforce brand relevance

One of the essential features of a promotional product is that it should be relevant to the company’s brand. It is a feature that plays an integral role in driving the message home to the clients. It aids in helping the users and recipients of the promotional product to associate your business with the promo product that they receive. For instance, pens are among the most popular promo products; however, they are not relevant if your company doesn’t have anything to do with writing. You can consider giving electronics for digital businesses, first aid kits for hospital businesses, and sunscreen if you are a dermatologist.

2. Useful promo products

A promotional product should be helpful to achieve an effective marketing strategy for your brand. Valuable products mean that the recipients will keep them as well as use them. You can opt for promo products that offer long-term or short-term use. For instance, a business that is in the salon industry can choose to give its current and potential customers useful products as well as those that will always remind them of your business.

3. Promo products that represent your business

Necessarily, a promotional product should represent your company even if they are short-term products. A company can give a branded water bottle or food item that serves a short-time purpose, but it represents the company. Research shows that promotional products have the potential of elevating the opinions of customers about your company. Therefore, a cheap or low-quality product gives a wrong impression of your company, which represents your company in the wrong way. Also, remember that consumers keep promotional products for more than two years on average; hence, you don’t want your company to be represented in the wrong way for all those years.

4. Features of the promo product

The aesthetic elements of a promotional product are one of the reasons why consumers will settle for it even in the future. Therefore, you want to design a promotional product that is well-designed and attractive to your target audience. You should factor in specific product features such as the color to ensure that the color of the promo product is available in the company’s brand or if the color you want will make sense to your audience. Also, consider the imprint area to ensure that the promo product is big enough to incorporate the company’s logo or brand message. Don’t forget to think about the decoration type.

Read Full Article

Gamification increases user engagement by tapping into humankind’s competitive streak. Our brains’ reward centers are rarely satisfied which is why we keep coming back for more. So while educators leverage gamification to increase classroom participation, and while employers use gamification to enhance employee productivity, Kuwait online shopping sites use gamification to drive user engagement and sales. Here are a few ways a strategic gamification plan can increase sales and build a brand’s positive image.

1. Novelty

Using new technologies, or creating a new spin on an older technology is a way to rebrand and refresh a business’ image and attract a new audience. But an app does not need to be flashy in order to achieve a novel presence.

An article in Harvard Business Review broke down traditional businesses and online businesses into two categories. Traditional businesses were defined as purchase-oriented while online businesses were defined as user-oriented. The reason why online businesses outperformed some traditional businesses was based on convenience and an improved user experience. Convenience can be considered novel, especially for online businesses positioned within complex industries, like real estate and finance. Gamifying a complex system increases engagement and eases processes like application forms or even thorny regulations.

2. Sticky Apps

Getting customers to return to your business‘ in-app experience can be difficult, especially when electronics offer so many other distractions. Games, countdowns and other “fun” strategies will keep a customer hooked. Research has shown that once a customer is in an app they are more likely to make a purchase. The longer a customer is inside your business’ app then the likelier they will be to buy something.

3. Shareability

Social media depends on sharing and games are highly shareable experiences. Users enjoy sharing their successes and they also like challenging others. This electronic competition acts as a digital word-of-mouth that reaches across time zones and even demographics. Cross-platform gaming experiences, ones that work just as well on Apple devices as they do on Android, increase shareability and grow your app’s user base.

4. Incentivization

Some marketing experiences are already gamified, or quite close. Collecting points, accruing rewards, receiving bonuses and other incentives are built-in to programs like frequent flyer clubs or grocery store apps. Gamification provides users with instant gratification that older rewards programs couldn’t deliver. By incorporating instant rewards at check-out or encouraging in-app purchases using a count-down clock adds excitement to already successful strategies.

Before employing any of these strategies, ensure that your target demographic finds them appropriate. Not all gamified options can, or should, be geared to all customers. Establish your program’s goals and hone in on the kind of experience your customers would enjoy and share.

Read Full Article