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TD Canada

Listed… Loved… Lost. The Role of FOMO in Home Buying.

April 28, 2016 By Lena

It’s a time in our lives we try not to dwell on, and yet, it’s also a lesson we won’t soon forget.

That time we entered two bidding wars on homes for sale… and lost.

Thinking back, I recall the sense of urgency we felt when we first found what we believed to be our “forever home”. In a booming neighbourhood, close to the best schools and just the right modern styling to suit our tastes, it was love at first sight – and we fell, hard. As fates would have it, a similar property was also for sale, just one street over – ensuring we’d have two chances to score the home of our dreams.
virtual-tour-203394-02“You should visit soon. Homes like this sell on average in 3 days. There is an 75% chance that this home will be sold within one week of listing.”

Okay, no pressure. I mean, I wasn’t quite ready to pack up my house, but of course we’d find a way. And since the boys were still relatively young, changing schools wouldn’t necessarily impact their social development. …

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Filed Under: Family Tagged With: home buyer, housing market, mortgage, TD Canada

Financial Literacy: Teaching Kids about Dollars and Sense

December 1, 2015 By Lena

Before my boys could walk, they learned how to shop.

I’ve been taking my boys shopping with me for their entire lives. Whether it’s a full grocery run on a busy Saturday morning or a simple mall detour for a pair of gloves, my sons have always tagged along. Some friends are amazed, the usual question being, “How do you stand the whining and begging and asking for stuff?”

(I don’t always stand it – sometimes, you can find me having an up close and personal “talk” with one of the kids. And sometimes, there’s a bit of growling involved, too.)

For the most part, however, shopping with my boys is manageable, for the simple reason that from the start, I’ve made financial education a priority. My 7-year old can identify the difference between items on sale and items on clearance. My 5-year old can do simple math to determine the amount of savings on reduced prices. And both of them know the official “shopping rule” in our family: Don’t ask mom for something if it’s not on sale. This includes toys, treats and such. Seriously, no point in wasting breath – I won’t even consider it.

(Found this old photo of Ryder shopping the sale aisle… and selecting an item with a red sticker! Way to go – I’ve taught him well! He knows when to ask mommy for a treat!)
IMG_1073-1024x614Kids’ understanding of money concepts grows as they do. The following guidelines, courtesy of TD Canada’s Smart Money Toolkit for Parents, can help you tailor money lessons to your child’s age and developmental stage. …

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Filed Under: Family Tagged With: financial education, TD Canada, TFSA

Imagine: The Freedom to Travel Anytime, Anywhere.

November 17, 2015 By Lena

Sounds blissful, doesn’t it?

For most Canadians, travel is an affordable luxury. With so many destinations, budget options, package deals and ways to book a vacation, a holiday is within reach, even if it’s a staycation in your own city.

But for those struggling with their vacay fund, there’s one foolproof way to ensure well-deserved time off is within reach: reward yourself. With the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card, you can earn THREE (3) TD Points for every $1 you spend on purchases using your Card – that’s a return of up to 1.5% on your purchases!

And, if you apply by January 4, 2016 and are approved, you could get this special welcome offer:

– A Welcome Bonus of 20,000 TD Points when you make your first purchase with the Card – that’s worth $100 in travel savings through Expedia For TD

– A $150 credit from Expedia For TD when you make a travel purchase of $150 or more through Expedia For TD using your Card by June 15, 2016

Now that you know how to make travel a possibility, let’s inspire you with where to go and what to do! Join the @TD_Canada #TDInfiniteTravel Twitter Chat on November 19, 2015 at 8PM EST!
TDInfiniteTravel GraphicIn addition to a fun travel chat with a “Travel Anywhere, Anytime” theme, we’ll also be giving away 5 (five) Amazon.ca gift codes valued at $50 each. There’s no RSVP for this chat; simply tweet to win!

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: #TDInfiniteTravel, family travel, TD Canada

Ready for a Change? Join the #TDAeroplan Twitter Chat!

August 24, 2015 By Lena

There is it. That moment when you look at the calendar and realize that summer is on its way out the door, ushering in the brisk, fresh fall weather. Yes, the days will get shorter and the nights will be cooler, but fall happens to be my favourite season for travelling; you can appreciate the beauty of the Canadian landscape without fighting the opposing elements of summer and winter.

To answer the questions of where to go and what to do, join the #TDAeroplan Twitter Chat. We’ll share some of our favourite Canadian destinations that are perfect for weekend getaways (with or without kids). From a classic mountain retreat in the Rockies to a scenic stay in a European-inspired village, these laid-back escapes promise relaxation and offer a unique appreciation of the season!
TD AeroplanTo thank you for participating, we’ll be giving away some pretty amazing prizes! RSVP below for a chance to win, and see you on Thursday night. …

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Filed Under: Contests Tagged With: #TDAeroplan, family travel, TD Canada, Twitter Party

Spoiler Alert: Life’s Milestones Typically Happen Out of Order

August 23, 2015 By Lena

First comes love…. then comes marriage…. then comes Lena with a baby carriage.

Okay, so I managed to stick to the script. But for a large percentage of the Canadian population, life’s milestones typically happen out of order. Think about it: the once traditional sequence of life events used to read like a “to-do” list – finish school, get married, buy a house and have kids. However, this sequence is far less common now than it was for past generations. In fact, a recent TD survey found nearly six in 10 (58 per cent) Canadians have completed or are on track to complete their life’s milestones in a different order than they originally expected.
kissMore specifically, Gen X Canadians are more likely to complete or be on track to complete them in a different order (64 per cent) than Millennials (52 per cent).

I can attest to this. I have girlfriends who have purchased their own home, returned to school, and had a baby – all before getting married. And to tell the truth, I am in awe! I took great pains to plan, budget and save accordingly based on my life’s own milestones, and for the most part, they followed a predictable timeline that I was equipped to handle. Therefore, I salute those who are able to swim against the current to achieve their own life goals, especially they happen out of the typical order.

Of course, while the order of life’s milestones may vary, thinking ahead about your goals and putting a financial plan in place can help manage the financial impact of these significant life moments, whenever they occur. We know that preparing for life’s big moments requires planning and saving, and regardless of your age, it’s never too early to build a financial plan and set goals for your future. …

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: financial planning, Savings and retirement, TD Canada

#TDThanksYou Then and Now

August 4, 2015 By Lena

From test drive, to owning a ride.
From building blocks, to building a business.
From tree house, to first house.

Think about your then and now. And then think about how far you’ve come.

At TD Canada, they’ve been there through some of their customer’s biggest life moments. To say thank you, they turned a trip to the bank into a journey through their years together.

What are some of life’s major moments that have inspired your then and now? Join us for the #TDThanksYou Twitter Chat on Thursday, August 6th at 8:00pm EDT. We’ll celebrate your best throwbacks, recall the times you felt lucky in life, and of course, have a heartwarming chat centered around gratitude.
TDThanksYouTo thank you for joining us, we’ll give away five (5) x $100 Amazon Gift Cards. To participate in the chat, simply follow @TD_Canada and join your hosts @Listen2Lena, @FeistyFrugal, @Kidsumers and @SassyModernMom while tweeting on the #TDThanksYou hashtag. …

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Filed Under: Contests Tagged With: #TDThanksYou, TD Canada, Twitter Party

Avoid the (Financial) Heat!

June 11, 2015 By Lena

Last summer, you *could* say I was caught off guard with extra expenses.

Family vacations… swimming and dance classes… day trips… summer camp… sporting activities… sacre bleu! If I had taken the time to clearly understand the costs of keeping kids entertained over summer, I probably wouldn’t have spent my “change jar” money on a pair of Stuart Weitzman sandals.

(Although, really, soo worth it.)

This year, however, I’m prepared. With summer vacation beginning in just a few weeks, I’m happy to share that I’ve budgeted and saved for the kids’ activities beforehand! But honestly, don’t feel bad if your saving game hasn’t been as stealth. I was right there with you last year! And according to a recent survey from TD, 71 per cent of Canadian parents with children under the age of 18 (who incur additional costs for their child during the summer) spend up to $999 per child. Put that in perspective, folks – an extra G just on summer activities!
IMG_0772It’s no surprise that half (51%) find budgeting for these additional summer costs stressful. …

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Online budgeting tools, tax free savings account, TD Canada

It’s Always a Good Time to #StartSaving!

May 20, 2015 By Lena

On the surface, I look like a shopaholic. I overspend on handbags, constantly invest in depreciating assets (ahem, my new Lexus), and collect Disney Pixar Cars. (See that? I’ve stopped pretending they’re for my boys.) So, at first glance, you may shake your head and think, she’s bad with money.

Not true. In the 20 years I’ve had my Visa Card, I’ve never paid a cent of interest. I’ve maxed out my RRSPs for the last few years. And I have a hefty rainy day fund – my trusted Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA). It’s like my best friend.

Wondering if a TFSA is right for you? I daresay it’s right for everyone! Unlike other types of savings, you’re not taxed on the income you earn. It’s a great way to save for your short or long-term goals, because it lets your savings grow – tax-free.

Want to learn more? Join the @TD_Canada #StartSaving Twitter Chat on Friday, May 22nd at 1:00pm EDT. Co-hosted by @LindaMacKay_TD, Senior Vice-President of Retail Savings and Investing at TD, we’ll take you through how easy it is to start saving. Whether you’re putting money aside for a down payment on a house, saving for a major purchase like a car or a vacation, building your rainy day fund or making sure you have enough for a comfortable retirement, a TFSA can help. Start Saving Graphic v2Of course, what would a chat be without prizes? To help you #StartSaving, we’ll be giving way $500 in cash prizes! I’m hoping it’s the perfect motivation for you to open, or transfer the money to, a TSFA. No RSVP required; see you on Friday afternoon!

Filed Under: Contests Tagged With: #StartSaving, TD Canada, TFSA, Twitter Party

Time to Celebrate! It’s a #housie Twitter Chat!

April 22, 2015 By Lena

You’ve seen me share my #housie. You’ve been enticed to share your own with this amazing contest. And now, it’s time to celebrate homeowners with a #housie Twitter Chat!Housie GraphicJoin us on Thursday, April 23rd at 8pm EDT as we chat about buying a first home, design and decor, and of course, all the little things that make your space uniquely yours. And, since we love a good before/after, we’ll be giving away SIX (6) $100 Amazon.ca Gift Cards to help you spruce up your digs!

RSVP below for a chance to win, and see you on Thursday night. …

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Filed Under: Contests Tagged With: #housie, new home, TD Canada, Twitter Chat

Celebrate with a #housie and WIN!

April 16, 2015 By Lena

Note: The following contest is open to Canadian residents only, excluding Quebec, who have reached the age of majority in their province. See complete rules here. 

My first home was actually a mansion.

It was modern, with three floors and spacious rooms. And unlike my present home, it came almost fully furnished… but the husband was sold separately. (And the place was pink – did I mention that?) It was the Barbie Dream House, of course.

At one point, I wondered if my perception of a “dream home” would be skewed by a plastic toy from the 80’s. Would I need the picket fence and three-car garage? Should all homes come with a private elevator? Thankfully, when I set foot inside my brand new abode – complete with furniture I worked to purchase, and a husband I worked to put a ring on it – I was completely, utterly in love. And that’s when I realized that when a home is YOURS – whether it’s a new home you’ve purchased, the first condo you’ve rented, or the forever home you just can’t bear to leave – THAT’s your dream house.

Love your home? Why not show it off with a #housie?

You may have caught the hashtag on Twitter or peeked inside homes on tdhousie.com. Here, you’ll find home owners from across Canada celebrating their favourite rooms and outdoor spaces, showcasing their personality, decor, and of course, what makes their space unique!
11088406_10153812148299126_23929010960894144_nSo, how do you take a #housie? It’s simple!

1. Record a 360° video selfie of your home (or outdoor space)

2. Keep your video short — no more than 15 seconds

3. Share it to Twitter or Instagram to join the TD #housie tour (make sure your account isn’t private)

4. Don’t forget to include the hashtag #housie (otherwise it might not show up in the tour)

5. Go to tdhousie.com to see your #housie, enjoy the #housie song, and celebrate all the amazing places we call home

Check out the full guidelines so you can be sure to be included in the #housie celebration.

Still sitting on the fence? Here’s a little inspiration – I’ve got FIVE (5) $200 Amazon.ca Gift Cards to give away to readers who upload their #housie before April 30th! Simply follow the instructions above and share your #housie on Twitter or Instagram. Then, copy the status link and paste it in the comments section of this blog post so we can check it out! …

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Filed Under: Decor Tagged With: #housie, home decor, home tour, TD Canada

Celebrate Your Abode with a #Housie!

April 6, 2015 By Lena

It’ll be eight years since we moved into our first home… and when given the choice to love it or list it, we ALWAYS love it.

The serial re-decorator strikes again! This time, I’ve made over my sitting room into a place I can unwind and relax when the boys are in bed… and let’s face it, since “unwind and relax” are rarely in my vocabulary, I enjoy every moment!

Do you love your home? Join the celebration of new homeowners! Share your own #housie.

So, how do you housie? Simply Record a 360° video selfie of your new home (or outdoor space). Keep your video short — no more than 20 seconds! Then share it to Twitter or Instagram to join the TD #housie tour. I tried several times, unsuccessfully, to capture both myself and the sitting room in my iPhone frame, but in the end I had to let my house shine and popped in for a cameo.

(Don’t forget to include the hashtag #housie – otherwise it might not show up in the tour!)

Go to tdhousie.com to see your housie, enjoy the housie song, and celebrate all the amazing places we call home.

As for my next project? We’re working on a few things simultaneously – the laundry room, the backyard, finishing up the front and creating a new office space in our loft. Remember, it’s never boring Chez Lena!

This video and post is sponsored by TD, though my opinions and thoughts as always are my own.

Filed Under: Decor Tagged With: #housie, home decor, new home, TD Canada

#SaveMore Twitter Chat Rules

January 1, 2013 By Lena

GENERAL RULES:

By entering the Contest, Entrants agree to abide by these Contest Rules and the decisions of ListentoLena.com, which are final. ListentoLena.com, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to disqualify any Entrant it finds to be in violation of these Contest Rules.

CONTEST PERIOD:

The #SaveMore Contest (the “Contest”) begins on April 25, 2016 at 8pm ET (“Contest Start Date”) and ends on April 25, 2016 at 9pm ET (“Contest End Date”). The Sponsor of the contest is TD Canada (the “Sponsor”).

ELIGIBILITY:

The Contest is open to legal residents of Canada (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their Province/Territory of residence at the time of entry into the Contest.

Persons in any of the following categories are NOT eligible to participate or win prizes in the Contest:

(a) any person who, at any time during the contest period, was or is a director, officer, employee, or agent of ListentoLena.com, TD Canada (the “Prize Provider”) or any of their prize suppliers, or any of their respective divisions, parent, subsidiary, or affiliated companies, franchisees, or service agencies, or independent contractors; and
(b) any person who, at any time during the contest period was or is a director, officer, employee, or agent of any company involved with the administration of the contest or any individuals engaged in the development, production or distribution of materials for the Contest (collectively the “Contest Entities”); and
(c) any person who is an immediate family member of, or domiciled with, any of the above.

CONTEST ENTRY:

To enter the Contest, participate in the Twitter Party using the #SaveMore hashtag and follow www.twitter.com/Listen2Lena and www.twitter.com/TD_Canada (the “Contest Information Page”) on Twitter. No purchase necessary.

To be a @Listen2Lena follower, you must be a registered user on Twitter (a third party Web site). If you do not have a Twitter account, follow the onscreen instructions to register for a free Twitter account at www.twitter.com.

You will be asked to provide your first and last name and email address and to set up a user name and password. You may also be asked to answer optional questions; however, they need not be answered in order to be eligible for the Contest.

During the Contest Giveaway Period, the Contest Sponsor will tweet questions via the Contest Information Page. Entrants can submit their written entry (“Entry” or “Entries”) by Tweeting their response to @Listen2Lena or another Twitter account, as instructed by @Listen2Lena, ensuring to include the hashtag #SaveMore by replying with a Tweet to the Tweeted question, you indicate your agreement and compliance with the Rules. Your Entry must be in accordance with the specific requirements listed below.

Your Tweet must be a relevant reply to the question posed by the “Contest Information Page.” By participating, you warrant and represent that your answer: (a) does not violate any law, statute, ordinance or regulation; (b) will not give rise to any claims of infringement, invasion of privacy or publicity, or infringe on any rights and/or interests of any third party, or give rise to any claims for payment whatsoever; (c) is not defamatory, trade libelous, pornographic or obscene, and further that it will not contain, depict, include, discuss or involve, without limitation, any of the following: nudity; explicit, graphic or excessive sexual activity; crude, vulgar or offensive language and/or symbols; derogatory characterizations of any ethnic, racial, sexual or religious groups; content that endorses, condones and/or discusses any illegal, inappropriate or risky activity, behavior or conduct; personal information of individuals, including, without limitation, names and addresses (physical or electronic); conduct or other activities in violation of these Rules; commercial messages, comparisons or solicitations for products or services other than those of the Contest Sponsor or Prize Provider; and any other content that is or could be considered inappropriate, unsuitable or offensive, all as determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion.

PRIZE:

There are FIVE (5) Prizes (“Prizes”) of Amazon.ca gift cards valued at One Hundred Canadian dollars (CDN $100) each available to be won. No cash alternatives, substitution or transfers of the Prize will be allowed. The Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value, or the equivalent cash amount, in the event that the prize described is unavailable due to circumstances beyond their control.

ODDS:

The odds of winning a Prize depend on the total number of eligible entries received during each Contest Giveaway Period.

PRIZE AWARDING METHOD:

Winners will be selected based on random draw in response to the prize question during the Contest Period. Should that winner not be eligible to claim the prize, the next correct answer will be selected as determined by the order the answers appear in the Twitter chat window.

All winners will be notified via Twitter during the Contest Period. After the notification, winners must reply within two (2) days to maintain eligibility. If the winner cannot be contacted within this time period or fails to respond to any attempted contact, such potential winner will be disqualified, his/her entry will be declared null and void and the Sponsor and Prize Provider reserve the right, in their sole and absolute discretion, to select another eligible Entry, in which event these provisions shall apply to such other eligible Entry.

APPLICABLE LAWS:

This Contest is subject to all applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of the Contest Rules or the rights and obligations as between the Entrant and the Sponsor in connection with the Contest shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the province of Ontario including procedural provisions without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions that would cause the application of any other jurisdiction’s laws.

DISQUALIFICATION:

ListentoLena.com is not responsible for lost, interrupted or unavailable network server or other connections, miscommunications, failed telephone or computer or telephone transmissions or technical failure, jumbled, scrambled or misdirected transmissions, or other error of any kind whether human, mechanical or electronic.

Persons found tampering with or abusing any aspect of this Contest, including but not limited to acting in violation of these official Rules; attempting to participate in the Contest more than the maximum number of times allowed; to be acting with the intent to disrupt the normal operation of this Contest; as determined by the Sponsor will be disqualified. The discovery of any use of robotic, automatic, macro, programmed, third party or like methods to participate in the Contest will void any attempted participation effected by such methods and the disqualification of the individual utilizing the same in the Sponsor’s sole and absolute discretion.

In the event any portion of this Contest is compromised by virus, bugs, non-authorized human intervention or other causes beyond the control of the Sponsor, which, in the sole and absolute opinion of the Sponsor, corrupts, or impairs the administration, security, fairness or proper entry into the Contest, the Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion to suspend or terminate this Contest.

Further, the Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate the Contest, in whole or in part, or modify, amend or suspend the Contest and/or the Contest Rules in any way at any time for any reason without prior notice or compensation.

PRIVACY:

By entering this Contest, you consent to the collection, use and sharing of information about you within ListentoLena.com for the purpose of administering this Contest in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

The personal information collected about you is limited to the information you have voluntarily supplied through the Contest entry page and the Declaration and Release Form.

Except as provided herein, the Sponsor and / or the Contest Entities will not divulge any personal information gathered through the Contest to third parties. Moreover, the Sponsor and/or the Contest Entities will not sell any personal information collected.

The personal information collected will only be used for the following purposes: (a) use of the winning Entrants’ information as described above;
(b) administration of the Contest on an as needed basis;
(c) further communications from the Sponsor where the Entrant has voluntarily agreed to receive such communications by checking the box to that effect on the Contest entry page.

Notwithstanding anything in this Privacy Policy to the contrary, we may share any information we have collected about you: (a) in response to subpoenas, court orders, or legal process, or to establish, protect, or exercise our legal rights or defend against legal claims or demands; (b) if we believe it is necessary in order to investigate, prevent, or take action regarding illegal activities, fraud, or situations involving potential threats to the safety of any person; (c) if we believe it is necessary to investigate, prevent, or take action regarding situations that involve abuse of the website infrastructure or the Internet in general; (d) to a parent company, subsidiaries, joint ventures, or other companies under common control with the Sponsor and / or the Contest Entities (in which case we will require such entities to honour this Privacy Policy); and (e) if the Sponsor and / or the Contest Entities is acquired by or merged with another entity (in which case we will require such entity to assume the obligations under this Privacy Policy).

Despite efforts to ensure third parties will not access or obtain your personal information, complete confidentiality and security cannot currently be guaranteed on the Internet. Communication via the Internet is subject to interception, loss, or alteration. You acknowledge and agree that the Sponsor and/or the Contest Entities or their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, divisions, parents, subsidiaries, affiliated companies, franchisees, service agencies, or independent contractors cannot be held responsible for damages resulting from the transmission of confidential information or personal information over the Internet and that such communications are at your own risk.

LIGITATION:

For residents of all other Provinces/Territories outside Quebec, any litigation must be commenced in the City of Toronto, Ontario.

Filed Under: Contests Tagged With: TD Canada, Twitter Party Rules

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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