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Times Advocate, 1998-02-04, Page 14Celebrating summer early. The Grand Bend United Church Choir•put on a 'June -In -January' concert on Saturday night that featured a number of fair weather favorites -and sing=along tunes. Pictured are, front left: Carey Eddy, Lucy Sage, Joyce Thompson, Marilyn Millman; back left: Frank Loscomhe, Don McLean. John. Gill and Edward Avey. Behind the piano at right is Norman Abbott. Legion organizing family -style dinner By Liz Sangster Hensall correspondent HENSALL - There will be a euchre tournament at Hensall Legion on Fchruary 7. Registration is at I p.m. and the fee is $5 per person. Bring a partner. A light lunch will be available: Public speaking will he held at the Legion on -Fchruary 17. Registration is at 6:30 p.m. and public speaking begins at 7 p.m. The snow date is Fchruary 24. The winners will he determined and advanced to Zone Level On February 22, Hensall Legion will he hosting a family -style din- ner at the Hensall Community Centre. The dinner will be served at 5, p.m. The price for adults is $9.. The price for children aged four to six years is $4.50. Tickets arc avail- able from Legion members or from the bartender. Everyone 'is wel- come: _ ' • Times -Advocate, February 4, 1998 Page 13 INITY 1 Pander Profile by Sarah Vermunt Semester two has been underway since January 27. Report cards for first semester will he given out on Friday, February 6. Course selection for next year began on February 2 and•will go until February 6. Students are reminded. that those who get their course selection sheets in first will have a better chance of getting into the courses they want. The new principal, Mrs. Homuth has met with' the students of the school not as a whole but with each grade separately last week. The grade meetings were held so -she could meet with the 'students and become familiar to them. She expressed her -ideas about the school and then led an open forum for students to express viewpoints and ideas and to ask questions. On February 9, the health nurse will be giving immunization booster shots to grade tens and some grade nines. The immunization is for tetanus, diptheria, and polio. Any students who need the immunization have been given forms to fill out. On every second and fourth Wednesday of every month a sexual health birth control drop-in clinic wilt be held in the blue room upstairs at the end of the hall closest to the cafeteria. Any students who have questions.or co,:terns about anything are welcome to come. This month the drop -ins will be on February 11 and 25. Valentine's Day is approaching and the school is hosting a couple of activities concerning the occasion. Through February 9-12 you can pur- chase "Valentine Kisses" at lunch. The kisses are a box of six chocolate hearts that can be sent to people in home room on Friday, February 13. They costa dollar and all proceeds go towards AiDS research. Even if you don't have a sweetheart in your life, come.out and buy one for a good cause! The Valentine's Semi -Formal is on February 12. Tickets tor this event are $5 a person and will also be on sale fronf February 9- 12. There will be an Ontario Secondary School Students Association OSSSA) Leadership conference at Northwestern Secondary School in Stratford from February 26 to March I. This year's conference is called "Catalyst '98" and the theme is youth and the environment. This con- ference is an opportunity for those involved to develop leadership skills through workshops, group activities, and guest speakers. Students who attend will meet with students from other schools and it will be not only a learning experience but Tots of fun too.! Four students from the school have been chosen by the student council to attend. These students arc Dave Robertson; Lindsey Jean, Rhonda Dougall, and Chris Brandon who have all been chosen as future leaders, The conference is- open to anyone in the school and if you would like to attend or find out more information contact Marcy Swance. Upcoming events Wednesday, February 4 - Midget and junior basketball to St. Anne's; Thursday, February 5 .- Volleyball plays St. Anne's and Goderich at St. Anne's; . • Monday, February 9 - Immunization for tetanus, diphtheria, and polio forgrade nines and tens who received forms; - Tuesday, February 10 - Gord Paynter (motivational speaker) assem- bly at 9:00, Huron volleyball semi -finals -(teams to be announced); Wednesday, February 11 - Senior and junior basketball to Madill, parents night for parents of students going into grade 9 or 10; Thursday, February 12 - Valentine semi -formal (7:30-11:00). Financial Planning Guides Investment Facts: Financial Planning (ILC)—Having a financial plan is one of the most important keys to managing and creating wealth. You have to know where you want. to go, what obstacles stand in your way and how you're going to get there. To help .you, here are six questions that you need to consider: • • Financially, Where Are You? Takea hard look at your current financial situation so you know what "resources you have to starmoving towards your goals. Compile a list of all your assets including bank accounts, real estate, life insurance, RRSPs and other investments, and then draw up a similar list of all your -liabilities such as your mom: - gage, credit card debts and consumer loans. Next, calculate your total income and expenses—the differ- ence is the money you have left to invest: . What Are Your Financial Goals? Identify what you want to achieve. It may be that you want to retire comfortably at age 60, take a year off from, work to travel the world or pay for your children's university education. You may also have short-term goals such as paying off credit cards. • Are There Any Obstacles In Your Way? At this point, you will start to sec things that you could be doing differently. Maybe you're leaving too much of your money in a low- interest chequing account. Perhaps your investments arc not earning enough income to keep up with infla- tion. Maybe you haven't taken full advantage of RRSPs to reduce your income taxes. What Are Your Investment Objectives? Decide on your investment priorities. For some investoFs, safety of principal is most important. For some, the priority may be regular income. Others may be seeking growth or capital gains. And still oth- ers may want to.ensure liquidity, meaning that they. can easily sell their investments at any time without having to take a loss. One. of `the most misunderstood elements of per- sonal investing is the concept of risk. In general the greater the potential return, the greater the risk involved. It's helpful to use a scale to visualize the return an investor should earn for taking on invest- ments with increasing levels of risk. This scale moves from very safe or low risk types of investments (on the bottom) to risky types (on the top). Risk . • Common Stock ' Blue Chip Common Stock Preferred Stock Corporate Bonds Government Bonds T Bills Safety . What Is Your Investment "Strategy? Now you can begin selecting the investment prod- ucts that most closely match your objectives. By this time, you should also have a clearer picture of how much money you can invest and how frequently you are going to invest. Have You Reviewed Your Financial Plan Lately? Once you have decided on your financial goals and have a plan in place, you cannot simply forget about it. You should be adjusting your investments as your • • financial requirements and tolerance for risk continu- ally change throughout your life. This 'may mean tak- • ing more risk when you arc young, ensuring liquidity when you begin a family and focusing on more con- servative investments as you approach retirement. Investor Learning Centre of Canada What about using your severance'? ' By Brian Costello Sounds great—at least at first glance—when you're . scrambling for money to start a new business or finance: a franchise. But it may not he your hest option. If you do, you'll los' half of your severance to the tax man. Unless itis sheltered, the award will he added tb your income in the year it is received and taxed at your full marginal rates. In most instances, That will he 53 percent. A far better strategy would he to roll as much of this allowance into a self-directed RRSP and finance the purchase of your new husincss or franchise by taking out a new mortgage lin your home. • This strategy will enable you to escape taxation on a big chunk of this money. You win both ways: The interest on your mortgage becomes tax deductible and you'll he •ahlc to finance the purchase of the new business—without dipping into your retirement money. How much of your retirement allowance or sever- ance can you roll into your RRSP'' Under current rules, you can• invest $2,000 for every year you worked at thc company. If the allowance or award is $60.0(X). for example, and youhad worked at this company for 22 years. you would he able to shelter $44,000 and only he required to pay tax on the remaining $16,000. The difference in your tax payable using this strategy $8,000 vs. $22,000. Thai $44,000 you sheltered from your severance, by the way, could easily grow to $115,000 in 10 years' time. The $2;000 rollover privilege was capped in 1995 and no longer applies to years of service after that date. However, if your company did not have a pen- sion plan during this period, you can roll over an extra $1,500 a year into your RRSP for every year worked until 1989. ' This raises another question many people are wres- tling with today. If you haver the option of taking a buyout, should you do so now or wait until the next window? Here are a few factors to consider • Is there a possibility you may he caught in another corporate downsizing—before being able to opt for the next package? • Is the financial health of your company a con- cern? If it is, you might be better off taking the buy- out now and letting the insurance company that han- dles your company's pension worry about that. • Also, don't forget that the 52,000 rollover allowance, as noted earlier, has been capped as of 1995. If you decide to opt for retirement five years from now, this deduction will not be available to you for:1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002. (Brian Costello is perhaps best known as one of Canada's leading seminar speaker&on personal . finance.) 'Children's Sunday was observed at Hensall'United Church. Nancy Fraser was the minister. Mark Garlough was the organist. Chuck Malielte accompanied thc chil- dren's anthems on the guitar. Ann Marie. McGregor and Dana Martin took pan in a theme convcr= sation. Kcn and Kay Elder were the ushers. Communion was served by Joanne Moir, Helen MacLean, Elaine Corbett and Ann'Annen: Dave and Ryan Campbell and Chuck and Allan Malletic also assisted with thc church service. 11 you have a favorite hymn put the namc and number in the box provided. Flowers in the church were in memory of Winona Jacobi. The Thursday Afternoon Ladies meet on Fchruary 5 at,2 p.m. , ,' Rev. Kevin Steeper was the min- ister at Carmel Presbyterian Church. His message was "You Can't Go Back Home." Joyce Pcp)icr was the organist. Al Hoggarth and Harry Smith received the offering. Flowers in the sanctu- ary were in meinory -of the late Nonie Jacobi. The sympathy of the community is extended to thc Jacobi family on the passing of their mother. Winona was a• resident i1T Queensway Nursing Home and formerly a resi- dent of Tuc.kersmith Township. Hensall Landfill is open from 1 to 2 p.m., Mondays._ and 1-3 p.m. on Wednesdays: Hcnsalt residents must have a current Hensall Landfill Pass for acecss. • A reminder to dog, owners in Hensall, that tags must he pur- chased by March 15. to avoid a late payment fee. Tags arc available at the Municipal Office.. Prgperty owners in the Village of Hensall are reminded that- taxes are due. on February 15. Taxes may be paid at the Municipal Office. NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING The 122nd Annual Meeting of the Members will be held In the OFFICE BUILDING of McKlllop Mutual Insurance Company 91 Main Street, S., Seaforth, Ont. Wed:, ebruary 25, at • 1:30 p.m. • To receive and dispose of the 1997 financial and Auditors Report ' • To appoint Auditors • To consider and enact proposed amendments to bylaws 830, 33, 43(f) & 44 . • To transact any other business that may property come before the meeting. • To elect Three Directors • The retiring Directors are John. Tebbutt, Matthew Haney and Walter Mcllwain. All are eligible for re- election. • Any person wishing to seek election or re-election as a Director must file his intention to stand for election in writing with the Secretary of the Company at least seven days in ecionce of the Annual Meeting. (Byt • 21(d): .aures Cardiff, Secretar-TreasurerMana:er Usborne & Hibbert Mutual Fire Insurance Company Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S1 . (Established in 1876) Provides Full Insurance • Coverage for Farm Properties. New Applications are - Welcomed DIRECTORS & ADJUSTERS Joe Chaffs, RR5 Mitchell 348-9705 Ron Feeney, RR 2 Dublin345-2360 Larry Gardiner, RR2, Statfa • 345-2676 Jack Hc, 'n. RR1, Kirkton 229-6152 Michae' .lea RR3 Granton 225-2600 Morris Y...iws, RR2 St. Pauls 393-6548 AGENTS Wayne Maver Exeter 235-1915 David Moore, Dublin 345-2512 Barb Wor+en, Dublin , 345-2512 Joseph Uniac, Mitchell .. _ _ 348-9012 Head Office, Exeter 235-0350 A refund from surplus was de- clared for all policy holders who qualify, are on record and In good standing as at Decem- ber'31, 1997.. Don Thompson Financial Consultant 1 • LET US HELP YOU RETIRE IN COMFORT AND STYLE Check out our RkSP and RkIF plans designed to meet your needs. ' , Lawrence Beane Manager R. R.S. P. Deadline March 2/98 - Y.I.S. Financial Inc. 282 Main St. Exeter ' (519) 235-3'368 YOUR INVESTMENT SHOPPERS • 5 Rattenbury St. Clinton (519) 482-9924 ' 58 Ontario St. Grand Bend (519) 238-5014 1-888-235-9260 BORROW MONEY TO SAVE MONEY? ARE You KIDDING (Nope. The thousands who did last year laughed all the Way toothe bank.) SCOTIA® RRSP CATCH-UP— LOAN (here's an example, just to get you thinking) 1. BORROW $15,000. *(or as much nk Prime). 2. GET BACK $6,000 ON YOU$50RTAXatrates RETURN AND PAYas las aDOWN YOUR LOAN. (Assumes 40%f tax bracket. Yours might be different). 3. Pay. Back $170/month. (Seem possible? 1f need he. you can take up to 15 years to repay. i 4. Watch your RRSP grow to 520,996 in 5 years and 4 months, when your loan is paid out • 5. In 25 years, you'll have $72,415: See assumptions below. • • Scotiabank 5 What's right for you?"' This year It's your tum. The Scotia RRSP Catch-up Loan offers an affordable way to take advantage of unusecl RRSP contributions. The Idea Is to do this once, so you can catch up and keep up. Call us for details. 1-800-575-8888 www scotiabank,ca 280 Main St. S. Exeter 235-1142 Assumptions: 1) - loan is amortized over 10 year. and.is subject to applicable credit criteria. Loan rate over the life of the • loan is calculated based on 6.5%, Scotiabank's S -year average Prime rate. • • Rate is fixed for each term of the loan. 2) - Tax refund isused to pay down principal at the fourth month. 3) - RRSP investments earn an average adnual compound return of 6.5% in a diversified portfolio. ® Registered trade -marks of The Bank of Nova Scotia. THTrade-marks of The Bank of Nova Scotia. YOUR COMMUNITY RRSP ALTERNA TI V Consider a CREDIT UNION 111.R•S.P. with various investment options Each RRSP & RRIF contract•is insured` individually up t� $60,000.00 . RRSP Loans Available at Prime Rate some restrictions apply CLINTON COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION LTD. 48 Ontario St. Clinton 482-3467 118 Main St. North Exeter 235-0640 Open Mon. to Thurs. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Fri. 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 19152