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o you see budgeting a Ddrudgery and penny only to find out that your "real" bills never match your "ideal" budget? If you do, maybe it‘s time to look at budgeting from a different angle using a simpler approach that really matches your life. Present consumption Items such as shelter, food and utilities are not optional and are a necesâ€" sary expense. However, once these expenses are paid, how do you spend the remaining money that‘s left over? Making wise spending choices doesâ€" n‘t mean not spending. It means balâ€" ancing today‘s wants and needs with tomorrow‘s lifestyle goals. UVFCR e m o on eete ie Hm mds t Making wise spending choices doesâ€" credit cards for the purâ€" This column, written and published by n‘t mean not spending. It means balâ€" chase items that have no enduring benâ€" _ Investors Group Financial Services Inc., ancing today‘s wants and needs with efit, means you could continue paying presents general information only and is tomorrow‘s lifestyle goals. dearly for past consumption. not a solicitation to buy or sell any Only you can determine if you need investments. Contact Russ McEachnie a new plasma television now or if you Future benefit CFP, CSA, CDFA at 519â€"886â€"2360, ext. can wait for six months down the road. Putting some of your current earnâ€" 241 or email him at Remember, much of the money we ings away to cover the future is a corâ€" russell.mceachnie@investorsgroup.com. Canadian locations â€" including Waterloo Region â€" have retained their overall level of competitiveness against the average of a range of U.S. locations, according to the new Competitive Alterâ€" natives Study, released recently by KPMG. This competitiveness has been susâ€" tained in the face of marked weakness in the U.S. dollar since the previous surâ€" vey two years ago. The weakening U.S. dollar against all currencies has been the major factor Business costs in Waterioo under U.S. average It‘s time to take a new approach if budgeting is becoming a burden as hours of _ all spend could be invested, saved for yâ€"tracking _ future benefit or used to reduce any oo debt incurred from past RUSS McEACHNIE S "Notâ€"soâ€"good" debt, HNIE like paying for accumulatâ€" ed high interest debt on credit cards for the purâ€" chase items that have no enduring benâ€" efit, means you could continue paying dearly for past consumption. influencing results. Canada has seen erosion of previous cost advantages visâ€"aâ€"vis the U.S. over the intervening two years, but during the same period there have been comâ€" petitive gains over European countries. Costs for Waterloo Region, known for over 20 years as Canada‘s Technoloâ€" gy Triangle, are fifth lowest among the 20 principal cities in the North Ameriâ€" can Northeast surveyed by KPMG. Busiâ€" ness costs in Waterloo Region are just under the average in the U.S. consumption Past consumption Almost everyone incurs debt at some point â€" some good, some not so "Good" debt, such as a mortgage to purchase a home or a student loan to finance your postâ€"secondâ€" ary education, can be viewed as an investment in the future. k04 **eail a£Lterartow obout #RtLSGO+r+ ; F www.afterglow.ca Boilers, Furnaces & Tankless Water Heaters ~<§@#)â€" afterglow 1Â¥ v\ig>> z+ nD Rrout rebastes Lor nerstone of good financial planning. Many financial planners recomâ€" mend a regular investment of setting aside 10 per cent of your income towards your future needs â€" but you may need to save more (or less) depending on your personal circumâ€" stances, life stage and expected retireâ€" ment expenses. Your personal ratio of spending on past consumption, present consumpâ€" tion or future benefit will depend on your own goals. A professional advisor can help you arrive at a comfortable balance of savâ€" ing and spending so you can enjoy the peace of mind knowing that your money is being spent exactly the way you want it. "The results indicate that cost levels here have been contained and even reduced, mitigating the effect of the rise of the Canadian dollar in relation to its U.S. counterpart," said John Tennant, the chief executive officer of Canada‘s Technology Triangle Inc., one of the study‘s sponsors. "But cost is not always the main or even the principal consideration, as is acknowledged by the KPMG commenâ€" tary about the influence of nonâ€"cost factors." 519â€"747â€"7732 m kÂ¥ yO °" C At n kX May 3â€"4th, 2008, 10amâ€"5pm at Bingemans * Attend Educational Seminars * Meet Travel representatives from around the world * Network with travel industry leaders * Enjoy live entertainment, cocktails & hors d‘ocuvres * Free admission to all accredited travel professionals Register online at www.totravelshow.com ~~â€"«» t International Centre, 6900 Airport Rd. Mississauga FREE PARKING C.;RAND .‘ .Ilfesfyle.- living well in Waterloo Region weekend pass $10, adults $8, seniors & students $6 for more information call 519.895.5239 or visit Travel Industry You are Invited! Artend the industry‘s ultimate networking and educational event April 10, 6 â€" 9 pm. Free Admission WATERLOO CHRONICLE + Wednesday, April 9, 2008 * 19 at Your Nuxseay . HveR®u Ond oT GRAND show