Money and finances.Debit and Credit Cards in Canada (2 of 2)

Source:www.psdgraphics.com

Continuing with what we saw last week, let´s talk about debit and credit cards.

When DEBIT is the Best Option:

• When the vendor o the other part needs the money inmediately. It is the fasted method of payment 
• When you want to control the amount of money you spend. You can use your card as much as you want, but only up the amount you have in your account. This way, you won´t have to pay interest for purchases made in the heat of the moment. 
• When you want the best exchange rate for a foreign currency. If you are planning a trip outside your country, you can exchange some money but the best way to save the fees the bank usually charges is to withdraval money from the ATM.

Source: www.mybudget360.com

When CREDIT is the best Option:

Credit cards are not for people with hard time managing their money. But sometimes, they can be a good election because you are usually more protected from identify theft, and disputes are resolved quickly without you having to pay to get your money back.

Situations to use credit over debit:

1.-Improve one´s credit rating. If you want to build your credit history, you should use your credit card. Debit card transactions are not usually reported to the major reporting agencies 

You will need your credit history for a lot of things you wouldn´t even think: i.e. get a monthly plan with a telephone company, ... so your strategy with your  credit card should be to make small purchases regularly and pay them off immediately. This shows the institution that gave you the card that you can responsibly pay back your credit balances

In Canada, having a strong credit history is really important — it can make it much easier to make important financial transactions in the future, specially for:

• Getting a mortgage for a house.
• Getting a loan for personal expenses.
• Getting good deals on new credit cards.

2.-Online purchases: It is much harder to get a refund using a debit card than if it is with a credit card

3.- Renting a car. Most major credit cards offer an auto rental collision damage waiver. In addition, several major car rental companies do not accept debit cards as a form of payment

4.- Travel related purchases.You may need a credit card when you make a travel reservation.  And some companies, give you insurance when you book a trip with your credit card.

5.- Rewards. Some credits cards give you points/cashback when you pay with them, and you can get items, shopping cards, miles to travel...  

If you want more information about cards and montly payments, visit: Credit card payment calculator tool

Think which is the best option for you and be careful with your credit!

Out and About in Atlantic Canada. Things to do in summer time

source: brandft.co.uk

What can we do in Summer Time in Atlantic Canada?

Whether you are thinking about moving here, you are on vacation or just visiting for a while, here there is a list of some of the things  you can do to enjoy summer time!

For children: 

During the summer holidays, many parents in Canada send their children to "Summer Camps". There are many types of summer camps, where children and youth can take part in activities such as sports, music, art, religious instruction, etc. Some operate just during the day and others offer the opportunity for children to stay overnight for several days or weeks.

In our city, there are two organizations  that arrange Summer Camps:

• YMCA: http://www.saintjohny.com/programs/camps/day-camps/
• SJMNRC: http://www.sjmnrc.ca/youth-program.html

For everyone:

Stonehammer Geopark. Guides share where you can climb volcanic rocks, paddle an ice age river and much more!. Tlf 1-866-672-0770

New Brunswick Museum. Examine real whales bones and shipbuilding history and artworks.

Source:http://www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca

But if you want to watch real whales, go to Saint Andrews/ Gran Mannan Island, where you will find the best tours.Whale-watching  excursions bring  visitors out to sea, where you can see these majestic marine animals, harbour seals and grey seals and other ocean life in their natural habitat.

The best known companies are:

• Tall Ship Whale Adventures. Jolly Breeze of St. Andrews. Tlf 1-866-529-8116
• Fundy Tide Runners Whale watching and Nature Tours Inc (by Zodiac).Tlf 1-506-529-4481
• Island Quest Marine. Tlf 1-888-252-9111
• St Andrews Ocean Adventures. Tlf 1-506-529-4306
• Quoddy Link Marine Inc: ( by catamaran). Tlf: 1-877-688-2600
• Capt Riddle´s Sea-Going Adventures (Deer and Campobello  Island)1-877-finback(346-2225)
• Whales-n-Sails Adventure (Grand Manan). tlf 1-888-994-4044
• Sea Watch Tours (Grand Manan). tlf: 1-877-662-8552

Splash into fun at any of our beaches perfect for swimming (we have over 50) or lean back in your chair or have a nice walk, what you prefeer. Build sandcastles, play beach volleyball and enjoy the serenity of days spent by the sea. 

Explore our sand dunes and Discovery Beaches

Peggy´s Cove. Source: Nane

Lighthouses: Some of them are active, some are not, but all of them are beautiful!. What about spending some time visiting lighthouses? One of the most famous is the one in Peggy´s Cove (see above) but there are at least 85 lighthouses just in New Brunswick. In this website, you can find more information about each one:

http://www.lighthousefriends.com/pull-state.asp?state=NB

                                                

Covered Bridges. New Brunswick has 60 covered bridges.The Hartland Covered Bridge is probably the best known, but there are many others that were built around the same time.

Tidal bore in Moncton. A natural phenomenon caused by the surging Bay of Fundy tides (the highest in the world), the Tidal Bore activity occurs twice daily. The higher waters in the bay cause the water in the Petitcodiac River to roll back upstream in one wave, which can range in height from 3 cm (1 in.) to 60 cm (24 in.).Visit the local Visitor Information Centre located beside Bore Park in downtown Moncton for Tidal Bore arrival times.

Source: www.photosearch.com

Drive-In cinema in Sussex: Like in the movies, you can watch a film comfortably seated in your car and listening to it from your car radio. Starting the 19th of June they will open friday saturday and sunday nights.

Source:tourismnewbrunswick.ca

Shediac Lobster Festival. (July, 8th-12th). Come to the Lobster Capital of the World!. Every night 10 volunteers are chosen from the crowd to break down and eat three lobsters-only- with their hands and as fast as they can. Come and try your luck at this festival.

Dragon Boat Festival: the 29th of August, in Renforth, Rothesay. From 8am to 5pm. It is a fundraising project of St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation and its  mission  is to raise funds that help meet the needs of St. Joseph's Hospital for equipment, research and education. It is really fun!

Source: Nane

Balloon Festival in Sussex: This year the festival will be celebrated the 11-12-13th of September. 30 Hot Air Balloons fly twice daily. If you have never seen this spectacle, it is worthy.

Source; Nane

Music Festivals and Entertaiment. New Brunswick’s Festival Place in Saint John provides free Arts & Culture programming each and every day from the Summer Solstice in June until Labour Day in September.
Live Entertainment – Every Sunday (June 21 to August 23).
But If any music festival is well known here, it is the Cavendish Beach Music Festival and the Charlottetown Festival, both of them in Prince Edward Island. Clap, dance and laught as the lively music and friendly locals will take you to the time of your life.


Spotlight on the Acadie. Visit Monument Lefebvre National Historic Site. You will be able to truly understand the story of the Acadian people.

                                                                    

Source; Nane

Bay of Fundy Coastal Drive. Home to the world's highest tides, you can visit  the Fundy National Park and the Hopewell Rocks, and kayak around them. We will talk about these two treasures in next posts.

And, to end with this post, what a better way than sharing a sweet tip? You should "Discover the Wonder of Chocolate". St. Stephen is home to Ganong Bros Ltd, Canada´s oldest candy company, and you can visit the Chocolate Museum. Located in what used to be the original Ganong candy factory, The Chocolate Museum offers an interactive way to learn about candy making in St. Stephen

Are you ready to enjoy these events? Ready to get started?

Out and About in Atlantic Canada. Things to do in NB in Spring time

Source: Nane. Kingsbrae Garden. Saint Andrews

Spring is time of renewal and it is time to try new things

Here is a list of activities  you can enjoy in our area, and most of them are free!:

Nature Walks. Take a hike. There are two  National and nine Provincial Parks in our province, New Brunswick: Fundy, Kouchibouguac, Mactaquac, Sugarloaf, Mount Carleton, Herring Cove...

Take a look to these websites:

• http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/nb/fundy/index.aspx
• http://www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca/Products/K/KouchibouguacNationalPark.aspx
• http://www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca/Products/M/Mactaquac-Provincial-Park.aspx

Source: Nane. Hopewell Rocks

If you don´t like parks, you can walk on the beach. New River Beach and Parlee Beach are the most famous in New Brunswick, but there are sandy beaches all over the province.

Source; Nane. Parlee Beach

Or, going further, you can visit Nova Scotia, and/or Edward Prince Island. We will talk about the parks,about the scenic drives and all the nearby places you can visit in other post.

Have a picnic at the park. Wherever you are, there is always a nearby park  where you can have a picnic. In Saint John, we have two beautiful big parks: Rockwood and Irving Nature Park. 

And once you have eaten something and recovered energies, fun outdoor adventure is there: freshwater swimming, canoeing, camping horses, golf and more!  

Plant something green. If you were a Canadian, you would plant some flowers in the garden, especially tulips, but you can plant whatever you want, even in a pot, why not?:) lettuces, tomatoes, aromatic plants... 

Visit any of the Farmer Markets scattered around the area. You can buy there fresh vegetables, local Organic products, international foods, dairy products, they usually have a bakery....

Source:www.wellandgood.com

Steam/Cook fiddleheads. I am sure you have never heard about Fiddleheads. They are the young coiled fronds of the ostrich fern and Canadians say that they are delicious. You have to be careful when cooking them because they can be poisonous.The Goverment of Canada gives useful and safety tips in this page: http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/eating-nutrition/safety-salubrite/fruits-vegetables-legumes-fruits/fiddlehead-fougere-eng.php

Try a new recipe!

Barbacue in the backyard. Essential if you want to fit in.

Paddle a river or the sea kayaking. It is the ideal vantage point for getting close to birds and other wildlife. Or just for fun. There are several companies in Saint John where you can rent kayaks

Visit a farm to see the animals. You can visit the zoo in your city, a farm, or just pay more attention to the animals around you. In the spring, many animals and birds have their young, taking advantage of the abundant food and warm days. 

Source: Nane. Kingsbrae garden. Saint Andrews

Feel the sun on your skin. Canadians go bare legged when spring comes.. we are not as brave as they are, but it is nice to feel the sun on your skin after so many months with your long sleeves!

Sit outside a cafe. Now that the temperatures are warmer.. it is time to enjoy a cup of coffee or some beers with friends!

Take advantage of your yard, your deck or any other place outdoors and start making craft activities. Take  paper, markers, crayons, scissors and glue and let Renata teach you how to make cute decorations. For more information, go to her webside: http://www.noivaprendada.com.br/

Plan your summer vacation.

Indoors. If you prefer staying indoors,

• you can organize your winter photos. 
• work out in the gym or swim in the local indoor swimming pool.
• arrange a night of bowling or skating or going to the cinema with friends.
• buy tickets to a  basketball game and encourage your favorite team.
• subscribe to a reading club in your Library.
• sign up for a class of one week
• get involved with a voluntary activity in your community

And not as interesting as the previous ones, but spring is time to organize your closet.





Source:yourstylesavior.com

Get rid of the clothes you don´t wear. Donate them and you will do a favour to somebody who could need and use them. 

Wash and store your winter clothes. 

With these two steps, you will have more space in your wardrobe and you will find your clothes more easily each morning. 

Cheers and Enjoy!

Formas de vir para Canadá: Visto de Estudante (Universidade e College)

erasmusplus

Dentre muitas maneiras de vir para o Canadá, uma das mais utilizadas é através do visto de estudante.
confira nas linhas a seguir algumas informações sobre essa modalidade tão cobiçada.

Um pouco da minha história:

Quando decidirmos vir para cá eu e meu marido analisamos várias possibilidades e dentre elas, surgiu a possibilidade da vinda como estudante de College (que na época era a mais fácil, barata, rápida e menos burocrática). Como meu marido veio como estudante e por sermos casados, eu automaticamente ganhei o Work Permit (Visto de trabalho).

Porque escolher esse método: 

Através da nossa experiência, posso dizer que é uma ótima maneira de se ter uma primeira impressão do país. Se você ainda tem dúvidas se quer imigrar de vez, é uma excelente oportunidade para se acostumar com a cultura, clima,  estilo de vida e o mercado de trabalho, em vista que uma vez como estudante, de college ou universidade você passará no mínimo um 1 ano e até 5 anos (dependendo do curso ou especialização que deseje fazer) por aqui e terá oportunidade e passar por muitas experiências que ajudarão a tirar suas próprias conclusões sobre o País.

Uma vez aqui, suas chances de entrar com pedido de imigração por programas provinciais  ou após sua graduação você pode solicitar um visto de trabalho (Post Grad. work Permit), com isso suas chances são maiores.

Na pior das hipóteses você voltará  ao Brasil com um upgrade no seu currículo e com fluência em inglês.

Porque não escolher esse método: 

Caso você não tenha um bom nível de inglês, esse não é o meio mas indicado para você. Uma vez que todas as instituições de ensino solicitam comprovação de proficiência na língua inglesa (ou francesa dependendo da província) e isso é comprovado através dos testes de proficiência como TOEFL, IELTS.

Histórico escolar, carta de indicação de professores, diplomas e certificados todos esses documentos serão solicitados pelas instituições e todos devem ser traduzidos por tradutor juramentado e enviados por correio.. tudo isso não sai barato!

Caso você não tenha uma reserva financeira, Bolsa de estudos ou alguém que te patrocine essa também não é a melhor das alternativas. Além de ter que comprovar renda suficiente para se sustentar durante o período de estudos, esse visto possui algumas restrições quanto ao permissão de trabalho (sua permissão ira depender da sua carga horária de estudos), pois uma vez que você veio como estudante, sua prioridade é estudar!

Para mais informações sobre esse assunto acesse os links abaixo:

Como solicitar visto de estudante http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/study.asp

Lista de instituições legalizadas pelo governo http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/study-institutions-list.asp

Tipos visto de estudante para trabalhar enquanto estuda: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/study-changes.asp

Espero que tenha esclarecido um pouco, essa opção de vinda para o Canadá.

Dúvidas, sugestões, deixe seu comentário aqui abaixo ;)

Why are we doing this?

Last week, having a cup of coffee at Tim Hortons...  wait a moment,... You haven´t heard about Tim Hortons? That means that you haven´t arrived to Canada yet!. Come with us!

As we were saying, we were talking about our experiences living in Canada, how different some of them were from the ones we had in our countries and how many people were asking us how to immigrate here. So, we decided to start this "canadaeasyguide".

We hope this guide will help you.

We will talk about the themes we are more concerned about or the ones we love, but you can tell us which one you  are interested in and we will try to write about it!