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Are you looking for a home to rent or lease? Here is a checklist of important things to consider to help you find the rental premises that is ideal for your lifestyle and budget.

If you enjoy gardening and spending time outdoors year-round, you might want to think about starting your own landscaping business. The work is very physical and the hours are long - but you are your own boss and you can get your business up and running quickly for a relatively small initial capital outlay.

Band managers take on many responsibilities - promoter, business and financial advisor, negotiator, accountant, publicist, agent, chauffeur, image consultant - depending on the needs of the artist. The role of the manager is to develop, guide and promote the career of the artist. That entails building connections within the industry with concert promoters, record company execs, and others who are in a position to help the artist move up the ladder of success.

The release of Pokemon Go has opened a Pandora's box of concerns for property owners, lawyers and lawmakers. This is a brief overview of potential legal issues arising from the new and developing area of augmented reality apps.

As a landlord, you put your property at risk when you list it on the rental market. You can reduce your risk and protect your investment by following a few simple rules.

If you're going to be away from home for holidays or business, hiring a house sitter can protect your home and pets while you're away. And using our ready-made housesitting contracts and checklists makes the process so simple while putting the terms of the agreement down in writing.

Happy New Year! With 2013 almost upon us, it's time to start thinking about those New Year's resolutions. Are you focusing on self-improvement this year? Eating healthy, exercising more, quitting smoking - is one of those at the top of your list?

Self-improvement is a wonderful goal. But why not try to be a little bit more environmentally altruistic this year and resolve to start living a greener life? With a few simple changes, each of us can reduce our environmental footprint and do our part to improve the condition of our cities and our planet.

Change Your Lifestyle

Going green doesn't have to be a difficult, painful or inconvenient process. We can all make a positive impact on the environment by:

• making eco-friendly (green lifestyle) choices,
• using products that conserve energy and pollute less,
• recycling and re-using more,
• limiting the use of toxic household chemicals, and
• promoting greener ideas in our households and our communities.

Consume Less Energy

There are many simple ways we can cut down on electricity, water and gas usage without compromising comfort. The World Wildlife Federation (WWF) offers a range of tips on cutting consumption and saving money on utilities. No matter where in the world you live, you can cut consumption and lower your bills by following a few simple rules.

Tune Up Your Vehicle

A properly maintained vehicle not only runs more efficiently, it also burns less fuel and produces fewer emissions. Tire Stewardship BC outlines how making sure tires are properly inflated will save you money by improving your gas mileage, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Be Conscious of What Goes Down Your Drain

Do you pour solvents, paints, bleach and other corrosive or harsh chemicals down your drain? This article should give you pause for thought.

NEVER pour things down the drain that you wouldn't be willing to drink out of a glass! ALWAYS take these materials to a hazardous waste disposal site instead of sending them down into the sewer system, from where they will end up back in the water table.

Image by H. Cuthill

When searching for a contractor to do new construction or renovations and improvements to an existing home, there are some key considerations to keep in mind to help you find a reputable company that will do quality work.