Alberta
10 Creative Things To Do At Home To Beat The Cabin Fever
I don’t know if it is the same for everyone reading this but the lack of socializing and the amount of TV that has been watched over the last two weeks has driven us all a little crazy. If you’re sick of that “are you still watching” screen and find yourself un-enthused by reading further into the current pandemic, you may get a kick out of some of these 10 things to get creative at home.
No, we are not trying to sell you anything
Change up the vibe in your living room or bedroom
Take a look at your furniture, then take a piece of paper and draw out a few different floor plans for your living room or bedroom. Say if you have five new floor plans for your living room, pick one and try it out. Fresh vibes feel great!
Listen to one album start to finish every morning
We all have those artists we love and some we “kinda” like. Take the opportunity to play a full album and really appreciate the artist’s style. You may find a lot of songs that you personally like but didn’t have the highest plays or reach the top 100 in the country.
Start a blog or write for open forums
There are a lot of people out there writing blogs and creating content everyday in different ways. Keep in mind a lot of people have social media as their blog, such as a fashion stylist using Instagram to keep her followers aware of what she is up to on her journey. Whether or not you enjoy writing on paper, typing into a word document, enjoy taking photos or love editing videos, it’s never a bad time to keep friends updated on what you’re up to.
Open forums have received a bad rap in recent years from a small minority of insecure fools thinking that freedom to write anything means they can bash and insult. A large majority of the open forums these days have consistent moderation that track conversations closely. Thus providing higher quality discussion and opinions. One of my favorites is Quora. It allows you to ask and answer questions within a network of hundreds of thousands educated professionals.
Try out new clothing styles
Have you ever thought or even care about how you look in your current “looks”? Has it ever ran through your mind in the past that you can inspire others to be more creative in how they want to look? Going through what you like to wear and what looks good can be a nice boost of confidence.
Can’t hurt to take the time to go through your current wardrobe and lay some outfits out on your bed to see what could work differently. Make a list of your favorite brands and have a flick through their website or Lookbooks for upcoming seasons. Try matching colors, patterns, brands or even see how that denim suit looks on you.
Change up your diet
Let’s take a second to remember that this is not easy, especially when we are faced with boredom among an array of daily distractions. Adding a light structure to your day working from home or even how you manage your weekend will feel awesome after a week of consistency.
Whether or not you have an education in nutrition, have a personal training certification or just care about your weight, trying something new will give you that extra drive to reap the benefits. Crash juice diets, keto friendly food or going down the vegan route, why not give it a try for even one week! Take on the challenge and do right by yourself to tell your friends how your experience was from real practice.
Make a stretching routine to do every morning
We are talking about within the first 30 minutes of getting out of bed. Stretching can release endorphins, increase blood flow and give your body that extra boost for the day. Why not check out some stretching routines on Youtube and take from them what works for you? There is an endless amount of videos with experts demonstrating multiple movements. Here is a great article if you would like to learn more about the benefits of stretching in the morning.
An average electric kettle and even most Keurig brand coffee makers take approximately 2-3 minutes to boil and thus make a cup of coffee. Take that 2-3 minutes and see how many stretches you can fit in. Here’s an example of what you can get done in that amount of time – “3 Minute Stretch Routine”.
Find awesome podcasts, or start one
Most of us are aware of this new trend in digital content to consume. The crazy part is that this industry continues to grow. You can find a podcast relating to almost anything these days, whether or not you are trying to grow your skills in sales, learn about science, struggling with mental health, seeking out travel advice, want to hear some jokes…you name it, there is something out there. Were you aware that a lot of famous comedians have podcasts?
Podcasts have also been added to our music streaming platforms like Spotify or Apple Music. Why not have a flick through the categories and jump into some topics you are curious about, you may get hooked. Youtube is another great platform for podcasts listeners who preview a visual to keep their interest. One of my favorites is Joe Rogan’s podcast “PowerfulJRE” who has interviewed hundreds of guests with some well known names like Elon Musk and Neil Degrasse Tyson.
Physically write out your bucket list
Here is one that can prove difficult if you’re stuck standing there with two things on a page and scratching your head thinking they’re not crazy enough. A tip to getting a full list is not caring about the level of severity, how minuscule or how aspirational things can be to be on your bucket list.
Ever high fived a clown? Have you ever wanted to float down the bow river? Have you ever created a pyramid of cards? Have you ever wanted to drive a Lamborghini around Las Vegas? How hard is it to book a trip on a hot air balloon?
Dive deep and think about what you would like to have completed in your mind. Once that is done then having it physically written will begin that journey to making them all real.
Make a real itinerary for a trip for later in the year or next year
I personally enjoy doing this, taking a look at routes for road trips and exploring the options for hotels and campsites along the way. Why not get together with your other half or friends and bounce some ideas off each other for what types of places and trips interest you.
Then once you’ve made some clear direction then why not have some fun with building a travel itinerary together? Look at cities, flights, accommodation, prices, transportation, monuments, tourist attractions and travel advice. It can be very exciting once you start to zero in on a real plan. Make a budget, start saving and look forward to something that you feel confident in.
Go through old photos
There has to be a treasure trove of old photographs of you somewhere, maybe it’s a dusty box at your parents house or maybe you still have all your photos on Facebook from the last decade. Regardless it is always good to reflect on who you were in the past and who you have become to date.
If anything it will most likely give you a good laugh and a reason to reach out to some lost connections from your past. Nothing says “it’s been so long” then an embarrassing photo of you both together.
For more stories visit – Todayville Calgary
Alberta
Alberta’s fiscal update projects budget surplus, but fiscal fortunes could quickly turn
From the Fraser Institute
By Tegan Hill
According to the recent mid-year update tabled Thursday, the Smith government projects a $4.6 billion surplus in 2024/25, up from the $2.9 billion surplus projected just a few months ago. Despite the good news, Premier Smith must reduce spending to avoid budget deficits.
The fiscal update projects resource revenue of $20.3 billion in 2024/25. Today’s relatively high—but very volatile—resource revenue (including oil and gas royalties) is helping finance today’s spending and maintain a balanced budget. But it will not last forever.
For perspective, in just the last decade the Alberta government’s annual resource revenue has been as low as $2.8 billion (2015/16) and as high as $25.2 billion (2022/23).
And while the resource revenue rollercoaster is currently in Alberta’s favor, Finance Minister Nate Horner acknowledges that “risks are on the rise” as oil prices have dropped considerably and forecasters are projecting downward pressure on prices—all of which impacts resource revenue.
In fact, the government’s own estimates show a $1 change in oil prices results in an estimated $630 million revenue swing. So while the Smith government plans to maintain a surplus in 2024/25, a small change in oil prices could quickly plunge Alberta back into deficit. Premier Smith has warned that her government may fall into a budget deficit this fiscal year.
This should come as no surprise. Alberta’s been on the resource revenue rollercoaster for decades. Successive governments have increased spending during the good times of high resource revenue, but failed to rein in spending when resource revenues fell.
Previous research has shown that, in Alberta, a $1 increase in resource revenue is associated with an estimated 56-cent increase in program spending the following fiscal year (on a per-person, inflation-adjusted basis). However, a decline in resource revenue is not similarly associated with a reduction in program spending. This pattern has led to historically high levels of government spending—and budget deficits—even in more recent years.
Consider this: If this fiscal year the Smith government received an average level of resource revenue (based on levels over the last 10 years), it would receive approximately $13,000 per Albertan. Yet the government plans to spend nearly $15,000 per Albertan this fiscal year (after adjusting for inflation). That’s a huge gap of roughly $2,000—and it means the government is continuing to take big risks with the provincial budget.
Of course, if the government falls back into deficit there are implications for everyday Albertans.
When the government runs a deficit, it accumulates debt, which Albertans must pay to service. In 2024/25, the government’s debt interest payments will cost each Albertan nearly $650. That’s largely because, despite running surpluses over the last few years, Albertans are still paying for debt accumulated during the most recent string of deficits from 2008/09 to 2020/21 (excluding 2014/15), which only ended when the government enjoyed an unexpected windfall in resource revenue in 2021/22.
According to Thursday’s mid-year fiscal update, Alberta’s finances continue to be at risk. To avoid deficits, the Smith government should meaningfully reduce spending so that it’s aligned with more reliable, stable levels of revenue.
Author:
Alberta
Premier Smith says Auto Insurance reforms may still result in a publicly owned system
Better, faster, more affordable auto insurance
Alberta’s government is introducing a new auto insurance system that will provide better and faster services to Albertans while reducing auto insurance premiums.
After hearing from more than 16,000 Albertans through an online survey about their priorities for auto insurance policies, Alberta’s government is introducing a new privately delivered, care-focused auto insurance system.
Right now, insurance in the province is not affordable or care focused. Despite high premiums, Albertans injured in collisions do not get the timely medical care and income support they need in a system that is complex to navigate. When fully implemented, Alberta’s new auto insurance system will deliver better and faster care for those involved in collisions, and Albertans will see cost savings up to $400 per year.
“Albertans have been clear they need an auto insurance system that provides better, faster care and is more affordable. When it’s implemented, our new privately delivered, care-centred insurance system will put the focus on Albertans’ recovery, providing more effective support and will deliver lower rates.”
“High auto insurance rates put strain on Albertans. By shifting to a system that offers improved benefits and support, we are providing better and faster care to Albertans, with lower costs.”
Albertans who suffer injuries due to a collision currently wait months for a simple claim to be resolved and can wait years for claims related to more serious and life-changing injuries to addressed. Additionally, the medical and financial benefits they receive often expire before they’re fully recovered.
Under the new system, Albertans who suffer catastrophic injuries will receive treatment and care for the rest of their lives. Those who sustain serious injuries will receive treatment until they are fully recovered. These changes mirror and build upon the Saskatchewan insurance model, where at-fault drivers can be sued for pain and suffering damages if they are convicted of a criminal offence, such as impaired driving or dangerous driving, or conviction of certain offenses under the Traffic Safety Act.
Work on this new auto insurance system will require legislation in the spring of 2025. In order to reconfigure auto insurance policies for 3.4 million Albertans, auto insurance companies need time to create and implement the new system. Alberta’s government expects the new system to be fully implemented by January 2027.
In the interim, starting in January 2025, the good driver rate cap will be adjusted to a 7.5% increase due to high legal costs, increasing vehicle damage repair costs and natural disaster costs. This protects good drivers from significant rate increases while ensuring that auto insurance providers remain financially viable in Alberta.
Albertans have been clear that they still want premiums to be based on risk. Bad drivers will continue to pay higher premiums than good drivers.
By providing significantly enhanced medical, rehabilitation and income support benefits, this system supports Albertans injured in collisions while reducing the impact of litigation costs on the amount that Albertans pay for their insurance.
“Keeping more money in Albertans’ pockets is one of the best ways to address the rising cost of living. This shift to a care-first automobile insurance system will do just that by helping lower premiums for people across the province.”
Quick facts
- Alberta’s government commissioned two auto insurance reports, which showed that legal fees and litigation costs tied to the province’s current system significantly increase premiums.
- A 2023 report by MNP shows
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