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How to Reduce Your Energy Costs

December 11, 2019
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| Categories: Bridges Out of Poverty, Circles, Getting Ahead

Winter in Simcoe County can be harsh and keeping heating costs reasonable can become a challenge. In our latest blog, let’s take a look at some tips and tricks to stay warm while still keeping costs down.    Set the thermostat lower. Lowering the thermostat by even just a couple of degrees  can help save you money right away. Many households will go even lower at bedtime and add more blankets to combat the chill. If you feel chilly, instead of raising the thermostat, put on a sweater and socks or slippers. You can also buy a programmable thermostat to...

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Planning for the Holidays on a Budget

November 5, 2019
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| Categories: Bridges Out of Poverty, Circles, Getting Ahead

If you’re already struggling to make ends meet, which so many of us are, the upcoming holiday season will only add more financial pressure. Everyone wants to give their family the best holiday they possibly can without going further into debt. With a little planning and some creativity, you can have a wonderful holiday and not break the bank.   Create a Holiday Budget Whether you create a simple spreadsheet or put pen to paper, seeing your holiday budget in black and white is a great motivator to stick to it! Organize your gift budget by individual family members, keeping...

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How to Vote in the Federal Election

October 15, 2019
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| Categories: Bridges Out of Poverty, Circles, Getting Ahead

The Federal Election is quickly approaching on October 21, 2019, with some advance polls already open. Being informed is the first step in ensuring that you make an electoral decision that you feel is best for your needs and the needs of your family. Whether this is your first time voting or you just need a quick refresher, let’s look at everything you need to know in our latest blog.  Am I Registered? Most Canadians who are of legal voting age are automatically registered. If you are registered, you should have received a voter information card in the mail. It...

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Why Financial Literacy is an Imperative Life Skill

September 17, 2019
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| Categories: Bridges Out of Poverty, Circles, Getting Ahead

Financial Literacy (definition): 1) The ability to make responsible financial decisions. 2) The education and understanding of various financial areas including personal finance, money, borrowing, and investing.   Whether deciding if you should go out for lunch again this week, if you can afford to put your youngest child in hockey, or what strategy to take for a long-term investment, financial literacy plays an integral role in everyone’s daily life.    Yet the way we shop and spend has changed over recent years. With previous generations spending only the cash in their pockets and making due with what they had, ...

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How to Get Frugal With Your Family’s Back to School Shopping

August 12, 2019
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| Categories: Bridges Out of Poverty, Circles, Getting Ahead

It’s no joke … sending your kids back to school each year with everything they need can be tough on your bank account. This school year, it’s estimated that “families with children between kindergarten and 12th grade can expect to spend an average of $696.70” on back to school shopping, as per the Better Business Bureau. So how can parents afford to get all the back to school essentials their kids need, without blowing their budget? Get frugal with spending, and plan ahead. After taking stock of what items you may already have at home, consider these 7 back to...

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Simcoe County Circles: Celebrating Our Community Involvement!

July 30, 2019
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| Categories: Bridges Out of Poverty, Circles, Getting Ahead
Butter Tart Trot 2019

Simcoe County Circles is proud to be a supporter of many fun, exciting and important events around our communities. Being part of these events isn’t just something we do for fun. These are events that bring our communities closer together and strengthen our ties - but they’re also definitely a ton of fun! 2019 has been pretty great so far and we’re very excited to see what the rest of the year brings us. Looking back, we’d like to highlight two events that we were thrilled to support. GBDSS Wellness Fair This was a fantastic event on May 15th, hosted...

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Simcoe County Circles Guide to The Living Wage

June 10, 2019
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| Categories: Bridges Out of Poverty, Circles, Getting Ahead
Living Wage

The County of Simcoe recently released their 2018 Living Wage Recalculation for Simcoe County report and it has been a hot topic of discussion for many local groups and individuals. How is the Living Wage defined and calculated? Is it realistic? How were the parameters decided? Let’s take a look at this hot topic in our latest blog.   The living wage isn’t the same as the minimum wage employers are required to pay their employees. The living wage is based upon the actual cost of living in the community. As an example, while a fast food service employee will make...

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Is Basic Income the Answer?

June 3, 2019
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| Categories: Circles
Is Basic Income the Answer?

At Simcoe County Circles, we believe that no one should live in poverty. If given the right tools and support, economic stability can be achieved by just about anyone. Is Basic Income the answer to reducing or eliminating poverty in our communities? Let’s explore this concept in our latest blog by examining the recent Ontario Basic Income Pilot project. What is Basic Income? Basic Income is defined as “is a payment to eligible couples or individuals that ensures a minimum income level, regardless of employment status”. Basic income differs from social assistance because it is given to anyone who meets...

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Stop Struggling. Start Getting Ahead.

April 30, 2019
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| Categories: Getting Ahead
Getting Ahead

“Before Getting Ahead I couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel. I started Getting Ahead and found out I wasn't the only one. I found the resources I needed to start making my future the way I want it to be. I am now doing courses I didn't know were available.” ~Getting Ahead Graduate Housing. Jobs. Food. Transportation. Without these basic necessities, life is a struggle. With so many families living paycheque to paycheque, it can be very hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. That’s where Simcoe County Circles comes in, to...

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How Does Food Insecurity Affect Canadians?

March 22, 2019
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| Categories: Circles
Food Insecurity

Food insecurity is a very real issue impacting the physical, mental and social health of over 4 million Canadians. Although food insecurity is strongly linked to poverty in our country, it can affect almost anyone at any time. Let’s take a deeper at this problem in our latest blog. What is Food Insecurity?   Food security is defined as “when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.” When income is too low or unsteady, there is not...

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