Did you know when you sign up for dance classes or a fitness membership in BC, you are entering a type of contract that entitles you to certain cancellation rights? Find out how this real BC consumer exercised her rights to secure a refund from a dance studio in BC after an unexpected injury.  Consumer story: BC consumer stays a step ahead by knowing her rights Shaunna’s* young daughter, Maxine*, had been enrolled in dance classes at a studio in British Columbia. Shaunna had prepaid for her daughter’s annual tuition. Sadly, five weeks into classes, Maxine injured her foot and couldn’t par ..read more

Halloween is an exciting time for many families and communities to connect and have fun together. Here are some tips to help keep your festivities safe this Halloween. 5 Halloween safety tips If you’re trick or treating with your kids Travel in groups. It’s always a good idea to trick or treat in groups. Coordinate so you or another parent are tagging along for supervision. Make sure young kids are never out of direct eyesight and have them check in with you regularly. Be seen. Include reflective or brightly coloured clothing in you or your children’s costumes. Bring a flashlight, glowstick o ..read more

Want to learn how to travel better? Look no further! Check out these top travel tips from other British Columbians to help make your travel experience even smoother. We asked, you answered! We asked BC consumers on Facebook to tell us their top travel tips and they sure delivered! To join in on the conversation, like our Facebook page and follow along! We like to get feedback from our community, and we share info about local scams, consumer tips, and your rights in BC. These are your top travel tips We would like to extend a big thank you to everyone who shared their tips with us on Facebook ..read more

Taking the plunge and starting an exercise routine is often seen as only half the battle. Here are some tips to help you stick to your new exercise routine. 6 tips to help you stick with an exercise routine Make it a habit. Try to exercise at the same time. Linking exercising with other habits like changing after work or eating a snack can make it easier to stay committed. Set clear goals. Whether it’s losing weight, gaining muscle, increasing stamina, or overall fitness, make sure your goals are specific, measurable, and attainable. Listen to your body. One of the best ways to stick with an ..read more

Enjoying holiday cheer and time spent with loved ones can sometimes come with an expensive price tag. Earlier, we asked you to share your money saving tips for the holidays. Here are some of the tips you shared with us on how to enjoy the holiday season without breaking the bank. Tips to help you save money this holiday season Set a budget and stick to it! A good way to avoid overspending is to set a realistic budget. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) has a great budget planning tool to help you keep track of how much you spend this holiday season. Decorate wisely. Avoid buying b ..read more

Gift cards are a great gift option without having to guess the size, colour, or style of gift someone will like. Here’s a (reenacted) conversation between two staff with some reminders about BC’s gift card rules. Aidan: Hey Amanda, I’m having trouble deciding on gifts to give my family. I think I’m just going to give them some gift cards. Can you remind me of what I might need to know when I’m shopping for gift cards? Amanda: One of the main things people often forget about is that some gift cards can expire. Here’s what you need to know… Which gift cards can expire, and which can’t? Gift card ..read more

Did you know when you sign up for dance classes or a fitness membership in BC, you are entering a type of contract that entitles you to certain cancellation rights? Find out how this real BC consumer exercised her rights to secure a refund from a dance studio in BC after an unexpected injury.  Consumer story: BC consumer stays a step ahead by knowing her rights Shaunna’s* young daughter, Maxine*, had been enrolled in dance classes at a studio in British Columbia. Shaunna had prepaid for her daughter’s annual tuition. Sadly, five weeks into classes, Maxine injured her foot and couldn’t par ..read more

Many life hacks are designed to save time and money, but these ones can also help you reduce your impact on our environment! Check out these 5 eco-friendly tips that can help you save money. 5 eco-friendly tips that can help you save money Take public transport. We know this is not always an option, but consider using public transport when you can. It is often cheaper than paying for gas or parking in urban areas. Browse second-hand markets. Whether it’s garage sales, thrift stores or using one of the many online marketplaces, shopping second-hand markets is a great way to reduce costs and sa ..read more

Do you know what your loved one’s end-of-life wishes are? Perhaps you aren’t clear about the details. Or perhaps you have no idea at all because they haven’t shared them with you. This tells you that now is the time for the talk. It’s going to be uncomfortable, but it may be one of the most important conversations you have. How to talk with your loved ones about their end-of-life wishes “I would really like to talk to you about your end-of-life wishes. Can we arrange a time to have that conversation?” “I’ve been thinking about my final wishes and I realized that I don’t know what yours are. C ..read more

We all enjoy spending time with the people we care about, but it can get expensive. Here are some ways you can host friends and family on a budget. 5 ways to host guests on a budget Host a potluck. This is a great way to save money while still hosting dinner for loved ones. You can even set a theme and make pizzas, ice cream sundaes, or have everyone bring a festive food item. Whether you choose a theme or not, you’re sure to come away with some great recipes. Game nights. Keep friends and family engaged with fun activities, indoors or outdoors. Outdoor game night. Backyard games of cornhole ..read more