Saving for an emergency fund can feel challenging in today’s economy, yet it is absolutely possible to begin building financial security one small step at a time. Even better, every bit you save puts you in a stronger and more confident position.

A 2024 Bankrate report found that many people are still finding their footing with savings. About 27% of U.S. adults have no emergency cushion and 29% do not have enough to cover three months of expenses. The good news is that you can change your own situation starting right now, no matter where you begin.

Although experts often recommend saving six months of expenses, you do not need to reach that level immediately. Start by aiming for one month of essential costs. This smaller goal is both realistic and empowering. Begin by adding up your fixed expenses such as housing, transportation, food, childcare, utilities, and communication services.

Next, create a separate bank account for your emergency fund and set up automatic transfers so saving becomes a simple habit. Even if it takes a year to save one month of expenses, that is a true achievement and an important financial foundation.

As you build your fund, work on reducing high interest debt at the same time. Anthony Martin, CEO of Choice Mutual, encourages this balanced approach because it strengthens your financial future from two directions. Others, like Dave Ramsey, suggest saving one thousand dollars first, then focusing more heavily on debt payoff. Choose the approach that feels right for you and keeps you moving forward.

When you reach your first goal, set your sights on saving three months of expenses. With each milestone, you gain more stability and peace of mind. Keep an eye on your spending and look for small ways to save, such as cooking at home more often. Every positive choice adds up and moves you closer to long-term security.

Homeownership comes with important paperwork, and some records should be kept long-term for financial, tax, and legal protection. These are the documents every homeowner should hold onto.

Closing Documents

Keep all paperwork from your home purchase, including loan documents, disclosures, and settlement statements. Hold these throughout ownership and for at least three years after you sell, since they may be needed for tax reporting or to answer questions about the transaction.

Receipts for Home Improvements

Save receipts for major upgrades until three years after selling the home. They help show the value you added and support capital gains calculations.

Mortgage Payoff Statements

Once your mortgage is fully paid, keep the payoff statements permanently. They confirm that the loan was satisfied and protect you if any questions arise later.

PMI Statements and Canceled Checks

If you paid private mortgage insurance, keep statements and proof of payment for three years after the tax year in which you claimed the deduction.

Property Tax Payment Records

Hold on to property tax bills and proof of payment for at least three years. These may be needed during an audit or when verifying deductions.

Why These Records Matter

If questions come up about ownership, deductions, or the value of your home, these documents provide the evidence you need. Keeping them organized gives you peace of mind and protection in the future.

Spring is the perfect time to spark curiosity and let kids discover the magic of growing things. These simple projects make it easy for little gardeners to jump in and feel proud of what they create.

Start Seeds in Their Own Patch

Give kids a tiny garden spot to plant easy seeds, such as peas or sunflowers, and watch them sprout.

Create a Themed Garden

A themed garden is a small garden built around a fun idea, such as pizza! For a pizza garden, kids simply plant the ingredients they’d want on their pizza, like tomatoes for sauce and herbs such as basil and oregano, along with a favorite vegetable topping or two. It’s a playful way to connect what they grow to something they already love.

Use Eggshell Planters Indoors

Start seeds in eggshells on the counter for an early taste of gardening success.

Build a Simple Bee House

Create a cozy home for friendly pollinators and help kids learn why bees are garden superheroes.

Chicago is full of unforgettable quirks, but few are as spectacular as the moment its river transforms into a dazzling shade of emerald green for St. Patrick’s Day. Each year, city boats glide along the waterway, releasing a special environmentally friendly dye that sweeps through the current and turns the entire river into a glowing ribbon of bright green.

Crowds gather along bridges to watch the color spread in a matter of minutes, creating a vivid, dramatic sight that feels almost magical.

This beloved tradition began in 1962 when members of the Plumbers Local Union first dyed the river in celebration of the holiday. What started as a creative idea quickly became one of Chicago’s most iconic annual spectacles, drawing visitors from around the world who come to witness the city’s bold, brilliant take on the celebration.

March is the month when the world slowly brightens again. Days stretch longer, the air softens, and early blooms hint that spring is near. Among these first signs of renewal, orchids stand out with their striking shapes and elegant presence.

They shimmer like butterflies, balance like tiny ballerinas, or trail long, delicate petals that flow like silk. Their scents range from vanilla and chocolate to mint, pepper, roses, and even unusual aromas designed to attract specific insects. To pollinators, they offer clever invitations. To people, they offer beauty and fascination.

March is an exciting time for orchid enthusiasts, who watch their plants closely for new buds and fresh blooms. What was once an exotic rarity has become one of the world’s most welcoming and social hobbies. Orchid lovers gather in clubs across many countries to share care tips, celebrate the season’s first blossoms, and exchange stories about the varieties they are nurturing.

Destinations from California to Malaysia welcome visitors eager to see some of the 28,000 accepted orchid species, a diversity greater than all birds and mammals combined.

In the 1800s and early 1900s, orchids were scarce enough that people undertook risky expeditions for them, which added to their air of luxury. Today they are far more accessible, often costing around $20, and their care is simpler than many expect. They thrive in bright but indirect light, with good airflow and careful watering.

March showcases all they represent, bringing the calm, colorful joy of watching something extraordinary unfold.

The early spring thaw is the perfect time to give your bike a little love. A few small upgrades now can help you roll into the new season with confidence, better performance, and fewer mechanical surprises. Here are six smart checks to kick off your riding year.

Freshen up your tires.

Mountain bike knobs lose their sharp edges over time, which means weaker grip on dirt. Road bike tires tend to flatten across the top, making cornering feel clunky. All rubber hardens with age, so even if your tires look fine, giving them a spring refresh can noticeably improve your ride.

Assess your chain.

Chains stretch with use, and a worn chain can lead to poor shifting, a higher chance of breakage, and faster wear on your chainrings. You can measure for stretch or simply make chain replacement part of your yearly spring routine. It is a small investment that protects the rest of your drivetrain.

Check your cables.

They control your shifting and braking, and worn ones can snap without warning. Regular inspection and timely replacement help you ride safely and avoid mid-ride problems.

Refresh the brake pads.

Rim brake pads harden as they age and tend to collect grit that grinds against your rims. Disc brake pads can trap debris that eventually gouges rotors. Spring is a great moment to install new pads, and you can even choose options designed for specific rim materials or rough riding conditions.

Swap out worn cleats.

If clipping in feels awkward or clipping out feels inconsistent, your cleats may be past their prime. Worn cleats can even release unexpectedly. Install new ones early in the season when your mileage is low, and enjoy smoother, safer pedal engagement for months ahead.

A little spring maintenance goes a long way. Refreshing these key components now sets you up for smoother rides, safer miles, and fewer surprises. It is an easy way to give your bike a clean slate for the season ahead. Make these checks part of your yearly routine and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a well-tuned ride.

Sudden back pain can strike after something as simple as a twist or a sneeze, but most back problems actually develop over years of unnoticed strain. Poor posture, faulty body mechanics, extra weight, emotional tension, and a lack of consistent fitness all contribute to long-term stress on the spine. With these common issues, it is easy to understand why back pain remains one of the most frequent complaints today.

Posture: Align Your Foundation

Stand tall and keep your ears, shoulders, and hips in a straight line. If you are unsure whether your alignment is correct, a physical therapist or trainer can help you evaluate and improve it. Good posture provides the foundation for healthy movement throughout the day.

Body Mechanics: Move With Intention

Maintain the same alignment of ears, shoulders, and hips during everyday activities, especially when bending or lifting. Keeping lifted objects close to your body reduces unnecessary strain and helps prevent injuries. Simple adjustments in how you move can protect your back more than you might expect.

Exercise: Build Strength, Flexibility, and Endurance

A well-rounded fitness routine supports a strong and healthy back. Include aerobic activity, flexibility training, and strengthening exercises to keep your spine supported and mobile. Aerobic activities such as walking, biking, or swimming can begin at ten to fifteen minutes three or four days a week, eventually increasing to thirty minutes.

Flexibility Is Equally Important

Limited mobility, particularly in the hips, forces the spine to move more than it should and can lead to discomfort. Stretching the areas where your range of motion is restricted allows your spine to function properly.

The BC Real Estate Association (BCREA) is aware of the recent announcement that the Musqueam Indian Band and the Government of Canada have signed three landmark agreements recognizing Musqueam’s Aboriginal rights, and strengthening Musqueam’s roles in fisheries, stewardship, and marine emergency management. We remain attentive to the evolving landscape of Aboriginal title in BC through policy, legal, and practice lenses.

We recognize the significant efforts made to advance negotiated agreements outside of the courts. Negotiated solutions contribute to clarity and shared understanding of governance structures, particularly in a province where the history of land, title, and jurisdiction is complex and evolving.

It is important to underscore that agreements of this nature do not invalidate fee-simple title. Aboriginal title and fee-simple title are distinct legal concepts, each with its own characteristics and scope. Continued education and thoughtful dialogue are essential to ensuring confidence in BC’s property ownership system.

BCREA will continue to monitor developments as additional details become available, provide analysis, and communicate updates as appropriate. You can find these updates and other related resources on our “Trust as the Foundation of Property Ownership” web page here.*

Canadian real GDP rose by 0.2 per cent in December, after remaining mostly flat in November. Both goods-producing and service-producing sectors grew by 0.2 per cent, respectively. Sectoral growth was led by manufacturing (1.2 per cent), wholesale trade (1.7 per cent), and transportation/warehousing (0.7 per cent). The biggest detractor to growth came from mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (-0.9 per cent). Output for the offices of real-estate agents and brokers fell by 3.6 per cent month-over-month. Preliminary estimates suggest that real GDP by industry was essentially unchanged in January.
     
Real GDP decreased by 0.2 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2025, registering an annualized growth rate of -0.6 per cent. Contraction was driven by declines in non-farm business inventories, led by the manufacturing and wholesale trade sectors. Overall trade picked up in the final quarter, with exports and imports increasing by 1.5 per cent and 0.3 per cent, respectively. Nonetheless, trade declined in 2025, with exports falling by 1.7 per cent and imports dropping by 0.4 per cent. Household spending rose 0.4 per cent in Q4, driven by higher expenditures on rent and financial services which offset an overall decline in goods-expenditures. Total capital investment increased 0.8 per cent, largely driven by government investments in weapons systems. Meanwhile, business investment declined by 0.1 per cent, as both residential and non-residential investment fell. However, business investment increased by 0.3 per cent overall in 2025. The household savings rate fell 0.8 points to 4.4 per cent, as disposable income growth was outpaced by nominal spending. Overall, the Canadian economy grew by 1.7 per cent in 2025. 

Canada’s economic performance comes as an unwelcomed surprise, with annualized growth in the fourth quarter underperforming the Bank’s updated projection of flat (0 per cent) growth. Behind the headline number, increases in exports, household spending and government investment contributed to growth in the final quarter. However, 2025 marks the third consecutive year of government capital investment outpacing business capital expenditures with respect to GDP growth, suggesting ongoing weakness in private sector investment. A broad-based drawdown in trade for the year was the biggest detractor to growth in spite of further recovery during the final quarter, with export volumes to the US failing to recover from the sharp declines seen in the second quarter as tariffs began permeating into the economy. Taken together, while the headline number may spook readers, we expect the underlying resilience in the Canadian economy found in this report to keep the Bank of Canada on course for another rate hold in March.

For more information regarding British Columbia's GDP growth, please visit our Nowcast for an estimate of economic activity throughout the province:

BCREA Nowcast - British Columbia Real Estate Association

About BCREA’s Housing Monitor Dashboard

The BCREA Economics team has created the Housing Monitor Dashboard to help REALTORS^® monitor BC’s housing market. This dashboard, which is updated monthly, provides up-to-date data on key variables for public education and use. Focuses include:

• Resale Home Market
• Construction
• Rental Market
• Borrowing Costs
• Other BCREA Data

In the dashboard, the image and data are available for download under each chart, where possible.

The staff, directors, and members of the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) have been deeply saddened by news of the unspeakable tragedy that occurred in Tumbler Ridge, BC, on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and everyone else affected in the Tumbler Ridge area and beyond.

In partnership and collaboration with our colleagues at the Canadian Real Estate Association, REALTORS Care^®, and BC’s eight regional real estate boards and associations, BCREA is launching a fundraising campaign in support of the Canadian Red Cross’s Tumbler Ridge Tragedy Appeal. Donations will be used to respond to the immediate and emerging needs of impacted individuals and families, and to support the recovery and resiliency of the community. 

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