THE MAGAZINE FOR COSTCO MEMBERS

January 2025

AVISON YOUNG

James Nelson

is principal and head

of Avison Young’s

Tri-State Investment

Sales group in New

York City, an author

and a podcast host.

Learn more at

Jamesnelson.com.

BY JAMES NELSON

Tips to save you time and trouble when

hiring new employees

My first job out of college was with a real estate firm in New York City that took

me on as one of its first employees.

After being in the industry for 25 years, I’ve had the chance to make hundreds

of hires. Thousands of resumes have crossed my desk. I’ve built teams from the ground up and watched them

grow. Here are strategies I’ve used to build successful teams:

© KERKEZZ / STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Know what you need.

Evaluate the gaps that need to be filled. Write a job description to understand how the new hire will fit into your company. Include responsibilities, experience required and wage-related information. Are you looking for help with mailing or scheduling tasks? Do you have enough work for a full-time staff member? Would it be better to hire a contract worker for several hours

each week or a part-time virtual assistant who works as a remote employee to provide assistance with tasks like administrative support? (See “Online assistance.”)

Consider an intern.

When adding a team player, college students can provide a win-win. They gain industry experience through an internship at your company, while you receive help with tasks and freed-up time. Best of all, you get to know them and see them in action.

In my office, we recently had an intern who consistently went above and beyond his job duties. His dedication was evident. When we needed to hire a new employee, it was easy to turn to him as a candidate.

Look for leadership skills.

The company that hired me right out of college knew that I had next to no real estate experience. Still, they saw I had been the captain of my swim team. Since I had shown initiative in this area, they believed I would apply it to learning the real estate business.

Now I look for candidates who have demonstrated leadership skills. Self-starters will step up and offer ideas for the business, and leaders will know how to rise above adversity. When you’re ready to make the next hire, they can train the newcomers.

As your business increases, each new hire can bring energy to the company. Success is a team sport—build a strong staff and you’ll all be positioned to reap the rewards.

COURTESY OF CHRIS WHITE

Chris White

is a chartered financial analyst charterholder and is head of research for 5i Research.

Through an exclusive arrangement, Canadian Money-Saver’s ex perts

partner with the Costco Connection to share advice about relevant

financial topics.

Email topic suggestions to moneyinfo@

canadianmoney

saver.ca.

Costco members are

offered a one-year

special intro­ ductory

price with on line

subscription. Go to

Canadianmoney saver.ca and click on

“Subscribe,” or call

519-772-7632. Online,

use “Costco” for the

discount code at the

bottom of the page.

BY Chris White

Tips for making and keeping financial goals

Most people acknowledge and understand the importance of New Year’s resolutions, as well as the sentiment that very few resolutions are actually kept by the end of the year. But that should not deter you from setting

a few financial New Year’s resolutions. Even if the resolutions are not fully kept, making small progress is better than

no progress. Here are a few financial resolution ideas to consider:

Set one clear and achievable

financial goal.

This allows an individual to seek out what financial goal they are really looking to achieve. By setting a SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound) goal, you can more easily achieve these objectives. An example might be for an individual to invest $5,000 in a tax-free savings account. From there, the individual can work backward and assess how this goal can be accomplished (i.e., how much per month does this work out to, setting up

a recurring automatic transfer, etc.).

ILLUSTRATION: © BESTPIXELS / STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Create a budget and stick to it.

There are many different methods of budgeting—one of the main methods is the zero-based budget. This method involves listing all sources of income for the month, writing down all expenses for the month and allocating every dollar of your income to an expense category. If the expenses exceed the income, then adjustments starting with the most discretionary spending categories may be needed.

Invest for the future.

Picking out specific investments is crucial to long-term success, but equally important is starting early and benefiting from compounding returns. Additionally, understanding the different investment accounts available to Canadians is important for maximizing tax efficiency and utilizing the contribution limits where possible.

Financial health can take different forms, whether it’s creating a budget, refining investments or setting one achievable financial goal that at the end of 2025 can be looked back on with pride. The year is young, brimming with possibilities, and telling your dollars where they should go versus asking where they went can make all the difference by the end of 2025.

Please do your own due diligence when making any financial decisions. This column is for general informational purposes only and may not apply to all provinces. It is meant to get the reader thinking about their finances; it is not meant to be used in lieu of advice from a professional.

Sevag Sagherian

Marc Saltzman

(@marc_saltzman)

is a tech journalist and host of the Tech It Out podcast. He answers selected questions in this column and regrets that all questions can’t be answered individually.

Email

cdnconnection@

costco.com

Please include

“Tech Connection”

in the subject line.

BY MARC SALTZMAN

© RUDZHAN / STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Tips to simplify using technology

This is the first of a three-part series

designed to help allay fears surrounding the use of technology.

Not surprisingly, younger generations

are the heaviest users of technology,

but adults age 50 and older are adopting

digital devices at a rapidly increasing rate. Today, nearly 78% of Canadians age 50 to 64 own a smartphone and a computer. And the numbers are comparable for those age 65 and older.

While tech ownership may be relatively high, older users often have concerns about using tech. I hope these tips help address concerns you may have surrounding the use of technology.

You can’t easily break your tech

Whether it’s a laptop or a new smart TV, it’s very difficult to damage your gadgets—although many fear messing things up.

Even if you accidentally change something you can often fix it by going into the “Options” area of “Settings” and selecting what you previously changed (such as updating the Wi-Fi password on your smartphone).

Worst-case scenario, you can go back to the factory settings of devices such as a new camera or iPad, and you’ll be fine (which is usually found in the “Reset” or “About” area). Be sure to first backup your important files. If you accidentally deleted something, you can find it in the Recycling Bin.

Cybersecurity doesn’t need to be overwhelming

Many computer users are concerned about privacy and security. Taking the following precautions will help keep you safe:

● Don’t use the same password for all your online activity. A free password manager app is a good solution.

● Set up multifactor authentication for accounts that offer it. This means you will need not only a password to log into an account, such as your online bank account, but also a one-time code that will be sent to your mobile device. Enter the code to verify that it’s you.

● Use a virtual private network when browsing the web to remain private and anonymous to those who want to track your activity.

● Never click on a link or attachment in an email or text message from someone you don’t know. Be wary when the message says you need to quickly confirm your identity. When in doubt, contact the company asking you for this info.

MICHAEL MARK

Lois Alter Mark,

an award-winning

travel writer, has sailed on more than 30 cruises and is looking forward to experiencing

these new ships and itineraries.

BY LOIS ALTER MARK

This year, enjoy new ships, more private islands and

lots of special offerings

More people are cruising than ever, and it’s easy to see why. Every year, ships get bigger and better and cruise lines come up with new ways to ensure passengers have the time of their lives. Here’s what some popular cruise lines have in store

for 2025.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line just welcomed Disney Treasure, the sister ship to Disney Wish,

to its fleet. Highlights include the first theatrical dining experience based on

the Oscar-winning animated feature

Coco, the debut of the exclusive

Broadway-style stage show Disney The Tale of Moana, bars themed around the Haunted Mansion and the Jungle Cruise, and Jumbeaux’s Sweets, inspired by the café in Zootopia.

COURTESY OF CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE

Artist’s rendering of Carnival Cruise Line’s Celebration Key.

Carnival Cruise Line

Celebration Key, the first port destination designed exclusively for Carnival guests on the island of Grand Bahama, will open in July and feature five dis-tinct portals. Shop at an authentic artisan marketplace, take a dip in the largest freshwater lagoon in the Caribbean or admire the views from a lounger on the white sand beach. You can also race through the 10-storey-high Suncastle on a 106.6-metre (350-foot) waterslide, rent a floating Aquabana or enjoy the Game Pavilion, the Sports Court and a swim-up bar.

Norwegian Cruise Line

In April, Norwegian Aqua will set sail on the first of its seven-day Caribbean itineraries as the new generation of the brand’s Prima Plus Class. It’s 10% larger than Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, and boasts several firsts, including the world’s first hybrid roller coaster and waterslide (the Aqua Slidecoaster) and the cruise line’s first Three-Bedroom Duplex Haven Suites.

Later this year, Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island in the Bahamas, will complete construction on a multi-ship pier, making it accessible to more guests.

COURTESY OF NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

Artist’s rendering of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Aqua.

Royal Caribbean

The follow-up to their Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, Royal Caribbean’s Star of

the Seas will debut this summer in Port Canaveral, Florida. Its over-the-top features include the largest water park and ice arena at sea, seven pools and more than 40 spots to eat and drink.

In 2025, guests will also get to experience Royal Caribbean’s new Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in the Bahamas. The 17-acre beach club will feature three pools with swim-up bars, four island-style food venues and a variety of experiences showcasing local artisans and live music.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

S.S. Elisabeth joins the Uniworld fleet in March, setting sail from Amsterdam on the eight-day “Castles Along the Rhine” itinerary and embarking on the “Rhine Holiday Markets” itinerary during the holiday season. Like S.S. Victoria, its sister ship, S.S. Elisabeth will provide an intimate and luxurious experience, accommodating up to 110 guests and featuring some of the largest suites on European rivers. In addition, Uniworld will introduce six new European itineraries in

2025, including “Cruise & Rail: Paris to Istanbul” and “Dutch and Belgian Holiday Celebration.”

Acclaimed for their beauty and recognized as a store of value, precious metals have captivated humanity throughout history. Today, they continue to attract investors with their rarity and economic value.

The Royal Canadian Mint is proud to work with Costco Canada to bring our bullion products-globally recognized for quality, purity, security and liquidity-to Costco members nationwide.

Why Precious Metals?

Because precious metals are real physical assets with perceived inherent value that lasts over time, they historically have not been subject to the same forces that drive financial markets up and down. Gold, for example, has performed well during both good and bad economic times.

It has shown consistent growth over time thanks in part to its dual nature and diverse applications-used in jewellery, technology, investment.

When investing in precious metals, it's essential to proceed with caution and choose a trustworthy provider. Carefully assess your risk tolerance and speak with a financial advisor before making any decisions. Precious metal prices can be volatile, and the future value of any asset cannot be predicted.

Why Buy Bullion Made by the Royal Canadian Mint?

With over a century of experience, we have one of the world's most advanced gold and silver refineries and minting facilities. Trusted for their quality and security, and available in markets across the world, our bullion coins and bars offer global liquidity. Backed by the Government of Canada, we guarantee their weight and purity and ensure all material used is responsibly sourced1. Our bullion products feature cutting edge security features and, in some cases, tamper proof packaging.

A Strategic Asset

According to experts, many investors choose gold because:

It has high liquidity2

Is an effective portfolio diversifier2

Historically perceived

as a trusted store of value

Availability varies by location.

1. In compliance with the London Bullion Market Association's Responsible Gold & Silver Guidance.

2. World Gold Council: Gold as a strategic asset: 2024 edition

The content herein is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute investment, financial, legal, tax or accounting advice. These statements do not guarantee future performance. Investments in precious metals does not guarantee investment returns, and diversification does not eliminate the risk of loss. © 2025 Royal Canadian Mint. All rights reserved.

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Screen that sun

© ELENA PANEVKINA / STOCK.ADOBE.COM

According to

Canada.ca,

some sunscreen may contain chemical UV filters, physical UV filters or a combination

of both. No matter what type of sunscreen you choose, wearing SPF daily has health benefits, including helping to protect your skin from sunburn, helping to prevent skin cancer and helping to

prevent premature aging.

Not sure how to incorporate sunscreen into your routine? Here’s a cheat sheet.

In the morning, follow these steps:

1. Cleanse.

2. Apply serums,

if using.

3. Moisturize.

4. Apply 5 mL (1 tsp)

of sunscreen to your

face and neck, plus

additional sunscreen to

skin that is not covered

by protective clothing.

Costco members respond to our poll, posted to Costco’s social media

Whatever you put on your face—put it on

your neck and upper chest too!

Crystal Trudeau

Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen!

Irma D Allaby-Mclaughlin

Never go to bed without taking

off your makeup!

Marion Webster

Moisturize, moisturize,

moisturize!

Marie Diane Blackwell

Drink lots of water.

Janice Joan

SPF 50, every day!

Manon Sinclair

SPF, SPF, SPF.

Roxann Sullivan

© PROSTOCK-STUDIO

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