Fads come and go but wabi-sabi is here to stay! In a world where everything moves at full speed, it’s a real breath of fresh air.
It isn’t easy to translate wabi-sabi. Wabi refers to solitude and the simplicity of living alone in nature, whereas sabi could be translated by “wilted” or “withered.” There’s nothing particularly charming about these two words. However, this remarkably minimalist aesthetic concept encourages us to appreciate the beauty of natural phenomena and the passage of time while promoting quality over quantity.
Basically, this Japanese philosophy with Buddhist roots that is entering our homes opposes mass consumption and fleeting fads by peacefully and humbly embracing imperfection and incompleteness. Follow these basic rules to understand and adopt wabi-sabi.
Simple and refined decor
Simplicity and serenity go hand in hand. Wabi-sabi invites us to declutter our houses of the unnecessary to create a modest and inspiring space for happy living. It’s not about systematically tossing out every useless item but learning to appreciate things as they are – and oneself at the same time. It’s necessary for happiness: slow down and mindfully enjoy the present moment.
Do you want to buy property but have a profile that prevents you from borrowing from traditional financial institutions? An alternative lender may be an option for you.
What is an alternative loan?
Did you know that you can obtain a mortgage from private lenders, mortgage investment corporations and credit unions? They are managed by provinces and so are unencumbered by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions’ (OSFI) new requirements. These new rules were implemented to limit household debt and higher housing prices in certain areas.
Believe it or not, repainting your house with the right colours (interior and exterior) is essential in selling it. If you’re planning on selling your house in 2019, keep this article in mind.
Who doesn’t want to sell their property within a reasonable timeframe and above the asking price? To that end, many choose to repaint their houses to increase resale value.
However, not all renovations are worthwhile and, more importantly, they aren’t always profitable. Painting various rooms or the exterior of your property is a low-cost renovation that could lead to a higher return on investment (ROI).
Congratulations! You’re a homeowner. Now that you have a place to call your own, you may be wondering how to pay down your mortgage a little bit faster.
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According to a BMO 2015 home-buying report, the average Canadian expects to pay off their mortgage by age 59 — but 31 per cent think they’ll still have a mortgage by their 65th birthday. Looking to ditch your debt quicker — without over-extending your budget? It may save you hundreds (if not thousands) in the long run.
Thank goodness for the Internet and social media! All the properties on sale are right there, on the screen. What a great way to save time! However, you will quickly realize that, even though you are using keywords, the choices are countless. You cannot sort them all. With or without the Internet, you will need to structure your property search.
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The first question you need to ask yourself, and this will become your prime selection criteria, is the following: Why do you want to buy a property? The answer might seem obvious, but it is an illusion. Several reasons push you to look for a new property. For some of you, those reasons are essential, and for others they are secondary. We have already written on this subject. We encourage you to read the following article.
