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A little advanced planning will help keep you sane during your renovation.

The joy of the holiday season is upon us which means it’s time to light things up!

If you're thinking about renovating your home, you’ll want to try and consider some of the smaller details before things get underway.

Careful planning will not only allow you to hold onto your sanity during the upheaval but it will also ensure you get the best bang for your buck!

Here are a few tips to keep in mind to help ensure your renovation goes smoothly:

Peace of Mind
Make sure you agree in writing on a reasonable completion date but keep in mind that renovations can sometimes be delayed due to unforeseen circumstances so expect the unexpected.

Clear the Clutter
Take the opportunity before your renovation gets underway to donate any unwanted items to charity so your newly renovated home won’t be full of clutter.

Be Flexible
Accept from the start that you’ll be dealing with a lack of privacy along with dust, noise, mess and disorganization but remember, it’ll all be worth it in the end!

Kidding Around
Set aside a few toys and games to keep the kids occupied and schedule some playdates and local outings so you can escape the construction zone chaos.

Food For Thought
Preparing nutritious meals at the best of times can be a challenge but it’s even harder in a construction zone so prepare a few nice freezer meals for quick and easy dinners.

Stay In the Loop
Misunderstandings between contractors (and spouses) are one of the biggest causes of stress during a renovation so be sure to have an open line of communication and schedule regular progress reports.

Watching your home transform into something new that your family will enjoy for years to come is a very exciting experience but it’s also a major inconvenience.

The secret to making sure you’re not overwhelmed and that everything goes smoothly is to remain calm throughout the process and plan ahead for surprises.

If you go into your renovation prepared with a solid plan of action, your dream home will become a reality before you know it!

TAKE IT TO THE BANK!

The demand for food donations in the K-W area will be greater than ever this year.

Local charities, such as food banks, have struggled to keep up with a strong demand that has continued to increase over the last few years.

During the holidays, most people are in a very giving mood but when the new year rolls around, donations usually slow down to a crawl.

To make matters worse, food prices rose sharply during 2022 and are expected to continue rising in 2023 according to Canada’s Food Price Report which means that even more people will have to rely on food banks this year.

There are so many people in K-W who struggle to afford nutritious meals during these difficult times which is why the Waterloo Regional Food Bank is in desperate need of non-perishable food donations along with diapers, toiletries and cleaning supplies.

In addition to food and toiletries, financial donations are especially important as they offer the flexibility to buy fresh food or to load up on items that are in short supply.

Thanks so much to the amazing people who continue to volunteer their time at our local food banks – your work is truly invaluable!