www.colonymotorproducts.cawww.colonymotorproducts.caCALL 1-888-805-0669 OR 306-682-2661 (LOCAL CALLS)CALL 1-888-805-0669 OR 306-682-2661 (LOCAL CALLS)

0% FINANCING ON MOST MODELS0% FINANCING ON MOST MODELS

UP TOUP TO $10,000$10,000 SAVINGSSAVINGS

ON TRUCKS AND 0.8% LEASE RATE ONON TRUCKS AND 0.8% LEASE RATE ON

HALF TON TRUCKS!HALF TON TRUCKS!LEASE YOUR NEXT TRUCK FOR AS LOW ASLEASE YOUR NEXT TRUCK FOR AS LOW AS

$412.$412.0000 PER MONTH + TAX ON APER MONTH + TAX ON A48 MONTH LEASE48 MONTH LEASE

* 2011 GMC SIERRA REGULAR CAB 2 WHEEL DRIVE* 2011 GMC SIERRA REGULAR CAB 2 WHEEL DRIVE

MORE WARRANTY ON USED VEHICLESMORE WARRANTY ON USED VEHICLES

6 MONTHS OR 10,000KM (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST)6 MONTHS OR 10,000KM (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST)ONLY AT COLONY MOTOR PRODUCTS!ONLY AT COLONY MOTOR PRODUCTS!

LIMITED TIME OFFER (EXTENDED UNTIL SEPT. 30TH)LIMITED TIME OFFER (EXTENDED UNTIL SEPT. 30TH)

MURRAY LINSMURRAY LINS

SALES MANAGERSALES MANAGER

JERRY RONELLENFITSCHJERRY RONELLENFITSCH

SALES CONSULTANTSALES CONSULTANT

MIKE GABRIELMIKE GABRIEL

SALES CONSULTANTSALES CONSULTANT

TREVOR GALKATREVOR GALKA

SALES CONSULTANTSALES CONSULTANT

CINDY O’NEILLCINDY O’NEILL

BUSINESS MANAGERBUSINESS MANAGER

TRUCK CENTRALTRUCK CENTRALOVER 50 NEW TRUCKS AVAILABLEOVER 50 NEW TRUCKS AVAILABLE

Home improvement projects have become de rigueur for today’s home-owners. Be it a kitchen remodel or the ever popular man cave project, home improvement projects remain a goal for many homeowners.

As enticing as a home improvement project might be, no project can be successful until a budget has been es-tablished. The right budget will keep homeowners from going deep into debt when improving their homes, ensuring that, upon the project’s completion, they can fully enjoy their revamped castles without the specter of signifi cant debt hanging ominously over their heads.

Before beginning a home improve-ment project, homeowners can take the following things into consideration.

* Personal fi nances: It sounds sim-ple, but homeowners must examine their fi nances before starting a home improvement project. Just because a bank will loan out money for a proj-ect doesn’t mean the project is afford-able. Homeowners should compare their monthly expenses with their incomes, and then determine what’s left that might be able to go toward a project. Monthly expenses include ev-erything from groceries to mortgage payments. When the comparison be-tween monthly expenses and monthly income has been made, homeowners can get a grasp of just what they can and cannot afford.

* Credit score: Many homeowners fi nance home improvement projects with loans from the bank. Particularly in the current economy when banks are being forced to tighten lending re-quirements, securing such loans isn’t

easy. Homeowners with signifi cant credit card debt should eliminate such debt before beginning a project. Doing so serves multiple purposes. First and foremost, eliminating outstanding debt will free up more money to al-locate toward the project. Eliminating debt will also make loan applicants more attractive to prospective credi-tors, increasing their chances of secur-ing a loan and a lower interest rate.

* The project’s priority: Budget-ing a home improvement project also involves being honest as to just how necessary the project is. For example, a man cave might be a dream project, but should it be a priority over other things around the house? If wear and tear is taking its toll on the roof, for instance, the money going toward the man cave should probably be al-located to replacing the roof instead. If a project is low on the priority list but high on the want list, re-examine those projects higher up on the priority list to determine if they are more deserv-ing of immediate attention and funds than vanity projects.

* Overrun costs: Not every home improvement project will come in at or under budget. Many, in fact, go over budget due to a host of factors. Homeowners should not be caught off guard when a project goes over budget. Instead, plan for the project to go over budget and expect such frus-tration. Allocate extra money in the original budget for overrun costs. This will reduce stress and frustration, and if the project comes in under budget, then there’s extra money when the project is completed.

FH119218Before beginning a home improvement projects, homeowners should construct a budget to ensure the project is a success.

Things to consider when budgeting your home improvement project

BuildYour Dreams

Talk to our mortgage specialist from the comfort of your home or in branch.

1.800.667.7477conexus.ca

Planning a home renovation?

534 Bruce Street • Highway 5 EastOne mile east of Humboldt

682-5737

Gift Shop, Garden Centre & Greenhouse

FALL BULBSSale On Now!!

TREES & SHRUBS on Sale

Monday-Saturday 9:00-6:00

203E 47th Street East,Saskatoon, SK

306-652-JAZZ (5299)jazzcabinets@sasktel.net

www.jazzcabinets.com

Tough economic times call for even tougher measures -- and for many homeowners this means getting hands-on with home im-provement projects. Although DIY projects can save money in theory, they also may result in a trip to the hospital if safety precautions aren’t followed.

According to recent statistics, 85 percent of homeowners are tackling projects around the house rather than hiring outside contractors. In this diffi cult economy, emergency rooms are seeing an infl ux of peo-ple coming in with injuries rang-ing from lacerations to puncture wounds from nail guns.

John and Jane Do-It-Yourselfer has easy access to home-improve-ment supplies and tools at the lo-cal home center. He or she also may

be inspired by any of the myriad shows on television instructing in-dividuals to give renovations a try. However, many homeowners are not schooled in proper safety pro-cedures or do not know how to use tools correctly. This is a recipe for injury.

Common injuries include:* falls from ladders or scaffold-

ing* hand and fi nger injuries -- in-

cluding amputation -- from power saws and grinder/sanders

* nail gun injuries; since 1991, these injuries have increased by 200 percent

* eye injuries and breathing dif-fi culties

Homeowners should consider the risks of improvements before beginning. They should also take

precautions to do improvements in the safest manner possible.

* Always read the manufactur-ers’ safety information and usage guidelines for any tools before the are put to use.

* Turn off electrical current to rooms and outlets prior to doing any electrical repairs.

* Wear proper safety equipment, including goggles, dust masks or respirators, boots, and gloves.

* Store chemicals in a locked cab-inet or on a high shelf out of reach of children and pets.

* Be cautious of power cords. Al-ways unplug tools and turn off the switches when the item is not in use.

* Do not climb past the top rung of ladders. Do not use furniture or stacked items as a ladder.

* Jobs such as electrical work, roof work, gas projects, or major plumbing issues are better left to a skilled contractor.

* Make sure drill bits and saw blades are sharp. Dull tools can re-sult in injuries.

* Keep fi re extinguishers and a good fi rst aid kit readily available at all times.

There is no cost savings that make risking a disability worth it. If a project is beyond an individual’s scope of ability, hire a professional instead.

FH109823

How to avoid do-it-yourself project injuries

STAMMEN LUMBER INC.Box 178, Annaheim, SK S0K 0G0

Ph: 306-598-2041www.stammenlumber.com

THINKING OF SOMEHOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

We here at Stammen Lumber are able to help you with all your needs

We can assist you from the basement on up with your interior and exterior needs.

Estimates for houses, decks, shops, garden sheds, or any type of building

you have in mind.

Stop in for coffee and discuss your project requirements.We are here to help!

When working on the home, homeowners should always err on the side of caution to reduce their risk of injury.

B2 ECT FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2011

This collecti on of acreages will be encircled with walking trails and dott ed with community greenspaces, featuring established nati ve trees. Yet it is located less

than a 5 minute drive from Humboldt, with almost every amenity you and your family will need.

Call Patti Durandfor more informati on

and site tours306.231.8650

or patti @pvproperti es.ca

Build your dream home where you’ll have space to enjoy it.

Join Prairie View Properti esand come home!

www.pvproperti es.ca

607 - 2nd St., Humboldt682-1806

www.hometrendsonsecond.com

Window Coverings Paint Home Decor Design Advice

Check out the unique and customized selection of furniture at

Authentic FurnitureAuthentic Furniture

Customized Options:• choice of styles• wood choices• stain choices• fabric or leather choice

• custom sizing available• view our styles in our catalogues

B3 ECT FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2011

Though spring and summer are often seen as the primary seasons for lawn care, fall is a great time to ready a lawn for winter weather. The follow-ing tips can help a lawn withstand winter weather and might even make spring lawn care that much easier once the warm weather returns.

* Fertilize. Fertilizing in the fall actually helps the lawn come the early spring. Nutrients remain in the soil throughout the winter months, and the lawn will utilize those nutrients once the snow melts and the sun and warmer weather return.

* Aerate. Lawns typically become compacted by late summer, making it diffi cult for the grass to thrive. When fall arrives, aerating the lawn can re-lieve that compaction by removing plugs or cores of soil from the lawn. Once a law is aerated, the grass roots can spread out and thicken the lawn. It’s good to aerate in the fall when grass roots

grow. * Edge the property. Homeowners who live in

areas that experience heavy snowfall in the winter might want to edge their lawns in the fall. Edg-ing can eliminate the risk of damaging grass that hangs over curbs and sidewalks when shoveling snow. What’s more, an edged lawn adds aesthetic appeal to the property.

* Seed. Fall can be a great time to seed a lawn as well. Overseeding a warm season lawn in the fall can help a lawn resist diseases throughout the winter.

* Rake the leaves promptly. Don’t allow leaves to accumulate on the grass before fi nally dusting off the rake. If you allow leaves to sit on the lawn too long, they can smother the grass. Don’t allow leaves to reach ankle length.

FH119261

Ready your lawn for winter

Call Kirk for Details! Financing O.A.C.

Buy a new 2011 ATV and get2 year limited warranty and

rebates up to $1200.00!Or a new 2012, you get 2 year limited

warranty and a 3000 lbs winch!

COME IN NOWFOR THE

BEST DEALON AN

ARCTIC CAT®

ATV.

KMK SALES LTD

2302 8th Avenue, Humboldt, SKPh: 682-6299 • Fax: 682-6286Service Centre: 682-6288Store Hours:Mon. - Sat. 8am - 9pmSunday 10am - 5pm

Canada’s Store Turns 89 Friday, September 16Canada’s Store Turns 89 Friday, September 16 thth!!

CANADIAN TIRE: HELPING CANADIANS LIVE, WORK AND PLAY IN CANADA FOR 89 YEARS!CANADIAN TIRE: HELPING CANADIANS LIVE, WORK AND PLAY IN CANADA FOR 89 YEARS!

Great Home Improvement Dealsfor Inside & Out!

Friday - Sunday 3 Day Birthday Salewith great products for only $8.89!

Check your local fl yer for details!

PLUS! Hundreds of In-Store Sales availableonly at your local Humboldt location!

All PremierInterior/Exterior

Paint $10 off, PLUS buy two or more 3.7L cans

and receive a $10 Bonus Card

to use on your next purchase at

Canadian Tire

30% OFF on 20” Smart Screen

Aluminum Gutter Protection System

55”KingwoodMedia Centre/

Electric Fireplace Only $298.88

50% OFF!!

B4 ECT FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2011