As a homeowner and the head of your house, you can't put a price on protecting your home and family.  However, tough economic times often call for scaling back, whether that's purchasing a lesser cable package or giving up your Sunday family lunches at local restaurants.  There is one thing, though, that you shouldn't skimp on?€”home security.  Fortunately, a home alarm system doesn't have to break the bank.  There are plenty of affordable packages to accommodate every budget, even in difficult economic conditions. A basic home alarm system package is available for only $35.99 a month.  This package comes with a high-quality system that works to protect your home 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  It includes: A digital keypad that gives you one-touch access to local police and fire departments Keychain remote access that allows you to arm and disarm your home alarm system from anywhere in the house as well as from up to 50 feet away Infrared motion detectors, which enable you to actually configure your pets' weight and height into the settings so they can still roam the house freely Three points protection that audibly sounds each time anyone opens an entry point into your home High decibel alarm that notifies you as well as your neighbors of a potential intruder Battery backup that ensures your home is protected even when the power is out Yard sign and window decals that provide the first line of defense in your home's protection There are two other packages to choose from when considering your home security system.  The first package comes with a two-way voice intercom on your keypad.  It enables you to speak with a monitoring representative from up to 75 feet away in your home.  It's a great feature for anyone living on their own. Also, you can subscribe to a package that requires your home security monitoring center to contact you via cell phone if your alarm is triggered.  This package ensures that you'll always know what's happening in your home, regardless of if you're at work for the day or on vacation for two weeks.  And best of all, both packages are less than $45 a month

Let's pretend that you are the vendor of a small novelty hoard in a small rural city in the Midwest. Most of your merchandise is handmade ornaments and crafts shaped by the residents of the small city (on commission so the up front loss of most of your merchandise is token).

Wouldn’t it be great to travel the world and get paid for doing so?

Question: "What's the biggest financial investment most Canadians will ever make?" Okay, that may have been an easy one if you read the headline of this column. For most Canadians, their home is their biggest investment - and their most powerful financial tool