(NC)—For many, regular nine-to-five business hours are becoming a thing of the past. Consumers are looking for instant gratification ― they want what they want, when they want it. This has challenged many companies to reevaluate how and when they do business. Simple as it seems, businesses that offer around-the-clock availability have set the trend. With convenience at a premium, we're quickly becoming a 24/7 society.

(NC)—For university and college students, finding a part-time job can be difficult. A demanding school schedule is tough enough; add to that the strain of employment and you end up with a lot of stressed-out youth.

(NC)—Keeping the entire family happy on a road trip is no easy task. Whether you're taking a day trip, heading to the cottage for the weekend, or going away for a weeklong family vacation you will want to bring maximum enjoyment and minimum stress to you and your family. So, before you pack up the car, consider the following tips to keep the whole family happy on the journey and avoid the question – “are we there yet?”

With auto insurance fraud and abuse on the rise, Canadians should be aware of the tactics dishonest individuals use to commit fraud and how it could involve them if they get into an auto accident.

(NC)—Understanding your insurance policy can often be confusing, especially when it comes to comprehensive and collision coverage. These coverages can help protect you financially by covering the cost of repairs or replacement of your vehicle if it's damaged in an accident. Here is how they can protect you:

(NC)—According to a recent RBC Insurance survey, almost half of Ontario drivers (49 per cent) are not aware of the changes to accident benefit coverage limits that will come into effect on September 1 with Ontario's auto insurance reform. It's important that drivers understand what the changes mean and how it will impact them.

(NC)—When it comes to understanding auto insurance, many Canadians are unaware of the financial risks they face when driving without adequate liability coverage.

(NC)—No longer used strictly for business or flashed as a symbol of status, owning a cell phone became a basic necessity for Canadians of all ages years ago. As technology evolved and cell phones developed into smartphones, many users embraced their device's capabilities and took advantage of the various ways to stay connected. Some, however, still prefer the simplicity of a phone call and would rather skip the additional perks altogether.

(NC)—Gone are the early days of the cell phone as a large, clunky and expensive device that allowed you to make calls remotely – that is, if you were lucky enough to find service coverage. Nowadays, the “phone” portion of the device is not always the most often used, as indicated in a recent survey conducted by Angus Reid Public Opinion on behalf of Primus Canada.

(NC)—More and more baby boomers are hitting the gym, hiking trails and other fitness venues to increase their active lifestyles, keep physically fit and improving their quality of life. It is becoming increasingly clear that the problems we once associated with aging are actually related to disuse of the body - and the baby boomer generation is becoming wise to this fact.

(NC)—Busy women today need to be prepared for almost anything at a moment's notice. Frizz, unshaven legs, and bad hair days are some of the common dilemmas stemming from a fast paced lifestyle. Staying fresh and fabulous everyday doesn't have to be a chore and can be fun with just a few minutes of planning.

(NC)—In general, men tend not to spend too much time on their grooming regimen. However, like most daily tasks, guys are always looking for those time-saving tricks and tools. Shaving, for example, is one of the most important rituals of the day and men don't need to sacrifice style to save time.

(NC)—December may be months away, but falling leaves will quickly turn into white snowflakes as the holiday season approaches. The easiest way to avoid typical holiday shopping stress is to start early, create a plan, and stick to it. This is also a great way to find the best deals. Follow these simple helpful tips that experienced shoppers use to ensure they stay on a reasonable budget and minimize stress.

(NC)—As effortlessly as the seasons change, now any woman can transform her look from the runway to reality. Despite the end of vacations and chillier weather on the horizon, women can be stress-free about their hairstyles.

(NC)—As inevitable as the leaves changing colour, the back-to-school energy is filling the air. This year, you can make sure that your kids are ready to excel both academically and socially.

(NC)—We've all been there: clipping coupons and looking to save that extra dollar. And why not? Being frugal can help Canadian families save hundreds of dollars each month without compromising on their “wants”. Most people think it's too difficult to really be able to reduce costs. However, there are some easy ways anyone can jump on the frugal bandwagon, starting by looking at what you purchase most often.

(NC)—We've all had the moment when we look at our bank accounts and wonder where our money is going. Often we just don't pay attention to where or how much we're spending on everyday essentials. Here are five easy tips to help you keep more money in your bank account:

(NC)—The end of summer means the beginning of a new school year and with that come the newest and coolest gadgets.

(NC)—School's in. While you're back to school shopping for the kids, it's the perfect time to explore all of the new features smartphones have to offer this season. Today's smartphones are not just about e-mailing and making calls—they are powerful devices that can be customized to suit the many roles you play in your busy life. Customizing your phone is easier than ever, thanks to the superior personalization features of Android-powered phones.

(NC)—As summer vacation cools down and work begins to heat up, it's a great time to upgrade your tech gadgets.

(NC)—One of the largest primary-contact health care professions in Ontario, chiropractic is a non-invasive, hands-on health care discipline that focuses on the neuromusculoskeletal system.

Ontario's chiropractors provide tips to lessen the load and keep injuries at bay

Size is everything Choose a backpack that is proportionate to body size and not larger than needed. The top of the backpack should not extend higher than the top of the shoulder, and the bottom should not fall below the top of the hipbone.

(NC)—As summer draws to a close, kids face the painful reality of heading back to school, and toting a heavy backpack can only add to their suffering. According to a 2010 study published in the journal Spine, which used a new standing MRI technique to analyze the effects of increasing backpack loads in the spines of children, increased loads of 4, 8 and 12 kg resulted in compressed discs in the lower back and increased curvature of the spine.

(NC)—As the Canadian population continues to age and live longer, many adult children are becoming stressed and stretched with added family responsibilities. According to the Desjardins Financial Security National Survey on Canadian Health, the responsibility of caring for aging parents while managing their own family and professional obligations could be impacting the sandwich generation's mental health. The results, released this past May, indicated that their burden is likely to increase over the next few years.

(NC)—If you fall within the baby boomer or Gen X groups, you'll count among 9.8 million senior citizens by 2036, according to Statistics Canada. And if you're currently between the ages of 40 and 60, you've started planning for retirement by putting money away in an RSP or pension.

(NC)—According to the Childhood Obesity Foundation, over 26 per cent (or 1.6 million) of Canadian children and youth are considered overweight or obese.

(NC)—The back-to-school season can be both an exciting and anxious time. Parents can teach children a few lessons, and take a few precautions themselves to put their mind at ease when children leave home to go back to the classroom.

(NC)—You love the look of natural wood flooring but are afraid to install hardwood because you know your floors take a beating from the kids, pets and the heavy day-to-day traffic all too common in modern family life.

(NC)—Home remodeling, especially room “makeovers,” are on the increase, as many of today's homeowners are looking for ways to improve their surroundings, but at the right price.

(NC)—Natural stone and ceramic tile floors have great design, architectural and sculptural qualities. But they can be expensive, hard to clean, cold to walk on and not very durable.

(NC)—Cancer statistics are never pretty. But the good news is research shows that 30 to 35 percent of all cancers can be prevented by eating well, being active and not being overweight. Along with physical activity and not smoking, healthy eating is one of the cornerstones of cancer prevention.

(NC)—Did you know that some laundry detergents don't remove body oils and sweat from clothes and bedding, even after washing? To get rid of the unseen 'yuck' from laundry look for new Sunlight Deep Clean laundry detergent that's specially formulated to help remove lingering body oils and sweat as well as everyday dirt and stains.

(NC)—Did you know one person can produce up to several litres of sweat in a day? Even after washing, clothes and sheets can still trap lingering body oils and sweat. New Sunlight Deep Clean laundry detergent is specially formulated to safely penetrate between the fibres of clothing to help remove trapped body oils and sweat that other detergents can leave behind.

(NC)—According to a national state-of-the-laundry survey for Sunlight Deep Clean laundry detergent 14% of Canadian women admit to wearing the same socks for several days in a row and 3% admit to turning underpants inside out instead of washing them. Canadians might want to reconsider their habits in light of Sunlight research that shows sweat and body oils, not visible to the naked eye, can linger in clothes even after being washed with some other detergents.

(NC)—In a national state-of-the-laundry survey for Sunlight Deep Clean laundry detergent more than a third (36%) of Canadian women admitted to having gone more than a month without changing the bed sheets and 12% admitted to not changing the sheets on a guest bed between guests. This isn't very restful news, especially when research shows body oils and sweat can linger deep inside fabrics, even after they have been washed by some other detergents.

(NC)—If you're like most Canadians, it's happened to you: a shrunken sweater, bleach streaks on your best bed sheets, perhaps a beloved MP3 player run through the wash.

(NC)—Are your 'clean' clothes truly clean? In a recent national state-of-the-laundry survey for Sunlight Deep Clean laundry detergent, conducted by Angus Reid Public Opinion, more than 95% of Canadian women said they were confident that their laundry was free of sweat and body oils after washing.

(NC)—If you visit some of the more stylish kitchen showrooms, you'll likely see a selection of tall, complex kitchen faucets that look like they need to come with an instruction manual. These are the currently very popular professional-style faucets, based on designs that are used for professional chefs.

(NC)—While cheery and bright colours of green, red or yellow create a fun and lively look in the kitchen, for a more sophisticated look consider black. Not only does black add refinement and elegance but it's easy to fit into any existing colour scheme and doesn't show dirt as easily.

(NC)—The beauty and shine of a brand new stainless steel sink can be quickly marred by the first few scratches. Here are some essentials of kitchen sink care from Blanco, a leading premium kitchen sink manufacturer with more than 80 years experience in kitchen workstation design and manufacturing.

(NC)—If you're thinking of selling your condo, it may be time to look at a few simple but effective improvements for your kitchen that give it a lift and create a better first impression for potential buyers.

(NC)—Moving to a new country can be an expensive venture. Making large simultaneous investments towards a car, a house or your post-secondary education can be challenging. Yet, these items are often necessary.

(NC)—If you are thinking of starting a business in Canada, it pays to know what resources are available. There are several special programs and services offered by the government, and financial institutions to help newcomers become successful business owners in Canada.

(NC)—Newcomers typically have many questions and decisions to make when they arrive in Canada, especially when they're trying to get established financially. RBC visited China and India to speak with people before their move to hear about their questions and concerns first-hand.

(NC)—Getting settled and established financially are just a few of the priorities for newcomers to Canada. Camon Mak, head of multicultural markets for RBC offers four tips for making a successful transition:

(NC)—For most people, their home is their largest financial asset. Because of the high value attached to homes, they may be a key target of fraud.

(NC)—Purchasing an estate property can seem like a great deal, but buyers shouldn't be seduced by a low price tag without digging a little deeper. Buying a property of this kind can be complex due to some specific issues that may arise.

On the spectrum of issues people want to think about, setting up a power of attorney is very low on the list. Although sometimes a difficult subject to think about or discuss, everyone should have a power of attorney.

(NC)—Pinched at the pump, Canadians are looking for ways to save on their two least favourite car costs:

(NC)—When you jump into your car is it a Honda? Toyota? Ford? Chances are it is according to Kanetix.ca. A closer look at the vehicles quoted online for car insurance at Kanetix revealed 2009's most popular car brands:

By Gillian Birch

(NC)—Every day we see them on our streets – customized vehicles with non-stock spoilers, enhanced engines, raised suspensions and the like. Needless to say, the post-manufacturer auto modification business is booming.

(NC)—Your neighbour drives a BMW M Roadster, while you get around in a sporty 2000 Honda Civic SiR. You both have clean driving records and travel the same distance to work. The BMW is worth more than the Civic, and then the shock comes – you're paying more for auto insurance. Consumers are left asking why – well, the answer is CLEAR.

(NC)—Swimming in the lake and playing cards with the family on a rainy day. Cottage memories are fresh in our minds, but with the kids back at school and the days getting shorter, winter weather will soon be on its way.

(NC)—Fall's chilly evenings mean it's time turn up the heat. However, in our efforts to keep cozy, we may be turning up the possibility of a fire.

(NC)—When your child moves away from home for college or university, there are important changes and responsibilities to consider. Along with the emotional stress of having your young graduate leave home, you also need to consider what the move means for your finances and insurance policies.

(NC)—Fall is upon us, which means beautiful seasonal colours and leaves crunching under your feet. Beyond the season's splendour, for homeowners there is an array of chores to do around the home and yard.