Are Extended Warranties Worth It?

Retailers push them, but before you buy consider this: 

Repairs may be covered by the manufacturer's warranty. There's a good chance the product is covered for at least 90 days and if it's defective, you'll know very soon. Check to see if it's a repair or replacement warranty.

Your credit card may have you covered. Some credit cards automatically extend the manufacturer's warranty on products purchased entirely with the card. The coverage is free. Check your agreement for terms.  

They don't make them like they used to. True, products don't seem to last. Today, the average life expectancy of a new washing machine is 11 years. Instead of paying a service warranty, consider putting the money you'd spend on the annual warranty into a designated product or replacement fund. 

If you're planning accessibility upgrades, be sure to do them this year.  Announced in the 2016 Ontario Budget, the government has proposed to end the Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit (HHRTC) as of January 1, 2017. The HHRTC was introduced in 2011 as a 15% refundable credit to seniors, worth up to $1,500, if they renovated their home for accessibility and safety.

2 (15.5-ounce) cans no-salt-added chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained  
2 garlic cloves, crushed  
½ cup water  
¼ cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
½ cup crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese  
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice  
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil  
¾ teaspoon salt  
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Place beans and garlic in a food processor; pulse 5 times or until chopped. Add 1/2 cup water and remaining ingredients; pulse until smooth, scraping down sides as needed. Transfer mixture to an 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese. Bake at 400° for 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve with baked pita chips.

7161 Fairmeadow Crescent
Lisgar, Mississauga
Freehold Townhome
List Price $489,900