Tech tools every small business owner should be using

There are many tools that go a long way to making our lives easier, from the Internet to the dishwasher.

When it comes to running a business, like it or not, there are plenty of ways technology can make a significant difference in a company’s ability to be successful for the long haul. Here are three must-haves:

Cloud-based data management systems

Well-known email services should provide powerful calendar features, automatic backup settings and secure file-storage and -sharing capabilities. But if a business owner is still working manually or in files saved on one computer, it’s probably time to adopt these features in a now-standard software suite.

Otherwise, one spilled coffee could destroy everything, and there’s likely a lot of time and energy being used that could be put to better use. There are plenty of free tutorials online to help new users get the most out of these tools, and many companies will happily set up a free trial or demonstration to go over the ropes.

Password management tools

There is a lot to lose when passwords are lost or compromised, especially when a small business is involved. Secure password managers can safely store login information, so no one is tempted to leave the details written down or choose passwords that are easy to hack.

Navigating the Canadian housing market: Tips for newcomers

A password manager can also give back the time spent repeatedly resetting forgotten passwords and makes it easy to grant occasional access to employees through the manager without revealing the password to them.

Accounting software

If a business doesn’t already use cloud-based accounting software, it’s worth considering signing up. There are a lot of time-saving perks to take advantage of such as automated invoicing and late-payment reminders to help ensure moneyowed is collected, receipt and expense tracking, and even time tracking tools to see what parts of the business are requiring the most of the company’s time and efforts.

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Finding housing can be a big job, especially for newcomers to Canada. From budgeting for housing, researching neighbourhoods and deciding if it’s better for you to rent or buy a home, there’s a lot to consider when deciding where to live. Research shows that aspirations of home ownership are considerably higher for newcomers to Canada than the average person. Here are tips to help you prepare to buy your first house. Understand how much you can spend Having a realistic idea of how much money you can afford to pay for housing is important. This will help you narrow your search and prevent you from overspending. Make a budget by comparing your income to your monthly expenses. In addition to housing, groceries and transportation, account for the cost of utilities like internet and cellphone, and a little extra for entertainment or a meal out once in a while.

Research neighbourhoods

It’s a good idea to research the area you want to live in to make sure it has access to the amenities and services you need, like schools, community centres and public transportation. You can learn a lot about a certain place by talking to people who live there or joining residents’ groups on social media. It’s also a good idea to take advantage of online tools that can help you determine the average costs to buy or rent based on neighbourhood and the size of the home. To rent or buy?

If you have the means, you might consider purchasing a home rather than renting. Each has benefits, but your decision might depend on your current situation and financial goals.

Buying: If you have an established credit history and have saved a down payment, you might consider buying a home, which will help you build equity to tap into in the future (the value of the mortgage you’ve paid back each month). However, you may give up some flexibility. Unlike a rental, you can’t simply give notice to a landlord if you want to move. Plus, it can be harder to budget because maintenance costs and mortgage interest rates fluctuate.

Renting: Not owning may be less expensive and come with fewer responsibilities. With fixed monthly costs, you can free up more money to do other things like save or invest. However, you aren’t building equity when you rent. Living in a rental also means you don’t have as much privacy or the freedom to renovate.

Whether you rent or buy is a big decision, but there are tools to help. A rent or buy calculator lets you input your rent and see how much of a mortgage you can afford for the same monthly amount. Some also show how much you could pay for a home.