Food For Thought

If you’ve ever wanted to live a more sustainable lifestyle but didn’t know where to start, thrifting is one of the simplest and most impactful steps you can take.

Every year, millions of tons of clothing and household items end up in landfills. Many of these items are still in good condition—they’re just no longer wanted. Thrifting gives these items a second life, reducing waste and lowering demand for new production.

But sustainability isn’t the only benefit.

MISSISSAUGA — The Ontario government is continuing to lower costs and help families realize the dream of homeownership by removing the full 13 per cent of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) for eligible buyers of new homes valued up to $1 million, for a maximum rebate of $130,000, as part of the upcoming 2026 Budget. This maximum rebate of $130,000 would be maintained for new homes valued up to $1.5 million, and would decrease proportionally from $130,000 at $1.5 million to a maximum of $24,000 for homes valued at $1.85 million and above, building on the province and federal government’s previous move to rebate the HST for all first-time buyers of new homes up to $1 million.

While the latest real estate data shows Canadian home sales are holding steady these days, looking back at the same time last year paints a different picture.

Home sales in November 2025 were down 10.7% compared to November 2024, according to the latest numbers from the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).

While that seems like a headline-grabbing decline, it’s less jarring when you take a look at the whole scene.

For many homeowners, especially those who’ve built a lifetime of memories under one roof, the idea of downsizing can feel overwhelming. Where do you even start? What do you keep, what do you let go of, and how do you make peace with such a big change?