BITS PIECESA Free Monthly Newsletter From Your Friends at Phoenix

July2011

Thoughts from Patti & Kristjan

Refer Us To Someone!If you refer us to someone and they become a regularly scheduled customer, purge customer with more

than 100 boxes, or box storage customer, we will reward you with a $25.00 VISA gift card!

CALL FOR DETAILS!

All the best,

Patti & Kristjan

Meet the teaMLionel Gauthier

Lionel has been with Phoenix since 2007. Lionel is involved with the day to day operations on the road with the drivers and clients. Lionel is a big Touch Football and Sponge Hockey fan. As well, Lionel likes to play Jazz & Funk on the drums.

As we have grown our business over the years we have discovered that the more routine tasks we can automate the better off we are at keeping on top of things. I love automatic payments from our bank account and direct deposits into the account. They keep things organized and on-time.

One of the things that offices routinely do, or should do, is back up their electronic records. More and more, our day to day mission critical records reside on our computers. When computers go down workers are left scrambling to keep up with the day’s business. Most offices big and small have a plan for backing up their electronic records so they can be easily accessed if their computers go down. The problem with most plans is that they rely on someone to run the back up on a regular basis and then safely and securely store the files. The person who does this job usually also does a million other things in the day and quite often the backup does not get done. Unfortunately skipping the electronic back up does not harm anything UNTIL… disaster strikes.

Firsthand experience:A decade ago we faced this situation. We backed up our

client database every night. One evening before we went home the database had an error and we did not notice. The nightly back up was done and backed up the database with

StrengthThe size of your success is measured by the strength of your

desire; the size of your dream; and how you handle disappointment along the way. – Robert Kiyosaki

Success is achieved by developing our strengths, not by eliminating our weaknesses. – Marilyn vos Savant

Concentration is the secret of strength. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Strength is the ability to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands—and then eat just one of

those pieces. – Judith Viorst

Strength is born in the deep silence of long-suffering hearts, not amid joy. – Arthur Helps

the error. When we came in the next morning we realized we had a problem with the database, we went to the back up and found the back up contained the same error as well. Not good. We searched high and low and found a copy of the database that was several months old. We spent weeks (days, morning and nights) going through all of our paper records to bring the database as up to date as possible. This was a painstaking exercise that I wish on no one.

The solution:We now do an automated on-line back up every night of

our critical records. The back up automatically keeps succes-sive copies of the data so if we do back up a file with an error we can go to a previous version and save ourselves recreating months’ worth of changes.

No one likes to think about their computer going down or a file corrupting but it does happen. The solution we have is easy to use, automated, cost effective and very comforting to have. Do you need help backing up your daily critical electronic records? If so call us at 222-5096 and ask us about our on-line back up service.

Have A Question For Us?If you have a question related to off-site document

storage, shredding, or media vaulting, please feel free to give us a call or send us an e-mail.

Contact Information: (204)222-5096 or email karen@phoenixrecycling.ca

The material contained in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and is based upon sources believed to be reliable and authoritive; however, it has not been independently verified by us. This newsletter should not be construed as offering professional advice. For guidance on a specific matter, please consult a qualified professional.

July Events1 Canada Day1 Second Half of the New Year Day2 International Day of Cooperatives3 Compliment Your Mirror Day3 Stay Out of the Sun Day4 Caribbean Day4 Indivisible Day6 Take Your Webmaster to Lunch Day7 Tell the Truth Day9 Nunavut Day (NU)10 Don’t Step on a Bee Day11 World Population Day13 Embrace Your Geekness Day16 National Woodie Wagon Day17 National Ice Cream Day18 Global Hug Your Kids Day22 Rat Catchers Day23 Gorgeous Grandma Day23 Hot Enough For Ya Day24 Cousins Day24 National Drive-Thru Day24 National Tell an Old Joke Day24 Parents’ Day27 National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day27 Take Your Houseplants for a Walk Day27 Walk on Stilts Day28 National Chili Dog Day

July is also:National Grilling MonthNational Horseradish MonthNational Hot Dog MonthNational Ice Cream MonthNational Make a Difference to Children MonthNational Recreation and Parks MonthSmart Irrigation MonthSocial Wellness MonthWomen’s Motorcycle Month

Astrological Sign:

Cancer (Jun 22-Jul 22) & Leo (Jul 23-Aug. 21)Flowers: Larkspur, Water LilyBirthstone: Ruby

Making Life MeaningfulOften we go through life on autopilot—taking the same

way to work, sticking to the same routine, and not fully notic-ing things around us. It is everyone’s goal to find purpose and meaning in life. Here are some simple steps you can take to help make your life more meaningful.

BE GRATEFULLook at your life and take

stock of all the good things. Try to take time each day to be thankful for all you have, from basic food and shelter to the love of friends and family. We sometimes forget in our daily struggles to be grateful for our bounty in life.

VARY YOUR ROUTINEIf you find yourself doing the same things everyday, try to

vary your daily life. You will open your eyes to a new perspective and will avoid the monotony of repetition. This can be as simple as taking a new way to work, varying your lunch routine, or reading instead of watching TV. As you make these changes, really pay attention to the world around you, and you may be surprised at how different every day can be.

LIVE IN THE MOMENTIt is easy to get caught up in mulling over the past or plan-

ning for the future. This leaves little time to spend in the here and now. Try to appreciate what you are doing each moment. Enjoy your family and friends and see the beauty of the little things in your life. Your appreciation for life will increase as you savor each element of your day.

Money TipIf you are considering filing for personal bankruptcy, don’t

use your 401(k) plan as a last ditch effort to get out from under your debt. Raiding your retirement funds can really hurt you in the long run. Retirement accounts are protected under bank-ruptcy laws in most states. It is foolish to give up your retirement fund just to get a fresh start. Many people who do that end up in bankruptcy anyway, ending up broke and with no retirement fund. By staying away from your retirement money, you can get back on your feet without sacrificing the future.

Home Tip If you are painting stripes on a wall, an easy way to get

straight lines is to use painter’s tape. You can apply the tape along the edges of the striped area, painting the new color in-side your tape. To make sure your lines are as clean as possible, paint a thin coat of the base color over the tape inside the edge lines. This coat will seal the tape. If any of this paint does seep under the tape, it doesn’t matter, as it is the same color as what is already there. Things That Make You

Go “Hmmmmm . . .” If you throw a cat out a car window, does it become kitty litter? If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? What do chickens think we taste like? What do you call a male ladybug? When dog food is new and improved tasting, who tests it?

1.

2.3.4.5.

Don’t lower your expectations to meet your performance. Raise your level of performance to meet your expectations. Expect the best of yourself, and then do what is necessary

to make it a reality. – Ralph Marston

Nothing says July like cool treats. The prize for the July newsletter is a

Gelato cake from Eva’s on Corydon.

The cake serves 24 to 26 people so get some friends together and celebrate our great summer.

Good luck!Each month we’ll give you a new challenge of some type.

All those who reply with a correct answer are eligible to win. At the end of the month we’ll draw a lucky name.

Here is this month’s mind bender:

Email your answer to karen@phoenixrecycling.ca

Riddle: One planet does not tilt as it goes around the Sun. Thus it has no seasons. What is this planet?

Last Month’s answer to: Mom and Dad have four daughters, and each daughter has one brother. How many people are in the family?

SEVEN. THE FOUR DAUGHTERS HAVE ONLY ONE BROTHER, MAKING FIVE CHILDREN, PLUS MOM AND DAD. Last month’s Winner:

Joan EwonchukManitoba Assoc. of Health Care

ProfessionalsCongratulations!

QUICK SERVICE PROFILE:Dataloc Electronic Backup

Do the words “hard drive failure” put shivers in your spine? It doesn’t have to.

With our off site electronic backup service you can back up your electronic files off site for quick and easy retrieval if needed. We all know that computer equip-ment does fail and disasters do happen. You need to plan ahead and be prepared to get your business back up and running.

Our Dataloc Electronic Backup service is:

• Cost effective – you only pay for the online space you use. You can back up as many computers as you like.

• Easy to setup and use.

• Extremely secure. The data is encrypted before it leaves your computer. Only you have the key to unlock your encrypted data.

• Canadian. All data is backed up in Canada.Click here to learn more about our Dataloc Electronic Backup Service – http://phoenixrecycling.ca/data-protection/electronic-backup/

Store 100 Boxes For Just $1.50 A Day!!Whether you’re currently storing records in an off-site mini-storage facility or in your own storeroom,

now you can enjoy all of the advantages of full-service records storage for just $1.50 a day!

Call for details!

Raiding Retirement If you are considering filing for personal bankruptcy, don’t

use your 401(k) plan as a last ditch effort to get out from under your debt. Raiding your retirement funds can really hurt you in the long run. Retirement accounts are protected under bank-ruptcy laws in most states. It is foolish to give up your retirement fund just to get a fresh start. Many people who do that end up in bankruptcy anyway, ending up broke and with no retirement fund. By staying away from your retirement money, you can get back on your feet without sacrificing the future.

is a free monthly newsletterfrom your friends at

76 Hoka StreetWinnipeg, MBR2C 3N2(204)222-5096

BITS PIECES

What’s Inside This Month?

July OFFERS!

Thoughts from Patti & KristjanMaking Life MeaningfulRaiding RetirementQuick Service Profile:7 Ways to Cut Your Food BillStrength

7 Ways to Cut Your Food Bill Looking for ways to cut your budget? One of the easiest places to start is your grocery bill. Use these tips to help cut your

monthly food spending down to size.

1. Plan ahead: Check out the sales that grocery stores offer each week and plan your shopping list around those items. Try to shop only once a week. This helps avoid impulse shopping and it saves time driving to the store and waiting in line.

2. Stick to your list: Stores have great techniques to get you to buy. Necessities like bread and milk are usually at the back of the store, forcing you to walk past the other items in the store. Items placed at eye level are great profit makers for the store. Sticking to your list means not buying items you don’t really need. But be flexible enough to pick up a good bargain if you see one.

3. Find the best deal: Be sure to compare unit prices, bring-ing a calculator if needed. Consider trying a cheaper brand or the store brand of items you buy. Use coupons on items you would normally buy anyway. If you have the room to store a few extra items, stock up on the things you use often when they are on sale.

4. Shop alone: The more shoppers you have with you, the more your grocery bill will be. Also, remember to always

eat before you go, so your hunger doesn’t lead to unnecessary purchases.

5. Save on convenience foods: Limit your purchase of conve-nience items and prepacked goods. Make your own “TV” dinners by freezing your leftovers. Package items for your kids’ lunches yourself. Make desserts and snacks from scratch.

6. Cheaper dinners: Consider going vegetarian one or two nights a week. It’s cheaper and healthier, too. Having breakfast for dinner one night a week can also help keep costs in line.

7. Check your receipt: Pay attention at the checkout counter and check your receipt before you leave the store for any scanner errors. Sometimes by pointing out the error, you will get the item for free.

By planning carefully and watch-ing for bargains, you can make a big dent in your grocery bill—leaving more money for the things you re-ally want.