Fron page 18 community,” said Gordon. “Eve taken out of the com- munity for manv years.” Although the order cele- brated its 100th anniversary Jast year, the North Vancouver chapter will be celebrating its 50th anniversary on Jan. 23 with a dinter-dance. For tick- et information call Jeanette Gregg at 984-7109 or Carol Torrance at 987-8815. Too clean for comfort Accurate Import Auto is unique among auto repair and dealership centres in a number of ways. One of them is that it’s on the second floor. Street access is possible but requires a walk up a flight of stairs. Most cars need to go around the back. Specializing in Mercedes and BMW makes, Accurate opened its doors five years ago. Amir and Zinnet Omidvar opened the growing business with high hopes. “I always wanted to run my own business because | like the challenge and being my own boss,” said Amir. Also unique is the appear- ance of the garage which is more reminiscent of a show- room more than a service sta- tion. “One mechanic = quit because he couldn't work in this (clean) environment,” said Amir. “It’s like a bou- tique.” Beats banking Kendra Kurucz has been the office manager of Sussex Insurance for the last tvo- north shore news , BUSINESS NEWS photo Paul McGrath ZINNET and Amir Omidvar opened Accurate Import Auto Service and Repair five years ago to rave reviews from their growing clientele. and-a-half years after spending more than seven in banking. “It’s great. There’s always something new every day as where banking was the same every day,” said Kurucz. “It’s awesome.” A Handsworth graduate, Kurucz has lived on the North Shore most of her life and enjoys the benefits of many community contacts. Although the 27-year-old calls Deep Cove home, she enjoys working in Lower Lonsdale. “There’s a jot of great local businesses ... there’s so much around here. It’s grown so much,” said Kurucz. “This area has improved a lot. There’s a lot of new people around here as well.” All the rest The other businesses on the block include, west to vast, 7-Eleven, Northshore Naturopathic Clinic, H&K Furnishings, Video Gallery, Money Mart, Kathy Chan Hair Studio, Mountain Colors Image Center, Vandermeer Forest Products, Pasparos Taverna and Vogue Sales Centre. WHY wait until March 01 — or even Feb. 01? Avoid the RRSP rush and deal with your plan now, even if it means writ- ing a cheque post- dated to March 1. If you decide not to con- tribute for 1998 for some good reason — but it betrer be good (sce below) — at least set up an automatic monthly contribution plan for the 1999 tax vear. Seek advice on how to maximize your pro- gram from the RRSP spe- cialists while they still have time — before the annual campaign, now getting under way, moves into high gear. Although a record 6.1 million Canadians con- tributed a record $27.4 bil- lion to their RRSPs Jast year, the rate of increase in both figures slowed. Here are some valid reasons for not contributing: @ You have an invest- ment program that will pro- duce a higher after-tax return. However, few people can match the immediate tax savings plus tax-sheltered growth an RRSP offers. That applies even if they are in the same tax bracket Wednesday, January 20, 1999 — North Shore News - 17 when the money comes out as they were when they con- tributed. @ You plan to take out the money in the near future in a higher tax bracket. @ You want to pay off your mortgage instead. hat’s fine if you are stressed out by the debt and will definitely catch up with your RRSP contributions later. However, you could also contribute to your KRSP and pur the tax you save against the mortgage, enjoying the best of both worlds. i You just don’t have the money. Unless you are drowning in debt, consider borrowing enough te bring your taxable income down to the lowest tax bracket (around $30,000). Repay the debt by the time you get your tax refund, then Eagles celebrate 50 years Don’t leave RRSPs continue to make those monthly payments — only now redirect them to your 1999 RRSP conrriln:- tion, If vou expect to be ina higher tax bracket this vear than you were in 1998, make your RRSP contribu- tion now so the money can start growing tax-free — but don’t claim the deduc- tion until che 1999 trax year. If your spouse is likely to be in a lower tax bracket when the RRSP funds are taken out, contribute to a spousal RRSP. You get the deduction now, while your spouse pays less tax on the future RRSP withdrawals. — Copyright 1999 Mike Grenby Mike Grenby is a colum- nist and independent person- al financial adviser; he'll answer questions in this cal- smn as space ollows but can- not reply personally — con- tact him ut P.O. 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