Canadians who have traditionally accepted the "house-rich, cash-poor" view of housing as inevitable are thrilled to learn there are many ways to "have your home and money too." The second edition of Have Your Home and Money Too: The Canadian Guide to Home Equity Management, Reverse Mortgages, and Other Innovative Housing Options contains a wealth of income-generating, tax-saving, equity-building suggestions for Canadians at all stages of home ownership.

Home-based businesses are an ideal way to "have your home and money too". Two sections in the book, "Is a Home-Based Business Right for You?" and "Designing a Home-based Business to Fit," emphasize the importance of finding the right home-based business for you and your goals.

Luke and Sandy Andrews are a good example of how exhilarating a good "fit" can be.

Four years ago, the Andrews looked for a country home that could double as a home-based business. They wanted to build a business that would allow them to stay home but would be substantial enough to support them financially -- now and into retirement.

"When we went looking for a property, we knew it had to be on the main road," said Luke, stressing how vital the right location was to their idea. "The highway is loud but 99% of our business is from the highway."

The original plan had been to find a property with a large barn so that Luke could open a metal sculpting studio and with acreage so that Sandy could start a tree nursery. They found the ideal home on a secondary highway about 40 minutes north of Toronto.

Quite by accident, they discovered Luke could carve amazing cedar statutes and a new business was born.

"We can't keep up," said Luke. "We want to keep the statues and totems affordable to everyone and everyone likes them."

Carving seems to be a family talent. Luke, who has 5 brothers and 6 sisters, is already recruiting them as new carvers and business partners. One brother retired from a high-stress job to join the Andrews Nursery.

But the benefits go beyond personal satisfaction and rich relationships, home-based business offers great financial advantages. Doing your homework before you begin can sweeten the pot even further.

"We get (income) tax deductions and other advantages," said Luke emphasizing that what you keep is more important than what you make. "The nursery gets taxed at only 25% of the property taxes because it is considered a farm."

Change your thinking to accept "have your home and money too" alternatives and your home may finance your "impossible dream." Remember, the impossible just takes a little longer - sometimes.

For more on: Have Your Home and Money Too - Visit: http://www.TheCatalyst.com and Andrews Nursery, Brooklin, Ontario

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Published: November 16, 1999

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Futurist and Strategist PJ Wade is "The Catalyst" - intent on "Challenging The Best to Become Even Better." PJ earned this title by translating the dynamic impact of Boomers and their multi-generation families into relevant insights that start people thinking and taking action—in business and in life. Author of 8 books and more than 1800 published articles, PJ encourages individuals to become their own futurist. PJ writes and speaks about the insight, knowledge and solid decision-making skills that professionals and their clients need to live and work in this vortex of change. For instance, since PJ knows that home is headquarters for the new decades-long "unretirement," she wrote the popular book "Reverse Mortgages: Best Friend, Worst Enemy...Your Choice!", which is filled with suggestions and cautions on protecting, building and managing home equity. Her new business book, "What's Your Point?: Cut The Crap, Hit The Mark & Stick!" will be published in 2012. As The Catalyst, PJ provides strategic communication, client appreciation and advanced education services to the financial, tourism, lifestyle and service sectors - and the clients they serve. A frequently-quoted financial and business commentator, PJ is a thought-provoking strategic speaker who offers practical, real-life suggestions on leaving "the box" behind and embracing Forward Thinking - a talent she regularly demonstrates in this column. For more on keynotes, blogs, books and information on a range of 21st-Century topics, visit TheCatalyst.com.