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Janna Dawdy | JCMortgages.ca FSRA #13637

I know this sounds ridiculous, but this cupcake container made me emotional this week.After 22 years, I think its job is...
06/03/2026

I know this sounds ridiculous, but this cupcake container made me emotional this week.

After 22 years, I think its job is done.

As I was packing up my kitchen during our renovation, I picked it up and immediately thought about every classroom, every teacher, every school party, and every child who carried it through those doors.

If you were a teacher who taught one of my children, you’ve probably seen this cupcake container.

If you’re a friend of mine, you’ve probably seen this cupcake container too. It also made its way to countless birthday parties, family gatherings, and celebrations over the years.

Whenever a note came home saying, “Please send a snack for the class,” there was a good chance this container was making the trip to school filled with Betty Crocker cupcakes, icing, and way too many sprinkles.

The labels still tell the story.

It started with Noah and Holly. Years later, Oliver and Christian carried the very same container to their classrooms. I quickly learned that as long as one of my children’s names was on it, the teachers knew exactly which family it belonged to.

For 22 years, this little cupcake carrier has shown up for class parties, celebrations, bake sales, special events, and Friday treats.

And as I stood there holding it this week, it hit me.

Christian is heading into Grade 8.

Oliver is finishing another year of high school.

Holly and Noah are grown, building lives and families of their own.

The cupcake container isn’t done because it’s broken.

It’s done because it finished the job it was given 22 years ago.

I’m not someone who keeps a lot of things, but every once in a while, an ordinary object becomes part of your family’s story.

This is one of those things.

So for now, it will stay tucked away in the cupboard.

And maybe one day, we’ll add another little name label to it and send it off to school with a grandchild.

Funny how a simple cupcake container can hold so much more than cupcakes. ❤️





06/01/2026

Okay, repeat after me…

“I will ask for help.”

And again…

“I’ll do it myself.”
“I’ll figure it out.”
“I don’t want to bother anyone.”

😂

If you laughed at this reel, you probably understand.

For some of us, doing everything on our own isn’t about pride. It’s habit.

Maybe it’s because we’ve been taking care of ourselves for a very long time.
Maybe it’s because we’ve learned that help sometimes comes with expectations.
Maybe it’s because we’ve felt like if someone does something for us, we immediately owe them something in return.

So we carry it ourselves.

The problem is that after a while, we stop recognizing the difference between people who are keeping score and people who genuinely care.

I’m still working on it.

I’m slowly learning that letting people help isn’t weakness… it’s trust.

And trust can take time.

Because if we’re being honest, some people have given us reasons to keep our guard up.

Not everyone who offers help is healthy.
Not everyone who gives does it freely.

But not everyone is keeping score either.

There are people who show up simply because they care.

And maybe part of healing is learning the difference.

Anyone else immediately volunteer for the “I’ll figure it out myself” team?

06/01/2026

One of the most common mistakes I see on mortgage applications?

Listing a life insurance policy as an asset.

For most people, the answer is actually no.

The majority of life insurance policies are term policies. These policies are generally more affordable because they provide coverage for a specific period of time and only pay out a benefit upon death. Since there is typically no cash value that you can access while you’re living, term life insurance is generally not considered an asset on a mortgage application.

The exception can be certain permanent life insurance policies, such as whole life or universal life insurance.

With these types of policies, part of your premium may go toward building cash value or an investment component over time. Because those funds may be accessible or have a cash surrender value, they could potentially be considered an asset.

The key isn’t whether you have life insurance. It’s what type of life insurance you have.

If you’re unsure what belongs in the asset section of your mortgage application, ask your mortgage professional. It can save time, prevent confusion, and help keep your application moving smoothly.

Did you know there was a difference between term life and whole life insurance? 👇

MortgageTips

05/30/2026

A simple little bathroom upgrade that keeps the kids’ shower looking clean, organized, and clutter-free. 🚿✨

No more bottles balancing on the tub edge or collecting in the corners. A quick refill and wipe-down, and everything has its place again.

Sometimes it’s the smallest systems that make the biggest difference. 🙌

05/29/2026

“How do you have time for it all?”
“How do you balance everything?”

😂😂😂

I don’t.

I’m tired all the time.

The funny thing is, people see the business, the closings, the client calls, the Zoom meetings, the social media, the staff, the mortgage files, the renovations, the gardening, the decorating, the organizing, the cooking, the cleaning, the workouts, the church commitments, the Bible studies, the community projects, the wife life, the mom life, and now the grandma life… and somehow think I must have some secret.

The truth?

I don’t.

I just keep moving. 😅

And honestly, I’m usually more tired when I don’t have enough to do.

Some people recharge by slowing down.

Some of us recharge by building, creating, serving, connecting, and staying busy.

Do I get overwhelmed sometimes? Absolutely.

Do I occasionally wonder why I added another project to my plate? Also absolutely. 😂

But most days, I genuinely love this crazy, beautiful, full life.

This life isn’t balanced.

It’s just full. ❤️

And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Generational Financial Fear.I don’t think we talk about this enough.As a mortgage broker, I’ve spent years hearing peopl...
05/29/2026

Generational Financial Fear.

I don’t think we talk about this enough.

As a mortgage broker, I’ve spent years hearing people’s money stories. What I’ve learned is that money is rarely just about money.

It’s about what we witnessed growing up.

Some people watched parents make great money and lose it all.

Some watched constant stress, debt, and uncertainty.

And whether we realize it or not, those experiences shape us.

If I’m being completely honest, I’ve recognized generational financial fear in myself too.

Not because of my circumstances today, but because of things I witnessed growing up.

It’s the kind of fear that gets passed down quietly through experiences, conversations, and the stories we tell ourselves about money.

And if I’m really honest, it still makes me wonder…

Do any of us really know how much is enough?

Enough savings.
Enough security.
Enough preparation for the future.

The longer I do this job, the more I realize how common this is.

I’ve met people who are financially secure but still feel financially unsafe.

What makes me think even more is how easily we can pass these fears on to our children.

Not intentionally.

But through the stress they witness, the conversations they hear, and the way we react to money every day.

Maybe the greatest financial gift we can give our children isn’t more money.

Maybe it’s breaking the cycle of generational financial fear before we pass it on.

I’m curious…

Do you think you struggle with financial fear?

And if so, do you think it’s actually yours—or was it inherited? ❤️

05/28/2026

I never waivered.

And lately, I’ve been reminded why that matters.

Over the last few weeks, old referral partners have started sending clients my way again. This week alone, I had multiple past clients come back after working elsewhere because they realized the experience truly matters.

And honestly, it made me stop and reflect.

Because in this industry, people come and go.
Relationships change.
People chase different opportunities, different environments, different versions of success.

And although there were moments over the years where I wondered if I should do something different too… I never abandoned the vision I had from day one.

I never waivered on how I treat people.
I never waivered on relationships.
I never waivered on my work ethic.
I never waivered on the care I give every single client.

The things I do today are the exact same things I did when I first started.

Every client matters to me.
Every story matters to me.
It has never mattered to me what someone does for work, their status, their income, or what they have. People deserve to feel cared for, protected, valued, and supported during one of the biggest moments of their lives.

And over the last few years, I’ve realized something deeper.

God had His hand in this story long before I could see it myself.

The perseverance.
The resilience.
The heart I have for people.
The ability to continue showing up even when I’m exhausted.

Those weren’t accidents.
Those were gifts.

And I’ve realized it’s my responsibility to use those gifts wholeheartedly, to serve people well, and to give back however I can while I’m here.

I never waivered.
And maybe that’s because He never did either.

“I’ll send you so many clients they’ll definitely know it was me.”
— God

“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9

05/27/2026

Most buyers think they have to choose between the right house and the kitchen they actually want.

With a Purchase Plus Improvements mortgage, you may be able to finance eligible renovations right into your mortgage after possession. That outdated kitchen, old flooring, or tired bathroom might not be a dealbreaker after all.

Sometimes the best house isn’t the prettiest one on day one. 🔨✨

05/26/2026

Everyone sees the cute sweater. 🐶🤍

Nobody sees the $14,000 renovation decision hiding behind those puppy-dog eyes. 😂

As we’re knee-deep in another kitchen renovation, it reminded me of our last one… and how Winnie somehow managed to influence a very expensive upgrade. 💸🏡

Was it worth it?

Absolutely.

Would I do it again?

Probably. 😅

Stay tuned for the full story because this little lady has expensive taste. 👀✨

$63.81.That was the total.And honestly, this might be one of my favourite posts yet.This weekend, Oliver and his friends...
05/24/2026

$63.81.

That was the total.

And honestly, this might be one of my favourite posts yet.

This weekend, Oliver and his friends Tom and Landon were hanging out. It was pouring rain, and instead of another evening in front of a screen, I thought it would be fun to give them a little taste of independence.

Their challenge was simple:

They had a budget of $65 total (including tax) to enjoy dinner together at a restaurant.

No extra money.

No calling Mom for a bailout. 😆

When I dropped them off, they texted to tell me there was a 45-minute wait. I suggested they could walk to another restaurant nearby, but after weighing their options, they decided the wait was worth it.

Looking through the menu, they quickly realized they couldn’t order whatever they wanted. They had to consider tax, value, whether pop was worth the added cost, and how far they could stretch their budget.

To leave more room for food, they chose water.

After talking it through, they decided sharing would give them the best value. They ordered nachos with meat and a platter with ribs, wings, and other items they could split between them.

The waitress was incredibly kind and surprised them with a complimentary plate of fries.

They still had a little room left in the budget, so they asked if there was anything on the dessert menu for under $5. The waitress suggested a brownie and brought out three spoons. 🥹

The photos are my favourite part—just three boys laughing, making memories, and enjoying being kids. ❤️

Later that evening, Oliver proudly texted me a photo of the receipt.

$63.81.

Mission accomplished.

What I loved most wasn’t that they stayed under budget.

It was watching them problem-solve, communicate, make trade-offs, and realize that every choice affects the next one.

In a world where it’s easy to tap a card and spend a little more, there’s something valuable about learning to live within a budget.

And honestly, that’s not just a lesson for teenagers.

It’s a lesson for all of us.

The dinner lasted an hour.

The lesson will hopefully last much longer. ❤️

They had Cash for the tip. Easier for them to stay focused on the exercise.

RaisingResponsibleKids

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