Lamin

It's dawning on me how much the move and start up costs are going to be, factor in rent, buying vehicles and white goods etc, it all adds up to a sizeable chunk.

Has anybody got any recommendations how they cut costs, saved money or wish they had done something different to save?

Thank you.

BristolUK

Prices may be less fixed than the UK. If buying several white goods from the same place you may be able to negotiate a discount of free delivery, that sort of thing.

Alternatively, spread the costs. You may not need to buy 'everything' in one go.

Do you need 'the best' or what you're used to? Front loading washing machines are nice but top loaders here seem to last an age and they're less than half the cost of a front loader. If it's out of the way and doesn't look as nice, so what.

Shop around for TV/Phone/Internet packages. Consider not even getting a TV package and maybe rely on the internet.

Ongoing - pay attention to flyers. Very many grocery items are often a third to half the usual cost and if you have a choice of supermarkets that are convenient - either nearby, or near where someone in the household works, in the vicinity of places you visit like your doctor, optician, friends/family etc - you can save 30%-40% on your groceries by a combination of a list and stocking up when the silly low prices are charged.

magnumpi

Don't go for a large TV package just get the basic or use a antenna and the internet. You could save 100-175 per month this way

Watch we're u shop, stick to cheaper stores, No Frills etc

Don't get dragged into a lengthy expensive cell plan. Pay as u go and use when needed.

No home phone if u get a cell. (This is if u live in a area that's got cell coverage obviously)

Day care is $$ so one parent stay home

Don't drink don't smoke

Change all house bulbs for low use bulbs

Set the furnace to 70F and put on a sweater.

Look out for price drops on gas (petrol) here "Ajax" it's more $ in the morning and 5c cheaper evenings.

not2old

Other that what was suggested in the post above...

You could google smartcanucks website to look at the weekly flyers to see typical appliance, furniture etc prices

what have you budgeted as your start up costs based on your location, location?


Rental type with number of bedrooms

Rent/mth + first & last month rent

Renters Insurance

When renting an aprtment or house the major appliances are included, so you need to only purchase small applaicances

Mobile phones/internet/cable TV

TV's, computers etc

Vehicle cost: usually a used vehicle in the $10,000 range, or new from $20,000+ for a basic automatic with AC

Photoplex

dbd33

Bring everything you own that doesn't spin or heat up under electrical power. Shipping will be cheaper than restocking a house.

magnumpi

Ha ha oops, I mean 70f

Keep it there all winter then in summer change it to 73 F (Toronto area or hot parts only)

not2old

basically that would be clothing, crown jewels & money

Its not worth shipping furniture, appliances, pots & pans

dbd33

I disagree. Not only is it more expensive than you think to buy pots and pans but shopping for pots and pans is a miserable way to start out in a new country.

not2old

After being here 50 years in Canada, its only been in the past 25 odd years that we have learned (smartly) that 'a one day shop at one location' buying from Valuevillage, the Salvation Army thrift (Goodwill now defunct) stores that folks can purchase (selectively in very good condition) bedding, towels, cutlery, pots & pans, pictures, tools, clothing, electronics as well as small appliances cheaper (for a fraction) of what it would cost to buy new or ship anything similar from overseas.

Yes, thats what we do, just like grocery price matching or going to habitat for humanity when we needed a replacement stove, fridge, washer & dryer

But that is us & many other Canadians & immigrants doing the same thing.

Newly arrived immigrants unless they have family here to show them the ropes will go to the first store to buy at whatever price it is.

On line flyer searches is the best place to start

magnumpi

N2O has a good point regarding the thrift stores. We came here with 7 suitcases nothing else. We were not loaded but slowly we managed to collect all the crap we have today.

If renting then appliances and furniture may be already in the house/apartment also pots pans dishes etc so look in the cupboard first before rushing out to The Bay

bats

Husband went home to help clear out his mother's house and it was worthwhile buying a suitcase just to bring back four old Le Creuset pans and a set of Zwilling (sp?) knives.

Bring everything you can, we did and it still became a pain buying appliances. Your furniture may be too small for Canadian sized rooms but you'll have tine to chose what you really want and ir wait for the sales. Your old stuff can then go into the basement.

IIRC ten years ago our shipping cost approx $6K, our settees and chair we got in a sale for 1.5K reduced from 4.5K.

Atlantic Xpat

+1 on this. I didn't and regretted it. Fitting out a house from scratch is expensive - even with some second hand stuff. If your furniture is half decent then ship it all.

suzeandmatt

Have a look at the baggage allowance for who you're flying over with and max it out as its WAY cheaper than shipping some stuff.
We flew with Westjet. First 23kg bag is free per person (and they can be pretty big! Ours were 130L duffel bags) then it was just £20 for another bag of the same!
Buy vacuum bags. We were able to bring LOADS more and with ease by packing clothes and things into vac-bags before hand.

Definitely recommend thrift stores.
We came with no furniture into an empty house & spent $150 on a large comfy sofa, large solid oak dining table, dining chairs, chest of drawers, nightstand and decent sized coffee table. (Everything solid wood believe it or not!) Then we paid $60 for a guy to deliver to our house 2 hours later! And I love what we bought- I didn't feel like I was 'settling'. It's things I'd have happily bought at home.

Tv packages cost a fortune & seemed totally not worth it!- tv is not like at home. We just got internet ($50 a month with Shaw) and pay $10 a month for Netflix. Sorted.

Just a few things I can think of from our recent move that helped keep costs down. Though yes- it's all still a super expensive experience unfortunately.

Aviator

• Shop smart, know what is a good price for something, ask the store to price match.
• Don't buy at full price. Everything goes on sale one time or another.
• Deals can be had on vehicles if you are prepared to travel.
• Buy vehicles used or nearly new.
• Shop for value, not price. Something that costs more, may in the long run be better value, it may do more, last longer, or cheaper to operate.
• Research cost of replacement vs bringing what you have. Some things are worthwhile, others are not. The Internet is a great resource many of us did not have back in the day.