Canadian Saving tips a Brit Expats perception
#1
Thread Starter
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 18

All you emigrating or in the process during this economic climate. Things can be quite expensive here. Here are tips to help;
Home Telephone:
Get a VOIP like vonage from the UK, it cost you a lot cheaper and you can also get a vitual number for Canada. This will make you call friends and family at home without additional cost and can also be reached here from prospective employers. Your can also get Magic jack which can be the cheapest if you only make calls to North America. The only disadvantage with Magic jack is you don't get a Canadian number and have to pay to call other regions.
Banking:
Most Canadian banks have charges to run account if you don't keep a certain amount in balance and also charge you for using others ATM's. For savings go into most Canadian Super Store and open a President's Choice bank account. This gives you almost all if not all you need for your banking needs for free.
Buying Vehicles:
You'll be surprise at the prices you buy vehicles here even used. To buy cheap decent vechicles, new or old, check prices in the USA. Don't be fooled, importing vehicles from the USA is straightforward and you can save thousands of Dollars. The only catch if any, make sure you buy vehicles built in North America according to the NAFTA agreement. Don't be scarced by what car dealers over here tells you. Go find this web site and do all your research ,the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV).
I will keep updating the thread when I get more info. If anyone has any saving tips, please kindly add especially for mobile phone which is quite expensive here.
Home Telephone:
Get a VOIP like vonage from the UK, it cost you a lot cheaper and you can also get a vitual number for Canada. This will make you call friends and family at home without additional cost and can also be reached here from prospective employers. Your can also get Magic jack which can be the cheapest if you only make calls to North America. The only disadvantage with Magic jack is you don't get a Canadian number and have to pay to call other regions.
Banking:
Most Canadian banks have charges to run account if you don't keep a certain amount in balance and also charge you for using others ATM's. For savings go into most Canadian Super Store and open a President's Choice bank account. This gives you almost all if not all you need for your banking needs for free.
Buying Vehicles:
You'll be surprise at the prices you buy vehicles here even used. To buy cheap decent vechicles, new or old, check prices in the USA. Don't be fooled, importing vehicles from the USA is straightforward and you can save thousands of Dollars. The only catch if any, make sure you buy vehicles built in North America according to the NAFTA agreement. Don't be scarced by what car dealers over here tells you. Go find this web site and do all your research ,the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV).
I will keep updating the thread when I get more info. If anyone has any saving tips, please kindly add especially for mobile phone which is quite expensive here.
#2
Banned



Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 101











Veterinary Expenses:
Minor skin grafts can be performed on pigs by covering any cuts and grazes with thin strips of bacon.
Minor skin grafts can be performed on pigs by covering any cuts and grazes with thin strips of bacon.
#5
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3




PL ignore - in some tiny moment in time I thought I was funny - I'll get my coat ....
#6
Pay attention to the supermarket flyers that come to your mailbox. Don't just bin them thinking it's just a matter of a few cents.
A lot of the stuff in the flyers is two-thirds or half its normal price. You don't need coupons, just make a list - as you might anyway - showing what price and which store. You really can save 30-40% on your grocery bills if you're able to visit two supermarkets and get the best deals in both. Rival stores are often close together so it's not a huge detour and it's just a little more time - 30 mins in each of two rather than 45 mins in one, that sort of thing.
It's something I manage by bike a couple of times a week - except for the odd taxi with bulkier stuff. If I can do it, so can those with their own cars and probably on one trip instead of two.
A lot of the stuff in the flyers is two-thirds or half its normal price. You don't need coupons, just make a list - as you might anyway - showing what price and which store. You really can save 30-40% on your grocery bills if you're able to visit two supermarkets and get the best deals in both. Rival stores are often close together so it's not a huge detour and it's just a little more time - 30 mins in each of two rather than 45 mins in one, that sort of thing.
It's something I manage by bike a couple of times a week - except for the odd taxi with bulkier stuff. If I can do it, so can those with their own cars and probably on one trip instead of two.
#7










Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,883

Add this website to your "Bookmarks" or "Favourites". 
http://www.redflagdeals.com/
Particularly the Hot Deals Forum.
http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/hot-deals-f9/
You'll find lots of deals to spend money on, saving money you don't have.

http://www.redflagdeals.com/
Particularly the Hot Deals Forum.

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/hot-deals-f9/
You'll find lots of deals to spend money on, saving money you don't have.

#8










Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830











All you emigrating or in the process during this economic climate. Things can be quite expensive here. Here are tips to help;
Home Telephone:
Get a VOIP like vonage from the UK, it cost you a lot cheaper and you can also get a vitual number for Canada. This will make you call friends and family at home without additional cost and can also be reached here from prospective employers. Your can also get Magic jack which can be the cheapest if you only make calls to North America. The only disadvantage with Magic jack is you don't get a Canadian number and have to pay to call other regions.
Banking:
Most Canadian banks have charges to run account if you don't keep a certain amount in balance and also charge you for using others ATM's. For savings go into most Canadian Super Store and open a President's Choice bank account. This gives you almost all if not all you need for your banking needs for free.
Buying Vehicles:
You'll be surprise at the prices you buy vehicles here even used. To buy cheap decent vechicles, new or old, check prices in the USA. Don't be fooled, importing vehicles from the USA is straightforward and you can save thousands of Dollars. The only catch if any, make sure you buy vehicles built in North America according to the NAFTA agreement. Don't be scarced by what car dealers over here tells you. Go find this web site and do all your research ,the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV).
I will keep updating the thread when I get more info. If anyone has any saving tips, please kindly add especially for mobile phone which is quite expensive here.
Home Telephone:
Get a VOIP like vonage from the UK, it cost you a lot cheaper and you can also get a vitual number for Canada. This will make you call friends and family at home without additional cost and can also be reached here from prospective employers. Your can also get Magic jack which can be the cheapest if you only make calls to North America. The only disadvantage with Magic jack is you don't get a Canadian number and have to pay to call other regions.
Banking:
Most Canadian banks have charges to run account if you don't keep a certain amount in balance and also charge you for using others ATM's. For savings go into most Canadian Super Store and open a President's Choice bank account. This gives you almost all if not all you need for your banking needs for free.
Buying Vehicles:
You'll be surprise at the prices you buy vehicles here even used. To buy cheap decent vechicles, new or old, check prices in the USA. Don't be fooled, importing vehicles from the USA is straightforward and you can save thousands of Dollars. The only catch if any, make sure you buy vehicles built in North America according to the NAFTA agreement. Don't be scarced by what car dealers over here tells you. Go find this web site and do all your research ,the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV).
I will keep updating the thread when I get more info. If anyone has any saving tips, please kindly add especially for mobile phone which is quite expensive here.
#10
BE Enthusiast





Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 556
From: Ottawa, Canada











#11
I will keep updating the thread when I get more info.
That's terribly public spirited of you, but please don't bother.
#12
Account Closed







Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,404

b) If you dont like the thread, dont read it. Others will think the information is valuable. Too many people on here that think they're the forum police, telling people what they can/cannot post.
#13










Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830











I think you'll find your perceptions will change as you've been here longer. Our phone is with Telus, quite reasonably priced and includes calls overseas.
Relying on a bank account such Presidents Choice can save a little bit of money, however when you need full bank services it is not that convenient. The best value we've found costs us $30 a month and includes all of our banking and two credit cards.
The upside of high used car prices is you lose less when you come to sell or trade in. Buying cars has never been so cheap in Canada.
Shop smart, one thing that fooled us at first, is only buy in a sale for many. Sales happen pretty much every week. Know the prices and watch until the items you want come down, especially bigger ticket items. Buy old technology, top of the line 6 months ago is much cheaper now. I am holding out for a new TV, 3 months ago it was a new model, it has dropped $800 already, only $200 more to go and I'll buy it.
Ask for a discount, you never know. I just ordered 3 printers and got another $900 off the total for asking.
Until the HST comes in in BC, clothing for under 15s is PST exempt, but unless it's obvious to the retailer you have to tell them.
Relying on a bank account such Presidents Choice can save a little bit of money, however when you need full bank services it is not that convenient. The best value we've found costs us $30 a month and includes all of our banking and two credit cards.
The upside of high used car prices is you lose less when you come to sell or trade in. Buying cars has never been so cheap in Canada.
Shop smart, one thing that fooled us at first, is only buy in a sale for many. Sales happen pretty much every week. Know the prices and watch until the items you want come down, especially bigger ticket items. Buy old technology, top of the line 6 months ago is much cheaper now. I am holding out for a new TV, 3 months ago it was a new model, it has dropped $800 already, only $200 more to go and I'll buy it.
Ask for a discount, you never know. I just ordered 3 printers and got another $900 off the total for asking.
Until the HST comes in in BC, clothing for under 15s is PST exempt, but unless it's obvious to the retailer you have to tell them.
#14
+1 on buying 6 month old technology.
Always ask for "specials" or "discounts."
When buying a car be prepared to walk away.
Don't get into credit card debt!
Always ask for "specials" or "discounts."
When buying a car be prepared to walk away.
Don't get into credit card debt!



