Whether you’re a student, young professional, parent, or just someone trying to stretch your budget further, there are plenty of small ways to save money in Canada.
With the cost of groceries, rent, utilities, phone plans, and transportation continuing to feel expensive, I’ve been looking for practical tools that either reduce my monthly expenses or help me earn more value from money I’m already spending.
This guide covers a few Canadian money-saving tips and services I personally find useful, including options for rent payments, phone plans, international money transfers, and car sharing in British Columbia.
Disclosure: Some of the links and referral codes below may give you and/or me a bonus if you sign up. I only included services that I think are genuinely useful, but always compare the fees, terms, and alternatives before signing up.
1. Save Money on Monthly Bills and Subscriptions
Monthly bills are one of the best places to start because even small savings can add up over the years.
1.1 Use Chexy to Pay Rent, Condo Fees, Taxes or Bills by Credit Card
Chexy Referral Bonus: Earn $15 after you complete your first payment using this link: https://app.chexy.co?ref=hPA4YQrkbqU0BxNnV4Zot4Pg1zu2
Chexy lets Canadians pay large recurring expenses, such as rent, condo fees, taxes, insurance, utilities, and other bills, using a credit card. This can be useful if you want to earn credit card rewards on expenses that normally do not accept cards directly. Chexy currently advertises a domestic credit card fee of 1.75%, so you should compare that fee against the rewards or welcome bonus you expect to earn.
Chexy may be worth considering if:
- You are working toward a credit card welcome bonus.
- Your card earns more value than the processing fee.
- You want to centralize large payments through one card.
- Your landlord or bill provider does not accept credit cards directly.
It may not be worth it if your card earns a low rewards rate or if you are carrying a balance. Paying interest would quickly wipe out any points, cash back, or rewards earned.
1.2 Switch to a Lower-Cost Phone Plan with Public Mobile
Freedom Mobile Referral Bonus: Get a $25 service credit when you sign up using this referral link: https://publicmobile.ca/en/bc/plans?referral=53KNR4
Phone plans in Canada can be expensive, so it is worth checking lower-cost providers from time to time.
Freedom Mobile often has competitive plans, especially if you live in an area with Freedom network coverage. Depending on your needs, switching to a lower-cost mobile provider can be an easy way to reduce your monthly expenses without changing your phone habits too much.
Before switching, compare the plan price, coverage in your area, included data, roaming options, and any activation or connection fees.
Freedom Mobile may be a good fit if:
- You want to lower your monthly or annual phone bill.
- You live, work, or study in an area with good Freedom coverage.
- You do not need a phone subsidy from a larger carrier.
- You want a plan with plenty of data at a lower price.
1.3 Open a No-Fee Bank Account with Tangerine
Tangerine referral bonus: Use Orange Key referral code 73720560S1 when joining Tangerine. Referrals get a $50 bonus when they open an eligible account and complete the qualifying deposit requirements.
To qualify, you must:
- Join Tangerine with Orange Key 73720560S1
- Open an eligible account
- Deposit at least $250 within 60 days
- Keep the $250 deposited for 60 consecutive days
Bank fees can add up over time, especially if you are paying a monthly fee for a basic chequing account. Tangerine is an online Canadian bank that offers no-fee daily banking, savings accounts, credit cards, GICs, and investment options.
Because Tangerine is mostly online, it can be a good fit if you are comfortable banking through a website or mobile app and do not need regular in-branch service.
Tangerine may be worth considering if:
- You want a no-fee daily banking account.
- You want to separate savings from your main bank account.
- You are looking for an online bank in Canada.
- You want access to savings accounts, GICs, credit cards, or investing products in one place.
Before signing up, compare Tangerine’s current interest rates, account features, and any promotional offers against other Canadian banks.
1.4 Earn Cash Back on Online Shopping with Rakuten
Rakuten referral bonus:
Join Rakuten using my referral link, spend $30 through Rakuten, and you will earn $30.
Rakuten is a cash back shopping website that lets you earn money back when you shop through its links at participating stores. Instead of going directly to a retailer’s website, you start your shopping trip through Rakuten, click through to the store, and then complete your purchase as usual.
Rakuten may be worth using if:
- You shop online regularly.
- You want to earn cash back on planned purchases.
- You compare cash back rates before buying.
- You want to stack cash back with sales, promo codes, or credit card rewards.
2. Save Money on International Spending and Transfers
If you travel, shop internationally, freelance, or send money abroad, foreign exchange fees can quietly add up.
2.1 Use Wise for International Money Transfers and Foreign Currency Spending
Wise Referral Perk: Get a fee‑free transfer up to CAD$800 when you join using this link: https://wise.com/invite/drhc/jeffreybrianl
Wise is useful for sending, receiving, holding, and converting money in multiple currencies, including CAD and USD. It is especially helpful for travellers, freelancers, remote workers, and anyone who regularly deals with foreign currencies.
Wise is known for transparent pricing and showing fees upfront. Its referral program may give invited users a fee-free transfer voucher, though Wise notes that restrictions and external costs can still apply.
Wise may be useful if:
- You send money internationally.
- You receive payments from outside Canada.
- You travel and want access to multiple currencies.
- You want to compare exchange rates before converting money.
3. Save Money on Transportation in BC
Owning a car can be expensive once you factor in insurance, maintenance, gas, parking, depreciation, and repairs. If you only need a vehicle occasionally, car sharing can be much cheaper than owning one.
3.1 Use Modo Car Share for Round Trips and Planned Bookings
Modo Referral Bonus: Use code REF159NJKPN to receive $40 in driving credits when you successfully signup. Link for convenience: https://bookit.modo.coop/orientation/sign_up?ref=REF159NJKPN
Modo is a member-owned car-sharing co-op operating in British Columbia. It works well when you need a vehicle for errands, day trips, appointments, or planned round trips.
How It Works
You book a vehicle online or through the app, pick it up from its designated parking spot, and return it to the same location when you are done. Pricing is based on the time and distance you use.
3.2 Use Evo Car Share for Flexible One-Way Trips
Evo Referral Bonus: Use code XHZNFX5X to join Evo for free and get $25.00 of free drive time.
Evo is BCAA’s one-way car-sharing service in British Columbia. It is especially useful in Greater Vancouver when you want to pick up a car in one location and drop it off somewhere else within the Evo Home Zone.
Evo vehicles include gas, insurance, parking, and kilometres in the price.
Evo is a good fit for:
- One-way trips.
- Last-minute errands.
- Getting across the city without owning a car.
- Trips where transit would take much longer.
3.3 Save on Uber Rides with an Uber Referral Code
Uber referral code: cbycnhhh8g1q
You get:
- 40% off 2 Uber rides.
- Total savings of up to CA$10 per ride.
Uber can be useful when transit is not convenient, when you need a ride late at night, or when you are travelling and do not have access to a car.
Final Thoughts
Saving money in Canada does not always require huge lifestyle changes. Sometimes it is about reviewing the services you already use and finding small ways to get more value from them.
A cheaper phone plan, a better way to transfer money, a smarter approach to car sharing, or earning rewards on a large recurring payment can all add up over time.
Before signing up for any service, check the current fees, referral terms, and cancellation rules. The best deal is only worth it if it fits your actual spending habits.
Have a money-saving tip of your own? Leave a comment below and share what has worked for you.