Three ways to save a little more this year
Few people turn up their noses at the chance to save some money, and the current economy is making that cash even more important. While there’s only so much each person can do to save more and tighten their budget, here are three ideas you may not have thought of.
Use reward points wisely
If you’ve been collecting points via credit card rewards or a customer loyalty program, now might be the time to use them. It depends on the program itself and how much you’ve collected, but don’t forget about the value of your points when budgeting for your next big-ticket purchase, self-care splurge or perfect gift. Just be sure to read the fine print before cashing in.
Pool your resources
Chances are, more of your friends and neighbours are struggling than you know, so reach out and see how you can help each other out. Maybe it’s holding a weekly group meal of pantry staples with rotating hosts; it could be a commitment to tend a garden together for home-grown produce you can all enjoy; or maybe you split cheaper bulk-packs of toilet paper, rice and meat from the grocery store. Whatever you do, there are often ways to save through community.
Look out for government payments
Don’t forget about the cash you get from any government credits and benefits. The Climate Action Incentive payment goes to Canadians in the province where it was collected – currently Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario since they use the federal carbon pricing system rather than their own. Households in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and PEI will begin receiving payments in July.
The incentive used to be paid out as a refundable tax credit, but now it’s a quarterly payment directly to your account. It can help you offset the costs of going green or you can save it for later.
Find more information about this benefit at canada.ca/cai-payment.
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