The Free Money You’re Missing Out On in Canada

If you've been directly financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic (and you wouldn't be alone), there are government initiatives in place to help. Head to Government of Canada's employment site to see what financial supports you qualify for.

Several Canadian employers, including some of Canada’s best companies to work for in 2020, not only offer free job-related training but may also sponsor their employees’ further education in other fields. Check with your HR department to see what your employer will be willing to contribute if you want to go back to school. After all, an extra qualification can mean a higher salary.

The federal government offers a variety of benefit programs for people who earn a low income, from child benefits to the Guaranteed Income Supplement for low-income seniors. To qualify for these benefits, you have to file your tax returns. If you’re worried about your retirement finances, check out these ways to retire with less money.

Many employers will match a percentage of your RRSP contributions, sometimes even as much as 100 per cent. If you don’t have an RRSP yet, open one now and let your employer help you save more quickly for retirement. You may also want to find out about the things you should know about RRSPs.

With an RESP, or Registered Education Savings Plan, you can save for a tertiary education, not only for your child but also for yourself. If you contribute the annual maximum to save for a child under 17, the government will contribute to the plan too and with more money in your RESP, you’ll be able to pay off student loans faster.

A scholarship or bursary can cut a huge chunk out of your child’s student debt and it’s not only the brightest or most athletic kids who qualify. For example, some Canadian employers offer scholarships or bursaries for their employees’ children. Find out what’s available and what the criteria are and help your child to apply.

Local and provincial governments as well as the federal government have several programs to encourage energy efficiency and green living. For example, they may contribute to the cost of making energy-saving improvements to your home.

The health insurance you get through your work isn’t just for health emergencies. In non-quarantine times, you can use it for general well-being and preventative measures, which in turn will help you avoid some chronic health concerns (such as Type 2 Diabetes).

Whether it’s housing or tuition, there’s a host of government grants, tax deductions and other benefits you may qualify for but if you don’t know about them, you can’t claim them. With the Government of Canada’s Benefits Finder tool, you can find out which programs you qualify for.

You can save thousands of dollars by claiming every tax deduction you qualify for. Of course this means not only filing your tax returns but also knowing exactly how to fill in those forms. A financial advisor can help you make the most of tax deductions. <br><br> You’d be surprised at the outrageous tax claims Canadians have made that actually worked.

With the right credit card, you can earn cash back on every purchase you charge to your card. However, this only becomes free money if you use your card responsibly and reduce your credit card debt.

If you regularly shop online, it’s well worth signing up with cash-back websites. These sites will pay you back a percentage of what you spend at certain online stores. They may not pay much but every little bit adds up over time.

A savings account that pays a high interest rate means more free money for you, so shop around for the best high-interest savings account on offer. Then remember that the more money you have in that account, the more you will earn in interest: it’s one of the easiest ways of earning money while sleeping.

Many airlines, stores and other businesses have loyalty programs where you earn points on your purchases and can then exchange these for rewards. However, you usually have to claim your loyalty points within a specific time or you’ll lose them.

Canadian companies are offering more and more perks to draw – and keep – the best talent. These can be anything from on-site gyms to free lunch. Why pay for these if you can get them for free through your work?

Those tiny little shampoo or moisturizer samples you can get at your local store may not look like much but add them up and you’ll quickly have the equivalent of a bigger container. Websites like Canadian Free Stuff will help you find up-to-date freebie offers for everything from cosmetics to movie tickets.

Many stores and restaurants will give you freebies on your birthday, whether it’s a makeover or a lunch. Check with businesses in your area to see what they offer birthday girls and boys and what you need to do to claim your birthday freebies.

In non-pandemic times, bringing your own reusable containers when you get take-out isn’t just better for the environment but can be better for your pocket too. For example, one of Canada’s most successful brands, Tim Hortons, will give you a 10 per cent discount on your coffee-to-go if you bring your own mug.

With the discounts and two-for-one specials they offer, coupons are a great way to save and essentially get free money. Remember though that this only makes financial sense if you buy things you actually need.

With a mail-in rebate, you fill in a form and send it to the store or manufacturer after you’ve purchased something. In return you’ll get part of the purchase price refunded.

You’ll never win the lottery if you don’t actually buy a lottery ticket once in a while. In the same way, you need to enter competitions and giveaways if you want to have a chance of winning a prize. Unlike the lottery, most of these competitions won’t cost you more than the price of a postage stamp to enter.