Everyday savings in Canada come down to a few habits: senior and student discounts, restaurants where kids eat free, the right grocery store and a well-used Costco membership. Taxes and bills paid with a credit card that earns points complete the picture. This page gathers our lists and guides so every dollar you spend gives a little back.
Senior and Student Discounts
From age 55, pharmacies, retailers and transit operators grant a discount, often on one set day of the week. Students have their own perks, from public transit to software. Our lists cover each offer with its eligibility age and its condition.
New to Canada or starting school? Our pages Newcomers to Canada and Students in Canada gather the accounts, cards and discounts made for you.
Free or Discounted Restaurants for Families
Dinner out costs less when the kids eat for free. Several chains offer it one evening a week, and others give a dessert, a meal or a gift on your birthday. The two lists below state the day, the maximum age and the purchase condition.
Groceries and Costco: Pay Less
Groceries are the heaviest line in a family budget, and the one where prices differ most between banners. Store comparisons, discount grocers, the best buys at Costco and membership tiers: it is all here.
Taxes, Bills and Permits Paid by Card
Income taxes, property taxes, driver’s licence renewals and recurring bills can be paid by credit card, sometimes for a small fee. When the card earns more than the fee, the expense becomes a source of points. Our guides detail each platform and its cost.
Cash Back and Points on Your Purchases
Cash back apps, points programs such as Scene+ and PC Optimum, and gift cards bought in the right place stack on the same purchase. Here is how to combine them without spending your evenings on it.
The Year’s Biggest Sales
Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Amazon Prime Day pack the best deals of the year into a few days. Our guides help you prepare your list, spot the real markdowns and pay with the card that earns the most.
Budget, Bank Fees and Card Fees
A budget you keep up to date shows where the dollars go, and fixed fees are the first to cut. Monthly chequing account fees and the annual fee of a credit card that no longer earns enough can be negotiated or avoided. Our guides explain how to build a simple budget, pick a no-fee account and get your card’s annual fee waived.
Housing, Insurance, Plans and Care
Home insurance, car insurance, your mobile and internet plan and dental care come back every month or every year. A comparison at renewal and a call to the provider are often enough to cut the bill by several dozen dollars a month. Our guides give you the benchmarks for each expense.
Also compare home insurance and car insurance offered in Canada.
Credit Cards for Groceries and Gas
A well-chosen cash back card makes every grocery run and every fill-up a little cheaper. The four cards below cover the most common profiles, from a no-fee card to a high grocery earn rate. Click a card name to see its current conditions.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $119.88 | |||
| $0 |
Compare every option on our pages of the best credit cards for groceries and the best credit cards for gas and transportation.
Everyday Savings: Learn More
🔗 The best credit cards in Canada
🔗 The best cash back credit cards
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Everyday Savings: Frequently Asked Questions
At what age do senior discounts start?
Most retailers set the threshold at 55, 60 or 65 depending on the banner. Our senior discounts list gives the exact age for each store, the day the discount applies and whether a membership card or proof of age is needed.
Do kids really eat free at restaurants?
Yes, at several chains, on a given evening of the week and with the purchase of an adult meal. The maximum age ranges from 10 to 12. Our restaurant list states the day and the condition for each one.
Is paying taxes with a credit card worth it?
It becomes worth it when the card earns more than the payment platform’s fee. A card with a large welcome bonus after a spending threshold often makes the operation a win. Our guides detail each service’s fees.
Which grocery store is the cheapest?
Price gaps between banners reach several dozen dollars a week on the same basket. Our comparison details prices banner by banner, and discount grocers often offer the best prices on dry goods.
Can I combine a cash back app with a credit card?
Yes. The app refunds part of the purchase, the card earns points or cash back on the same amount, and a merchant loyalty program can stack on top. That is the triple-dip principle described in our guides.
Which credit card should I choose for groceries and gas?
A card with a high grocery earn rate suits families who meet the income requirement, and a card with no income requirement covers gas well. Our best-cards-by-category pages compare earn rates, caps and annual fees for each.
How can I reduce my bank fees?
A chequing account with no monthly fee, or with a fee waiver above a minimum balance, covers most needs, and several online banks charge none at all. For your credit card, a call to the issuer before renewal often gets the annual fee partly or fully refunded.
How can I pay less for home insurance?
By comparing at least three quotes at renewal, bundling home and car with the same insurer and raising your deductible. Our guides detail each lever and our comparison tools return quotes in minutes.