Introduction to Saving Money in Canada
In November 2025, Statistics Canada reported that the consumer price index (CPI) increased approximately 2.2% year-over-year, driven by higher food and other household prices. Food prices alone rose by almost 4.7% over the same period – one of the highest increases since the end of 2023. Meanwhile, polls show Canadians are still under pressure, with more than four in five Canadians citing inflation as their top concern, and more than half saying their income could not keep up with rising prices.
Understanding the Need to Save
All of this makes it not only desirable but necessary to save money and find creative ways to conserve the dollar. Personal finance gurus often give the same basic advice: place your daily coffee order, pack your lunch, cancel the subscription — and yes, these things help. But there are other, more practical ways to put money back in your pocket that you may not be taking advantage of yet.
Everyday Hacks to Save Money
Below are some everyday hacks based on real tools and experiences that Canadians have shared – and none of them are sponsored.
1. Get Compensation from Airfairness for Flight Delays
Whether you’re heading home for vacation or planning a last-minute getaway, flight disruptions are stressful and expensive. What many travelers don’t know is that if your flight is delayed more than three hours, canceled, or denied boarding due to overbooking, you may be entitled to compensation from the airline – and not just free meal vouchers. Airfairness is a Canada-based online service that helps passengers claim this compensation – often up to several hundred dollars – without having to navigate the airline’s complicated rules yourself.
2. Save on Products with OddBunch.ca
Food prices were one of the biggest concerns for Canadian households in 2025. Although the overall inflation rate may appear moderate, food prices, particularly fresh produce and meat, have risen faster than the overall consumer price index. OddBunch.ca is a great way to cut these costs without sacrificing nutrition. This is a grocery delivery service available in most provinces (not yet Atlantic Canada) that sources "weird" or imperfect fruits and vegetables that don’t meet visual retail standards but are otherwise perfectly good.
3. Reduce Prescription Costs with InnoviCares
Prescription medications take up a large portion of many households’ budgets, and brand-name medications can be shockingly expensive if you pay for them out of pocket. InnoviCares is a free prescription savings card used across Canada that helps you reduce the cost of brand name medications by redeeming eligible savings at the pharmacy. You present the card when your pharmacist writes a prescription, and the discount is automatically applied if your medications are covered.
4. Buy Used Books Instead of Paying Full Price
Let’s face it, books are expensive. Fiction, nonfiction, textbooks, manuals—they add up. An easy way to save if you want a book but your budget says "maybe later" is to buy it used. Platforms like Amazon’s used book marketplace often offer the same title at a fraction of the new price. The books are usually in good condition, can ship for little or free if you have a Prime membership, and you still get the same content for much less money.
5. Time Reward Offers for Credit and Loyalty Programs
Most Canadians have at least one rewards credit card, and many don’t use it strategically. A simple trick is to pay attention to bonus offers, special promotions and point multipliers and time your purchases accordingly. For example, drugstores, gas stations and large retailers often offer 4 or 5 point promotions for certain categories. If you’re planning on visiting the pharmacy or filling up a tank of gas anyway, completing an action during a promotion can significantly increase the points you earn, which you can later redeem for travel, statement credits, or gift/grocery vouchers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, saving money in Canada requires creativity and awareness of the tools and services available. By utilizing services like Airfairness, OddBunch.ca, InnoviCares, and buying used books, Canadians can put more money back in their pockets. Additionally, timing reward offers for credit and loyalty programs can maximize the value of everyday expenses. With a little knowledge and planning, Canadians can navigate the challenges of inflation and build a more secure financial future.