A couple of weeks ago, my TV decided it could no longer render video. Sound was working just fine, though.
Anyway, it meant that we needed another TV and being a bargain hunter, I told my wife we should wait for Black Friday to snap up one of those heavily discounted TVs…
So I started looking at the early Black Friday specials, and last week, I saw an ONN 55 inch flat screen TV at Walmart for $348.
It got me excited, and before making any decision, I went with my wife to Walmart to check it out… The reviews were pretty bad, but I wanted to see it for myself.
My wife was telling me this was a bad idea, and that she wanted a Samsung, and I told her it would only be paying for the brand name…
When we asked a Walmart employee about the TV, her face immediately showed disgust. She said something along these lines: “Those TVs are cheap, but you are getting what you pay for. We get multiple ONN TV returns per week, but we don't get any returns for the other TV brands. They break after a week…”
Anyway, I guess I was wrong and my wife was right on this one. We still went to take a look at the TV, and to top it off, the image quality was the worst of any TV at Walmart…
The point of my TV story is that winning at Black Friday involves following those 2 simple rules:
- Don’t impulse buy anything just because the discount is amazing. If you bought something you would not have purchased otherwise, you lost money!
- If there are items you actually want, make sure to research the category beforehand and avoid buying online something you never tested in-store.
As for my story, I’m now trying to convince my wife to buy this TCL 55 inch that is $400 off at Best Buy, but she still insists we should buy a Samsung…
PS: I started answering personal finance questions from Canadian folks by shooting videos like this one. If you want me to create a video just for you, just hit the reply button, ask me your questions, and I will send you a video with my answer!
Julien Brault, aka JB, Co-Founder of MooseMoney.com
Recently published on MooseMoney.com
I Did The Math And Here Are The Top Free Credit Cards For Canadians Earning $60,000 or Less
I Talked to 3 Canadians Holding 2 Full-Time Jobs at The Same Time and They Explained How They Make It Work
I Tested the Top 5 High-Interest Savings Accounts in Canada So You Don't Have To
Side Hustle Of The Week: House Decluttering!
After losing a high-paying corporate job, Melissa Riepe started a hands-on side hustle helping people declutter and organize their apartments in New York City.
She discovered that professional organizers in her area charged up to US $100–150 per hour, which she felt was too high, so she deliberately cut her rate roughly in half to appeal to “everyday” folks.
Her clients, who are often busy women with kids and overflowing closets or kitchens, now hire her weekly or biweekly because they see real results (the before-and-after of their spaces and less stress in their lives).
How to get started
If you want to start a decluttering side hustle, your first step is to research standard rates for services in your area. Melissa said that she began by charging around $50-$75/hour in New York City, about half of what other, established declutterers were charging at the time.
You may or may not be able to charge that much, depending on where you live and your target client. I scoured Reddit and Facebook Marketplace to get an idea of typical decluttering rates in larger Canadian cities. For example, I found a Vancouver-based declutterer on Facebook Marketplace who charges $50/hour, but I also saw rates as high as $100/hour. In Toronto, rates appear to range from $40 to $100/hour. This Toronto-area declutterer charges $50/hour. On the lower end, this Winnipeg-based decluttering service states that its rates start at $25 per hour, but it also offers flat-rate pricing.
Melissa began by posting in Reddit neighbourhood groups and on Instagram to get her first clients. Like her, your should try local Reddit classified subs like r/gtamarketplace in Toronto or r/CalgaryClassifieds in Calgary or try your luck with Facebook Groups & Facebook Marketplace.
Once you start getting gigs, the most important thing is to do great work. Post before-and-after pictures on social media (with client permission) and ask for testimonials to help you build repeat clients. You can also upsell to your existing clients. If they are pleased with your work in one area, they may have you help with the rest of the home.
Source: Business Insider
AIR MILES to merge Dream and Cash Miles into one unified balance in 2026
Starting January 25, 2026, the AIR MILES program is making life easier for members by merging its two separate mile types, Dream Miles and Cash Miles, into a single account. After the change, members will see one combined balance and be free to redeem miles however they like: for travel, hotel stays, electronics, gift cards, in-store purchases, experiences, and more.
In its current setup, members have two separate accounts for Dream and Cash Miles, which can make it easy to earn miles in the "wrong account" or to struggle to transfer between the two.
Another positive change is that existing miles will retain their value at a 1:1 rate, and no action is required on the member’s part; everything will happen automatically. If you have an associated BMO AIR MILES credit card, your earnings will remain unaffected.
Source: Milesopedia
For a limited-time, get a $60 bonus* when you sign up for any Neo card!
From fast approval to everyday rewards, the Neo Mastercard pays you back. Literally. Plus, get instant access to your virtual card as soon as you're approved so you can start spending and earning right away.
* Limited-time offer. Only valid for new Neo customers who open their first eligible Neo credit product and make a purchase within 90 days. Limit of one offer per customer. Offer is subject to the Neo Rewards Policy and may be amended or cancelled at any time without notice.
Deadline nears for Canadians to receive at least $50 from bread price-fixing settlement
Canadians have until Dec. 12 to claim their share of a $500-million class-action settlement connected to a years-long bread price-fixing scheme involving Loblaw and parent company George Weston Ltd. Anyone who bought packaged bread products, like bread, buns, bagels, rolls, naan, wraps, pitas, or tortillas, for personal use between 2001 and 2021 is eligible. You don’t need a receipt, and you can receive at least $50, with the potential for $100 or more, depending on how many people apply.
More than 1.4 million Canadians (excluding Quebec, which has a separate process) have already submitted claims since applications opened on Sept. 11. Payments will be issued six to 12 months after the deadline, via Interac e-transfer or cheque, and administrators are using software to screen out fraudulent bot submissions.
Note that while there are no limits to the number of people in a household who can apply, you must be 18 at the time you submit your claim and have lived in Canada on December 31, 2021.
Source: CBC News
Financial Calculator of the Week
Consolidating multiple credit cards into a single loan or low credit card balance can save you thousands in interest. Use this calculator to see exactly how much you'll save by consolidating your credit cards balances.
Get a $10 Walmart eGift Card with $50 GC purchase for Gap Options, Home Depot, American Eagle, Ikea, and more
From November 20–26, 2025 (or while supplies last), at participating Walmart Canada stores and on Walmart.ca, you can score a free $10 Walmart eGift Card when you buy a $50 gift card from Gap Options, American Eagle, la Vie en Rose, Michaels, IKEA, Home Depot, or Indigo. After purchase, go to getmybonus.ca by November 28, 2025, upload your card number (photo or code), enter your email, and accept the site’s terms and privacy policy to receive your bonus eGift card by email. Remember, quantities are limited. This is a fantastic deal, especially if you were already planning to shop at one of these stores, because you’re basically getting a 20% bonus in Walmart credit on purchases you were already going to make.
Source: Red Flag Deals
Michaels is Hosting Free Holiday Craft Events Across Canada This December
Michaels is rolling out a full schedule of free, in-store holiday crafting events designed to bring families and creative hobbyists together throughout the holiday season. Beginning the first Saturday of December, stores will host hands-on holiday craft sessions every Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., along with additional themed “Make Break” and “Kids Club” activities every Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. These events include festive projects, seasonal décor, and kid-friendly crafts that encourage creativity and connection.
Because each Michaels location sets its own lineup, make sure you visit the Michaels website, choose your local store, and browse the complete list of upcoming events to see what’s happening nearby. This is an easy, free way to add creative fun to your holiday routine.
Source: PR Newswire
More Canadians are buying used Christmas gifts to cut costs this year: here's how you can save
According to a recent CBC News report, Canadians are rethinking their holiday shopping this year, opting more for second-hand items as budgets tighten and gifts remain pricey. Used gifts can result in huge savings while reducing waste and still delivering joy without the stress of overspending. Many people are turning to platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji or eBay for pretty much everything or specialized online used items retailers like Rekidding for toys or ItsaDeal for clothes.
Source: CBC News
🚨🏷️ Moose on the Loose in Dealville
ASUS Vivobook Go 14 L410 Thin & Light Laptop
$199.98
Mooooose-tastic tech alert! I’m trotting in with a laptop deal so good I nearly tripped over my own hooves. Walmart’s got the ASUS Vivobook Go 14 L410 on sale for $199.98, or $150 off the regular price of $349.98! You’re getting a 14” FHD display, Intel Celeron N4500, 4GB RAM, 128GB eMMC, Windows 11 S Mode and a backlit keyboard… fancy! It’s perfect for browsing, studying, or watching moose documentaries. Grab it while it’s hot, folks, as this deal is sprinting faster than I do when someone opens a bag of trail mix!
PC Express Pass for $1/month
$1 per month (87% savings)
Moosey is stomping through the grocery aisles with delight because this deal is simply moose-magnificent! Using the code PASSBF, you can grab the PC Express Pass for only $1/month, or $12 for the first year. Usually, this pass costs $99.99 per year, so you're saving roughly 87% But you need to act by November 28th! With the PC Express Pass, you'll enjoy unlimited free pickup, discounted or free delivery on eligible orders, and extra PC Optimum points. It adds up to more time, more savings, and more reasons to high-five Moosey. Don’t wait, hop on this deal before the deadline!
NOMA A19 E26 Base Household Non-Dimmable LED Light Bulbs
$9.99
Check out this 6-pack of NOMA A19 E26 LED Light Bulbs, on sale at Canadian Tire until November 26th! These bright, non-dimmable LEDs plug right into standard E26 bases so they can replace your old 60 W bulbs. At $1.67, they're the cheapest LED bulb you can find right now. Not even Walmart or Dollarama have a better prices.
Refer Your Friends To MooseMoney & Get Free Stuff!!!
