Last week, there was a promo at Shopper's where, if you spent $75, they would give you two Cineplex tickets. Since I often go to the movies, I thought it would be an easy way to save some money...
That said, it's easier said than done. The danger is ending up buying stuff you wouldn't otherwise have bought, or buying stuff at a higher price than you would have paid at another retailer. So I ended up mostly buying items on sale like butter, toilet paper, paper towels, and peanut butter.
Except for the butter (which I put in the freezer), all the items were shelf-stable. I essentially just pre-paid for stuff I would eventually buy anyway AND got a good price on it.
So this weekend, the Weston family (the billionaires behind Shopper's & Loblaws) will be paying for my wife and me to go to the movies.
Unfortunately, the promo is over, but the moral of the story is: always read the weekly flyers and don't forget to stock up on shelf-stable stuff you know you will need in the future when there is a promo like this one, or when it's deeply discounted.
Julien Brault, aka JB, Co-Founder of MooseMoney.com
Recently published on MooseMoney.com
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McDonald’s Canada Drops McValue Meal Prices
McDonald’s Canada just did something you don’t see very often, announcing that it will freeze and drop the prices on some of its most popular items for a full year.
A small McCafé coffee will stay at $1, and McValue Meals will drop from $6 to $5 at participating locations across Canada through 2026.
This isn’t a coupon or a limited-time deal. McDonald’s says these prices apply all day, every day, whether you’re eating in or using the drive-thru. The $5 meals include items like the McDouble or Junior Chicken with small fries and a drink. Breakfast options include a sausage McMuffin, a breakfast burrito, a bagel with cream cheese, or a sausage McGriddle, paired with a small coffee and a hash brown.
McDonald’s says it’s doing this because many Canadians are feeling stretched by rising costs. And honestly, that’s hard to argue with.
With fast-food prices going up almost everywhere else, locking in these prices could save you real money over the year, especially if you’re someone who grabs a coffee or quick meal on the go.
It’s not gourmet. But it is affordable. And right now, that's all that counts.
Source: CBC
Barry Choi: Level Up Your Finances: The Smartest Ways to Use Every Dollar This Year
January can feel like a financial uphill climb. While you may have just recovered from the extra spending over the holidays, there’s a good chance you have a fresh list of savings goals.
If you’re already focused on saving, you’re off to a strong start. The next step is to understand how to prioritize your dollars to meaningfully strengthen your net worth.
Start With Your Emergency Fund
Having an emergency fund is non-negotiable because it protects you from unexpected expenses, whether a surprise car repair, an unexpected medical bill, or a sudden loss of income. The general rule is to set aside three months of expenses to give you time to get back on your feet, but if you’re starting from scratch, aim for one month or $500.
Tackle High‑Interest Debt First
If you’re incurring monthly high-interest charges from credit cards or a car loan, it makes it incredibly difficult to save for anything else. The most effective strategy is to focus on your highest-interest debt first to pay fewer fees overall. However, if you get more motivated by tackling your lowest balance first, go for it.
Save for Your First Home With an FHSA
If you’re debt-free and have an emergency fund set aside, your next goal might be homeownership. Which account you should use is an easy choice these days, as the First Home Savings Account (FHSA) gives you the most benefits. Contributions are tax‑deductible (like a Registered Retirement Savings Plan), and withdrawals for a qualifying home purchase are tax‑free (like a Tax-Free Savings Account).
TFSA vs. RRSP?
If you already own a home or don’t want to own one, you still have options when it comes to registered accounts that can help you build your net worth. Lower-income earners should focus on their TFSA since withdrawals don’t affect future benefits, and you won’t face taxes when you take money out.
RRSP contributions are more beneficial when you’re in a higher tax bracket, as any contributions lower your taxable income by an equal amount.
How RESPs fit in
If you have children, a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) is often a consideration, as parents want to prioritize their children. While there’s no denying the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) is appealing since you get a 20% match up to $500 a year, you should focus on building your emergency fund and paying off high-interest debt first.
This guest post was authored by Barry Choi, an award-winning personal finance expert who specializes in credit cards and loyalty points.
Cineplex $5 Tuesdays Are Back Until February 24th
Here’s a great deal for movie lovers on a budget. Cineplex Canada is bringing back its $5 Tuesdays deal for a limited run this winter. Starting January 20 and running through February 24, 2026, you can grab a general-admission movie ticket for just $5 (plus tax) every Tuesday.
But it gets better! A small popcorn is also just $5 (plus tax) during this deal, so a classic movie night for two, with tickets and popcorn, could be around $20 total if you’re buying in-theatre.
You can buy tickets in person or online, though online orders may include booking fees that bump the price a bit. Scene+ members can save even more with reduced booking fees and the chance to earn loyalty points while they snack.
It’s an easy way to make a Tuesday night feel special without stretching your wallet. Six Tuesdays of discounted cinema is hard to beat for cheap entertainment this winter.
Source: Mobile Syrup
Financial Calculator of the Week
This calculator helps you create a strategic plan to pay off your debts faster by tackling high-interest debts first, saving you money on interest payments.
Last Chance to Grab This $250 Cash Bonus From Tangerine!
If you’re thinking about switching banks or just want a nice bonus for doing so, now is the time. Tangerine’s chequing account promotion pays you a $250 bonus, but it’s expiring soon, on January 31, 2026.
Here’s how the deal works. Open a new no-monthly-fee Tangerine Chequing Account and then set up your payroll direct deposit to land in that account. As long as you receive two consecutive months of eligible payroll deposits of at least $200, Tangerine will credit you $250.
The account itself has no monthly fees and gives you access to Interac e-Transfers and no-fee ABMs across Canada, so it’s a great account even beyond the bonus. Just be sure you open the account and do the payroll switch before January 31. After that, the bonus offer disappears.
If you have a direct deposit to switch, this is like free money with very little effort.
Source: Tangerine
Sign-Up For a Secured Neo Mastercard & Get a $60 Welcome Bonus
Build your credit history while earning cashback with this guaranteed approval card that will help you increase your credit score.
* 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.
You Can Get a Refund From This Massive Dollarama Toy Recall
If you’ve purchased a baby teether from Dollarama, you may be eligible for a refund. Health Canada has recalled some baby teether toys sold at Dollarama due to a safety risk. The problem is that the liquid inside the toys could contain fungus if the teether cracks or leaks. Since babies often put these toys in their mouths, this could be harmful.
If you bought a baby teether from Dollarama, it’s a good idea to check if it’s part of the recall. If it is, stop using it right away. You can return it to Dollarama for a refund or ask the store what to do next.
So far, no children have been hurt, but Health Canada says it’s better to be careful, especially when it comes to products for babies and toddlers.
This is also a good reminder that recalls happen more often than we think. Taking a few minutes to check recall notices can help keep kids safe and prevent bigger problems later.
Source: Daily Hive
Update! Keurig K-Cup Settlement Claims Now Open
This is an important update to a story I shared back in November!
If you used Keurig coffee pods or a Keurig machine in Canada between 2016 and 2025, you may now be able to get some money back. A class action settlement is open, and you can officially submit a claim.
Here's a link to the claim form, where you will find all of the details.
The lawsuit says Keurig made its pods seem more recyclable than they really were. As a result, some customers may be owed money.
Some claims do not even need proof of purchase. If you do have receipts, you may be able to receive a slightly higher payment. The amount depends on what you include in your claim.
Since this is real money that could come back to you, it is worth taking a few minutes to check the claim website and submit your information before the deadline.
Source: Narcity
How to Get Your Income Tax Refund Early This Year
Want to get your income tax refund as soon as possible? Tax season in Canada is almost here, and the Canada Revenue Agency says you can start filing your 2025 tax return online on February 23, 2026. That is the day the CRA will begin accepting returns and processing refunds.
If you file your taxes online and you use direct deposit, you could see your refund in your bank account in about two weeks after you file. That is much faster than waiting for a paper return.
Now is a good time to gather all your tax paperwork, such as your T4 slips and receipts for RRSPs, tuition, or other deductions. Having these ready will help you file as soon as the system opens.
Filing early also means you might get your refund sooner. Many Canadians look forward to that money in their bank because it can help pay bills or save for other goals.
Source: Narcity
Side Hustle Of The Week: Instant Street Photos
I recently came across a Redditor who shared a successful side hustle they started by accident while a struggling college student. While cleaning out their grandparent’s place, they found an old Polaroid camera. Instead of letting it sit on a shelf, they took it downtown and offered to take instant photos for people walking by. The price was simple. Five dollars per picture.
To their surprise, people loved it!
Polaroid photos tap into nostalgia. You get a real photo in your hand right away, not something that disappears into your phone's gallery, never to be seen again. Couples, tourists, and groups of friends are happy to pay for this type of experience. You don’t have to worry about editing or printing later, and there’s no follow-up required. Just take the photo, hand it over, and get paid.
On busy nights, this person earned between $200 and $400 per evening! Costs were low. The main expenses were the film and a bit of time walking around downtown. Because the setup was so simple, almost everything after film costs was profit.
This side hustle works best in areas with foot traffic, like downtown cores, festivals, or tourist spots. You don’t need to be a professional photographer. People are paying for the novelty, not perfection.
If you want to try this, start by finding a working Polaroid camera and pricing the film into your cost. Pick a busy area, smile, and ask people if they want a photo to keep forever. It is a low-barrier way to turn an old camera into real cash.
Source: Reddit
🚨🏷️ Moose on the Loose in Dealville
2L Chapman's Premium Ice Cream
$3.88
I sniffed out a jumbo scoop of savings at No Frills on a tub of Chapman's Premium Price Cream. This creamy classic is on sale for about $3.88, down from around $5.00, a rock-bottom price for a 2L tub. Grab it for movie nights or just when you’re craving something sweet without draining your wallet. Even better? It’s prepared right here in Canada, so your savings are homegrown too. Slide one of these into your cart, and you’ll be grinning like a moose at midnight in no time!
Panago Personal Pan Pizzas
$4.99 each
Panago is serving up personal pan pizzas for $4.99, but only if you walk in between 11 AM and 3 PM. This is an in-store only lunch deal, so no sneaky online ordering here, eh. You can choose cheese, pepperoni, or veggie, and each pizza comes hot and ready in its own pan. Dips are not included, and there are no substitutions, but at five bucks, I am not complaining. After all, Tim Horton’s flatbread pizzas are $7-8 bucks, and don’t taste as good, if you ask me. Even Panago’s small pizzas start at around $13.00. I am trotting straight to Panago before lunch ends.
Women's Camisoles
3 for $10
Ladies, I found this 3 for $10 clearance sale on women’s camisoles at Giant Tiger, and I’m stomping through the savings forest with excitement! Normally, these camisoles run about $6 each, but right now you can snag three for just $10 total. It’s like paying for one and kind of getting two for free! These camisoles are soft, comfy, and perfect for layering under sweaters and jackets, or for rocking on their own. That’s a seriously savvy addition to your closet without gnawing at your budget. Better scoot to Giant Tiger and grab ’em up before the sale disappears like a moose in the woods!
