How to save $3200 + A Year Without Making Any Sacrifices

At the beginning of this year I made a commitment to budgeting. I’ve been tracking everything coming in and going out. Through this process I’ve created a budgeting google sheet dedicated to seeing income and expenses plainly, which I will eventually be able to make available for free once completed! 

I set aside 15 minutes every day to look at every account and log any money movement into my budget sheet. I am happy to say that I have not overspent a single month yet this year, and that is a major win. I know exactly what is coming in and what is being spent. I’ve also reduced my expenses in various ways. I realized I was paying way too much for a few things that I was just using out of convenience, and setting aside some time to switch things up has paid in a big way!

Switching things over, around, and under takes an incredible amount of effort, especially all at once. I recognize that it’s not easy, however the amount of money saved is 100% worth it.

This list includes referral links and codes. If you find this list useful, please consider signing up through the affiliate link to support my content. I use all of these personally and highly recommend each. This will be mostly relevant to Canadians. 


1. Switch to a $0 fee bank account.

I was Banking with RBC before I made the switch to Tangerine. RBC has fees for everything. While Tangerine isn’t a traditional walk in bank where you can talk to a teller, it’s all done online and over the phone (I have always had fantastic customer service). You can also use the ATMs at Scotiabank to withdraw and make deposits.

tangerine.ca and use referral code 57491359S1 - We both receive $50 after 60 days when you open an eligible account and deposit $250 and keep it there for 60 days

Savings: $203.40 / year (was paying $16.95 / month for unlimited chequing account at RBC)

2. Compare phone rates with different providers and plans

I was paying $80 with Sasktel (a Saskatchewan Crown Corp) for 50 gb unlimited data, talk and text. I compared rates with other providers and landed on switching to Koodo.

I now have 60 gb of data for $50 - I received an additional discount by setting up auto pay directly from my checking account to reduce the bill to $40. I got to keep my phone number, and the unused data rolls over into the next month (the free perk I picked from a list of perks to choose from).  I barely use 5gb per month so I will basically have unlimited data. The initial set up was $16 for the e-sim and as of March 2026, the CRTC eliminated extra fees to activate, change or cancel cell phone plans.

It was really easy to switch. When you transfer your number during the sign up process, it automatically cancels your current plan when the switch takes effect. If your phone is capable of using an e-sim, then it’s even easier. You won’t have to wait to get a sim card in the mail. I did everything online through their web portal!

Check it out for yourself!
Koodomobile.com
Sign up and we will both receive $25 in bill credits for using this referral link.

Savings: $480 / year (was paying $80 / month for 50 GB Unlimited Data Plan)


3. Compare internet rates with different providers and plans

We were paying an ungodly amount for the internet through Rogers. $180 a month for Unlimited GB, 1 gbps download speed and 100 mbps upload speed.

I found that Oxio had the best deal. 1 gbps download speed and 200 mbps upload speed for $90 a month. They boast about their fixed prices, reliable connections, and company transparency and have plans as low as $49 a month, depending on your needs.

It was very easy to set up. They send you the modem and wifi box, you download their app and follow the instructions for set up and voila. You have cheaper internet that will never go up in price.

Check out Oxio for yourself and get 1 month for free when you sign up through this referral link.

Savings: $1080 / year (was paying $180 / month)

4. Moved our prescriptions to Costco Pharmacy

Even though most of my prescriptions are covered 100% by insurance, I have a few that aren’t. To reduce costs of my prescriptions I have to pay for, I switched from Shoppers Drug Mart to Costco. Dispensing fees are half the cost and regular prescriptions are also less expensive.

For the 2 prescriptions I pay for, the switch was well worth it.

Libre 2 Glucose Monitor:
$199.98 full price at Shoppers drug mart and was covered 80% by my insurance. I was paying $40.00 at Shoppers Drug Mart after coverage.

My insurance covers 90% at Costco as it’s their preferred pharmacy and is $179.98 so I pay $19.00 after coverage, saving me $21 / month.

Mounjaro:
Not covered by insurance, unfortunately. Even after trying Ozempic for a year - which WAS covered - but had 0 effect on my blood sugar. While Mounjaro has reduced my average A1C by a whole point from 5.5 to 4.5. (from ‘pre-diabetic’ to ‘normal’) For context, I am type 2 diabetic. 

At Shoppers: $347.00 (5mg dose)
Costco: $313.55 (5mg dose)

And with the manufacturers savings card: $272.99
Saving me $74.01 / month

Savings: $1116.12 / year

https://www.innovicares.ca/ offers cost savings for certain brand name drugs
Check with the manufacturer of any drug you may need to pay for to see if they offer any savings. These are NOT referral links - They are just super helpful if you're trying to save money on prescriptions!


5. Pay Yearly for Subscriptions

First of all, let me acknowledge that it’s a privilege to be able to pay for things yearly. A larger sum of money at one time isn’t always possible for a lot of people. I believe with some money management that it is very possible to achieve.

I pay yearly for:
Car Insurance: $50 Savings
Xbox Ultimate with gift cards purchase through Amazon (At the time of purchase Jan 2026 $306.32 for 1 year vs. $453 / year paying monthly): $146.68 Savings
Adobe Suite (For Business): $149.00 Savings
Amazon Prime: $20.88 Savings

Savings: $366.56 / year

Take some time and go through your subscriptions. Cancel the ones you don’t use very often, change to a lower subscription tier if you can (some streaming platforms have a reduced rate with ads), and make sure to keep a running list of what subscriptions you have and when they come out of your account.

A few more subscription tips and tricks:
If you use Amazon Prime Video and subscribe to a few different channels - go to cancel them. They usually will offer a few months at a reduced rate for you to keep the channels. This may work with other subscriptions as well. I’ve done it with Adobe Suite...


6. Use your local Library

If you’re a book & media consumer like me, you’ll save so much money NOT buying books, audio books, movies, video games etc. Our library in Saskatoon has great programs! If you’ve never checked out your library, I really encourage you to do so. Scrap your Audible subscription and put down your Indigo Plum Rewards card.

Library Apps:
Hoopla for borrowing movies and tv show Episodes via streaming
Libby for borrowing audio books and e-books

Savings: An astronomical, uncalculated amount. 

Total Yearly Savings: $3246.08

Everyone's savings are going to differ depending on what you already pay for, subscribe to, or use. I think it's important to not stay complacent just because it's convenient. Over $3200 in savings is an all inclusive Mexican vacation for 2, baby! 

See you on the beach!

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