Simon Lavergne

If the rising cost of food and everyday essentials has been squeezing your budget, there is good news. The Canadian government has introduced a new benefit designed specifically to help with exactly those expenses.

Starting in 2026, the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit replaces the old GST/HST credit and provides higher payments to millions of Canadians.

A single person can receive up to nine hundred and fifty dollars in 2026. A family of four can receive up to one thousand eight hundred and ninety dollars. These amounts include a one‑time top‑up payment plus higher quarterly payments for the rest of the benefit year.

Here is how it works for typical households. A single person with a net income around twenty‑five thousand dollars receives a one‑time payment of just over two hundred and sixty dollars, plus an ongoing increase of more than one hundred and thirty dollars for the year. That is a total increase of about four hundred dollars on top of the base benefit. A family of four with a net income around forty thousand dollars receives a one‑time payment of over five hundred dollars, plus an ongoing increase of more than two hundred and seventy dollars. Their total increase reaches about eight hundred dollars.

These amounts are added to what you would have received under the old system. The total benefit for the year — including the base amount and the new increases — reaches up to nine hundred fifty dollars for a single person and nearly nineteen hundred dollars for a family of four.

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Here is good news: helping the planet does not have to cost extra. Many eco‑friendly choices actually save you money. Here are ten simple tips that are good for both your wallet and the environment.

Keep your electronics longer. A large percentage of electronic devices that Canadians throw away still work perfectly fine. Phones, laptops, tablets, even kitchen appliances are often replaced while they have years of life left. Before you buy new, ask yourself if the old one can be repaired. Keeping your devices longer saves you money and keeps toxic waste out of landfills.

Switch to LED bulbs. LED bulbs use much less electricity than old incandescent bulbs and last years longer. They cost a bit more upfront, but they pay for themselves many times over in lower electricity bills.

Unplug electronics when not in use. Even when turned off, many electronics still draw standby power. Your phone charger, TV, computer, and game console are quietly using electricity all day. Plug them into a power bar and switch it off when you are not using them. This small habit adds up to real savings.

Wash laundry in cold water. Modern laundry detergents work just as well in cold water. Heating water uses a lot of energy. Switch to cold for most loads. Your clothes will last longer because hot water fades colours, and you will save money every wash.

Dry clothes on a rack. Clothes dryers are among the biggest energy users in a home. Whenever possible, hang your clothes on a drying rack. They will last longer, and you will save electricity. In winter, indoor drying racks add moisture to dry air, which is good for your sinuses and wooden furniture.

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Saving money sounds hard. It sounds like giving up things you love. But what if you could save five hundred dollars a year without feeling like you are missing out? The secret is not about cutting big luxuries. It is about tiny daily swaps that you barely notice.

Here are several small changes that add up fast.

Make your coffee at home. A coffee from a café costs a few dollars. If you buy one every weekday, that adds up to over seven hundred dollars a year. Making coffee at home costs a fraction of that. Invest in a travel mug and brew your own. You can still treat yourself to a café coffee once a week. The rest of the time, enjoy your home brew. That single swap can save you hundreds of dollars.

Pack your lunch the night before. Buying lunch at work costs ten to fifteen dollars. Bringing leftovers or a simple sandwich costs two or three dollars. If you pack lunch three days a week instead of buying, you can save over five hundred dollars in a year. The trick is to do it the night before, not in the morning rush. Put your lunchbox by the front door so you cannot forget it.

Drink tap water instead of bottled drinks. Bottled water, soda, and juice cost money and are heavy to carry. Canadian tap water is clean and safe. Buy a reusable water bottle and fill it at home. If you miss the fizz, get a soda maker. If you miss flavour, add a slice of lemon or cucumber. This swap saves you money and is better for the environment.

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Canadian winters are long and cold, but your heating bill does not have to be painful. You do not need to shiver in the dark to save money. Small, smart changes can make a real difference. Here are five practical ways to stay warm and spend less.

Turn down the thermostat just a few degrees. You do not need to keep your home at the same temperature all day. When you are asleep or away, turn the heat down. Aim for around seventeen degrees Celsius at night and twenty degrees when you are home and awake. This one change can reduce your heating costs noticeably. If you have electric baseboard heaters, you can save even more by turning them back about five degrees when you are out. A smart thermostat can do this automatically.

Seal drafts and keep heat inside. Heat escapes through tiny gaps around windows and doors. Walk around your home on a windy day with your hand near the edges of windows and exterior doors. If you feel cold air, that is money flying out. Use weatherstripping or caulking to seal those gaps. For a renter‑friendly solution, use draft stoppers at the bottom of doors. Also, close your curtains and blinds at night for extra insulation. During the day, open them to let the winter sun warm your rooms.

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Imagine discovering that the Canadian government has been holding onto money that belongs to you. For thousands of people across the country, this is not a fantasy. It happens more often than you think.

The Canada Revenue Agency currently has millions of uncashed cheques sitting in its accounts. These are tax refunds, carbon rebates, pension payments, child benefits, and other government payments that were issued but never deposited. Some of these cheques are years old. The good news is that government cheques do not expire. You can claim your money at any time.

The easiest way to check is online. Go to the Canada Revenue Agency website and sign into your personal account using your Social Insurance Number. Once you are logged in, look for a section called “Uncashed Cheques.” There, you will see a list of any personal cheques that were issued but never deposited. The list shows the date and the amount.

If you find money that belongs to you, you can request a new payment. The system will provide a simple form to fill out. If you have direct deposit set up with the CRA, the money will go straight into your bank account. If not, you will receive a new paper cheque in the mail.

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