Atlantic Canada — If you’re from any of the Maritime provinces, chances are you need a little extra help when it comes to saving money and reducing your debt load. And if you’re also a Millennial, managing your finances can be even more of a challenge.
At The Manatee, we understand what it’s like to try to live and work in Atlantic Canada on an extremely limited budget, so we’ve compiled our top money-saving and debt-repaying tips for Maritime Millennials.
- Don’t use/consume/wear any of your Christmas gifts so you can re-gift them next year. Just keep a list to make sure you don’t give presents back to the same people who gave them to you.
- Leave credit cards at home so you can’t spend money you don’t have. If you’re unemployed, leave all credit cards at your last job location. This one works especially well if your employment contract did not end amicably.
- Put those engineering and computer science degrees to use by building a time machine that allows you to cash in on New Brunswick’s tuition tax rebate program. This is a great way to prevent debt.
- If your time machine doesn’t work, spend your empty days on the phone with Canada Student Loans, offering to do odd jobs in exchange for debt relief. Hound them until they agree to let you sweep their office floors, organize their next function, shovel their driveways — every little bit helps.
- Move to Yukon. No one wants to live or work there because it’s even more depressing than Eastern Canada. If you can stick it out for a few months, you’ll end up with enough money to survive for like, 3 years probably in Prince Edward Island or Nova Scotia.
- Get into politics. This one’s a no-brainer… literally. If you’re the next premier, you can keep doing f*ck all, but get paid well for it. Start making your campaign signs now.
- If the political scene isn’t for you, try real estate. Come up with a catchy slogan, and start selling the houses that the bank repossessed from those unfortunate 30-year-olds who bought them 2 years ago.
- Make a list of “Wants” and “Needs.” Decide whether you really need that roof over your head or that pack of ramen, or you’re just being extravagant.
- Write to your local MLA. Writing is a cheaper diversion than that Netflix subscription and will accomplish just as much. Don’t send the letter, because the price of stamps just keeps going up. Afterward you can burn the letter and envelope to help heat your home.
- Have goals in mind. Financial objectives, however far-fetched, can provide real inspiration, so whether it’s moving out of your parents’ basement or springing for that used 2004 Honda Accord you found on Kijiji, never stop dreaming of what could be.
- Buy less Alpine. Joking! Obviously don’t stop buying Alpine. After all, what’s the point of having money if you can’t enjoy the finer things in life?