Saving every day

A few dollars here and there can really make a difference. Keep an eye on your expenses, even the most harmless ones…

During your daily financial transactions

• To reduce service charges Service charges: Fees you pay for using the services of your financial institution.
  Synonym : user fees, transaction fees. , choose AccèsD Internet or Desjardins ATMs over the caisse counter.
  Find out more about AccèsD Internet
• Use only Desjardins ATMs to avoid transaction fees as high as $3 or more if you use the ATMs of other financial institutions or private ATMs.
  Locate a Desjardins ATM
• Opt for direct payment Direct payment: Electronic payment made with a debit card at a terminal that immediately removes the purchase amount from your account.   instead of writing a cheque to reduce your service charges.
• When using direct payment, if the merchant agrees, make a withdrawal at the same time. You'll reduce your service charges even more.
• Use direct withdrawal Direct withdrawal: Function you can set up to automatically pay your regular bills.   to pay current invoices. You can use this service to pay most of your bills. You save on cheque issuing charges Cheque issuing charges: Fees charged by your financial institution when you write a cheque. , stamps and potential late charges if the payment doesn't arrive on time.

At home

• Learn to cook!
• Reduce your electric bill by turning off the lights when you leave a room and turning down the heating at night or when you're away.
• Have your family donate some of their old furniture and décor items and add your own personal touch.
• Enjoy evenings at home with friends (it's a lot cheaper than going out!).
• Avoid astronomical phone bills by signing up for a long distance savings plan tailored to your needs.
• Consider living with a roommate to save on expenses.

At school

• Do some research and apply for scholarships. You haven't got a thing to lose, and a lot to gain!
• Check the list of Fondation Desjardins grants and scholarships and discover the opportunities awaiting you. You could receive assistance from Desjardins to help you achieve your academic goals.
  

  Find out more

  Read the section on Fondation Desjardins bursaries.

• Check your tuition statement carefully to avoid paying extra charges (group insurance, for example, if you are still covered by your parents' insurance).
• Bring your lunch sometimes instead of always eating in the cafeteria or at a restaurant.
• Buy used textbooks and sell any books you no longer need.
• Whenever possible, borrow books from the library instead of buying them.
• Find out about campus discounts and take advantage of free student services.

When you shop

• Avoid impulse purchases. Make sure you consider your real needs and your budget Budget: Complete list of all the estimated spending and income of a business or an individual. .
• Compare prices and don't hesitate to shop around, particularly for a major purchase.
• Keep an eye out for sales.
• Use discount coupons.
• Buy out of season.
• Buy generic brands.
• Check out used clothing, book and record stores, flea markets, etc.
• Make a list before you go shopping to avoid unnecessary or impulse purchases.

When you travel

• If you use public transit, buy a monthly pass instead of paying for each individual ride.
• Carpool if you are able to.
• If you drive, respect driving regulations to avoid tickets!

At all times

• Take care of your belongings, so you don't have to replace them!
• Don't pay someone else to do what you can do yourself.
• Save your change.
• Question the importance of certain expenditures (e.g.: cigarettes, alcohol, or your 10^th pair of jeans!).
• Start a magazine swap network with your friends.
• Always ask if you qualify for a student rate.
• Always pay your bills on time.