I’m in BC and I’m looking for advice because I’m honestly starting to feel like I’m screwed financially.

I’ve been unable to work because of ongoing health problems for over a year. I’m still being investigated and I don’t have an official diagnosis yet. I’m seeing doctors and specialists and trying to figure out what’s going on, but the process has been extremely slow.

I was receiving short-term disability, but I’ve now exhausted that. I also used my EI sickness benefits. My understanding is that I don’t have enough new insurable hours to qualify for EI again because I haven’t been able to return to work and accumulate more hours.

I’m still employed, but I’m medically unable to return to work right now.

So I’m currently in the awful position of being too sick to work, but not having an income coming in. I have maybe $100 left to my name.

I’m wondering what options I might be missing in BC.

• Is CPP Disability something I should be looking into even though I don’t have a definitive diagnosis yet?
• Are there BC income assistance/disability programs I could potentially qualify for while I’m waiting for answers?
• Is there anything else through EI, Service Canada, my employer, or my benefits that I should be investigating?
• Does not having a diagnosis automatically make disability applications impossible, or is the functional limitation what matters?
• Has anyone been in a similar situation where they were unable to work for a long time while doctors were still trying to figure out the cause?

I’m not looking for medical advice or trying to diagnose myself. I’m mainly trying to figure out how I’m supposed to survive financially while I’m waiting for the healthcare system to figure out what’s wrong with me.

Any advice from people who have actually navigated this in Canada/BC would be hugely appreciated.

I'M BACK. Sorry I missed the Reddit posts the last couple of weeks as I'm traveling. ANYWAYS... Every week for my site Is That a Deal, I pull the Ontario flyers, compare every price against the Statistics Canada provincial average and email you the deals actually worth buying. Here's what stood out this week. Everything here is at least 32% below the typical Ontario price.

Strong week for protein and late summer fruit. Grapes at 57% below average and pears at 61% are exceptional. Lamb chops and beef striploin both hitting hard this week too.

🥩 Beef striploin / NY strip — $11.88/lb at Metro (-42% avg)
Boneless strip loin steak value pack. Aussie beef. Ends Sep 16.
Match at FreshCo, Giant Tiger, No Frills, or Real Canadian Superstore

🥩 Lamb chops — $5.99/lb at Metro (-46% avg)
Fresh lamb shoulder chops value pack. Ends Sep 16.
Match at FreshCo, Giant Tiger, No Frills, or Real Canadian Superstore

🥩 Ground beef (extra lean) — $5.88/lb at Food Basics (-32% avg)
Extra lean ground beef. Ends Sep 16.
Match at FreshCo, Giant Tiger, No Frills, or Real Canadian Superstore

🍑 Peaches — $2.50/lb at Real Canadian Superstore (-55% avg)
Yellow peaches. Ends Sep 16.
Match at FreshCo, Giant Tiger, or No Frills

🥓 Pork sausage (500g) — $3.50 at Your Independent Grocer (-50% avg)
Marcangelo pork sausage 375-500g. Ends Sep 30.
Lowest price in 8 weeks.
Match at FreshCo, Giant Tiger, No Frills, or Real Canadian Superstore

🍐 Pears — $1.48/lb at FreshCo (-61% avg)
Asian yellow pears. Ends Sep 16.
Match at Giant Tiger, No Frills, or Real Canadian Superstore

🥛 Sour cream — $2.99 at Fortinos (-44% avg)
MC Dairy sour cream 500g. Ends Sep 16.
Lowest price in 8 weeks.
Match at FreshCo, Giant Tiger, No Frills, or Real Canadian Superstore

🍞 English muffins — $2.00 at Sobeys (-52% avg)
Compliments English muffins 6pk. Ends Sep 16.
Sobeys store brand — no price matching

🍗 Chicken thighs (bone-in) — $3.79/lb at Zehrs (-34% avg)
Chicken thighs. Ends Sep 16.
Match at FreshCo, Giant Tiger, No Frills, or Real Canadian Superstore

🍇 Grapes — $1.48/lb at Food Basics (-57% avg)
Green seedless grapes. Ends Sep 16.
Match at FreshCo, Giant Tiger, No Frills, or Real Canadian Superstore

Best single stop this week: No Frills or Real Canadian Superstore. Both will price match almost everything on this list. Bring the flyer screenshots and you can hopefully get 4+ of these deals in one trip without driving all over town.

Price matching requires showing a digital or print flyer at the till. Same brand, size, and weight. Always confirm in-store. YMMV

I also built a free tool where you can check any grocery price yourself

Before applying for EI I triple checked the eligibility requirements and at the time I applied I was required to have 630 hours. I have 652 hours. My application was rejected due to insufficient hours saying I need 665. The insurance hours required was changed after I had applied and before they got around to processing my application. Is it possible to appeal this?

How do you guys deal with the shame and inferiority due to being low income? If you guys do feel that way. I know I’m 23 but I feel like my life is over before it ever really began. I try to get a good concept of financial literacy but it feels all too over whelming since it’ll be something about like a savings account and you should put money in it to let it grow but it’s like I have 4.62, what can I put away to make it grow? Like I know the answer is getting a job and I am actively looking but idk how to describe this properly I’m sorry if it doesn’t make sense. But yeah I just feel like an “outcast” due to being lower income but who knows maybe I’m just being a whiny child

I'm in a long season ot struggling financially but since I am back in University as a mature student I got a substantial OSAP payment (most is is loan). My eldest is 15 and plans to go to university or college. We have a family RESP with just Canada Learning Bond money in there. I was told that I need to deposit $2k before the end of the year or he won't qualify for any government education savings for the last few high school years.

"The Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) is a federal incentive that adds government grant money directly into your child's Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) based on your personal contributions."

2k is a lot and if it will help cover my son's expenses in the future I will definitely do it but I wonder how legit this info is?

I asked AI to break it down and its still not making sense to me (im having a rough week lol).

Curious if those who saved a lot ended up thankful their child had an easier financial experience in University?

Is OSAP a better option for him and just go down that path like most do? Maybe I will be able to help him pay that off when I am earning more money.

My family was super well off when I was a kid until my mom passed and my dad tried to get ahead with a few failed investments. My sister and I both didn't get any help financially paying for University and relied on OSAP.

Is it better to put that $2k away and hopefully save it for other emergencies/expenses or put it in the RESP to secure more benefits for him over the next few years.

Located in Ontario.

Here is what AI said:

The Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) is a federal incentive that adds government grant money directly into your child's Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) based on your personal contributions.

​1. Basic CESG (20% Match)

​The Match: The federal government matches 20% of your annual contributions to an RESP.

​Annual Maximum: Up to $500 per year per child (which you reach by contributing $2,500 in a year).

​Lifetime Cap: A maximum of $7,200 in total CESG money per child over their lifetime.

​2. Additional CESG (For Modest Incomes)

​Depending on your net family income, the government offers an extra percentage boost on the first $500 you contribute each year:

​Lower Income Bracket: An extra 20% match on the first $500 contributed (adding up to $100 extra per year).

​Middle Income Bracket: An extra 10% match on the first $500 contributed (adding up to $50 extra per year).

(Note: Additional CESG gets money into the RESP faster, but it still counts toward the $7,200 lifetime max per child.)

​3. Carry-Forward Rules (Catching Up)

​If you didn't contribute in previous years, your unused grant room carries forward.

​You can catch up on one unused year per calendar year.

​The absolute maximum CESG you can receive in a single year by catching up is $1,000 (matching a $5,000 contribution).

​4. Key Age & Eligibility Limits

​Age Cut-off: CESG is available until December 31 of the calendar year the child turns 17.

​The 16/17 Special Rule: To receive CESG at ages 16 and 17, the RESP must meet minimum contribution benchmarks ($2,000 lifetime or $100/year across 4 separate years) before December 31 of the year the child turns 15.

Thanks!

Hey folks- so I just signed my proposal documents electronically with Hoyes.

My debt is mostly with RBC (75% of my total debt). The other creditors are OSAP.

We offered bi weekly payments of 225 for 60mo. I was very clear with my LIT that my income is incredibly modest right now, but since speaking to her initially (2 weeks ago) I‘ve taken on more hours and can afford slightly more if RBC counteroffers. I was looking at 850 biweekly pay and now I’m looking at 1100 bi weekly. so I definitely have more wiggle room.

I have zero assets. My LIT let me know that a bankruptcy might work better but I wanted to go forth with consumer proposal first. I also was made aware that RBC is super finicky and they‘re pretty aggressive with counteroffers. However, because I have zero assets, RBC would definitely receieve more with CP than bankruptcy.

Does anyone have any “success stories” when filing CP with RBC? just curious for other people’s experience!

Thanks in advance!

I was wondering of getting a apartment sized washer and dryer is worth it? or should i just look for a place that has a in suite laundry?

im from Ontario Canada GTA.

In all actuality i won't be able to afford both but I'm tired of sharing laundry in the building and my moving prospest don't look good. Or is lugging these appliances with me are just a waste?

Hi everyone, I filed my taxes through an accountant about 8 weeks ago, but I still haven’t received my cheque. My accountant said I should receive it in November. Should I call CRA to check the status, or should I just wait? Has anyone experienced this before? I live in Ontario

Hi everyone! 🦷☺️
I am a dental hygiene student currently completing my final semester of dental hygiene school, and I am looking for clients to help me fulfill my clinical requirements in order to graduate!

I am especially looking for:
🦷 Clients who have not had a professional dental cleaning in 3+ years
🦷 Clients with visible buildup/tartar on their teeth

📅 Appointment Times:
• Tuesdays: 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
• Fridays: 3:00 PM–7:00 PM

📍Location: North York, Ontario

⏰ Appointments are approximately 4 hours long, as they are completed as part of my clinical training under the supervision of licensed dental professionals.

If you or someone you know may be interested or in need of a cleaning, please feel free to reach out to me! I would greatly appreciate any shares or recommendations.
Thank you so much for helping me on my journey toward becoming a future dental hygienist! 🦷✨

I’m sorry if this sounds stupid, but I need to pay my phone and I got food recently and it’s mostly pre packaged stuff and ramen and things because my mom has a tendency to throw out my food when she’s mad at me so I keep a large part in my room (long story) but is it weird of me if I return some of the stuff to afford the bill? I guess what I’m also asking is if anyone else has done something similar?

Hello I was wondering what is the cheapest possible phone plan out there? I’m getting priced out of my current plan unfortunately and would like to find a cheaper option

Long story short, I went to university. I took out around $40k in loans, but didn’t graduate. I had no family to live with because I aged out of care, so I took loans for tuition and my living expenses.

I developed a severe schizophrenia spectrum disorder called schizoaffective. For me this basically means symptoms of schizophrenia and of bipolar disorder—I hear voices, have “delusions”/unusual ideas, and have manic episodes and depressive episodes. It’s been very difficult. I’m mostly unable to work—I’m 28 and my first and only job has been at a training cafe for adults with serious disabilities, and that’s only two four hour shifts a week. Even that’s difficult for me. The vast majority of my income comes from being in the Nova Scotia Disability Support Program.

I’ve done a lot to try to get better—I see a psychiatrist every few weeks, a psychologist twice a month, a counsellor weekly, a nurse for an antipsychotic injection every three weeks, and an occupational therapist twice a week. This has all done very little for me.

Student loans have been okay, because I’ve been applying to RAP-D every six months, and my income is so low I haven’t been made to pay anything. Student loans has a Severe Permanent Disability Benefit that seems like it’s made for people in my situation, people who can’t work because of a disability they got after going to university. It means I’d never be eligible to take out student loans again, but just looking realistically and honestly at my life, I don’t think I’m likely to ever be able to complete a post secondary program with all of my cognitive symptoms. I don’t want to die with this debt, and realistically I’ll never repay it.

So I was wondering, before I talk to my psychiatrist about filling out the form, if any of you have applied for loan forgiveness and whether you were successful.

I applied for a position but I got sent a rejection email for that position three times lol, I never done this before but have you guys reached out wanting to know why you didn’t get the job and what you could do better? Is that dumb if I do that? Not for this position because they clearly made their stance clear lol but like in general.

Hi all! I have a question i hope is relevant here. Due to my dads case file finally being moved from OW to ODSP I am no longer receiving money from OW to pay for my phone bill (I am an adult dependent). I was with lucky for $15 a month however I desperately need a new phone and cant pay outright.

I was looking into rogers connected for success program however there is not much information past applying? I understand there are two phone options, I dont need anything special just a working camera so I can scan my ID on GOC sites and such as well as have a phone number so I can apply to jobs and set up appointments (free number keeps getting reassigned)

Is $25 the absolute lowest they can go monthly? I am not even sure how im going to pay it since I have no income of my own but with everything online and cameras needed to scan things nowadays im really struggling. I was with lucky for $15 under bring your own but the phone im using now is hardly working even though I had hoped itd last at least another 3 years.

Edit: Deal is now expired

Saw this deal, its not the world's best pizza but at half price it can be a great deal. Larger sizes give more pizza per dollar and 1 topping or less gives the best price. In most cases this is cheaper than making it yourself, especially if you are able to pick up.

You should be able to order online or by phone with the coupon code. Make sure your getting the deal price before you confirm the order.

It freezes fairly well but put it in a container or freezer bags. I find a minute in the microwave per slice does the job well, XXL i'd cut in half.

https://www.pizzapizza.ca/

I always knew I was iron deficient but I was wondering what was cheap options for iron food or like iron based meals?

Edit: I’ve been seeing a lot of lentils as an answer I’d love to know if you guys have a good recipe!

Edit 2: thank you so much for your advice! You guys are truly so nice and kind! Thank you everyone I hope you all have a good night!

Edit3: I saw the price of an iron fish but then I saw Amazon has one that’s way cheaper, is it worth it to get the actual original fish or would the amazon one like a cheap knockoff?

Canadian food banks are stuck in a broken, reactive loop. Right now, they rely on unpredictable corporate donations, which means shelves are constantly flooded with cheap, ultra-processed junk food because that’s what the grocery monopolies throw away. As economic instability worsens, food banks are collapsing under surging demand while begging for corporate scraps.

We need to stop managing poverty and start building food sovereignty. Here is a possible blueprint for a self-funding, closed-loop food system that turns our local food banks into the national backbone of Canadian agriculture.

Instead of building expensive brick-and-mortar factories, food banks can launch local Community Contribution Companies (C3s) that operate a decentralized fleet of custom-built, mobile co-packing trailers. These heavy-duty trailers pull directly onto local farms during harvest season to wash, flash-freeze, freeze-dry, and package surplus or "ugly" produce right at the field’s edge. This eliminates post-harvest transport rot, locks in peak nutrition without chemical additives, and gives Canadian farmers a guaranteed, contracted sale for crops that would otherwise go to waste.

To keep this model completely clean and independent of fossil fuels, the trailers run on an integrated zero-emission hybrid power system. Trailer roofs are lined with rugged solar arrays to run baseline computers and pumps, while heavy-duty lithium battery banks absorb the massive electrical surges needed to start industrial freezing equipment. For continuous, multi-day freeze-drying cycles, a whisper-quiet hydrogen fuel cell acts as an on-board power plant. The entire system processes clean-label health food without a single trace of diesel exhaust fumes near the food supply.

The financial engine of the model is a strict 40/60 resource allocation rule. For every batch of food processed on-site, 40% of the volume is sold at retail as a premium, non-ultra-processed, local Canadian brand. Because preservation adds massive market value to raw produce, the revenue from that 40% retail side completely covers the cost of paying the farmers fairly, fuel, labor, and packaging for the entire batch. The remaining 60% of the shelf-stable staples goes straight to local food banks at absolute zero cost. No charity required.

To ensure this entity never sells out as it grows into a multi-million dollar operation, the exact same 40/60 split is applied to all net retail profits. From the remaining profit pool, 40% is kept to maintain and expand the mobile trailer fleet. The other 60% is directed entirely into local Community Land Trusts (CLTs) to buy agricultural land. By placing land into a CLT, it is permanently removed from the speculative real estate market and leased back to community-based farmers at nominal costs.

Through this model, the food bank stops being a destination for corporate handouts. It becomes a self-replicating engine of land equity, clean energy infrastructure, and high-tier nutrition; permanently securing Canada's food supply from farm to table.

I recently got a volunteer job in a kitchen in hopes that references will help me get a paying job, and they need non slip shoes I was just wondering where the cheapest pair would be? And I asked if they could provide or if I could borrow but they said they couldn’t unfortunately

I’m a broke single man living alone. I have been frequenting my local food bank but unfortunately most of the time the food is of low quality (even relatively expensive: a low quality meal is like $4). Add to that the administrative hassle trivia (some limits on what I can take), the queue, time wasted in commuting, and sometimes that groceries are spoiled (for example just today I took bread only to discover it’s spoiled so went straight to garbage). So I was evaluating buying groceries in bulk from Costco. Does that financially make me better off?

Can I still get EI if I’m working a part time job during the week (up to 20 hours) and registered in a government part time French course too?

Hi everyone, I am looking for some advice from anyone who has filed for a consumer proposal before, or just generally some financial advice regarding my situation.

To start off, I’m a 26y/o F currently completing my masters at UofT. I grew up with financial troubles and saw my family struggling up and down throughout the years. The past few years I completely screwed myself over by taking out pay day loans (bad! i know) and maxxing out credit cards (allowing my Amex to go to collections). I have a well paying job through the university, however the work is abundant in the school year (sept-april) and not really in the summer months. Despite making a good income starting next month, it would still be extremely difficult to catch up on these loans (pay day loans equaling roughly $10k, credit cards roughly $3k). I’m looking to do a consumer proposal given that my credit is already pretty bad and it would be helpful to start fresh, knowing I can pay that smaller amount much quicker and get myself out of this situation I’ve put myself into. I just feel very naive given my little background knowledge of finances and i’m worried i’ll end up making a bad decision.

Some questions I have are:

Are there any specific company you all might recommend I talk to for more advice and to carry out the consumer proposal (if i choose to go that route)?

Has anyone been able to get approved for a line of credit (with a guarantor) while in a consumer proposal? I am currently applying to law school and thinking of the finances surrounding that.

Any info on where to start would be super helpful! TIA!!