Costs in Canada
There is another post in this section where FullTimeDaniel said----- As many have said virtually everything is unnecessarily expensive in Canada especially Gas-fuel, food and beer-wine. I wou...
Forum Discussion
I am glad I am not the only eccentric one that does their math and know what the better value deals really are.
Most everyone knows how much I love my canadian bank account and the versatility I make towards saving a few bucks upon what situation arises....
In the far north area of the region in general, food and lodging is by far cheaper in Canada overall - groceries are just a fraction cheaper in western Canada.
I can break down in 11 catagories every cent I spent and account for, in USD and CAD conversion, how much CAD I spent also in all the years since 1985 within Canada.
On average in the past 9 consecutive years while vacationing in Canada with my camper, my fuel purchases account for 68 percent of my expenses - that is huge.
Even with my Canadian dollar reserve over the years of pimpin' it up (different currency rates during the stronger CAD then) as it is a flat $1.14 CAD rate, on my return trip back home in Grande Prairie I went to the bank and withdrew $550 Canadian funds, only to replenish the same amount back in with transferring $428 US dollars out of my pocket and turned it into Canadian, because my reserve is actually at the $1.14 rate, I saved an additional $45 in gas with the same exact amount of money as I turned the $1.14 rate into a $1.286 rate just for gas purchases since the exchange rate is still favorable over my current reserve power purchase.
I also really hated on the 12th of July 2010 when I set foot in BC, I really cringed on the fact of having to pay my first transaction purchase on the new HST (extra 7% tax) that went into effect....but once I arrived in Prince Rupert for the first time and hitting the thrift stores, I could not believe the closeout deals of 30 to 70% they had on items I was so interested on buying ....it more than made up for it - was totally unexpected.
I totally agree with the posts about BC in general on how majestic the areas really are, despite of the increase taxes and costs of some things, for a visitor it is worth visiting and touring although I hate almost half of the increased provincial campground fees in certain areas where it seems a ripoff, it still does not deter me to come to BC and visit where ever - I can easily find a cheap way or transfer an expense for the better somewhere to offset a higher cost, as many posters have explained in comparison.
By far, BC is the most majestic province in all of western Canada bar none, so much beauty in most places of BC.
If you know where the purchasing power you have is, and if you have an advantage to adjust or take advantage in comparison, Canada is still a better deal two thirds of the time....but fuel - forget it.
If only the US had the same medical expense rates as Canada.
Most everyone knows how much I love my canadian bank account and the versatility I make towards saving a few bucks upon what situation arises....
In the far north area of the region in general, food and lodging is by far cheaper in Canada overall - groceries are just a fraction cheaper in western Canada.
I can break down in 11 catagories every cent I spent and account for, in USD and CAD conversion, how much CAD I spent also in all the years since 1985 within Canada.
On average in the past 9 consecutive years while vacationing in Canada with my camper, my fuel purchases account for 68 percent of my expenses - that is huge.
Even with my Canadian dollar reserve over the years of pimpin' it up (different currency rates during the stronger CAD then) as it is a flat $1.14 CAD rate, on my return trip back home in Grande Prairie I went to the bank and withdrew $550 Canadian funds, only to replenish the same amount back in with transferring $428 US dollars out of my pocket and turned it into Canadian, because my reserve is actually at the $1.14 rate, I saved an additional $45 in gas with the same exact amount of money as I turned the $1.14 rate into a $1.286 rate just for gas purchases since the exchange rate is still favorable over my current reserve power purchase.
I also really hated on the 12th of July 2010 when I set foot in BC, I really cringed on the fact of having to pay my first transaction purchase on the new HST (extra 7% tax) that went into effect....but once I arrived in Prince Rupert for the first time and hitting the thrift stores, I could not believe the closeout deals of 30 to 70% they had on items I was so interested on buying ....it more than made up for it - was totally unexpected.
I totally agree with the posts about BC in general on how majestic the areas really are, despite of the increase taxes and costs of some things, for a visitor it is worth visiting and touring although I hate almost half of the increased provincial campground fees in certain areas where it seems a ripoff, it still does not deter me to come to BC and visit where ever - I can easily find a cheap way or transfer an expense for the better somewhere to offset a higher cost, as many posters have explained in comparison.
By far, BC is the most majestic province in all of western Canada bar none, so much beauty in most places of BC.
If you know where the purchasing power you have is, and if you have an advantage to adjust or take advantage in comparison, Canada is still a better deal two thirds of the time....but fuel - forget it.
If only the US had the same medical expense rates as Canada.
