1. BANKING

You can open a debit account and a credit card showing proof that you are a student.

For example, check one of the most common banks here in Canada "Scotiabank"

When I first came to Kelowna to study, I opened the Scene Credit Card, this is REALLY REALLY helpful for you to start building your credit score, remember you have to start from zero. 

The Scene Credit Card gave me free movies, and of course, I am a big fan of movie theatres! But now with Covid-19 given the circumstances probably you would prefer to choose the L'earn option. This type of credit card does not have an annual fee, which is awesome! and it gives you 1% money back from your total purchases. 

Also ! would like to mention that Canadian Credit Cards have this feature called "Tap" so you don't need to swipe your credit card nor type in your PIN if your purchase is below $100 CAD you can simply Tap your credit card, which I personally believe it is super cool.

And not only that! you are not supposed to give your credit card to the cashier, you are the one that has to either tap the credit card or swipe it. Security reasons I suppose. 

2. GROCERIES

There are several food stores, the most common are: Save On Foods, Supercanadian Store, and Safeway. 

All of them have system rewards points, you can enroll either on their websites or inside the store at the cashier. My favourite is Supercanadian Store. Save on Foods and Safeway are smaller stores, so I like that I can get in and out fast. Whereas the SuperCanadian store is bigger so it takes a little bit longer. BUT I really like their system points, it is easy to understand, it is easy to keep track of the points with their app, and you can earn rewards points only in SuperCanadian store but also in Shoppers (which is a drugstore) and also the Independent Grocery Stores. 

Most recently the stores are providing food delivery! I know it is a struggle to be carrying the groceries when you are new in a city where you don't know anyone to help you out, and you probably end up paying for a taxi service. DON'T, Instead use Save On Foods Delivery service, they will deliver and do the shopping for you for around $5 dollars! (oh yeaaaah)

I also have the "Stocard" app to keep all of my rewards cards in one place. And "Flipp" app to see all of the fliers and promotions in one app. 

3.  GETTING AROUND

Now, I know it is very difficult to get around places when you are new to the city. Let's say you are in Vancouver and you want to go to Whistler or Kelowna during the weekend. I recommend downloading "POPARIDE" this app provides a carpool service, super convenient, just be careful with who you are taking a ride with, always tell someone who you are taking a ride with! I mean we are Latinos, we should know this already, Right?? 

4. HIKING

Now as you may know already, I LOVE HIKING, and if you are into it as much as I am, download the apps: Alltrails and VancouverTrails, and also join one of those Facebook groups!

My dear friend also recommended to me the apps: Gaia GPS and FATMAP. And I following quote his comments on these two apps: 

Gaia GPS: a topographic map system, really good for location/elevation/tracking routes; really handy in a location without service.

FATMAP: a version of google maps. 3D imaging is incredible and can show everything from snowshoe to hiking trails, hazards, elevation, slope angles, etc.

5. PHONE COMPANIES

Well since the beginning of my life here in British Columbia I have always had Koodo, they are not that expensive, I believe they are owned by Telus which is another company but it is a little bit more expensive. Koodo has been good to me and after a few years as a loyal customer, they have given me a good amount of GB at a good price. So I will recommend Koodo. 

6. LIBRARIES

Yes, libraries !!!! They are FREE !!! I love them! Most of the time they will be next to a community center, so you can go exercise and then go to the library! (Nerd Alert) It is super easy to get a library card. There are several branches so if you move around, you might have to get a new library card. The Amazing feature I found from them besides the ability to get free books! Is that once you log in online with your library card you can request to extend the period of borrowing. 

AND you get FREE access to Lynda.com! Which is awesome! Most people need to pay to be able to use this service. (As you may know, Lynda.com belongs to Linkedin)

Lynda.com  has way too many courses of a big variety, that is where I learned how to open my own e-commerce store with Shopify, Lynda had a course on how to do it step by step! Hurry and check it out. 

Elizabeth Cedillo, 

Little Mexi-Can Girl

IG:elle.ced