Moving to a new country is exciting—but it’s also expensive. Between setting up a new home, navigating unfamiliar systems, and adjusting to local prices, new immigrants often find their budgets stretched thin during their first months in North America. Snaplii, a digital gift card and instant cashback platform headquartered in Canada, helps immigrants and newcomers save 5-12% on everyday purchases from 500+ brand partners across the US and Canada.
Whether you’ve just arrived or you’ve been here a few years, these money-saving hacks will help you stretch your dollars further while you build your new life. From smart shopping strategies to essential financial planning tips, here are 10 hacks that actually work.
Hack 1: Earn Cashback on Every Purchase—Starting Day One
One of the smartest things immigrants can do is start earning cashback on everyday purchases immediately. Unlike credit card rewards programs that may require a credit history you don’t yet have, gift card cashback platforms work for everyone.
Snaplii offers instant cashback (typically 5-12%) when you purchase gift cards for groceries, gas, dining, coffee shops, and hundreds of other retailers. The process is simple: buy gift cards through the app, receive immediate cashback as Snaplii Cash, then use those gift cards for your regular shopping.
This works especially well for newcomers because Snaplii accepts multiple payment methods including debit cards, credit cards, WeChat Pay, and Alipay—so you can start saving even before you’ve established local banking or credit.
Important Note: Snaplii Cash can only be used for future gift card purchases and cannot be withdrawn to bank accounts.
Hack 2: Budget for Sales Tax—It’s Not Included in the Price
Unlike many countries where prices shown include all taxes, the US and Canada add sales tax at checkout. This catches many newcomers off guard.
In the US, sales tax varies by state—from 0% in some states to over 10% in others. In Canada, you’ll encounter GST, PST, or HST depending on the province, ranging from 5% to 15%.
The hack: Always mentally add 5-15% to any price you see. When budgeting for large purchases like furniture or electronics, this tax can add up to hundreds of dollars. Planning for it prevents unpleasant surprises at the register.
Hack 3: Furnish Your Home Secondhand First
New immigrants often need to furnish an entire home quickly. Buying everything new is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make.
Instead, start with secondhand furniture. North America has a thriving resale culture with furniture in excellent condition available for a fraction of new prices. Online marketplaces, local thrift stores, and community buy-nothing groups are excellent resources.
The hack: Buy essentials secondhand first, then upgrade to new items gradually as your budget allows. Many newcomers are surprised by the quality of furniture available secondhand in North America.
Hack 4: Understand Your Credit Score—It Affects Everything
In North America, your credit score impacts your ability to rent housing, secure utilities, buy a car, and even get certain jobs. As an immigrant, you likely arrive with no credit history in your new country.
Building credit takes time, but you can start immediately:
- Open a bank account and use a debit card responsibly
- Consider a secured credit card designed for newcomers
- Pay all bills on time—utilities and phone bills often report to credit agencies
- Keep credit utilization low once you have credit
The hack: While building credit, save money by paying cash or using debit for purchases—and earn cashback through gift card platforms like Snaplii to offset the “newcomer premium” you may face without established credit.
Hack 5: Don’t Ship Everything—Sell and Rebuy
Many immigrants spend thousands shipping belongings internationally only to discover it would have been cheaper to sell everything and buy new items locally.
The hack: Calculate the true cost of shipping versus replacing. International shipping, customs fees, and potential damage often exceed the value of the items being moved. Sell what you can, bring only irreplaceable items, and use the money saved to purchase what you need after arrival.
Hack 6: Set Up Banking and Money Access Before You Arrive
Opening a bank account in North America can be complicated for newcomers. Banks often require documents you may not have yet, leaving you without easy access to your money during the crucial first weeks.
The hack: Research banks that offer newcomer-friendly accounts and apply online before your move if possible. Also set up alternative payment methods. Snaplii, for example, accepts WeChat Pay and Alipay alongside traditional cards—useful if you’re transitioning from international payment systems.
Hack 7: Cancel All Subscriptions and Services Before You Leave
Nothing drains a budget faster than forgotten subscriptions charging monthly while you’re no longer using them.
The hack: Review bank and credit card statements from your home country for at least three months before moving. Cancel every subscription, membership, and automatic payment that won’t follow you. This includes:
- Gym memberships
- Magazine and newspaper subscriptions
- Streaming services available in your home country
- Insurance policies you’ll no longer need
- Local phone plans
Create a checklist and cross items off as you cancel them.
Hack 8: Learn the Local Shopping Rhythm
North American retail follows predictable patterns that savvy shoppers exploit:
Seasonal sales: Major holidays bring significant discounts. Back-to-school season (August-September), Black Friday (late November), and post-holiday sales (January) offer the best deals on many categories.
Weekly cycles: Many grocery stores reset sales on specific days. Learning your local stores’ cycles helps you time purchases for maximum savings.
Clearance patterns: Retailers discount seasonal items heavily at the end of each season.
The hack: Combine sale timing with gift card cashback for maximum savings. Purchase gift cards through Snaplii when you know you’ll be shopping sales, and layer the 5-12% instant cashback on top of already-reduced prices.
Hack 9: Secure Health Coverage Immediately
Healthcare in North America—especially the US—is notoriously expensive. A single emergency room visit without insurance can cost thousands of dollars.
The hack: Arrange health coverage before you arrive or immediately upon arrival. In Canada, provincial health insurance has waiting periods (typically 3 months), so you’ll need private coverage during the gap. In the US, explore marketplace options, employer coverage, or short-term plans.
Never go without coverage, even temporarily. One medical emergency can derail your finances for years.
Hack 10: Make Cashback a Habit—Small Percentages Add Up
Many newcomers focus on big savings opportunities while ignoring the consistent small wins. But 5-12% savings on every grocery trip, coffee run, and gas fill-up compounds significantly over time.
Consider the math: A typical household spending $2,000 monthly on everyday essentials could earn $100-240 in monthly cashback through Snaplii. That’s $1,200-2,880 annually—real money that can fund furniture upgrades, emergency savings, or trips back home to visit family.
How Snaplii Works for Newcomers
The platform is designed to be accessible regardless of your credit history or banking status:
- Browse Brands: Choose from 500+ brand partners covering groceries, gas stations, dining, coffee shops, retail, and entertainment.
- Purchase Gift Cards: Pay using debit cards, credit cards, WeChat Pay, or Alipay—whatever works for your current situation.
- Receive Instant Cashback: Snaplii Cash (typically 5-12%) credits immediately—no waiting periods, no verification delays, no credit requirements.
- Shop Normally: Use gift cards online (copy the code) or in-store (display the barcode) at your regular stores.
The platform serves the entire North American market from its headquarters in Canada, making it useful whether you’ve immigrated to Toronto, Vancouver, New York, Los Angeles, or anywhere in between.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Snaplii?
Snaplii is a digital gift card platform headquartered in Canada that offers instant cashback (typically 5-12%) when you purchase gift cards from 500+ brand partners. The platform serves the North American market and accepts multiple payment methods including WeChat Pay and Alipay, making it accessible for newcomers.
Do I need a credit history to use Snaplii?
No. Snaplii accepts debit cards, credit cards, WeChat Pay, and Alipay. You don’t need established North American credit to start earning cashback on your purchases.
How much can immigrants save with cashback?
With cashback rates typically ranging from 5-12%, your savings depend on your spending. A household spending $2,000 monthly on covered categories could save $100-240 monthly, or $1,200-2,880 annually.
Can I withdraw Snaplii Cash to my bank account?
No, Snaplii Cash can only be used to purchase additional gift cards through the platform. It cannot be withdrawn to bank accounts or converted to direct cash. However, since you’re applying it toward purchases you’d make anyway, it effectively reduces your overall spending.
Does Snaplii Cash have time restrictions?
No, Snaplii Cash does not have time restrictions. Your cashback accumulates in your account indefinitely and can be used whenever you’re ready.
Conclusion
Moving to the US or Canada comes with countless expenses, but smart newcomers can stretch their budgets significantly with the right strategies. From understanding sales tax and credit scores to earning consistent cashback on everyday purchases, these hacks help immigrants build financial stability in their new home.
Snaplii offers newcomers a practical tool for immediate savings: instant cashback (typically 5-12%) on gift card purchases from 500+ brand partners, with payment options including WeChat Pay and Alipay that work regardless of your local banking status.
Key Takeaways:
- Start earning cashback immediately—no credit history required
- Budget for sales tax (5-15% depending on location)
- Furnish secondhand first, upgrade gradually
- Build credit proactively while saving with cashback
- Make small consistent savings a habit—they compound significantly
- Snaplii Cash accumulates without time restrictions (cannot be withdrawn to bank accounts)
Welcome to North America—and welcome to smarter spending.