TORONTO, ONTARIO — (Marketwire) — 05/18/12 — With Victoria Day weekend plans kicking into full gear, many cost-conscious Canadians will likely be considering a budget-friendly long weekend with options such as visiting cottage country, going camping or opting for a “staycation” at home.
In fact, last year a BMO survey showed 57 per cent of Canadians planned to take staycations, or vacations within Canada, a trend that will likely be repeated this summer.
With cutting back on discretionary spending an ongoing priority for many Canadian households, BMO offers the following spending-savvy tips to help ensure a memorable Victoria Day:
Establish a budget: Setting and sticking to a budget is an easy way to keep costs to a minimum this weekend.
Public Transit: Check your local transit website for holiday hours, so you and your family can take advantage of all your city has to offer without costly parking fees.
Enjoy local attractions: Do research on weekend carnivals, fairs and events that are appealing to you, as many of them offer Victoria Day Weekend discount fares.
Get a tune up: Before hitting the road, visit your local mechanic for any parts in need of replacement; as clean air filter can improve your gas mileage by as much as 10 per cent.
Take in the fireworks: Fireworks shows are a fun and free way to spend time with your family. Check your local media for show times and locations.
Track down local eats: If travelling, avoid tourist hot-spot restaurants that are usually at price peaks during long weekends and opt for more local dining.
Cheap Thrills: A trip to the movies can often be pricey, after tickets, food and gas. Instead, rent a movie to watch at home or go online to check out cheaper matinee viewings.
Take advantage of loyalty rewards programs: There are many merchandise rewards that can be redeemed using or , including a variety of outdoor living and camping gear. Or, opt for a and put a portion of what you spend back in your wallet.
For more information on budgeting and to learn about BMO MoneyLogic, please visit: .
About BMO Financial Group
Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group is a highly-diversified North American financial services organization. With total assets of $538 billion as at January 31, 2012, and more than 47,000 employees, BMO Financial Group provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and solutions.
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Media Contacts:
Jessica Park, Toronto
(416) 867-3996
Ronald Monet, Montreal
(514) 877-8224
Laurie Grant, Vancouver
(604) 665-7596
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Twitter: @BMOmedia