If you’re looking to save a few bucks or rein in your spending there are lots of ways to do it. Here are 10 hacks to help you save money in Brampton.
Get a library card
If you haven’t already heard, having a library card is basically the best thing on planet Earth. Gone are the days where all you could do was borrow books, because these days you can do so much more with this little card. Of course you can still borrow books, but you also get access to hundreds of thousands of ebooks and audiobooks, as well as free movie streaming. That’s not even all, your Brampton Library card gets you free access to lynda.com, free admission to PAMA (you can borrow passes from the library) and even go camping by borrowing their Toronto Region Conservation pass for free.
Go to PAMA on free days
If you’re a lover of arts and culture, you’ll definitely want to check out Peel Art Gallery’s exhibits and the archives just next door. They rotate exhibits every season so there’s always new things to see, and admission is pretty affordable. But if you can’t swing it, PAMA has lots of free admission days throughout the year (usually during the summer and other school holidays), and if you have a Brampton Library card you can check out their PAMA pass and get free access.
Hit up free movies in the square
If you’re not too particular about seeing movies right when they’re released in theatres, you can save some major bucks by checking out free movie screenings that the City of Brampton broadcasts on the big screen in Garden Square. Every Saturday in the summers the city shows a double-header: one movie at 7 p.m. and one movie at 9 p.m. It’s free of course, you’ll just need to bring a lawn chair, a blanket and a few bucks for Jamie’s Cracked Corn, because it’s too delicious to pass up. And if Bollywood’s your thing, they’ve got that going for free in the Square, too.
Go to restaurants during lunch
This one is no secret: most restaurants have lunch specials that are cheaper than dinner. If you’re planning to eat out, take advantage of the lunch menus at Brampton restaurants to save a few bucks.
Sign up to receive emails from Uber
If you’re not receiving promotional emails from Uber you’re missing out. It can be annoying to receive promo emails, but Uber regularly sends its subscribers in the Brampton area discounts on rides and free delivery from UberEats. It’s totally worth it.
Go to the city’s free festivals
Trying to stay entertained on a budget can be hard, but the City of Brampton has tons of festivals and free events, especially in the summer months. There’s always something happening in Garden Square on Saturdays and Sundays, and there’s free music every Thursday and Friday in the downtown area.
Avoid street parking downtown
It may cost a few bucks to feed the meter, or maybe it’s costing you a parking ticket for not getting back in time. But the surest way to save a few bucks is to avoid street parking and park for free (for up to two hours during the day and for free after 7 p.m.) in one of the city’s downtown parking garages located under city hall, under the Rose Theatre and on John Street. Check out our downtown parking guide for details.
Shop at Dollarama
Dollarama’s game is pretty on point, they have basically everything you want and everything you didn’t know you wanted or needed until you get to the store. A great way to save a few bucks is to shop there. You’ll save the most buying basic kitchen items, basic store items, party supplies and seasonal items from there.
See a Brampton Music Theatre Show
Love theatre and live music but don’t want to spend a fortune seeing it? Brampton Music Theatre puts on seasonal shows at the Rose Theatre and you can see Broadway classics like Newsies, Beauty & the Beast and more without paying Broadway prices.
Book city facilities for your functions
The City of Brampton offers rentals of some of its facilities and it’s the perfect place for parties and small functions. The new Chinguacousy chalet and the curling club are both newer buildings with beautiful rooms upstairs, the curling club even has a bar. If you’re looking for outdoor space, the city also revamped its picnic shelters not too long ago and they’re great spaces for family picnics, birthday parties and other get-togethers.
