Your first 90 days budget
Money in and out over your first 6 months, and when your savings could run out
What does this page show?
The first months in Canada bring many costs before pay starts or government support arrives. Pick your city, household, savings and when you expect the first pay, and see your savings at the end of each month and the month they could run out.
An estimated plan for your first months, from official figures and your own numbers. For education only: not financial advice, and no support is promised.
Your first 6 months in Toronto
Type your savings above to see in which month they could run out.
| Month | Pay (after tax) | Government support (estimate) | Costs | Savings at month end |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 2026Month 1 | No pay yet | Not yet | −$2,840 | Type your savings |
| December 2026Month 2 | $3,240 | Not yet | −$2,840 | Type your savings |
| January 2027Month 3 | $3,240 | Not yet | −$2,840 | Type your savings |
| February 2027Month 4 | $3,240 | Not yet | −$2,840 | Type your savings |
| March 2027Month 5 | $3,240 | Not yet | −$2,840 | Type your savings |
| April 2027Month 6 | $3,240 | +$150Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) | −$2,840 | Type your savings |
Rounded to the nearest $10. «Savings» = what you brought + money in − money out, month by month. Each month’s net: −$2,840, +$400, +$400, +$400, +$400, +$550.
So how is this worked out?
- The month’s costs: The same numbers as «Your month in the city»: CMHC average rent, food and basics from Statistics Canada’s Market Basket Measure for your household size, and transit or gas and insurance. The costs are the same every month; the one-time costs are added to month 1 only.
- Pay: Your income after tax with the official tax tables, starting in the month you picked. We never assume when you will find work.
- Government support: The CRA aims to process a paper child benefit application within 11 weeks, and newcomers apply by mail (RC66 with RC66SCH). So we count support from the first month that starts after that, counted from the first day of your arrival month: month 4 here. Monthly support (CCB and the province’s child benefit) then comes every month; the CGEB comes in January, April, July and October. It may come a month earlier, and back payments for earlier months are not counted here, to stay on the safe side. CRA service standards · How to apply for the CCB
- The amount: Support is estimated with the official formulas on the household income before tax as if it were last year’s income (our assumption). The real amount is in the CRA’s notice. See «Your expected support» in detail
- Not counted: Health costs, debts, money sent to family, first winter clothes, and any other income you did not type. So keep part of your savings aside.
If you are a temporary resident (work or study permit), the child benefit rules are different: you must have lived in Canada for the previous 18 months, with a valid permit in the 19th month. Check them before counting on it. Who can apply (canada.ca)
Compare cities · Open the household budget · Your first tax return
Please note: Your economy is for general information only. It is not financial advice or a religious ruling. Zaayt is not a financial broker or adviser, and every household is different.