I am not sure if this is the right place to put this post.

Just wanted to add my 2 cents to the new folks coming to Canada based on my experience of doing it wrong and learning from it.

First off after u take care of all the logistics like ur PR card, Health Card SIN etc.

No matter what ur finances are before u came here, some things to watch out for.

I am in Windsor so I am not sure how it is in Toronto.

Get into an apartment if u can with a short term lease or month to month contract. Reason being since u r new in the country, u should be open to moving around for ur first job anywhere. So ur location should not hold u down from getting a job. Otherwise u may take the job but will have to leave ur family and go someplace.

Do not buy a whole lof of stuff for the place u live in. Like furniture and stuff. Live far below ur means. Lot of times I have seen people buy stuff only to get into financial trouble later on. If u can get away with sleeping bag and just the basics, you will be glad u did. Remember that you are not out to impress anyone. Your value is not based on how much furniture u have and what all stuff u carry in your place. Your value is based on how well u can steer ur family financially and secure them.

Start working some place no matter how bad you think the job is. U want to make sure u have some cash flow coming in. Even if u make $5 an hour for 160 hours a month, that is $800 before taxes a month. Atleast u wont dig into ur savings much. If ur professional job requires u to stay home during the day for a job search then find a job at night. For goodness sake do something. I have met quite a few who said, that when they came to Canada they had good savings now all of it is gone and are in debt. Keep off from getting too many credit cards if u r not disciplined enough not to use them all. My advice to you to build credit history is get a secured credit card if u can and make sure u r on top of all the payments in terms of Utilities, phone etc until u secure a very good credit history which will help u buy a home few years down the road without a problem. Get a used car if u have to. Like a Honda or a Toyota that runs well.

Men, if u r married and have kids, make sure that you spare sometime to spend with your wife and kids everyday. Most ladies like for their men to spend time with them. Because when u r new in the country and u dont spend any time with your wife, then their start in Canada will be a sour one. Could be 1/2 hr or one hour a day, not watching TV but spending family time. I would not trade my wife and kids for anything in the world. Not even billions.

I am sure u will find good friends to help u out and such in the beginning. Always get advice from someone who knows what they are talking about. Reason I say that is I messed up little bit with my immigration stuff in the beginning because I checked with my friends who were here before I was, about certain things and they gave me information based on what they heard from someone and not the first hand information. But year later I got frustrated and went to the CIC in windsor, and realized that what I did was not the best thing and there were better ways to do what I had done.

Hope all of u new comers have a pleasant experience while u continue to stay here. Life is not fair. Stuggles do come and they have to. That is how u get strong and prepare u for the next level in life. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

Good Advice buddy,

If you dont mind me adding a few points.

Money will always be a top thing in most immigrants minds. It is quite difficult being a new immigrant to understand what is a good and what is not a good investment. Seek advice from some one who will be able to guide you well on this matter. If needed seek the help of a COMPETENT and PRACTICAL financial advisor. This person will be better able to help you and prevent you from making costly and often very deadly financial mistakes.

Lastly - DO NOT TRY TO LIVE LIKE OTHERS - I cannot stress this enough but i implore you to live under your means rather than try to impress others with what you have. Being Indian we have it in our genetic makeup to compare ourselves and show off. This is not good and can lead to debt issues.