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Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 - Travel (243) - Nairaland

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Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by salford: 4:36pm On Nov 12, 2019
CanadianWasp:
Amen! Thank you oga Salford!

I worked briefly as a collections agent. One of the questions we asked debtors was "how did you get into this trouble?". Usual response could be "I fell ill for 2 weeks" or "I lost my job a month ago" and I saw how majority of Canadians and even newly landed immigrants live from paycheck to paycheck, and it was scary! And it's soooooo easy to actually be in this state, when you have money/ credit being thrown at you left right and center from banks and other companies. No be to pay small small? Lol.

And it affects everyone. It doesn't matter if that person or family is earning 200k a year or 40k a year. I was shocked when my family doctor (a Naija) told me about his colleagues that were also in such situation i.e. living paycheck to paycheck. Anyone could be a victim.

It is best to live within one means. A mortgage approval of say 800k does not mean one should max it out or start shopping for the biggest or luxury house one can buy. If a 1600sq ft house could fulfil one's need, why go for an over 2000 sq ft house or an expensive custom built one? If a Toyota can get one from point A to B, why go for a BMW? This is the question people need to be asking themselves before accepting accepting all those juicy and tantalizing offers from sales representatives. Nothing wrong if one can afford the luxury and still have lots left over to bank, but stretching finances to afford such is what creates the problems.

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Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by salford: 4:42pm On Nov 12, 2019
CanadianWasp:
Thanks smiley. Truth is, my spouse helped a whole lot. You know in Nigeria, the norm is wife and helps take care of the home front, and the kids. Of course there are exceptions, but I was also in the normal category. But when we got in and I started preparing for the exams (I wrote 1st), he had to just take over a whole lot of stuff, including taking care of our daughter. I don't know if your husband came down with you, and I don't want to assume but truth is, you definitely need some form of help. Could be neighbours, friends, someone you trust, who could maybe take the kids for some Saturdays? I also read mostly when my daughter was asleep, got to work like an hour early (she's in daycare) and read till it was time for work.

At the risk of sounding motivational, it's all in your mind. If you decide to write no matter what, you will. It's just a period that'll pass quicker than you know it. "where there's a will, there's a way". Hope this helps smiley

I went through this as well. In Canada, there is no wife or husband defined roles. Both husband and wife jump in to help and assist. When my spouse was writing her licensing exams, I jumped in and did a lot of house chores including bathing and feeding the kids. Infact, one of my kids was still sucking when she traveled to Edmonton from Calgary for 3 days to write an exam. By the time she came back, my kid did not want bress milk anymore lol.
We had the help of a neighbor from Cameroun too. We were helping each other out. We would look after their kids when one of us was at home and they would do same for us.
We also brought MIL over to help as I was away for work for a while too at some point. She stayed for 6months.

Getting licensed requires one be disciplined and to keep one's eyes on the prize. Like they say in Yoruba: Adun ni o gbeyin ewuro. Meaning sweetness comes after eating bitter leaf. Once done with the exams, we immediately get a sweet relief and forget the hardship that was endured to get that prize.

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Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by MumofTwins2017: 4:59pm On Nov 12, 2019
Please a quick question. For the NCA assessment, would NBA send the letter to you or directly to NCA? Secondly, would the Law School transcript be addressed and sent to the NCA as well?
Thirdly, is it advisable or possible to get assessed by the NCA first while one is still in Nigeria?

Apologies for all the questions ooo. Just wanna see how things can be made easy while one is still here in Nigeria because it’s not so easy getting people to assist once your out. Thanks

CanadianWasp:
Thanks so much!

2 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by Livy2018: 5:40pm On Nov 12, 2019
Let me step in here, I am also a lawyer writing the NCA in Calgary.

I got my NCA assessment last year Novmeber, before I landed in Calgary in July 2019. To answer your questions:
1. Depending on your NBA branch, for Lagos branch, the letter is addressed to NCA and handed over to you to send by courier yourself. Please note that when sending the letter, use NBA Lagos as the sender, not your name. I know of people whose letters were rejected because they sent the letter using their names. Ideally, the letter should not even be given to you, just like your transcripts, it should be confidential and sent directly by the issuing authority.

2. Law school transcripts will be sent directly to NCA, no interference. Reach out to your contact in Law school, you dont need to travel down.

3. Yes, please. Start the process before you leave Nigeria, so that you can start writing exams as soon as you land, if you choose to. I landed in July and wrote my 1st exam in August, then October and final ones in January. All reading materials can be gotten online and you can start studying before you, land if you have time. Besides, the support system back home is great, unlike here, once you land the rigors and challenges of settling in, looking for accommodation and job, documentations, drivers licence, kids school/daycare etc are not the same as teh ones we face back home.

All the best.


MumofTwins2017:
Please a quick question. For the NCA assessment, would NBA send the letter to you or directly to NCA? Secondly, would the Law School transcript be addressed and sent to the NCA as well?
Thirdly, is it advisable or possible to get assessed by the NCA first while one is still in Nigeria?

Apologies for all the questions ooo. Just wanna see how things can be made easy while one is still here in Nigeria because it’s not so easy getting people to assist once your out. Thanks

18 Likes 8 Shares

Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by MumofTwins2017: 6:23pm On Nov 12, 2019
If only you could see the smile on my face while I read this. God bless you so much. I have searched Page 1 for this information like a million times hoping someone will update. I have 3 kids, a 5 year old and a 2year old set of twins. It’s a lot. So I was already thinking of how to manage with them and preparing for the exams. Thank you again for this.

Livy2018:
Let me step in here, I am also a lawyer writing the NCA in Calgary.

I got my NCA assessment last year Novmeber, before I landed in Calgary in July 2019. To answer your questions:
1. Depending on your NBA branch, for Lagos branch, the letter is addressed to NCA and handed over to you to send by courier yourself. Please note that when sending the letter, use NBA Lagos as the sender, not your name. I know of people whose letters were rejected because they sent the letter using their names. Ideally, the letter should not even be given to you, just like your transcripts, it should be confidential and sent directly by the issuing authority.

2. Law school transcripts will be sent directly to NCA, no interference. Reach out to your contact in Law school, you dont need to travel down.

3. Yes, please. Start the process before you leave Nigeria, so that you can start writing exams as soon as you land, if you choose to. I landed in July and wrote my 1st exam in August, then October and final ones in January. All reading materials can be gotten online and you can start studying before you, land if you have time. Besides, the support system back home is great, unlike here, once you land the rigors and challenges of settling in, looking for accommodation and job, documentations, drivers licence, kids school/daycare etc are not the same as teh ones we face back home.

All the best.


3 Likes 1 Share

Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by canadaman18: 6:29pm On Nov 12, 2019
salford:

And it affects everyone. It doesn't matter if that person or family is earning 200k a year or 40k a year. I was shocked when my family doctor (a Naija) told me about his colleagues that were also in such situation i.e. living paycheck to paycheck. Anyone could be a victim.

It is best to live within one means. A mortgage approval of say 800k does not mean one should max it out or start shopping for the biggest or luxury house one can buy. If a 1600sq ft house could fulfil one's need, why go for an over 2000 sq ft house or an expensive custom built one? If a Toyota can get one from point A to B, why go for a BMW? This is the question people need to be asking themselves before accepting accepting all those juicy and tantalizing offers from sales representatives. Nothing wrong if one can afford the luxury and still have lots left over to bank, but stretching finances to afford such is what creates the problems.

Well said!!

Another thing to add/emphasize is everyone should get into the habit of saving. No matter how small.

Most companies offer some kind of Savings plan for their employees and a lot of companies will even match your contributions (to a certain limit) . They take off the money before you get your pay cheque and so you dont even really feel it. Before you realized you've saved a few thousands which then encourages you to save more.

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Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by Narkoya: 7:49pm On Nov 12, 2019
[qquote author=Folafikemi post=83905122]


I also will like to read answers to this question as I'm in same situation now. Pls brothers and sister answer this question as I'm tired of waiting for the PR card and my mind and soul is not in Nigeria at all. I just see myself wasting precious time. Edakun help pls [/quote]

Hi. I came back to Nigeria and applied at vfs. The forms are online and it was a pretty straight forward process. In 5 days, it was approved. Havent gotten my passport yet but it's on its way to me. I also attached my flight ticket because I plan to go back soon. Just Google prtd. All information is online. The only thing is that I had to do a family information form because vfs refused to collect my application without it, even though it wasn't listed as part of the requirements on the CIC website.

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Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by Sthill5: 7:54pm On Nov 12, 2019
Good day all

Please any tips on getting cheap flight ticket for December? Family of 4
2 adults,1 toddler and 1 infant

Thank you!
Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by WoodcrestMayor(m): 8:03pm On Nov 12, 2019
My people!
It's your favourite banker back on the hornline grin
E don tey o! How una dey? How is Canada treating y'all? Edmonton people...tiri gbosa for una cool

12 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by WoodcrestMayor(m): 8:10pm On Nov 12, 2019
This!!!
My organization has this matching plan and I have tricked myself to live and budget with what i get paid. I elected to max my contribution for maximum matching from the organization and I've been living ok and debt free. In my subconscious, what I get in my account is my laundry not what I have before deductions. I started in May and i already have some decent change in the plan. cheesy
canadaman18:


Well said!!

Another thing to add/emphasize is everyone should get into the habit of saving. No matter how small.

Most companies offer some kind of Savings plan for their employees and a lot of companies will even match your contributions (to a certain limit) . They take off the money before you get your pay cheque and so you dont even really feel it. Before you realized you've saved a few thousands which then encourages you to save more.

9 Likes 4 Shares

Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by zohan101: 8:22pm On Nov 12, 2019
���..Edmonton they here o!!!..Greetings sir


WoodcrestMayor:
My people!
It's your favourite banker back on the hornline grin
E don tey o! How una dey? How is Canada treating y'all? Edmonton people...tiri gbosa for una cool
Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by zohan101: 8:29pm On Nov 12, 2019
Please oo; elders of this forum who are engineers. Has anyone sat for engineering professional exams(P.Eng) on arriving canada?? Seems most of the stories i have heard are experienced 9ja engineers going through the EIT route even after possessing more than 5years of engineering experience in 9ja..Cc @oga Salford @eisteino and other senior members..Please your advise is needed.
Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by Livy2018: 8:40pm On Nov 12, 2019
You will be fine, dont worry too much. I have 3 kids also, all below 6 years and I am here alone without hubby. I repeat again, you will be fine grin grin grin grin
MumofTwins2017:
If only you could see the smile on my face while I read this. God bless you so much. I have searched Page 1 for this information like a million times hoping someone will update. I have 3 kids, a 5 year old and a 2year old set of twins. It’s a lot. So I was already thinking of how to manage with them and preparing for the exams. Thank you again for this.

22 Likes 3 Shares

Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by bekayy: 9:09pm On Nov 12, 2019
Use wakanow.com, travel start and Google flights. Shalom.

Sthill5:
Good day all

Please any tips on getting cheap flight ticket for December? Family of 4
2 adults,1 toddler and 1 infant

Thank you!

3 Likes 5 Shares

Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by Nobody: 9:14pm On Nov 12, 2019
Good day seniors and everyone in the house, pls help me verify this issue.

Booking a flight back to Canada, can. I use my credit card to pay from Nigeria?
Cc: @Salford kindly help. Thanks
Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by Nobody: 9:15pm On Nov 12, 2019
Good day seniors and everyone in the house, pls help me verify this issue.

Booking a flight back to Canada, can. I use my Canada credit card to pay while in Nigeria?
Cc: @Salford kindly help. Thanks
Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by WoodcrestMayor(m): 9:29pm On Nov 12, 2019
Heavy greetings to you too! cheesy
zohan101:
���..Edmonton they here o!!!..Greetings sir


Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by canadaman18: 10:29pm On Nov 12, 2019
WoodcrestMayor:
This!!!
My organization has this matching plan and I have tricked myself to live and budget with what i get paid. I elected to max my contribution for maximum matching from the organization and I've been living ok and debt free. In my subconscious, what I get in my account is my laundry not what I have before deductions. I started in May and i already have some decent change in the plan. cheesy

Sharp guy !

The savings usually end up in an RRSP too which mean temporary tax shelter .

Also when you’re filling tax return your RRSP contribution is deducted from taxable income which means you’ll get a couple thousand refunded. Best thing to then reinvest this refund and keep repeating the process yearly .. You’ll be shocked at how much one can save this way

33 Likes 38 Shares

Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by salford1: 12:57am On Nov 13, 2019
Folafikemi:
Good day seniors and everyone in the house, pls help me verify this issue.

Booking a flight back to Canada, can. I use my Canada credit card to pay while in Nigeria?
Cc: @Salford kindly help. Thanks
You can but there is also a good chance the transaction would be flagged and blocked. If blocked, you can call customer services to inform that you are the one making the transaction. You would be asked some security questions, the block will be removed and the transaction would go through.
Transactions originating from Canada do get flagged too once in a while, so there is nothing to worry about.

7 Likes 1 Share

Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by salford1: 1:04am On Nov 13, 2019
zohan101:
Please oo; elders of this forum who are engineers. Has anyone sat for engineering professional exams(P.Eng) on arriving canada?? Seems most of the stories i have heard are experienced 9ja engineers going through the EIT route even after possessing more than 5years of engineering experience in 9ja..Cc @oga Salford @eisteino and other senior members..Please your advise is needed.
Send a message to Einstein. There is a robust Engineering group.

3 Likes

Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by Nobody: 1:56am On Nov 13, 2019
salford1:

You can but there is also a good chance the transaction would be flagged and blocked. If blocked, you can call customer services to inform that you are the one making the transaction. You would be asked some security questions, the block will be removed and the transaction would go through.
Transactions originating from Canada do get flagged too once in a while, so there is nothing to worry about.





Thanks bro.

2 Likes 1 Share

Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by WoodcrestMayor(m): 2:12am On Nov 13, 2019
Oga mi! cheesy
Na the cheat way to save up for first house because you fit draw on your RSP up to 35k under the first home buyer program.
I elected to contribute to TFSA tho because RSP no really give me benefit because of my tax bracket. We go enter RSP when tax bracket climb up cool
canadaman18:


Sharp guy !

The savings usually end up in an RRSP too which mean temporary tax shelter .

Also when you’re filling tax return your RRSP contribution is deducted from taxable income which means you’ll get a couple thousand refunded. Best thing to then reinvest this refund and keep repeating the process yearly .. You’ll be shocked at how much one can save this way

17 Likes 23 Shares

Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by CanadianWasp: 4:08am On Nov 13, 2019
Everything she said @mumoftwins2017. Honestly, it makes it much much easier starting the process from Nigeria.

Livy2018:
Let me step in here, I am also a lawyer writing the NCA in Calgary.

I got my NCA assessment last year Novmeber, before I landed in Calgary in July 2019. To answer your questions:
1. Depending on your NBA branch, for Lagos branch, the letter is addressed to NCA and handed over to you to send by courier yourself. Please note that when sending the letter, use NBA Lagos as the sender, not your name. I know of people whose letters were rejected because they sent the letter using their names. Ideally, the letter should not even be given to you, just like your transcripts, it should be confidential and sent directly by the issuing authority.

2. Law school transcripts will be sent directly to NCA, no interference. Reach out to your contact in Law school, you dont need to travel down.

3. Yes, please. Start the process before you leave Nigeria, so that you can start writing exams as soon as you land, if you choose to. I landed in July and wrote my 1st exam in August, then October and final ones in January. All reading materials can be gotten online and you can start studying before you, land if you have time. Besides, the support system back home is great, unlike here, once you land the rigors and challenges of settling in, looking for accommodation and job, documentations, drivers licence, kids school/daycare etc are not the same as teh ones we face back home.

All the best.


Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by zohan101: 8:01am On Nov 13, 2019
Thanks "great man" grin[Qquote author=salford1 post=83976282]
Send a message to Einstein. There is a robust Engineering group.[/quote]
Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by Vesment: 11:29am On Nov 13, 2019
please i have money in nigeria domiciliary account upto 2k dollars, whats the best way to convert it to canadian dollars in canada?
Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by G4lady: 2:41pm On Nov 13, 2019
Please any ACA (ICAN) who has successfully registered as a student member of CPA Ontario, please i need some clarification. Just response i will PM you. Thanks alot
Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by einsteino(m): 2:44pm On Nov 13, 2019
CanadianWasp:
Amen! Thank you oga Salford!

I worked briefly as a collections agent. One of the questions we asked debtors was "how did you get into this trouble?". Usual response could be "I fell ill for 2 weeks" or "I lost my job a month ago" and I saw how majority of Canadians and even newly landed immigrants live from paycheck to paycheck, and it was scary! And it's soooooo easy to actually be in this state, when you have money/ credit being thrown at you left right and center from banks and other companies. No be to pay small small? Lol.


Gbam! Each time I come out to my work's parking lot and see the cars my colleagues drive, I begin to suspect HR is only paying me a quarter of my wage. It is so hard to believe that folks who earn the same hourly rate as me would dare to drive sports cars and fancy trucks. These guys here just put everything on credit and finance option, which isn't exactly a bad thing but they often do this in a very financially irresponsible way. Once they miss one pay cheque, their whole life comes crumbling like a pack of cards. I remember when I called my bank a couple months ago, the call centre rep checked my account and was like "Oh your account looks good, care for a credit limit increase?"... You would think she saw millions in it, money wey dey inside no go even sustain me pass a month without income but because canadians hardly have savings without heavy debt, na beautiful account to her. and the only thing she could think of suggesting was credit limit increase, so that I go come carry gbese wey go wipe the savings cheesy

It is true that in this part of the world, credit and finance options are a nice to have and often a necessity, but living within your means is a universal necessity else you would die above your means lol. If you wan dey buga for this Canada, banks go just dey happy on top your matter. People here need to learn how to manage their finances.

61 Likes 11 Shares

Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by einsteino(m): 2:58pm On Nov 13, 2019
zohan101:
Please oo; elders of this forum who are engineers. Has anyone sat for engineering professional exams(P.Eng) on arriving canada?? Seems most of the stories i have heard are experienced 9ja engineers going through the EIT route even after possessing more than 5years of engineering experience in 9ja..Cc @oga Salford @eisteino and other senior members..Please your advise is needed.

I would advise you apply for P.Eng rather than EIT. Wether this is possible would depend on the provincial regulator you choose to go with. If you do succeed and meet the academic requirements, you would be given E.I.T status pending when you get 1 year canadian engineering experience.
Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by Newww: 10:59pm On Nov 13, 2019
einsteino:


I would advise you apply for P.Eng rather than EIT. Wether this is possible would depend on the provincial regulator you choose to go with. If you do succeed and meet the academic requirements, you would be given E.I.T status pending when you get 1 year canadian engineering experience.

Please can you advice which of the provinces would permit direct application to P.Eng.
Also, do we need to write any exams?
Thanks.
Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by WoodcrestMayor(m): 11:04pm On Nov 13, 2019
Make i follow add mouth for this matter. cheesy

Get insurance coverage where you can to protect your cash flow. You fall in winter and you're unable to work for 3months. Your work pays you 55-75% of your income but this isn't enough to see you through the month. The amount from work ideally should only cover your feeding and lifestyle.Mortgages and other loans shouldn't be a part of what you pay from short/long term disability income. It is a good idea to take separate insurance on loans so you have one less payment to worry about if stuff happen.
einsteino:


Gbam! Each time I come out to my work's parking lot and see the cars my colleagues drive, I begin to suspect HR is only paying me a quarter of my wage. It is so hard to believe that folks who earn the same hourly rate as me would dare to drive sports cars and fancy trucks. These guys here just put everything on credit and finance option, which isn't exactly a bad thing but they often do this in a very financially irresponsible way. Once they miss one pay cheque, their whole life comes crumbling like a pack of cards. I remember when I called my bank a couple months ago, the call centre rep checked my account and was like "Oh your account looks good, care for a credit limit increase?"... You would think she saw millions in it, money wey dey inside no go even sustain me pass a month without income but because canadians hardly have savings without heavy debt, na beautiful account to her. and the only thing she could think of suggesting was credit limit increase, so that I go come carry gbese wey go wipe the savings cheesy

It is true that in this part of the world, credit and finance options are a nice to have and often a necessity, but living within your means is a universal necessity else you would die above your means lol. If you wan dey buga for this Canada, banks go just dey happy on top your matter. People here need to learn how to manage their finances.

16 Likes 20 Shares

Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by WoodcrestMayor(m): 11:29pm On Nov 13, 2019
*mic check 1,2*

Canny way people wey go land between now and Jan 31, RBC get some better offer for una o! grin
If you dey land for Edmonton, na me be your plug.

Holla8)

14 Likes

Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by Jbelieve: 11:46pm On Nov 13, 2019
WoodcrestMayor:
*mic check 1,2*

Canny way people wey go land between now and Jan 31, RBC get some better offer for una o! grin
If you dey land for Edmonton, na me be your plug.

Holla8)

Details please

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