• You are likely receiving $17,000-21,000/year in financial support. If you are coming from a very different culture, this amount may seem like a lot. But life in Ottawa is fairly expensive and this amount will barely suffice for a single person; if you have family members to support, you'll definitely need to find other sources of income. Results of a recent survey show that our single students' budgets range between $1000 and $2500, which the respondents consider inadequate. They report spending (monthly)

• $500-$1200 on rent
• $200-$700 on food
• $100-$250 on personal items
•  about $50 on each of: phone bills, internet bills, gas/hydro bills, other bills (if not included in the rent)
  
• $50-$400 on transportation

• If at any time during your studies you find yourself in financial difficulty, talk to your supervisor first; he/she may be able to help.
  
• Next, talk to Mayada about additional TA-ing hours or other department part-time jobs.
  
• Check out the UO Financial Aid.
  
• Consider the Work-Study Program (but talk to your supervisor first).
  
• Consider getting a part-time job outside of the university, but be sure to give your studies first priority; see Dina's advice on part-time jobs.

• Most grad students find a place to live using the internet; they particularly recommend kijiji.ca. See also  https://ottawa.craigslist.ca/   and http://www.usedottawa.com/classifieds/apartment-rentals
  
• On-campus housing: http://www.uottawa.ca/housing/
  
• Off-campus housing (university website): https://www.uottawa.ca/housing/off-campus-housing (includes comparison of rent in Ottawa and Gatineau)
  
• How to choose where to live:
• there is a lot of student housing available in Sandy Hill, however, the prices are likely inflated
• other neighbourhoods within walking distance include Vanier (walk or cycle across the Adawe footbridge) and Centretown
  (walk or cycle across the Corktown footbridge)
• rent is generally lower in Gatineau than in Ottawa (compare), however, keep in mind that you'd be spending more time and money on transportation, and that income tax is higher in Quebec (which actually won't affect you if you are on a student budget)
  
• More advice from Dina on housing.
• Consider having roommates to save on rent; other grad students with a similar lifestyle, interests, and aspirations will likely make more compatible living companions.
• Consider house-sitting or pet-sitting: e.g. https://www.housesitterscanada.com/home
  

• You are what you eat - a healthy diet is your best investment for your future. Nutritious food will give you the superior energy for physical and mental work, and provide the emotional resilience to deal with any problems you may face.
• To save money, learn to cook from scratch. Use the best quality natural ingredients that you can afford. As much as possible, avoid cheap processed food. Buy basic ingredients (e.g. rice, beans, pasta...) in bulk.
  
• The freshest, most nutritious food is found at local farmers' markets; see https://ottawastart.com/a-big-list-of-ottawa-farmers-markets/ for times and locations.
  
• Produce, meat, and dairy sections of supermarkets are your second best choice. The main Ottawa supermarkets are Loblaws, Food Basics, Metro, Sobeys, and Independent, each with several locations. Health-food stores are a bit pricier but offer organic food, better quality in general, and more options for special diets: Whole Foods, Market Organics, The Natural Food Pantry, Rainbow Foods. Farm Boy is somewhere in between (lots of fresh produce, including organic).
• An independent, locally-owned grocery store in your neighbourhood, like Safi Fine Foods, 322 Somerset St. East (which has donated a huge amount of food for our food bank)
  
• If you really have to save on food, try Walmart, Dollarama; Costco (requires membership, but good for large families)
• When in financial difficulty, visit the UO Food Bank. More on food banks.
  
• Some advice from Dina on grocery shopping.
• More nutrition and health advice from Mateja.
  

4. Transportation

• Ottawa is one of the few North-American cities where owning a car is not necessary; in fact, it is very expensive!
• Consider living within walking distance of the university, or cycling, or taking public transport.
  
• If you are a full-time student, you are eligible for the U-pass (universal OC-Transpo + STO bus pass; according to OC-Transpo,"the discounted cost of the U-Pass is included in your incidental student fees. As of Sept. 1 2017, U-Pass fees are $202.46 per term."); how to obtain a U-pass
  
• For car sharing, see Vrtucar or Zipcar
• Ottawa is great for cycling April-November (some people even do it in the snow and bitter cold!)
  

5. Other shopping advice

You can save a lot on clothing and household items if you know where to look:

• UOttawa Free Store - drop off what you don't need, pick up what you need, for free! From clothes to household items, appliances and books...
• Classifieds: 
• kijiji.ca
• ottawa.craigslist.ca/
• usedottawa.com
  
• Garage sales. Watch for signs in your neighbourhood. They are also advertised in classifieds. Big neighbourhood garage sales usually happen in the spring and fall; the biggest is the Great Green Glebe Garage Sale
• Consignment stores: a great way to save money when shopping, help the environment, and make money when you sell or consign; e.g. 
• Boomerang Kids (quality used kids' clothing, toys, and baby gear; maternity clothing)
  
• Rikochet Resale (quality used clothing)
  
• Play It Again Sports and Kunstadt (used sports equipment)
• Bike Dump , Re-Cycles , Sportek (used bicycles)
  
• Low budget department stores: Walmart (many locations; you'll find almost anything, including food)
  
• Dollar stores, especially Dollarama (many locations; good for stationary, school supplies, toys, household items, cheap food and toiletries)
• Wholesale stores: Costco (you'll find almost anything, including food; $60 membership - worthwhile for large families)
  

6. Resources

Be sure to check out the SFUO (Student Federation of UO); it offers many services that will make your life in Ottawa much easier and more pleasant, including

• International House (meet other international students and attend fun events)
• Centre for Students with Disabilities
  
• Bike Co-op (learn to service your bike)
• UO Food Bank
• Foot Patrol (provides a safe walk across the campus)
• Peer Help Centre (academic, social and personal support)
• Pride Centre (support of gender and sexual diversity)
• Student Rights Centre (confidential advocacy services)
• Women's Resource Centre
• Emergency medical response on campus
  

Other resources:

• SASS - Student Academic Success Service: help with academic writing; academic accommodation (special needs); counselling and coaching; mentoring
• Residence counselling
• Career Counselling
• Mental Health and Wellness (links to many resources)
• UO Health Services - Mental Health