featured-image

For Richard Khairov, a shopping trip to the U.S. is a short drive — two hours or less — from his home in Richmond Hill, Ont.

, just north of Toronto. Top business headlines, all in one place It’s worth the time: Khairov says he can buy many products he can’t find in Canada, and in some cases, he is able to save money even with the loonie worth about three-quarters of a U.S.



dollar these days. He’s an organized shopper, planning his trips to Trader Joe’s and Target ahead of time by checking prices and promotions online. And while outlet fashion stores don’t usually have price information online, Khairov makes sure to pull out his smartphone to check the current exchange rate when he spots a deal.

“Even with the currency exchange rate, it’ll still end up being cheaper,” he said. Khairov has a Scotiabank Passport Visa with no fees on foreign exchange, which helps him save as well. He also fills up on gas south of the border, where it's usually cheaper.

He recommends planning your shopping trip ahead of time and making a budget in order to get the most out of a cross-border trip. However, he also says it’s important to have fun — ideally, making the trip with friends or family and treating yourself to things you can’t get in Canada. “You kind of make a day out of it.

” In 2023, about 9.5 million people took a same-day trip to the U.S.

, according to Statistics Canada, for leisure, visiting family and friends, work or shopping. The loonie’s value compa.

Back to Fashion Page