Every September, once the summer spending settles down, I go through my bank statement and look at what’s actually leaving my account every month on autopilot. It’s a habit worth having — subscriptions creep, promo rates expire, and most of us are paying more than we’d agree to if we had to sign up again today. This year, three of those recurring costs are also ones where a referral bonus made an actual dent: internet, day-to-day banking, and (for anyone in Quebec) home energy.
Internet: the bill that’s easiest to just not look at
Home internet is the one I think people re-examine the least, because it works fine and switching feels like a hassle. I moved to oxio mainly because the pricing was simple — no promo-rate cliff where the bill jumps after twelve months, which is the thing that usually gets me annoyed at my old provider around this time of year. Signing up through a referral link gets you first month free, and there’s no code to remember, just the link: Referral link .
If you haven’t checked what you’re paying for internet since last fall, this is a good week to do it. Even if you don’t switch, knowing your current provider’s actual going rate for new customers gives you something to call and ask about.
Banking: a bonus that only matters if you were switching anyway
I wouldn’t tell anyone to open a new bank account purely to chase a referral bonus — moving your direct deposits and pre-authorized payments is real effort, and it’s not worth it for a one-time reward alone. But if you’ve already been thinking about a no-fee day-to-day account, Tangerine is where I do my everyday banking, and using an Orange Key when you sign up gets you $50 cash bonus: 15888900S1 . The account itself has stayed fee-free for me, which matters more long-term than the sign-up bonus does.
The honest framing here: the bonus is a nice bonus on top of a decision you’d make anyway, not a reason to make the decision.
Energy: the one that’s Quebec-only, but worth flagging
This one won’t apply to most readers, but if you’re a Hydro-Québec residential customer, Hilo‘s smart thermostats are worth a look before the heating season ramps up — they shift your usage to off-peak hours automatically during winter events, which is where the actual savings come from, not just the referral. Signing up with a referral code gets you $25 cash reward, paid once the install is done: AMI-506569456 .
If you’re outside Quebec this one’s not for you, but it’s a good reminder to check whether your own utility runs a smart-thermostat or demand-response program — a lot of them do, and most people never look.
What I’d actually do this week
None of these are “free money” — the internet switch takes an install appointment, the bank account takes a bit of setup, and the thermostat only pays off with a Quebec electricity account behind it. But going through your recurring bills once a year and asking “would I sign up for this again at today’s price” is a genuinely useful habit, referral bonus or not. The bonus is just what tips a switch you were already weighing into one you actually do.
Full terms and current bonus amounts for all three are on the SimpleReferral home page.
Referral bonuses, codes, and terms can change on any of these programs — I keep the numbers on each guide page current, but always confirm the offer before you sign up.
