Shoppers Drug Mart - My loyalty you will forever have

My love affair with Shoppers Drug Mart began many years ago simply by chance.  It was a new store that had opened up in my town and it was convenient to fill my prescriptions there.  Due to some major health issues in my family, I tend to be at Shoppers a LOT.  On any given week, I will be in Shoppers Drug Mart for one reason or another 2-3 times.

What I never expected was the amazing customer service each and every time I walk through the doors.  I have never felt like a bother or inconvenience.  I have had specialty items brought in just for me and I have had phone calls at home to remind me or notify me of something they thought I should know.  They know and embrace the fact that I am a couponer......patiently sorting and entering each coupon or opening another till to keep lineups at a minimum.  I have had store clerks find me in the store to let me know of an item that may have just been put on clearance that I hadn't noticed!  They celebrate my savings and help me find the best ways to keep my family healthy and happy.  I cannot tell you enough how lucky I am to be a customer at their store.

Shortly after they opened, Shoppers Drug Mart introduce their Shoppers Optimum program.  With their store card, you receive 10 points for every dollar spent at their store (excluding gift certificates, tobacco, and gambling). You also accumulate points on your prescriptions!  Yeehaw!  Once you reach various levels of points, you can cash them in for store product (excluding the same restrictions).  Points redemption levels are as follows:

8,000 points = $10
22,000 points = $30
38,000 points = $60
50,000 points = $85
95,000 points = $170

Those points?  You can cash them in on almost anything.  Need milk and bread and it's still three days till payday?  No problem!  Need to buy the family stocking stuffers that seem to add up so quickly?  Done!  Does your daughter long for a special perfume that is out of your budget but you know exactly how she would react seeing it on her birthday?  Do it!  Even better, the store holds promotions over the year when they actually give you MORE than your points are normally worth!  (ex. at Christmas there will be a "bonus" redemption where your 50,000 points will be worth $100.00 instead of the usual $85.00)

Shoppers will also host a variety of sales that will give you the opportunity to accumulate your points faster. A regular occurrence is to receive 20x the points when you spend a minimum of $50.00 or more before taxes.  If you sign up online to monitor your Shoppers Optimum card, you will also get bonus points simply for signing up!

You can also opt in to have special offers emailed to you on a weekly basis.  These are limited to one per transaction, but you are able to do multiple transactions throughout the week.  Just remember to break them up into separate orders.

I had some great email coupon offers this week and I thought I would show how you can save money with just a little bit of time and only a couple of coupons.

Coupon 1 - Get ANY Campbell's Soup and pay $0.49
I chose a can of Reduced Fat Cream of Chicken Soup as my family uses this all the time in recipes or to have on rainy nights with grilled cheese sandwiches
Regular Price - $2.29
My Price - $0.49
Savings - $1.80

Coupon 2 - Pay $1.30 when you buy ANY eggs
These coupons are great because they don't specify what type of eggs you must buy.  Ever wanted to know what free range organic eggs tasted like but couldn't afford it?  You can now! This time I chose Burnbrae Large Brown Eggs
Regular Price - $3.99
My Price - $1.30
Saved - $2.69

I also picked up a package of Chips Ahoy Ice Cream Flavors (Chocolate Chip Mint) cookies that were on sale for $1.99.  I snapped a picture of my receipt for my online couponing app "Checkout 51" that will reimburse me $1.25 for one package of those cookies this week.
Sale Price - $1.99
My Price - $0.74
Savings - $1.25

The total regular price of those three items had I not used any coupons would have been $8.27.  Using my coupons and taking advantage of on online coupon offer, my cost was $2.53.....saving me a total of $5.74 or 71%

Feeling Fresh with $0.87 in my Pocket!

What a nice way to end my evening last night!  A spontaneous shop that actually put money IN my pocket!  After I picked my daughter up from work, we swung by Walmart to rent a movie from the Redbox machine.  I had a coupon for a free rental from completing a survey for them and with yesterday's announcement that they are pulling out of Canada on Feb 13th, I wanted to make sure it didn't go to waste.  We like to wander around Walmart and see what is new and exciting and it was also an opportunity for me to check out some prices before my weekend grocery shop.  I'm really glad we did!
For some reason, whether it is discontinued products, new packaging, making room, etc.....there are a lot of different things on clearance right now in my local Walmart.  The regular couponer will always suggest you to try to match up these clearance priced items with coupons available and really save yourself some money!  Here is what I purchased:

Now I will quickly explain costs, coupons and savings I managed to get.  Here are the prices and what coupons/savings I managed to get:

Dove Body Wash - Regular Price $3.47 ($3.88 after taxes) - $2.00 coupon I printed from Smartsource.ca - $2.00 online rebate from Checkout 51.  Final Price $(0.12)

Clear Men 2-in-1 Shampoo - Clearance Price $1.00 ($1.12 after taxes) -$2.00 online rebate Checkout 51.  Final Price $(0.88)

Pantene Heat Shield Shampoo - Clearance Price $1.00 ($1.12 after taxes) - $1.00 Proctor & Gamble coupon (newspaper insert)  Final Price $0.12

Speed Stick Gear Deoderant - Regular Price $4.96 ($5.55 after taxes) - Full Mail-in Rebate Offer from Red Plum newspaper insert (they will reimburse me by cheque for the cost of the deoderant PLUS all taxes) - $5.55 Final Price - FREE

Total Out of Pocket (or I guess in this case, IN my pocket!) - ($.88)

My mom will be thrilled to find out that she gets some more Dove Body Wash!  She loves it when I surprise her with items!

Why I coupon

There's a feeling you get when you managed to "score" a great deal.  It's like a rush of adrenaline...you against the register...that feeling of victory when it all goes as planned.  Now I am not one of those "extreme" couponers like you see on tv.  There's a number of reasons that I'm not, yet I truly believe that to each their own.  Here are my reasons for not extreme couponing in case you are curious:
1.  I don't have the time.  I probably spend an hour or two a week sorting through the flyer and seeing if I have access to coupons to match up with them.  I don't actively seek out additional coupons (trading, jumping in the recycling bin, etc) but that's just my choice.  My extra time is spent with my two kids and two dogs instead.
2. I don't have the room.  I have a lovely storage area set up in my basement.  There's shelving units and baskets and everything is organized and sorted.  This is so I can find it easily and I use it before it expires.  My general rule is that I try to make sure I will use it within six months.  Anything more than that and there is a strong possibility it will expire and will be wasted.
3.  I don't need it.  I know that I can track down coupons and get 40 tubes of Polident for free.....but I don't know ANYONE who could use it!  When you first start out couponing, the lure of "free" things is very strong and it is hard to resist not getting everything possible.  It's taken me couponing for a few years to settle into what I do now and what works best for my family.  That being said, if I come across a deal or freebie that I DO know someone will use (either someone I know or a local shelter) I will still pick it up.
I know I don't save as much money as a lot of other people out there and I am okay with that.  I track my savings out of curiosity and I can tell you that on average, I save between $4,000.00 - $5,000.00 every year.  I am also teaching my children how to shop smart and stretch their pennies without going into too much debt or living on ramen noodles!  I know that what I do improves the financial stability of my family as well as helps out additional family and friends.  Every year I donate at least once per year to the local women's center, the local SPCA, the Food Bank, and the local Community Christmas Care.
To be honest, one thing that is even better than that feeling of rush when you score a great deal, is the smiles and hugs you get in appreciation for helping others out.  Share the knowledge and the freebies, I promise you will feel amazing doing so.

BzzAgent Product Review - Secret Ooh-La-La-Lavender Clear Gel

A great way to learn about new products that come out on the market are through websites.  There are a number of different companies that allow consumers to become members and review different products and provide their feedback. This is referred to as "Word of Mouth" campaigns (WOM).   It is a great way for companies to know how their products will be received, areas needing improvement, and what works really well.  One of these WOM websites that I have been a member of for a number of years and had numerous great review opportunities is BzzAgent. Based on a number of surveys you complete online, there are various review campaigns that are matched with members that fit the criteria they are looking for.  Each campaign is different and members are matched based on a number of different variables.
https://www.bzzagent.com/index.jsp
Recently I was one of the lucky members chosen to review a new line of clear gel deoderant from Secret.  This meant that I was sent a stick of Secret Ooh-La-La Lavender Clear Gel to try for a month and report on how I felt about it.  I have been a big fan of Secret deoderants and regularly use that product line.  I have however, always been a "solid" type of girl, not interested in anything "gel" or new.  I'm not very adventurous when it comes to my deoderant and a solid stick,  Baby Powder scent has been found in my bathroom for the past decade!  Reading up on what Secret promised with this new gel (With Secret Outlast^® Clear Gel all it takes is one twist and two swipes right out of the shower for 48 hour odour protection free of white marks) I was intrigued to see if what they claimed would actually happen.
First....the scent.  I'm not big on floral scented armpits so I was fairly leery when I opened up my Lavender scented gel.  Pleasantly surprised, I discovered a realistic, light floral scent that was quite nice.  I generally find floral scents to be quite strong, overpowering, and artificial scented.  This was not the case and I came one step closer to saying goodbye solid!
Second.....application.  Secret again delivered on their promise.  One quick twist and two swipes under each arm and I was ready to conquer the world!  The one slight down side at this step though, was that although Secret promised instant dryness, I found that it took a little longer than "instant" before I was nice and dry.  There were a few t-shirts that temporarily were wet.  Although I did experience the occasional wet shirt, it did dry completely clear with no white marks.
Third....did it last?  To be perfectly honest, I'm a bit of a paranoid person when it comes to potential body odour.  This means that I did not feel comfortable testing the full 48hr protection.  I can tell you that I only applied the deoderant once each morning and at no point did I feel the need to re-apply or that it was not working.  I can confidently say that Secret Clear Gel provides good, 24hr coverage from any embarassing odours.
Overall....Secret once again provides the consumer with a quality product.  Retailing at your local Walmart for approximately $2.49 - $3.49, you get good value for your money.  Even better, Proctor & Gamble (owners of Secret) also offer regular coupons to stretch those pennies even further!  In the end I think it is just a matter of personal preference.  Will I give up my solid stick Baby Powder deoderant for the new Lavender Clear Gel?  No.....but only because I LIKE the Baby Powder solid stick, not because of any failure of the clear gel.  If you haven't tried gel in a number of years like I hadn't, I highly recommend giving this new Secret Clear Gel a try.  You will not be disappointed and you will be ready to conquer the world....lavender armpits and all!


<img src="http://img.bzzagent.com/image/secretCa.jpg?Type=activity&Activity=3032705547&Campaign=1657434223&Uid=1125862&token=9aeae29adb2bddf5590e1916ff99fbef" alt=""/>

Hasbro Gaming Night!

As fall descends upon us and the nights get darker earlier, I am left with trying to occupy my children and keep them from destroying my house.  I love the opportunity to sit down with them and play board games.  It reminds me of my own childhood and sitting around the dinner table with my family for a rousing game filled with loud laughter and joy.
I was so excited when I found out that I had been chosen as a lucky recipient of the Hasbro Gaming VoxBox.  Courtesy of Influenster, I was sent a copy of Monopoly Junior to review with my family and get their thoughts.

We invited the grandparents over to play as well.  After all, our love for board games came from them!  I have always enjoyed Monopoly but found that sometimes it was too intricate to keep the attention of the smaller children.  I was hopeful for this junior version and how the kids would enjoy it.
Instead of street names, Monopoly Junior is based around being at a Funfair.  After rolling the dice, you may land on various squares and purchase fair attractions such as "See the Fireworks" or "Buy Candy Floss".  The game is over when one player spends all of their money.  The remaining players count up their money and the person with the most money wins.
It's an easy concept and very visual for kids as they imagine the various things they would like to do, see, or eat at the fair. The game lasts an average amount of time which keeps all ages entertained and engaged. We had a wide variety of ages and we all enjoyed trying to outsmart and "pass" family members.
I would highly recommend this game for all families looking to add another quality game to their collection.  For fans of Monopoly, Monopoly Junior is the perfect stepping stone for younger members.  I found the game on the shelf at my local Walmart (Canadian) for $9.99 on sale.  Pop some popcorn, open up your copy of Monopoly Junior, and you have the perfect combination for a fun family evening on a dreary fall night.

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes

Thank you H-O-T-W-I-R-E Hotwire.com

Admit it, you sang the jingle in your head when you read the title of this post, didn't you?  That's alright, I've had it stuck in my head all morning while thinking of this post!

This past weekend I decided to surprise my kids with a night out of town.  There have been some huge personal changes in our lives recently and I felt we were all due for a mini vacation and the mental break.  Unfortunately, there's always reality.....bills, mortgages, and responsibilities that hinder the opportunity to whisk away to tropical destinations at a moment's notice.  Eliminating Hawaii, Paris and Milan.....I decided on Bellingham Washington.  Bellingham is approximately a 2-21/2hr drive from our place.  Far enough away to feel like we are "getting away" yet close enough to drive.  It offers many different foods and treats that we can't find back home which is fun for the kids.  And let's not forget those amazing dairy prices!

Now....to book a hotel.  There were a few parameters that I was looking to fill but at the same time I recognize that it is only for the night and I do not need to sleep at the Ritz (although I'm sure it would feel fantastic!).  I needed two beds, close to a mall or something likewise to entertain the kids, easy to find (I'm not the greatest person at directions!), a pool or hot tub, and a continental breakfast included.  Going forward I realize that the pool/hot tub is not so required anymore as my kids are getting older and we seldom use the pool once we get there.  I'm sure the first time I book one without though.....they will want to go swimming!

I digress....While searching online for a hotel, I found that the price ranged from approximately $129 - $169cdn before taxes.  Although I was prepared to grimace and pay, I suddenly remembered one of my co-workers talking about an online hotel booking site called Hotwire.com.  It's a site where you type in your parameters of what you are looking for, and then a list of available hotels pops up.  You are not told the name of the hotel or the exact location until you book the room.  It is a way for large hotel chains to fill empty rooms. I gave it a try and was pleasantly surprised to see rooms listed from $65-$95 per night.  I read the reviews and settled on one listed at $75.  After entering my credit card information, I was notified that we were booked in at the Best Western Heritage Inn.  After taxes were added, my final cost was $90.63cdn.  Out of curiosity, I went to the actual hotel website and tried to book the same room to compare costs.  After taxes it was $184.68!!  I saved 49% on my room!

We arrived at the hotel to discover a beverage station complete with cookies to welcome you to the hotel.  They offered a heated outdoor pool and indoor hot tub and sauna.  It is an older hotel but they have recently invested in numerous upgrades, including new linens and an enhanced continental breakfast.  It is conveniently located right across the highway from a large mall which was perfect for teenagers.  Breakfast the next morning was more than substantial.....everything from eggs and sausages to cereal and made-to-order waffles (in original or blueberry!).  Not having to purchase breakfast was an additional savings for us.

Other highlights to our mini vacation included:  $2 energy drinks (something I NEVER let me kids have), a $1 massage in the mall (in one of those leather recliners), and novelty cereal to bring back home with us.  I stocked up on some yogurt and cheese before we left and we arrived back home just after dinner on Sunday night.

The best part of this mini vacation was the opportunity to spend some quality time with my kids.  We went with no timeline or schedule which allowed us the freedom to explore to our heart's content.  My heart melted when the kids each took me aside Sunday night to thank me for the trip and to tell me how much fun they had.  It doesn't always have to cost a lot to make an impact.

Happy travels

Coupons? There's an App for that!

Nowadays, technology runs our world and being separated from our cell phones brings that momentary sense of panic.  Our the years we have seen house phones move to cell phones, vacuum cleaners move to "Roombas", and yes....clipped coupons move to smart phone coupon applications.

Although coupons can still be found in the regular tear pads, magazines, and online places......there has been a new movement of online coupons.  These programs reward you will cyber discounts that accumulate in your account until you reach $20 or more and then reimburse you by cheque.  Instead of having your discount right at the till, you participate in a type of "forced savings" and receive a payout once you have accumulated the minimum requirements.  The cheque will arrive approximately two weeks after requesting.  This is a great idea if you want to save for something special or extra like a vacation.

There are a variety of programs that you can download for free onto your smartphone.  Right now I currently have four programs on my Iphone.  They are:  Checkout 51, SnapSaves, Zweet, and Cart Smart.  I have used the first three quite regularly but am still on the fence with CartSmart as I have not really found the featured items relevant to my family.

How it Works: 

Each week a new list of featured items and the coupon amount will be published.  Once you have purchased the featured item in the correct time frame, you simply take a photo of your entire receipt and "tag" the featured items you want to claim.  Within 48hrs you will receive a confirmation email whether or not your receipt has been approved and the money added to your account.  Some items will have a limited amount available, so I suggest you submit your receipts as quickly as possible after purchasing.  One of the features that I really like about these apps is that you regularly see fruits and vegetables featured.  As regular coupons are rare for these types of items, it's nice to be reimbursed for eating healthy.  Another bonus is that you can use a coupon (tearpad, magazine, etc) while purchasing the items in store and still claim your smart phone online coupon afterwards....essentially "double couponing".  This can result in free or even credits (money paid to you!) on certain items.

Noting my weekly featured items, I went to my local grocery store yesterday for a few items.  I won't list everything I purchased, but here is an example of how the online apps work and what the end result can be.

Radishes - $0.69/bunch = $0.69 - $0.25 SnapSaves Coupon = $.44 Out of Pocket
Bean Sprouts - 0.070kg @ $3.29/kg = $0.23 - $0.25 SnapSaves Coupon = ($0.02) In my Pocket!
Carrots - 0.310kg @ $1.50/kg = $0.46 - $0.50 Zweet Coupon = ($0.04) In my Pocket!
Yams - 0.325kg @ $2.84/kg = $0.92 - $0.25 SnapSaves Coupon = $0.67 Out of Pocket
Organic Bananas - 0.450kg @ $2.40/kg = $1.08 - $0.50 Zweet Coupon = $0.58 Out of Pocket

Total:  $3.38
Savings:  $1.75
Final Cost:  $1.63
48% Savings

I was happy saving 50% on my fruits and vegetables as I seldom see savings on these items.  Had I bought non-organic bananas, my total would have probably been even less!
Happy Shopping!

What can you buy for $1.63?