Tim Hortons Canada has some seasonal promotions for a limited time only! You can enjoy the perfect lunch or dinner, just the way you like it, with Tims Perfect Pairings. Choose any regular size wrap or sandwich and add your favourite soup or salad for just $5.99!

So whether you like Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap, Turkey Bacon Club, Chicken Noodle Soup, or a Garden Salad, the combinations are endless (excludes chilli)!

Also, Tim Hortons has released the new seasonal drinks, Peppermint Hot Chocolate, Peppermint White Hot Chocolate, and two new minty treats: Chocolate Mint Filled Cookie and Mint Fudge Brownie Donut to give you something new!

Click here for a Tim Hortons Canada Restaurant location near you.

We have all done it, walked by a store and notice a sale sign and just have to look (and shop) but are they all really good deals?  We have some tips and tricks to help you make the most of your Black Friday shopping if you choose not to cross the border.

Research: We have all seen the signs that say 70% off but when you look more closely, the “regular” price is inflated to a never seen price.  Make a list of items you want to buy and their usual sale prices.

Store rely on the fact that once in the store, you are likely to buy and capitalize on that.  You will often find that clearance items are back up to close to regular prices with an additional percentage off, making them the same price they were reduced to previously.

Have some back up choices too.  While you may have a specific item in mind, if it sells out before you get to the store, know what item or brand you want to replace it with if you are not willing to wait for another sale.

Plan: With some stores offering shopping online as early and various opening times on Black Friday, plan where you will go first to make the most of door crasher sales that are often the best deals.  Decide if those prices are worth the wait time and potentially missing out on other sales (and if they are worth setting that early alarm for on your day off).  We get a little luckier than our US counterparts as some sales will start earlier on Thursday here since it is not a holiday.

Set a budget! Door-crashers and unadvertised sales plus random items you just have to have can be tempting, know how much you want to spend.  Buyers remorse is no fun and Black Friday is pointless if you overspend.

Where to shop? Heading across the border may get you better deals but the line up at border crossings may be long and customs is happy to take your money when you come back, factor in the duty when considering prices. It may still be worthwhile if you want those Hatchimals Walmart hid away for Black Friday in the US though!

Some stores will offer coupons as will some malls.  Make sure you print or save them ahead of time as data can be spotty when deep in the mall and you don’t want a huge line of angry shoppers behind you while you try and download a coupon.  Some malls will also be trying out their special personalized offers when you visit a store if you connect to their app and allow location access this year.

Keep your receipts. We have all come home and wondered what happened to that receipt, make sure you keep them, especially for big ticket items.  I usually stick an envelope in my purse and put them all in that rather than my wallet so I don’t risk losing them when I pull cash out.  You may need the receipt for a return on a faulty item or for proof of purchase for warranty.

Be comfy & prepared: Let’s face it, shopping during big sale events can be stressful.  Parking is a nightmare and it is a prime time for thieves.  Plan your parking and make sure you lock your car with all items hidden from view.  Wear a cross body bag so you can carry shopping or grab that last cute sweater off the rack without worrying about a purse and wear comfy shoes for all of that walking.  Have breakfast because shopping on an empty stomach is a big no – no!

If using public transit, it can be chilly in the morning but warm in the stores or malls – layers you can take off will help rather than bulkier clothing you have to carry (or check to see if your mall offers coat check).

Remember it is a work day for many, if you are heading from the suburbs, add plenty of time for dealing with commuters trying to get to work too.  Even with malls like the Eaton Centre opening at super early, Toronto roads can be busy, I am sure the same is true for other areas.

Shopping with a friend or family member will help too.  You can hit up two stores at once, or save a place in a line while the other runs back to grab an extra item.  Not too big a group though or you will waste time browsing and chatting!

Bring some cash.  While Black Friday is not as big here as in the US, it is still one of the busiest shopping days in Canada and it can put a strain on credit card and debit processing systems.  It is not unheard of for the system to go down, so some cash always helps.

Use rebates and loyalty cards: I remember shopping during Black Friday last year and watching someone buy a television along with other items at Shoppers Drug Mart and not use an Optimum card.  I stood there behind them thinking of my 20x offer sitting on my card which would have been $100+ back in points at bonus redemption.  With so many people not using points on their cards, it is also a good time to redeem loyalty points or just use the card to keep it active.

There are lots of discount gift cards to be had during the year and even this week.  Pick them up now and decide what you will buy with them.  Plus buy the ones offered on Black Friday for Boxing Day shopping!

While the grocery rebate apps will not have many big ticket items, it is always a good idea to check to see what is available and if shopping online, check for online rebates at select stores to help you make the most of your shopping.

Get social: While SmartCanucks has an extensive list of Black Friday sales, there are many smaller stores you may visit that we will not know about.  Follow your favourites on social media and watch for flash sales throughout the day.  During big shopping days, I like to add notifications for stores I plan to buy from so I don’t miss a sale – even if I have to delete some extra push notifications throughout the day.

Lastly, of course, check back with us throughout the day as we add more sales and be nice to store staff, they are working and probably a lot more stressed at the lineups than you are!

If you are shopping online for Black Friday deals, don’t be surprised if you get them delivered over the weekend.  Black Friday and Cyber Monday are becoming huge shopping days in Canada and Canada Post want to get a headstart on those deliveries.  While Toronto residents had weekend deliveries over the past two weekends, it is rolling out to the rest of Canada this weekend.

Since they are renting vehicles and hiring new workers, your mail carrier may show up in a non-Canada Post logo’ed van or truck and may not be your usual carrier.

If you are mailing gifts to friends and family, they are extending the hours at their retail locations.  Don’t forget to check out the holiday mail dates to get it there on time.

Good morning 🙂 Happy Monday! Merry Mondays are back! Starbucks Canada starts their sweet “Merry Mondays” promotion each Monday for Rewards Members only! Today’s deal is:

Earn 30 bonus stars when you spend $15 or more in a single transaction! This offers is valid today, Monday, November 21, 2016 from 2PM–close at participating Starbucks and Teavana stores! Bonus Stars will be automatically loaded to your Starbucks Rewards account within 24 hours!

Click here to sign-up to become a Starbucks Rewards member.

Click here to shop at Starbucks Canada online.

Few days and Costco Canada will start his Black Friday Deals on Thursday November 24, 2016. SmartCanucks will post Costco Canada Black Friday when it is ready.

Also, get ready for the holiday, click here for guide to the holidays.

Using Black Friday and Cyber Monday to finish your Christmas shopping?  If you need to mail internationally, you need to shop soon as deadlines are fast approaching.  You have already missed the dates for the cheaper surface mail option and most Air Mail will need to be mailed by December 2nd (sooner for Africa).

If you are shipping within Canada, you can safely wait for those Cyber Monday orders to arrive.  You have until December 12th to ship regular parcel to the US and Canada.  Leave it any later and you will have to pay for Xpresspost.

If you are sending Christmas cards, you need to get them out for December 5th for international mail, December 12th to the US and the 19th for Canada.

See all holiday mailing dates here.

Sabra Canada Inc. is recalling certain Sabra brand hummus products from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled products. Click here to view the recalled products.

What you should do
Check to see if you have recalled products in your home. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased.

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness. Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

Click here to get more information about this Costco Canada recall.

Happy Saturday 🙂 Shop at Home Outfitters Canada for their one-day deals from now until Christmas! Today Home Outfitters is offering:

• Save $130.00 off on Nespresso VertuoLine Coffee and Espresso machine bundle, now for $169.99 (regular price is $299.99)!
• Save 25% off all Nespresso Coffee machines.
• Save $130.00 off on Nespresso Citiz & Milk Espresso machine bundle, now for $189.99 (regular price is $319.99)!
• PLUS, Scratch & Save is on now at Home Outfitters stores! This promotion is valid until Sunday, November 20, 2016 only.

These Home Outfitters Canada deals are valid in-stores today, Saturday, November 19, 2016 only. While supplies last.

Also, The Home Outfitters has released their new weekly coupons:

• Save 25% on a single regular priced item when you use your Hudson’s Bay MasterCard or Hudson’s Bay Credit Card
• Save 15% on a single regular priced kitchen electric, household appliance, beverage pods, beverage consumable, vacuum
  or personal care item with any tender
• Save 20% on a single regular priced item with any tender, excludes kitchen electrics, household appliances, beverage pods, beverage consumables, vacuums & personal care
• and more offers.

Home Outfitters coupons are valid from Friday, November 18 until Thursday, November 24, 2016. Print or display coupon on your smartphone to get your discount.

Click here to view Home Outfitters Canada flyers.

Click here to shop online at Hudson’s Bay Canada.

The Home Depot Canada has a new list of workshops! The The Home Depot Canada today FREE workshops includes:

• How to Install Hardwood Flooring

Learn how to measure, cut and install hardwood flooring. The Home Depot Canada FREE workshops is valid today, Saturday, November 19, 2016 – 10:00 am to 11:00 am

To book your slot at a workshop, contact your local Home Depot location.

Click here to read more about these workshops at The Home Depot Canada.

Cineplex Canada has released their new schedule. The Cineplex Canada Family Favourites Movies include:

• Today, Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 11am the film The Secret Life of Pets, Comedy, Adventure, Family, is the Family Favourites for $2.99 (1h 31m).

Here’s the upcoming movie every Saturday morning at 11am for Cineplex Family Favourites at $2.99 each:

November, 2016:

Here is a sneak peak of Microsoft Canada‘s upcoming Black Friday deals! These deals will be available starting on Thursday November 24th. During Microsoft’s Black Friday sale, you will find great deals on Surface, PCs, Xbox and more! Here are some of the amazing deals:

Surface

• Save $350 on Surface Pro 4 Core M – $829 (Was: $1,179)
• Save $280 on Surface Pro 4 i5 256/8GB – $1,399 (Was: $1.679)
• Save $250 on Surface Book i5 128GB – $1,699 (Was: $1,949)

Laptop

• Save $450 on the Dell Inspiron 15 for $499 (Was: $949)
• Buy a Dell Inspiron 13 for $499 (Was: $669)
• Buy a Dell Inspiron 17 for $699 (Was: $949)
• Buy a HP Notebook 15 for $399 (save: $250)
• Buy a HP Pavilion x360 for $799 (save: $200)

 XBOX

• Get a $50 Microsoft store gift card (promo code) with purchase of an Xbox One console
  • This offer is Xbox One S, starting at $299, save up to $60 + $50 promo code + select game
• Save up to 50% on select Xbox One games, starting at $29.99
• Save $10 on Xbox Live Membership Subscriptions
• Save $15 on select Xbox One Controllers

Mobile

• Buy an Unlocked Lumia 950XL and receive an Unlocked 950 + 2 free Microsoft Display Docks
• Save $150 on HP Elite X3 – $849 ($999)

Accessories

• Bose SoundLink Around-Ear Wireless Headphones – $249 (Was: $279)
• Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker II – $219 (Was: $249)
• Save $600 on the Parrot BeBop Drone 2 Red & SkyController Bundle – $599 (Was: $1,199.99)
• Parrot BeBop Drone – $599 (Was: $799)

Microsoft Canada has FREE shipping and returns on all orders!

Click here to shop at Microsoft Canada!

Starbucks Canada is bringing back their sweet “Merry Mondays” promotion where each Monday over the next three weeks they will have a new deal that will be made exclusive to Rewards Members on each day of the offer from 2pm-close. To receive these offers, you will have to pay for your purchase using your membership App or card, as this promotion is for Rewards Members only!

Starbucks offers are redeemable at participating Starbucks and Teavana stores and include:

• November 21: Spend $15 or more in a single transaction and receive 30 Bonus Stars!
• November 28: Spend $20 or more in a single transaction and receive 40 Bonus Stars!
• December 5: Get half off any single Frappuccino blended beverage!

Bonus Stars will be automatically loaded to this Starbucks Rewards account within 24 hours!

Click here to sign-up to become a Starbucks Rewards member.

Click here to shop at Starbucks Canada online.

Tommy Hilfiger Canada Black Friday 2016 sale starts on November 21st and the deals last till November 27th, 2016. Get 30-50% off Entire Store. Plus, present this offer in-store and receive 20% off your purchase of $200 or more or 15% off your entire purchase.

November 21-27 Tommy Hilfiger Black Friday sale: Original store price. Valid on select items. All styles not available at all locations. THIS OFFER EXPIRES ON 2016-11-27 and is redeemable for an amount up to the discount stated on this Offer and must be presented in-person at Tommy Hilfiger stores in Canada. It may be used only once whether or not fully redeemed and must be surrendered at purchase with any remaining value of the Offer forfeited. Not redeemable for store credit or cash. The Offer may not be combined with any other promotion and has no cash value. It is not valid for previously purchased merchandise or gift cards. Any discount (as shown on the receipt) applied to merchandise that is returned will be deducted from any refund amount. Customer must present card at time of purchase to receive the Offer. Reproductions of the Offer will not be accepted. PVH associates not eligible. Not valid in department stores, Tommy Hilfiger Clearance stores anywhere in the world, or in Tommy Hilfiger stores outside of Canada. Promo Code: 500014138000.

Today American Apparel LLC filed for its second bankruptcy protection in just over a year. The second bankruptcy comes as the retailer struggles to overcome years of losses and rising online competition. The company became a part of popular culture for its racy and sexual advertising. American Apparel listed assets and liabilities in the range of $100 million to $500 million, according to a Delaware court filing.

Canadian apparel maker Gildan Activewear Inc said it agreed to buy intellectual property rights related to the American Apparel brand and certain assets from American Apparel for about $66 million in cash. Gildan will not be purchasing any retail store assets, it said in a statement.

Throughout the competitive sale process, American Apparel will run its business as usual in the United States and this will have no noticeable effect on day-to-day operations in the United States. The company said last week it was winding down its operations in the UK.

Click here for more information on American Apparel!

Shoppers Drug Mart Canada Bonus Redemption points is expected to take place on November 26th and 27th 2016. We will keep you updated once this is confirmed!

Click here to check Shoppers Drug Mart’s latest flyers.