First things first, I’d like to apologize for slacking on this. In May I announced Watergirl73 as the member of the month but between my vacation and kidney issues, May passed. I’d like to officially Congratulate Watergirl73  once again.  I am still accepting sumbissions so please do revisit this blog and send me your nomination.

Heres a bit of background on Watergirl73

In 2009 watergirl and her husband purchased their new home with only an air mattress and the clothes on their backs. It seemed like the house would not be a home for a long time….

“One day while surfing Kijiji I came across an ad about coupons and answered it. Then I met up with a great girl that had ahuge binder in tow who told me aboout Sc! The more Ilearned about couponing the more time I spent looking for great deals on kijiji and SC. This is how I managed to furnish my entire home and a stockpile of everyday items!”

Watergirl73 has contributed to our forum genuinely. Her motto is “It’s not how much money you make; it’s how you spend it.”

Here is her thread on how she furnished her home with Kijiji

Congratulations once again Watergirl73!

One of our savvy Scer’s Anythingdeco found a great coupon error.

This is a current coupon for Finish Jet Dry or Turbo Dry that I got  in a mail-out. At first I didn’t even notice that one side said save $0.50 cents while the other side said save $1.00. Then if you read the english small print it says that the coupon is ONLY GOOD IN THE USA! If you read the FRENCH side it says it’s only good IN CANADA.

  Someone in the printing department really messed up! Yes you could just cut it but then the expiry is in french only, and we all know what drama that can cause if your cashier can’t speak or read french. Can someone please try stacking this at London Drugs? Haha.   Click here for the closeups.

On June 3rd I logged into Groupon for my daily deal and saw that under Toronto they were offering sets of Rihanna tickets, 2 for $75! Rihanna’s team had overshot and had hastily booked a second show months ago, but the fan response wasn’t there.  I bought 2 right away, knowing that I had the potential at scoring good seats.

The deal sold out quick.  Then people started commenting  that the tickets were not a good deal and you could get mega nosebleeds for cheaper then $75 for two. BUT I knew that even though it stated 300’s they would be good three hundreds or other seats that had not sold.  It was first come first serve.  People started panicking and having their Groupon refunded, so I actually had the opportunity to buy another set, which I did.

We arrived at the ACC around 6:30 and went to the ticket booth. I was handed 4 tickets for section 110 in the first three rows left side stage.  Not only were they great seats right behind the “vip” area but we spotted other celebs such as Karinal Offishall up close and personal!

I feel bad for the people who jumped the gun and lost out on amazing seats that were a premium price. (Or do I?) Remember the saying “If it seems to good to be true it probably is” doesn’t ALWAYS apply.

Pic provided kindly by Anna who sat next to me.

Crap, and my Cole Haan purse should of been in tomorrow.

Iceblueraven let us know about this most recent development.

Following 12 days of increasingly costly rotating strikes by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), Canada Post has suspended operations across the country.

The accelerating decline in mail volumes and revenue combined with the inability to deliver mail on a timely and safe basis has left Canada Post with no choice but to make this decision.

Specifically, we have taken this action for the following reasons:

• Rotating strikes have had a significant impact on short-term revenue. Canada Post’s losses are approaching $100 million since the rotating strikes began – and that figure is climbing daily;
• Over the past few days, several incidents have raised concerns about the ability to move the mail while keeping employees and customers safe;
• Canada Post and CUPW remain far apart on several fundamental issues and there has been no progress made at the negotiating table for weeks.

If we allow the uncertainty created by the rotating strikes to continue, we will not be able to remain financially self-sufficient and risk becoming a burden on Canadian taxpayers.

We believe that a lockout is the best way to bring a timely resolution to this impasse and force the union to seriously consider proposals that address declining mail volumes and the $3.2-billion pension deficit.

Canada Post continues to believe that the best result from this round of bargaining is a negotiated settlement.

The company had hoped to reach an agreement without a disruption in postal services, which is why the company has made every effort to protect the pay, pension and job security of existing employees.

Plans are in place to secure all mail that is left in the system during the lockout, and to resume normal operations quickly once the current situation is resolved.

Click here for the official announcement.

Question: Why do certain grocery stores have “You break, you buy” signs posted in regards to bananas, whereas other grocery stores couldn’t give two cents, whether or not you want to break the hands apart, buying 1-2 bananas out of the bunch?

I’m just really curious as to why breaking is bad? What’s the mentality behind keeping the bunches, as is? Is noone going to buy a lone banana? Does the breaking sound annoy the staff?

My inquiring mind wants to know! Do you break bananas?

The banning of shark fin soup, a Chinese delicacy, has been in the news lately. I didn’t think it was a big deal until I heard HOW the fins were obtained.

According to a news story I heard, the fins are literally cut off and then the shark’s body is thrown back into the sea, to become fish food. If not eaten, the shark essentially drowns because it cannot swim. 🙁 The rest of the shark’s body isn’t used because its flesh is “tasteless”.

(I cannot confirm this as an epicurean fact because I have never eaten shark.)

In Rob Stewart’s 2006 documentary, Sharkwater, Stewart examines WHO the enemy really is, shark or man? And now the Canadian filmmaker is spearheading – pardon the pun – the campaign to ban the sale/use of shark fin.

Knowing what I know now, plus the fact that the Great White Shark is currently on the list of endangered species, I think that I’m okay with not eating this dish of delicious death!

Besides, I’m sure we can think of an ingenious replacement, fit for human consumption, for shark fin…

Shoppers Drug Mart now has an official coupon policy.

Basic Rules

Q: Are there limits with coupons per transaction? For example, I heard that there is a limit of 4 coupons only per transaction. Is this correct?

A: This is not correct. There is no limit to the number of coupons you can use in a single transaction. However, you can only use one coupon per item in your purchase, provided they are all applicable.

Q: Can I use more than one coupon to buy a single item? For example, I want to buy a bottle of shampoo that costs $5. Can I use 2 coupons worth $1 each to bring the price down to $3?

A: There can only be one coupon accompanying each individual product. In this case, you could only use one coupon for a total discount of $1 (see next question for details).

Q: Can I use one coupon for more than one product? For example, I have 1 coupon for $2 off a bottle of shampoo, and I want to buy 3 bottles. Can I use the same coupon for all three?

A: You cannot use one coupon for 3 products. However, if you have three coupons, you can use one coupon for each item. However, if the second coupon is for Optimum Bonus Points, you can use both the standard coupon to lower the price and the points coupon to claim the Bonus Points.

Q: I have a $10 off coupon. Can I use it in a purchase toward the [Cosmetics 20x] Event? The rules say the Event cannot be combined with other offers, but it also says it has to be $75 after discounts. Which is it?

A: The $10 coupon can be used on your purchase, but it will NOT count toward the pre-tax event threshold. This means that if the Event says something like “Receive 20x the Points if you spend $75 in store,” then you would need to spend $75 before tax and after the coupons have been deducted in order to qualify. Please check the rules and regulations for each event or promotion to make sure these rules apply to that particular offer.

Q: I have a coupon that was printed in the United States. Can I use it at Shoppers Drug Mart?

A: Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix will only accept coupons with a Canadian redemption address printed on them. We cannot redeem manufacturer coupons that were printed in the United States of America or in other countries.

Q: I have a coupon from one of your competitors. Can I use it at Shoppers Drug Mart?

A: No. We will only accept coupons from Shoppers Drug Mart, vendors or manufacturers.

Digital and Online Coupons:

Q: I found a coupon for a product online. Can I print it and use it in your stores?

A: Yes. Coupons printed from the internet or from email are accepted at all of our locations, provided they meet industry standards and are valid. Our stores retain the right to refuse any coupon that does not meet legal standards or appears to have been tampered with.

Q: A company sent me a coupon for their product via email. Can I print it and use it in your stores?

A: Yes. Coupons printed from the internet or from email are accepted at all of our locations, provided they meet industry standards and are valid. Our stores retain the right to refuse any coupon that does not meet legal standards or appears to have been tampered with.

Q: Do you accept digital coupons displayed on my mobile phone or tablet device?

A: Not at this time. We will post an announcement on Facebook and Twitter if and when this changes.

Coupon Amounts:
Q: I have a $2 coupon for a product, but sometimes the sale price for it is only $1.99. Can I use this coupon for this product during the sale?
A: Yes, you can. Our cashiers will enter the actual price for the item with the coupon code, instead of the printed price. In this case, they will enter the coupon value as $1.99 instead of $2. No change will be provided.

Q: I have a $2 coupon for a product and just purchased it on sale for $1.89. Will Shoppers Drug Mart pay me the $.11 difference?
A: No. Coupons and portions of coupons have no cash value, so no change will be given.

Coupon Rejection/Refusal:
Q: What are some conditions that might lead to my coupon being refused?
A: Coupon offers are variable, so you need to pay particular attention to the coupon details to make sure you have met the minimum pre-tax or product purchase requirements. All coupons must have manufacturer information, a valid expiry date and country of origin. Some reasons why a coupon might be refused include:
• The redemption address is not located in Canada
• You have not met the minimum pre-tax or product purchase requirements as stated on the coupon
• The coupon does not appear to be valid or is missing required information
• The product brand, size or type does not match the coupon
• The coupon is for a product not sold in store
• The coupon shows evidence of tampering

Scanning Code of Practice (SCOP)
Q: Do you follow the SCOP (Scanning Code of Practice)?
A: Yes, we do.

Q: What is SCOP (the Scanning Code of Practice)?
A: The Scanner Price Voluntary Code is not legislation but is, instead, a voluntary code which has evolved from the collaborative efforts of the Retail Council of Canada, the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores, the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers and the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors. It was implemented in 2002. A copy of the Code can be found on www.retailcouncil.org.

The Item Free Scanner Policy, which forms part of the Code, provides that “on a claim being presented by the customer, where the scanned price of a product at checkout is higher than the price displayed in the store or than advertised by the store, the lower price will be honoured; and (a) if the correct price of the product is $10 or less, the retailer will give the product to the customer free of charge; or (b) if the correct price of the product is higher than $10, the retailer will give the customer a discount of $10 off the corrected price”.

There are several exceptions to this Item Free Scanner Policy set out in the Code, including that it does not apply “to a product where, in respect of the product, the law (a) establishes a minimum price (or specified price); or (b) does not permit the retailer to offer a discount or a rebate”. Further, the Code provides that “when a retailer cannot immediately correct a scanner error in respect of a product, it will post a correction notice in a conspicuous place. Once such a notice has been posted, the Item Free Scanner Policy is no longer in effect in respect of the relevant product.”

Other Questions:
Q: I am going to a store to buy some products with full value coupons, so I won’t pay anything out of pocket. Will I get a receipt for this purchase?
A: Yes. You should always receive a receipt, even if your entire purchase is paid for with coupons. It will show that a number of coupons were applied and that you didn’t pay anything. This will also make it easier for you, if you need to return or exchange something.

Click here for more information via Shoppers Drug Mart’s Facebook page.

Today Blockbuster has started a clearance sale, since many locations are closing (146) in a month.  Unfortunately the future had been bleak for the Canadian Blockbuster chain since the US counterpart filed for bankruptcy last year.  If you have a Blockbuster gift card I highly suggest you use it as they are NOT accepting gift cards anymore at the closing locations. It might be hard to find a location near you that your card will still be applicable.

Here is a list of stores closing posted by the Globe and Mail

**UPDATE**  Blockbuster is now offering 50-70% off their inventory in many of the locations that are closing down.  Although the selection may be limited, it might be worth checking out especially for movies, snacks and used games.

Our beautiful SmartCanucks member cheapNcheeky won a Dove Canada contest and went to a photoshoot that is to appear in Elle Magazine! Congrats 😀

Click here to read more about her experience with the contest and photoshoot

Came across this on reddit and thought I’d share:

[youtube]eCAfjOlToAw[/youtube]

The guy in the above video clearly made a big mistake:

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For the past few days, the impending – and now rotating – Canada Post strike has been in the news.

And by now, most of you have already received ominous, spam-like emails stating that a strike will not exempt you from paying your bills…on-time! Darn it. So aside from being proactive, looking up your credit card and other balances owing, online, do you personally still need the postal service?

Honestly, I do not remember the last time that I sent/received a personal letter to a friend or family member. However, I do do a fair share of both selling/buying on eBay, so this impending strike has forced me to slow down my business. In addition to warning my buyers, I am also listing less in fear that the rotation will hit Toronto next!

Today, while dropping off a package at the postal counter, located inside Shoppers Drug Mart, I asked the clerk if she knows when Toronto’s turn will be. Her response? Well, we’re responsible for generating 60% of the lettermail/parcels in Canada. I’m not sure if she was referring to Toronto or Ontario, sending or receiving, but I found this off-the-cuff statistic quite interesting.

If this stat is anywhere near accurate, Toronto will probably be one of the last places to be hit, as it’ll be used as a sort of “bargaining chip” for the postal workers.

So the question remains, will a postal strike have any affect on you, and if so, how?

I had to share this video Lynn49 posted on the forum. This is one amazing man, his story brought tears to my eyes. It makes you really realize how lucky we are.  I haven’t seen such a moving contestant on one of these shows since Susan Boyle.

[youtube]BewknNW2b8Y[/youtube]

Did you know that every week items are recalled and the general public still uses/consumes the item never realizing the potential hazards leading to the recalls?

 Today Leenea emailed me about the recall on Life Brand Junior Strength Acetaminophen Tablets in the 160 mg bottle and Children’s Strength Acetaminophen Tablets in the 80 mg bottle  (the child-resistant packaging is faulty.)  I had a bottle of this and sure enough my chilld could of gotten into the bottle easily.

A list of current recalls can be found at the Health Canada website by clicking here.  It’s also very worthwhile taking a look through past recalls as so many of us don’t realize an item has been recalled, and can pose a life threatening hazard.  It’s also a great source if your having a garage sale.  The law states it is the sellers responsibility to not sell anything that has been recalled, or is illegal to sell (ie. baby walkers, lawn darts.)

Keep Safe Canada!

Have a tip or trick for me to blog? Simply fill out the form on the blog to “suggest a deal.”

I’m neither from the West Coast nor a hockey fan, but last night, I came across this ironic and interesting story.

Apparently, as of yesterday, 62 Boston Pizzas in BC have temporarily changed their name to “Vancouver Pizza” in honour of their home team making it to the finals. Talk about pressure!

The irony is that Boston Pizza is neither from Boston nor Vancouver, as stated in this article, but the company actually started in Edmonton, AB as per the company’s website!

I guess “Edmonton Pizza” just doesn’t have the same ring to it?

Recently, I just finished taking advantage of 30-days free at a local gym. I received a coupon and found out that another friend of mine, who lived nearby, had the same coupon, so we signed up at the same time to be Workout Buddies. Surprisingly, there was no catch…’cept that the gym wasn’t a good one!

So here are some things to consider if&when you are planning to select a gym in the future. You know your gym sucks when…
– The staff, especially at the reception desk, isn’t friendly. Remember, just because you’re using a free pass, you are still a potential client!

– 2 out of the 8 sinks in the washroom work. This doesn’t change during subsequent visits.

– Similar to the sinks, a washroom stall that doesn’t have toilet paper, still doesn’t have t.p. upon your next visit. Even though you’ve pointed it out to the Eastern European Cleaning Lady.

– Not all showers work.

– There are multiple signs like, “Please do not shave/exfoliate in the steam room”, “Please do not leave bandages around”, etc. What kinda clients do they have anyway?

– Not only is the equipment old, but they aren’t maintained, are “Out Of Order” – sometimes with a sign, other times without, you cannot adjust the seat ’cause it’s broken, the thingy to adjust the weight on a machine is missing, etc.

– The lights in the steam room are burnt out. (And it’s completely pitch black in there, I’m talking bathhouse-dark!) There are no switches to adjust the amount of steam, it just comes out of a pipe that juts out of the wall. Furthermore, the steam room smells extremely mouldy; instantly transforming it from a health benefit to a health hazard!

– You see the Cleaning Lady eating KFC in the lounge area. I realise that her job is to clean, but doesn’t that send the wrong message to its members?

– You appear to be fitter than the Personal Trainers.

– You feel like you’re in Bikram Yoga…while you’re on the cardio machines, i.e. there is no circulation in the room!

– Warm water comes out of the water fountain. Mmm…

– Same Cleaning Lady smokes in the alleyway adjacent to your Zumba class and the smoke wafts right in. *cough, cough*

I think that *most* restaurants who offer a Groupon-type deal, especially if the establishment isn’t a new one is because the restaurant is probably bad. So if a gym is offering a deal, the same theory applies, no?