A few years ago, when a group of friends and I were planning a vacation, I shuddered when someone mentioned, “all-inclusive”. How could such a thought even enter their minds? Certainly there are other alternatives, that would be easy to plan, an escape from the dreariness of yet another Canadian Winter, where we can eat our faces off and not worry about the bill, for a week, for under $1000?

Well, apparently the answer is “No” as we ended up at some 4-star resort in Varadero which was actually quite relaxing.

Since then, I’ve had a change of heart about all-inclusive vacations. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with them as long as they’re not your only source of “experiencing culture” – one of the reasons I go on vacation. The other reasons why all-inclusives make sense to me are 1) I dread the cold weather and 2) I’m usually on a limited budget/time-line.

To combat the bit of guilt for immersing myself in a fakeland of sloth-like gluttony, I just eat as much as I can handle (I just eat more frequently! ;), walk on the beach A LOT, and try to do at least one excursion to get a sense of what “real life” is really like.

Since I don’t have too much money to devote to travel, I tend to do these sun vacays every other year – mixing it up with seeing other places that I have never been to before. With that said, I should just toss any guilt aside, relax, and just enjoy my vacation no matter where I decide to go!

If you’re fortunate enough to take a vacation, how do you decide where to go?  Do you think going on an all-inclusive vacation is money well-spent? If not, how do you prefer to spend your vacation fund?

Go Coupons has some great new coupons available for order!

*Save $1.00 on Cavendish Red Diced Potatoes
*Save $0.75 on Lassonde flavur
*Save $4.00 on Wampole Liquid Calcium
*Save $0.75 on Oasis Premium Health Break Juice Nature’s Collection
*Save $0.75 on Oasis Nutrisource Juice
*Save $1.00 on Cavendish Sweet Potato Strips

Click here to order your discount coupons.

Mac’s is offering  a printable coupon for a tasy treat.  Buy one get one Aero Mint Chocolate Bar until April 25th 2011. Click here to print off your coupon.  I was surprised to find out last week that allegedly one of the local Mac’s stores hasn’t paid employees for three months! They’ve even been picketing  outside and everything. I definitely won’t be visiting that store until the employees are paid in full.

*Spring Sale valid in-store and online for a limited time only and on select merchandise. Does not include promo priced items (such as Spring Break Deals and Accessories Deals). At gymboree.com, prices reflect discount. In stores, discount will be taken at register.

I can’t tell you how much I love Gymboree. Their stuff is so adorable and when you watch the sales and promos, the prices are comparable to what you would pay at Walmart or Zellers. For example, this girls’ brown corduroy pants was orginally $29.75, now on sale for $8.99. I always seem to go overboard every time I go there though. Can’t resist the deals!

*50% discount automatically applied at checkout. Enter code SHIPSPRING to get free ground shipping on orders that include at least one regular price item (ends April 3rd).

Went to Ricki’s today to check out their in-store promo of 40% off select spring items, but didn’t find anything I liked. The clearance section had lots of selection, but the pieces I really liked are from the new collection, which are regular-priced. What I love about Ricki’s is that they cater to sizes 0-18.

Click here to shop online.

*Take 50% off all prices ending in $.98. Discount will be applied at checkout. Free shipping offer is valid on online orders of $25 or more before taxes. Previous purchases are not eligible for this promo. Promo available in-store and online for a limited time.

Went to Suzy today to check out their new arrivals. Lots of grey, olive, pink, and purple in the new collection. Lots of selection in the back where the sale items are, but I didn’t buy anything because I’m waiting for the shopping party that’s coming up. Very excited!

Click here to shop online.

If you happen to be in the Keele/Finch area this weekend, pop on over to Kitchen Stuff Plus’ Indoor Warehouse Sale!

Where: 100 Toro Road, Toronto

When: Saturday, April 2nd AND Sunday, April 3rd from 8am – 5pm

Some examples from the email notice include:

• 6pc. Henkels Viara Knife Block w/ bonus 8″ Carving Knife – $99.99, reg. $299.99
• Oster Cordless Corkscrew – $19.99, reg. $39.99
• Oster Wide Mouth Juice Extractor – $69.99, reg. $99.99
• Sunbeam Classic Mixmaster Stand Mixer – $79.99, reg. $159.99
• …and more!

Note:  There are limited quantities on some items, so shop early to avoid disappointment.

The email notice I received states “up to 90% off”, but that’s on their “Scratch and Dent” merch. Other items on their advertisement are closer to 50%. Still not bad if you’re looking for new knives, coffeemaker, small appliances, patio set,…you name it. Also great for gift giving or those upcoming weddings!

Warehouse Sale is not posted on the website, but I received this notice through their e-newsletter.

Save $5 Off the 4 Disc Blu-Ray Combo Pack of Disney’s Tangled with the printable coupon from Disney Movie Rewards.

The combo pack is my favorite as it comes with the DVD copy for the kids to watch in the play room, the Blu-Ray copy for me to watch on the PS3 , the 3D-Copy for those of you that have the television for it and the digital copy to load onto the portable devices for trips to grandma’s.

Get your coupon here.

The Children’s Place just started their Spring Sale and is offering 40% off  discounts on reduced styles and on their Dressy Collection.

They are also having a Mix-and-Match sale with many summer items such as tops and shorts starting at $8.

Might be a good time to use the coupon from jeo220 posted below!

Find a location near you by clicking here.

If you’re in the market for new cast iron cookware, look no further! Kitchen Stuff Plus has extended their sale on Lodge Cast Iron Cookware ’til April 3rd.

I personally haven’t used anything from the Lodge brand, but I’m guessing that it’s the American-made version of Le Creuset…without the fancy-schmancy pricing! I do, however, use a cast iron pot and won’t go back to a regular pot. The iron distributes the heat evenly, so I don’t have to bother tilting it or finding its “spots”.

Other benefits of using cast iron include:

• Durable – Will last a lifetime!
• Healthy Cooking – Requires little to no additional oil, contains no paint or toxins
• Goes from stovetop to oven

Don’t only take my word for it, click here to print off your additional 20% off Lodge brand cookware.  See below banner.  Offer good only for in-store purchases.  Prices are very reasonable for what you get.  Think of it as a small investment to your kitchen!

I was enjoying a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard on Sunday when I noticed that if you join the Dairy Queen Blizzard Fan Club you can get 6 coupons for Buy 1 Get 1 Free Blizzard per year.

This does sign you up for their newsletter but certainly that’s what hotmail accounts are for: email deals without consequences.

You can sign up at their website at the bottom of the main page, click here.

We blogged about this quite sometime ago but it’s time for a refresher.  In select bowling allleys kids can bowl free up to two games a day this summer.  Certain dates and restrictions apply.   They have a great FAQ section, that covers most quandaries one may have.

Click here to see if your local alley is participating!

Until April 13th 2011, spend $30 or more on Biotherm products and receive a great gift with purchase. 

Included:

*Eau de Paradis Spray 15 mL

*Eau de Paradis Shower Gel 75 mL

 *Your EXCLUSIVE BIOTHERM bathrobe!

I absolutely love the pore reducing gel cleanser from Biotherm, so I always wait until a special offer to stock up.  I wonder what the spray and shower gel smell like. Either way I’m ordering.

Click here to check out Biotherm at Sears.

We at Smart Canucks have decided to expand our blog team.  I am looking to put together a reliable, dependable team to blog about various Canadian deals, freebies and hot buys on a regular basis.

Applicants must be able to  write fluently in English. You do not have to be perfect, spell check is a wonderful tool!  However we would like to keep our blog growing and continue to grow to a higher standard as we expand in the future.

Basic training and general direction will be provided.  This is a paid position which will be discussed further with potential team members.  If your interested in becoming a team member of our infamous blog please apply directly to me:

Sally@ Smartcanucks.ca (remove space after @)

Please include a “sample” of your writing and a picture you would choose to go along with the topic of your sample.

Thank you

Please note only applicants that are chosen for further consideration will be contacted.

*Please do not send me your personal pictures, any random pic that pertains to your topic is just fine! It doesn’t matter to us what you look like 🙂

*Up new openings*

BookClouseouts.Com is holding their Spring Fling sale where 1000+ titles have been discounted by 50%. You’ll find a wide variety of books in categories such as House & Home, History, Children, Nonfiction, Cooking, Food & Wine, Crafts & Hobbies, Sports & Recreation, Reference, Nature & Outdoors, Gardening, Antiques & Collectibles, Transportation, Health & Fitness, Body, Mind & Spirit, Pets, Stationery, Self Help, Religion & Spirituality, and much more. With prices starting at $0.99 I’m sure you’ll find something to suit you.

Click here to browse the sale at BookCloseouts.com.