As you all probably know by now, US will require Canadians to present a passport to enter US whatever your means of transport is.

There are 2 ways of applying for a passport:

• Either by mailing an application to Passport Canada
• or visiting a Passport Canada office and applying in person

Chatting with some of the employees at the passport office I’ve found that it takes a significantly shorter time to go to a passport office and apply in person. When you apply in person your application is verified on the spot, you don’t have to mail out your birth certificate and you receive your new passport by courier within 2 weeks. If you mail out your passport application you’ll receive your new passport within 3 months.

Although the press claims that Passport offices are overwhelmed with people and you have to wait for hours and hours, it took me less than an hour at the Ottawa passport office to finish the whole thing! The secret is to go nice and early and have your application filled out and ready. Right now the Ottawa office caters to 1,000 walk-in applicants per day. In January, 2008 they are expecting this number to increase to 5,000.

There is also a new guarantor policy that makes finding a guarantor a piece of cake! Anyone including family members can now be a guarantor as long as they have a valid non-expired Canadian passport.

So here’s a summary of my tips:

• Don’t mail in your application, visit your nearest Passport office and apply in person.
• Go early in the morning.
• Don’t postpone applying for a passport until 2008.
• Get anyone you know with a non-expired Canadian passport to be your guarantor.

Hope that helps 🙂

If anyone has any experience applying for a passport please share it with us.

Banana Republic:
30% off all merchandise
November 30 – December 2, 2007

Old Navy:
20% off all merchandise
25% off all merchandise if you apply for their card
November 30 – December 2, 2007

Unlike other stores, you need the actual invitation to get the discounts at Banana Republic and Old Navy. It is possible (but not guaranteed) that a print out will work. If someone has an invitation can you please scan it and email it to us for others to try? Thanks 🙂

Thanks Cookoo for continuously updating the Save.ca coupons 🙂

Working save.ca sites:
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1. • –> www.save.ca/en/ (Fresh Brush MAX Heavy Duty Pads – FREE product, Senokot·S 60’s Laxative – save $2, SCOTT Paper Towels – save $1, OLIVIERI Fresh Pasta or Sauce – save $1, EGG BEATERS Egg Preparation – save $1, Silk Plus Omega-3 DHA – save 50¢, Nordica Cottage Cheese With Fruit – save 50¢, Li’l Ones Yogurt Multi Pack – save $1, Mrs. Dash Seasoning Blends – save 50¢, Cool Quenchers Any McCain Frozen Concentrated Punch – save 50¢ on any two, Fruit Smooth-eez Any McCain Frozen Smoothie Base – save 75¢, Old South Any McCain Juice Concentrates – save 50¢ on any two, Tide Pure Essentials – save 75¢, Fibresure Dietary Fibre – save $1.50, Ultra Downy Pure Essentials – save 50¢, IAMS Dry Dog Food 7 lb or larger – save $5, IAMS Dry Cat Food 3.5 lb or larger – save $5, DURACELL 2 Regular Packs or 1 Econo Pack – save $1, ROYALE Bathroom Tissue – save $1, Pampers Diapers – Jumbo, Mega or SuperMega – save $2, CREST WHITESTRIPS Daily Multi-Care Product – save $5, Swiffer any two refills – save $2, Swiffer Sweeper or Duster Starter Kit – save $1.50, Swiffer WetJet or Sweep+Vac Starter Kit – save $3)
   • www.save.ca/en/ProductsFsi34.php
   • www.save.ca/en/ProductsFsi35.php
   • www.save.ca/en/ProductsFsi36.php
   • www.save.ca/en/ProductsFsi37.php
2. • –> www.save.ca/en/hms/ (OLAY any Olay Facial Moisturizer product – save $3, OLAY any Olay Facial Cleanser product – save $2, OLAY any Olay Body product – save $1.5, Sun Maid Raisin Bread – save 50¢, Clover Leaf Flavoured Tuna – buy 2 save 50¢)
     
   • www.save.ca/en/hms/ProductsFsi34.php
   • www.save.ca/en/hms/ProductsFsi35.php
   • www.save.ca/en/hms/ProductsFsi36.php
   • www.save.ca/en/hms/ProductsFsi37.php
3. www.save.ca/CAA/ (Febreze or Mr. Clean Auto or Magic Eraser – save $1, Mr. Clean Auto Dry Car Wash System – save $5)
4. www.save.ca/cetaphil_en/ (CETAPHIL Acne Principles – save $5, CETAPHIL Gentle Skin Cleanser – save $2)
5. www.save.ca/en/pantenerestoratives/ (Pantene)
6. www.save.ca/fancyfeast_en/ (Purina PRO PLAN Selects – save $7.50, Purina Busy Bone – save $3, Pro Plan Wet Cat Food – one FREE 85g Tin)
7. www.save.ca/garnier_en/ (GARNIER Skin Care – save $2, GARNIER Haircolour – save $2, GARNIER Haircare – save $2 off any 3 products, Farmers Dairy Squeezable Sour Cream – save 40¢)
8. www.save.ca/gerber/ (Gerber)
9. www.save.ca/gerbercanada/
   
10. www.save.ca/getanewbrush/ (Oral-B Power Brush (excl. Vitality or Cross Action) – save $10, Oral-B Any Vitality Toothbrush – save $3, Oral-B Power Brush Refill Heads – save $3, Oral-B Any Manual Toothbrush – save 50¢)
11. www.save.ca/hecolour/ (HERBAL ESSENCES Any Colour Product – save $5, McCain Solo Gourmet Pizza – any variety – save 75¢)
12. www.save.ca/iamshealthypet/ (IAMS Dry Dog Food 7 lb or larger – save $5, IAMS Dry Cat Food 3.5 lb or larger – save $5)
13. www.save.ca/iamspromise/cat/ (IAMS Dry Cat Food – save $5)
14. www.save.ca/iamspromise/dog/ (IAMS Dry Dog Food – save $5)
15. ***www.save.ca/maybelline_ny_en/ (Maybelline New York Shine Seduction Liquid Lipcolor – save $1, Maybelline New York XXL Intense Mascara – save $1)
16. ***www.save.ca/maybelline_ny_en1/ (MAYBELLINE New York Moisture Extreme Lipstick – save $1, MAYBELLINE New York Expertwear Eyeshadow – save $1)
17. ***www.save.ca/maybelline_ny_en2/ (MAYBELLINE New York Superstay Lipcolour – save $1, MAYBELLINE New York Superstay Silky Foundation – save $1)
18. www.save.ca/mccaincake_en/ (Deep ‘n Delicious Cake – save 50¢)
19. www.save.ca/nne_en/ (nice’n easy Any Hair Colour Product – save $3)
20. www.save.ca/olayoffers_en/ (OLAY Any Olay Facial Cleanser – save $2, OLAY Any Olay Facial Moisturizer – save $3, OLAY Any Olay Body Product – save $1.50, NOXZEMA Any Noxema Product – save $1)
21. www.save.ca/oralcare_en/ (CREST Oral Care)
22. www.save.ca/purex_en/ (Purex Liquid Laundry Detergent – save 50¢)
23. www.save.ca/quakerricecakes/ (Quaker Minis Rice Chips – save 75¢)
24. www.save.ca/ristorantee_2/ (Ristorante Pizza – save $1.50 on 2, Ristorante Antipasto Pizza Appetizers – buy 1 save $1)

Save.ca sites in French:
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1. www.save.ca/fr/
2. www.save.ca/fr/hms/
3. www.save.ca/cetaphil_fr/
4. www.save.ca/fancyfeast_fr/
5. www.save.ca/fr/pantenerestoratives/
6. www.save.ca/garnier_fr/
7. www.save.ca/gerberf/
8. www.save.ca/gerbercanada/fr/
9. www.save.ca/maybelline_ny_fr/
10. www.save.ca/maybelline_ny_fr1/
11. www.save.ca/maybelline_ny_fr2/
12. www.save.ca/nne_fr/
13. www.save.ca/olayoffers_fr/
14. www.save.ca/oralcare_fr/
15. www.save.ca/purex_fr/

Costco Canada posts its in-store coupons online. You can view the coupons at GetMoreOfWhatYouLove.ca

Click here to view the Costco Eastern Canada coupons

Click here to view the Costco Western Canada coupons

Amazing deal from HBC 🙂

The Cineplex gift pack is a holiday classic. It includes four Cineplex admit one certificates, free admission on your birthday, free refreshments, and much more!

• Enjoy over $90 in value!
• $10 off a $50 purchase at Hbc including the Bay, Zellers and Home Outfitters. Valid November 1, 2007 to January 31, 2008
• $10 off a $50 purchase at Chapters, Indigo and Coles. Valid October 31, 2007 to February 14, 2008
• $5 off when you buy any 3 specifically marked Sony BMG Music CDs. Valid November 1, 2007 to April 30, 2008
• Free large Twizzlers with purchase of a large popcorn and a large soft drink
• Free admission on your birthday. Valid November 1, 2007 to December 31, 2008
• Receive 4 Cineplex admit one certificates. Valid November 1, 2007 to October 31, 2009
• Become a SCENE member and earn 1000 points just for joining. Valid November 1, 2007 to January 31, 2008
• Free regular soft drink with the purchase of a large popcorn. Valid November 1, 2007 to March 31, 2008

Don’t forget to shop through Smart Canucks’ Cash Back for an additional 3.5% cash back

Click here for more details on this HBC Canada cineplex gift pack

There’s a $5 coupon off Cranium games in Lipton Soup Boxes:

You’ll also find free in-pack activities such as Conversation Cards to encourage excitement and laughs during mealtime. Look inside specially-marked boxes of Lipton soup and find Cranium game savings: $2 off coupons (inside 2-packs and Cup-a-Soups) and $5 off coupons (inside 4-packs)!

There are 2500 Cranium games to be won, including Family Fun EditionTM, CadooTM , ZoorekaTM and HullabalooTM.

Click here for more details on this Lipton Canada promotion

Shop at La Vie en Rose and receive up to 50% off select merchandise.  Offer valid in store and online – limited time offer, while supplies last.  

 Click here to visit La Vie En Rose online.

On November 3 and 4th receive $3.00 off the purchase of any new string of energy efficient LED lights with in-store coupon when you bring in an old string of incandescent holiday lights to any participating Home Depot Store.   Limit of five coupons per discount per customer (10 in total).  In Manitoba, the face value of the coupon is $5. Limit of three coupons per customer.  

Click here for more information.

Order 50 prints before November 5 2007 from Snapfish and receive a free 2×3 mini book.   Use coupon code: mini50 at checkout and make sure you order your mini book with your prints to qualify for this order.   Mini book contains 24 full page photographs. 

Click here to go to snapfish.com

Purchase any digital camera priced at $99 or higher at the Source By Circuit City and receive this free digital photo key chain ($50 value).  Sorry the email I received did not have the end date for this promotion and I could not find one on the Source by Circuit City website.  😉

Click here to visit the Source By Circuit City website.

On November 3 and 4th spend $50 at Shoppers drug mart and receive a free $10 Petro Canada gift card.  Gift cards must be used between November 4 2007 and November 30, 2007. 

Here are the other restrictions listed in the email I received: Offer valid on the purchase total of eligible products after discounts and redemption’s and before taxes. Excludes prescriptions, products with codeine, tobacco products (where applicable), stamps, lottery tickets, event tickets, transit tickets and passes, electronic gift cards, Life Experiences packages and prepaid phone cards. Due to location restrictions we reserve the right to substitute an item of equivalent value.

On November 3 and 4th Zellers is having a scratch and save.  Based on the email it looks like this offer will get you 10-30% off all toys and gaming software.   Plus if you purchase any 2 games, you receive a free gift box (offer only valid at the electronics counter, while supplies last). 🙂

Between November 2 – November 18 the Body Shop is having a sale on body butter and body scrubs.  Get any two for $30.00.  The Body Shop has some amazing scents and good quality products, and with Christmas coming soon this might make a nice gift for someone! 🙂

Thanks crazyindark for telling me about this awesome coupon 🙂

Click here to print this Canadian Tire coupon

All of us smart canucks know that the best time to shop for Halloween candy is after Halloween ;-)  Check out this forum discussion to find  the best bargains on Halloween treats.

Two members of our forum, willyflyboy and Koala, had a spectacular Halloween display at their house. You can watch videos and see pictures of their Halloween display here.