Tip of the Week: Shoppers Optimum points

Despite what you may think, I’m not a huge fan of loyalty programs. Not because they don’t help me save money but because I hate carrying all kinds of extra cards in my wallet. With most programs, it takes forever to get the even smallest reward.

Shoppers Optimum card is one exception. Shoppers’ Drug Mart is my neighbourhood drugstore. Here’s how it works: For every $1 you spend, you earn 1o Shoppers Optimum rewards point. Once you earn at least 3,500 points you can cash them in for store credit. [Update, I accidentally transposed the amount spent with the number of points earned. It has been corrected. Thanks Chris for alerting me to the error.]

There are also all kinds of products with extra bonus points and other special offers when you can earn all kinds of bonus points. I make a habit of stocking up on days when they offer 10x or 20x the points on purchases. For example, starting today if you spend $50 or more at the cosmetics counter, you’ll get 20x the points.

I’ve also learned a big secret. Twice a year Shoppers’ offers extra credit when you cash in your Optimum points (July and November). At 75,000 points (the max.), instead of getting the usual $150 credit I’ve been getting $200 to use towards a shopping spree (I have to pay the tax.) It’s also the time when I pamper myself and try out a new high-priced goodie from the cosmetics counter.

Recently, they’ve introduced a program where you can donate your Optimum points to a registered charity – I just found out while researching for this post. What a great idea!

Clarins gave me baby-soft skin

I spend a small fortune on my make-up and tend to cheap-out when it comes to skin care.

A few weeks ago, I decided to treat myself and bought a $50 exfoliant (instead of either a) not using one; or, b) using one the one I bought from The Body Shop a year ago that leaves my shower full of sandy grains).

I had been messing around with self-tanning lotion and knew it was time to bite the bullet and buy a decent exfoliant. I asked the cosmetician from my neighbourhood Shoppers what she recommended. Without missing a beat, she suggested one of two products from Clairns. I sampled both and decided on the new Toning Body Polisher with essential oils. Why? Because it was a smidge cheaper than the Smoothing Body Scrub and I liked how it smelled.

After the first use, my skin was noticeably softer. There wasn’t a huge residue in the bathtub and I smelled amazing! Actually, my whole house smells amazing for an entire day after I use this product.

Anyway, now I’m hooked. How about you? Have you tried any new beauty products this summer that you don’t know how you lived without?

What the community did for Earth Day

In honour of Earth Day I thought I’d ask members of the twitter community what they were doing today to make a difference and help save the planet.

I got some wonderful answers:

allthingsjen @Bargainista Sending Someecards for Earth Day! Save a tree send an ecard! http://tinyurl.com/6pdqus

DoctorJones @bargainista rode my bike to a client meeting in a suit. We’ll be getting stainless water bottles at work.

Rebecca_M @Bargainista Taking a break from electronics to clean up my back/front yard. BBQ for dinner & get recycling together for collection tomorrow

rjleaman @Bargainista my Earth Day will have lunch hour outdoors, no iPod or book or convo: just looking, listening, strolling, getting reconnected

wmacphail @Bargainista Taking my first long cycle ride into Burlington to have lunch with an old friend.

tamera @EdenSpodek I had all my electronics unplugged except my PC all day, took an extra bag w/ me on my walk in the ravine & picked up trash

danielerossi @EdenSpodek Easy: don’t shop today. Hm, Earth Day should be a day where people don't buy from the corporations and big box stores

acriley @EdenSpodek I’ve got some seeds (beans, etc.) that I am planting with the kidlette today in growers pots. This year I’m planning a garden!

As for me, I took the subway to work, got free coffee from Starbucks by bringing my own cup and refused a bag at Shoppers even though I didn’t bring my own. I got funny looks when I walked back into the office building with a handful of stuff. Actually, I didn’t do anything special - it’s pretty much what I do everyday.

What did you do to celebrate Earth Day?