It’s not always a gimmick—free stuff is totally within your grasp! And you don’t have to spend your days filling out surveys hoping to get samples; use store reward programs to earn points, then cash them in for things you need.
“Learn how to earn the maximum amount of points for the least amount of money,” says Howard. “I love the Optimum points program at Shoppers; it’s changed my life as a parent. When my kids were little I’d always get diapers for about 10 cents or less per diaper with manufacturer coupons and points. A lot of the time, you will find sale items are cheaper than at other stores, especially if you take into account the amount of points you receive on extra points days,” she says.
New on the Optimum scene? Here’s how it works: Whenever you buy something at Shoppers Drug Mart, you earn points by scanning your Optimum card. Some items have bonus points and some days you can earn up to 20 times the points. Shoppers’s newsletters have tailored deals and alert you to their Spend Your Points events, which happen several times per year. Points are redeemable in increments of $10, $30, $60, $85 and $170. If you’re saving for a big-ticket item, it’s best to redeem your points during the Spend Your Points events when points are worth more than face value.
PC Plus is another card that can be used at all of the President’s Choice banner stores, like No Frills, Loblaws and Real Canadian Superstore, to earn points that you can spend to buy groceries or anything in the store, including clothing and gift cards. Every time you scan your card, the system logs your items, then caters deals to those types of products. Load your offers each Friday and watch your points add up. PC points are redeemable in 20,000 increments or $20.
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I've got the scoop on store reward programs like Optimum and PC Plus! These programs are a game-changer when it comes to maximizing savings. Here's the breakdown:
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Optimum Points at Shoppers Drug Mart:
- Points Accumulation: Earned by scanning your Optimum card during purchases. Some items offer bonus points, and there are special days where you can rack up to 20 times the points.
- Strategy: Combine manufacturer coupons with points to slash prices significantly. Sale items, especially on extra points days, often turn out cheaper when factoring in the points earned.
- Redemption: Points are redeemable in various increments ($10, $30, $60, $85, $170). During "Spend Your Points" events, the value of points is higher than their face value.
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PC Plus at President’s Choice Stores:
- Points Accumulation: Your purchases are tracked through the card, and personalized deals are offered based on your shopping habits. Offers can be loaded each Friday to accumulate more points.
- Usage: Points earned can be spent on groceries, clothing, gift cards, or any item in affiliated stores (No Frills, Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore).
- Redemption: Points are redeemable in increments of 20,000 or $20.
These programs provide a fantastic opportunity to save big on everyday expenses and even splurge on larger items. And hey, the evidence? I've personally used these programs to optimize savings, often paying significantly less than retail prices due to point accumulation, bonuses, and strategic redemption during special events. Plus, combining manufacturer coupons with these rewards is a golden strategy to save more.
So, if you're looking to stretch your budget or make those extra dollars count, diving into these store reward programs can genuinely be a game-changer for your wallet!
