I am pretty savvy when it comes to saving money. Often my biggest shopping fear is paying full price for something to find out I could have gotten it cheaper had I only looked. I am subscribed to every shopping site newsletter and have every loyalty car you can imagine to help save whenever possible. If I find myself without a coupon code I may do a quick online search to see what I can find. But there is a risk with that. Often I am put on forums and the person who added the link is unknown to me. This then turns to a security issue as clicking could cause problems for my computer. I have also noticed quite often I am looking for a coupon for a Canadian retailer but only finding coupons for other countries. This is where RetailMeNot.ca comes to the rescue.
RetailMeNot.ca is a marketplace platform that helps retailers and brands connect with millions of active shoppers anytime, anywhere to drive engagement and sales. With more than 600,000 coupons and offers for 70,000 retailers, they operate the world’s largest marketplace for digital offers.
As a consumer it is so handy to have an online database of coupon codes that I can easily access when I need them for the items I want to buy.
A recent RetailMeNot.ca survey reveals spending increases as temperatures rise. The survey also showed 74 per cent of Canadians agree that people tend to spend more as the weather gets warmer. In fact, survey respondents plan to spend an average of $1,270 on travel expenses, $1,160 on home improvements, $632 on food and entertainment and $222 on new clothing and shoes between March and June!
Other survey findings include:
- Freezing February: 56 per cent of Atlantic residents and 51 per cent of Ontarians look to travel after the coldest February in 115 years2;
- J’aime patio season: Come springtime, Quebec residents plan to spend the most on entertainment and food ($891);
- Costly staycations: 46 per cent of the country agrees staycations are less affordable than they used to be;
- Better than a stress ball: Thirty-three per cent of Canadians travel because it allows them to get away from the stress of everyday life;
- All-inclusive dilemma: Fifty-three per cent of Canadians agree that an all-inclusive vacation tends to be cheaper, but 44 per cent prefer more choice.
RetailMeNot.ca regularly conducts consumer behavior surveys to examine the buying habits of Canadians. To save on spring travel and clothing, visit RetailMeNot.ca and sign up for the deals newsletter.
Saving Tips for Spring Vacations
To lend a helping hand, RetailMeNot.ca teamed up with Sandra Hanna of the Smart Cookies to offer savvy spending tips and tricks. Here are a few insider tips to get more bang for your buck this spring:
· Pause before you click: With over one-third of the country looking to travel this spring (36 per cent) take a moment and do some quick research before your final click to checkout. Taking one minute to search for a promo code on RetailMeNot.ca could save you serious money on travel booking sites like WestJet, Park n Fly and Hotwire.
· Savvy Staycation: Forty-six per cent of Canadians agree a staycation in their city or town is less affordable than it used to be, so get creative. Search what local hotels that offer a day pass to the hotel amenities like the pool and spa. You may be able to enjoy a “day vacation” at a high-end local resort at a very affordable price.
· Plan for hidden costs: Sixty-one per cent of Canadians agree the hidden costs of traveling like food and new clothing eat into their budget. If you are traveling over March Break, look into the travel perks offered with your credit card. Some cards offer free checked baggage which can add up to more than $100 for a travelling family, or double rewards on flights, hotels and even gas!
· Rent your space: If you are planning to be away this spring, put your home to work while you’re gone. Posting your home on a site like airbnb.ca while you’re away is a great way to earn extra cash. Airbnb.ca is also a great way to find budget-friendly accommodation. Visit a site like RetailMeNot.ca for further details like $25 off your first booking.
· Buy yourself a giftcard: Seventy-four per cent of Canadians agree that as the weather gets warmer people tend to begin spending more. We say – go for it! Keep your spending in control by purchasing yourself a gift cards ahead of time for your spring time splurges. Pre-load your card with the amount you have set aside in your spending plan to avoid blowing your budget.
I was recently asked to take part in a shopping challenge. You can follow the #RMNchallenge hashtag and see what the other bloggers bought and how much they saved. I was given a $250 pre-paid Visa to use while shopping along with the coupon codes and offers from RetailMeNot.ca Below are my results
Note- RetailMeNot will show sale offers that do not require a coupon code as well. This is a great resource if you are looking for a specific item and trying to figure out what retailer has the best price.
I have been wanting to do some spring crafts with my daughter so I headed over to Michaels in the city with my coupon I printed out. I was able to save 40% on any 1 item. Since we live rural and do not get fliers, I did not have access to this coupon before.
I used the coupon on a collage frame that was $24.99. I save $9.99 (round up to $10)
Then I used the rest online buying items for my kids. First I put in Carter’s in the search as it is a great place my daughter loves clothes from. Right away I found a coupon for 15% off my entire order. Since we often need to pay shipping, coupons codes usually balance this out and make sho[[ing online more affordable.
I found two dresses, a jean jacket, a few tees and a pair of shorts with a total of $111.81 saving $15.75 with my coupon code.
I realize people saved way more than I did but being somewhat frugal I spent my money on items I needed and was happy to save where I could. I doubt I will have saved the most, but it was sure fun finding the deals. As you can see I still had just over $100 to spend and I knew just where to go, DC Shoes. Having two teen boys this is my go to place for online men’s clothes. Great brands, fair prices and free shipping!
I got $10 off my Well.ca order when I opened a new account and spent $44 (free shipping) Then at DC saved $13.20 for TOTAL SAVINGS OF $44
It is pretty great that you can find coupons for items you buy day to day online and in store. Be sure to check out retailmenot.ca before you shop next.
1 lucky reader is going to win a $100 Visa to spend at retailmenot.ca Fill out the form below for your chance. Good luck!
Disclosure- This post was brought to you by retailmenot.ca All opinions are my own. I received a prepaid Visa to complete this challenge.
i will spending it on the children's place
%50 off at Best Buy!
Would be great to use it at The Children's Place!
I will be spending it at Old Navy.
I'd probably use it at Bath and BOdy Works – I'd love to get some new spring candles to liven up our place
I will spending it at swiss chalet
Aeropostale!
At Amazon!
Sephora and Kobo!!!
I'd spend it at WalMart
OLD NAVY
I want Amazon,thanks for the chance!
I would spend it at Amazon.
I'd be spending it to buy clothes for my kids at Old Navy
I think I would be spending it at the Gap.
Likely at Old Navy or Sephora!
WestJet
Definitely some Amazon shopping!
The children's place looks like a good place to spend it.
If I win, heavens what should I pick, hmm it would probably be spent at Amazon or where ever I can get the computer parts needed 🙂
I would be shopping at best buy
Old Navy or Sephora
I would love to spend it at Sephora..but I would probably use it at a shoe retailer as I really need some new shoes.
I think I would use it with Beyond the Rack. They have so many great deals on a daily basis.
I will be spending it at Old Navy
$25 of $125 at Golf Town is pretty good
I'lll be spending it at Michael's have a wedding this summer and could use the card to purchase items for the wedding
I'd like to spend it at Sephora.
I would be spending the money at Sephora.
Amazon!
Best Buy or Wal Mart
Sports Check, need some new running shoes
I'll spend it at The Children's Place.
Old Navy
I would use it at Walmart – thank you!
I'd use it at Lowe's, lots of good stuff there!
Old Navy
Amazon!
I would spend it at Old Navy.
I do like Land's End's quality clothing!
Joe Fresh
I'll be spending at Old Navy!
If I won I'd be spending it at Indigo. There are so so many books on my want list – especially cook books at the moment.
I would spend it at old navy.
Sportchek! My son needs lots of new hockey gear!
Probably Amazon
Probably Walmart to stock up the pantry!
The Children's Place…summer clothes!
At Amzzon
Amazon 🙂
Amazon or Sears. Depends on what is on sale and what my needs are at that time.
I would probably use it to buy clothes for my boys at OldNavy.ca.
So many choices! Sears most likely.
Dominos pizza 😀
Probably Best Buy
I would spend it at Sephora
I'd spend it at Sears.
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I would do some summer clothes shopping at Old Navy
Jonnie
Clinique
At Sephora or Shop.ca
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Future Shop, now known as Best Buy.
Amazon is my choice
Walmart!
I'd spend it at old navy
I'd use it at Amazon.ca. Thank you!
I'd spend it all at Sephora – I need some new makeup!
I WOULD USE IT ON AMAZON
Indigo
Walmart would be my choice!
I always find things to buy on Amazon.
Amazon!
I would use it at Amazon.
I would spend it at Amazon.ca!
I
I will be spending with Visa at The Children's Place
Dynamite
I would use it at Sears.
Re: WOW, I need the prize to buy much needed grocery & supplement to get well soon. OMG. Wow, prize Visa gc is fab. & splendid. 2 fingers snap. It is tight, fly & off the chain. Thank you for the awesomeness, the contest, and generosity. Pick me, pick me! Dear Santa: I’ve been nice. My X-Mas wish this year is to win this contest. Starving artist here desperately needs the gc to shop and eat. A life changing exp.
Probably at Indigo, I absolutely LOVE buying new books online! Plus they always have great deals!
Old Navy for me!
I would spend the visa at walmart for sure!
Walmart!
I would spend it at Bath & Body Works & Old Navy.
The Children's Place for Summer clothing!
I will be spending it at Crate&Barrel.
At Walmart.
I'll be spending it at Gap!
Best Buy, hands down! I'm shopping for a new computer right now so I would definitely apply it to that!
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amazon
probably on hotels.com which I've used a few times in the last months.
I would use it at Old Navy / Gap / Banana Republic.
I would spend it at Home Depot
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probably at Swiss Chalet
I think I would use it on amazon
Amazon
I would probably spend it at Joe Fresh or Sears.
Walmart is definitely the place for me!!! I was just in the store, looking at all of the clothes I need, but can't afford. This gift card could really help get my summer attire!!!
I'd spend it at Abercrombie Kids.
Amazon for sure!
WalMart
I think I would love to spend my winnings at Sephora, okay I would love to but honestly it would probably be Lowe's or Homedepot and something for the house.
I would be spending it at Old Navy or Childrens Place.
I would use it at Walmart or Home Depot.
Sephora for shora!
I’ll be spending it at Amazon.ca
Home Depot!
Best Buy, in order to buy a new tablet.
If I win, I'd spend it at Walmart.
Normally I tend to use stuff like this to pamper other people; stuff for nieces and nephews, or my godson or my fiance. I think I'd probably use THIS for Sephora, though. Mama needs some new lipsticks and lovely, delicate lotion with tons of SPF. Or maybe some new, amazing, mascara. YES! Lipgloss and Mascara for the WIN!
Amazon.ca
I would like to spend it at Amazon.
I would like to spend it at Mark's Work Wearhouse 🙂
best buy
Old navy, I could use some new clothes!
Best Buy
would spend the useful gc on Amazon.
Sephora, that is all. Sephora is a dangerous place
Babies can use new Summer clothing, So I would Love to use it at the Children's place =)
I think I would be spending it at Marks. Love the quality.
!ndigo 🙂
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I'd spend it at Amazon
Old Navy & Children's place kids need new summer clothing
I will be spending it at Old Navy
Old Navy
I would use the GC at Old Navy to get a few new summer outfits.
Cineplex
I would love to spend it at walmart
Cineplex
I would use it at Walmart and Swiss Chalet
my son needs shorts he is growing like a weed so t The Children's Place would be great
Amazon and Wal-Mart
Old Navy
So many choices but I have narrowed it down to Indigo, Amazon and Walmart! 🙂
michael's for art supplies for my wife
Forever21
The bay
Sephora
Bath and Body Works
I ‘m not totally sure who I will be spending it with, maybe Old Navy-I think I will wait till I win to decide for sure
Id spend at old navy
I would spend the Visa at Le Chateau Canada.
I would be spending it at Chapters/Indigo.
Walmart
It would be a Sears
Looking to brighten up my balcony, so Walmart or Giant Tiger will be my shopping spree..lol
I would spend it on Amazon or a travel site
Swiss Chalet 🙂
I'd be spending it at The Childrens Place to stock up on clothes for my three girls!
I would shop at Carter for my little boys. We live in a small rural area and we don't have a dedicated children's store! I love shopping online and getting a deal makes it even better!
I'd love a fun shopping spree at Babies R Us for my little guy! Thanks a bunch 🙂
I will be using it at my favourite store, Sephora!
Old Navy
I'll choose Well
I'd spend it at J Crew
Old Navy and Michaels! It's craft season so I have to stock up!
Joe fresh
I'll probably be spending it at Toys R Us.
Definitely Sephora!
Amazon.ca Woot!
I'll spend it at Walmart
Walmart is the best. I will spend the cash there.
Old Navy.
I'd spend it at Michaels!
OOOOh hard choice…probably Old Navy
I would spend it at Amazon. Thanks for the chance.
I need some more yarn so I would be going to micheals.
I'd spend it at Soft Moc, buy a nice pair of sandals for the summer
Walmart! They have so much stuff!
Most likely well.ca
I would spend it at WEll.ca
I'd spend it at Sephora
sears or gap or kobo
I never win anything
I would probably spend it at Walmart. It is convenient to buy things there online and have them delivered to your door.
i’d love to use it at children’s place!
I will spending it amazon.ca