Money Saving Tips

Order any Entertainment Book today and get $15 off all books plus free shipping. These are great to get you out trying new restaurants and activities, and it might even be worth grabbing one for your next travel destination (Florida, Hawaii, New York, Toronto!).

This week's online deal from Swarm Jam is an interesting one, for $20 get one year of meal planning services from MenuForTheWeek.com ($48 value). If you've thought of menu planning this might be a good way to get you started. Menu planning really is an easy way to save money with groceries and save time (sanity) as well.
 

If you're planning out your weekly shopping excursion you can always check ahead to the Costco coupons and see if there's any great deals to be had each week (the coupons you generally get when you go in the door ... they're available to preview online). We've been able to coordinate trips to Costco based on additional savings via their weekly savings. You can check both Eastern and Western Canada deals here. This week we might be heading in to stock up on batteries, $4 off Duracell AA and AAA batteries!

A New Year has brought a new round of coupons available from some of our bookmarked coupon sites, some of the ones we've found include:

• Save.ca - $5 off Enfamil, $0.75 off Kraft dinner, $1 off Post Great Grains cereal
• Websaver.ca - $1 off Spongetowels and Tenderflake plus lots of great additional coupons for Health Chek products
• Go Coupons.ca - $2 Royale coupon, plus $2 off Van Houtte coffee and $0.50 off Yoplait products + more
• BrandSaver - over $150 in coupon savings for popular P&G products including $5 off Pampers and more!

If finding new ways to save money in the New Year is on your list and you haven't started using coupons, these could help get you started!

We've put together a great round up of Canadian Boxing Day and week deals, the list is in alphabetical order. We're happy to be supporting a lot of small businesses you may not have heard of before and sharing their Boxing Day deals along side the big box deals too. If you know of more or want to share your deal, please feel free to leave a comment below. Happy deal finding!

• AdditionElle - 20% off all regular priced items and an additional 50% off sale items December 25 - January 2 + 10% off at AdditionElle with code: 10AE 
• Amazon.ca - starts at 12:01 am (pst) on December 25
• Babies R Us - up to 40% off instore and online
• Baby Thoughts.ca - up to 60% off all toys till December 30
• Banana Republic.ca - additional 30% off sale items with code: BRCSALE30 till January 7
• Best Buy Canada - check online flyer here
• Boske Kids - 40% off sitewide with coupon code: BOXING40 till January 1 (plus FREE shipping to Canada + US)
• Bowtterflies - 40% off sitewide with code: Boxingweek
• Carters / OshKosh & Bonnie Togs Stores - additional 20% off storewide December 26 - 31
• Chapters.ca 
• Crocs.ca - save additional 10% off all Fuzz styles with code: FUZZ10 + save $15 on orders of $75 or more with code: HOLIDAY15 till December 31
• Dell.ca - up to 60% off computers and electronics, first round ends December 29, second round ends January 5
• Dimpleskins Naturals - 10% off your entire order (minimum $20) with code: BOXINGWEEK2011 till December 31 + $5 flat rate shipping
• EB Games - Starts December 24th at 8pm est
• Every Little Bit Green Eco-Shop - 20% off sitewide till January 1 with code: box20
• Expedia.ca - sitewide savings up to 40% off 
• FansEdge 
• Future Shop - online deals start December 24 at 8pm
• Gap Canada - 30% off regular priced items with code: GAPCSPRING till December 30 
• Gap Factory Stores - 50% off everything December 24, 26 and 27
• Garage.ca - up to 75% off select styles
• Gum Drops - 30% off everything online December 26 - January 3
• H&M - Boxing Day deals starting at just $5
• Home Depot - Sale runs December 22 - January 4
• iTunes - $0.69 songs + more
• Jilly bo Billy - 50% - 90% off everything, ends December 27
• Kula Klips - 40% off sitewide December 26-30 with code: boxingweek
• LEGO - sale starts December 26th
• London Drugs - Electronics and store flyers available here (valid December 26 - January 1)
• Loove and Sweet - 20% off all orders with code: LOOVEBOXING20 December 26 - 31
• Lush Cosmetics - Buy one, get one FREE on all holiday products and soap made before November 2011
• Mac Cosmetics - free express shipping December 26 with code: MACBOX
• Maxwell Designs - additional 15% off sitewide with code: BOXINGWEEKSALE till December 30
• Michaels - Daily doorbusters including 25% off entire purchase December 26. Watch for online flyer to go live. Also get FREE iPhone or Android app for coupons on your phone (text APP1 to 2723283)
• My Little Green Shop - 30% off till January 1 with code: fbbox30
• Old Navy.ca - up to 50% off online and up to 75% off instores 
• Omiyaga.ca -  From December 28 - 31 save 15% storewide with code: BOXINGWK
• Orangefish.ca - over 1000 products up to 90% off till January 6th
• Penningtons - 25% off all regular priced items + an additional 50% off sale priced items December 25 - 31 + 10% off at Penningtons with code: 10PENN
• Photolab.ca - 75% off 5x7 and 8x10 prints till December 29
• Raspberry Kids - Boxing week deals, over 249 items now in their sale section
• Robeez - 50% off giftables till December 29
• Roots.ca - up to 50% off online + an additional 20% off select items starting December 24 at 6pm est - till December 29 + FREE standard shipping
• Sears.ca - check link for Boxing week preview
• SCKC - up to 90% off December 23 - January 2
• Sport Chek - entire store / site 20% - 60% off starting December 25
• Staples.ca - Boxing week flyer available here online deals start December 24
• The Bay - Boxing week deals live now, including Henkels knives and cookware up to 70% off plus BOGO free open stock Henkels twin cuisine open stock knives + up to 65% off clearance shoes (with additional 30% off) + 60% off women's suits and dresses  
• The Source.ca - up to 60% off brand name electronics - start shopping their Boxing Day deals on December 24th at 8pm, check their flyer online
• Toys R Us - Leapster and VTech software 40% off, Transformers 40% off, select video games BOGO Free, Pokeman figures and playsets 50% off and lots more (December 26 - January 2)
• Tiger Direct.ca 
• Travelocity
• Well.ca - up to 40% off in their Boxing Week Clearance section
• Zellers - December 23 - 29 deals include; 60% off holiday decor, 40% off children's apparel, BOGO free pillows and 50% off outerwear + 50% off coupon (one item) via Zellers' Facebook page

Top 10 Boxing Day Shopping Tips:

1. Know what you're shopping for and compare prices before standing in line. And be sure and check minimum number of the item you're looking for per store. Unless you're a die hard sleep out overnight shopper make sure it's really worth the wait and that there will be enough stock by the time you get there.
2. If you're shopping online make sure you've set up an account with the store you want to shop at. You'll save yourself valuable time doing this and then be sure and sign in early. Items can be lost waiting in a shopping cart while you fill out new account information (this one is from experience!).
3. Be sure and search for coupon codes and/or sign up for instore newsletters to make sure you get all the discounts available both instore and online (and read the fine print to be sure you can stack with other deals).
4. If free shipping is available after a certain threshold you might want to shop with a friend or family member so you can save on that expense.
5. Be patient and expect the chaos and lineups. Knowing it's going to be crazy is half the battle! And if you really can't stand the thought of being at the mall there are many, many deals to be had online.
6. Be prepared if you're hitting the malls, dress in good walking shoes and pack snacks and water / drinks so you don't have to wait in more lineups just for food.
7. Along the same lines, if you're planning on shopping for clothes, dress accordingly. Slip off shoes, leggings and a cami or tank top make it easy to try things on without having to wait in line for a change room (and be sure and check return policies as some things might be final sale).
8. Mark December 24th on your calendar ... lots of Boxing Day deals start early.
9. If you're not in Ontario, be sure and check the times when deals go live. Many sites post the time for EST (Eastern Standard Time), be sure and pay attention so you don't miss out.
10. Do yourself, and your little ones, a favour ... unless shopping is a favourite activity for them, leave your kids at home with your husband or a babysitter.

If you’re heading out to get a Christmas tree this weekend you might be interested in one of these deals. Until December 7th, Home Depot is offering a $25 coupon towards your purchase of $100 or more when you purchase any fresh cut Christmas tree. Click here for details. IKEA also has a great deal, buy a tree for $20 and get a coupon for $20 off your purchase of $75 or more (if you use the coupon it’s like getting a free tree!). Click here for more details. Lowe's also has a promotion on December 3rd and 4th, purchase a 5' and over Christmas tree and get a FREE $20 project starter card, full details here.

If you're a family of skiers or belong to a ski club, the Canadian Ski Council's Discount Lift Pass Program might offer you some significant savings this season. You buy tickets in groups of 20 at a big discount depending on the ski hill and they can be used with a group. Check out the details here. Ski hills with discount passes are all across Canada. Act quick if you're interested as they have limited amounts and when they're gone, they're gone!

It's here ... Cyber Monday deals have started this weekend. The deals are all online and once again, many Canadian retailers have jumped on this awesome deal bandwagon, much to our delight! We've rounded up the best deals and coupon/promo codes we've found and compiled them (alphabetically) in this handy list for you. Feel free to leave a comment and add any additional sales you come across!

Store: Addition Elle
Deal: 25% off sitewide + FREE shipping with coupon code: AECYBER2011
Dates: Nov.28

Store: Aeropostale
Deal: 50% - 70% off everything online
Dates: Nov. 28

Store: Amazon.ca
Deal: 6up to 60% off movies & TV show + huge savings in all department of up to 80% off! 
Date: Nov.28 - Dec.3

Store: Baby Bahoonie Boutique
Deal: Free Shipping
Date: Nov.28 (till 9pm pst)

Store: Baby Thoughts
Deal: up to 40% off toys
Date: Nov.25-28

Store: Bamboobino
Deal: 20% off with code: CYBER20
Dates: Nov. 25-28

Store: BebeBoo
Deal: 25% off sitewide with code: cyber25
Date: Nov.28

Store: Boske Kids
Deal: 30% off storewide with code: CYBER30
Date: Nov.28

Store: By Nature
Deal: Up to 50% off select items during GREEN Friday promo
Dates: Nov.25-28

Store: Chapters
Deals: 20% off gift wrap, $20 off Kobo Touch, 20% off green toys, 40% off Pixar Blu-Ray & DVDs, up to 50% off Sony audio + tons more
Dates: Nov.25-28

Store: Coastal Contacts
Deal: 40% off entire glasses order + FREE shipping with code: 40PCYBER (must be coupon eligible)
Deal: 1st time glasses customers can choose from over 1000 pairs and get their 1st pair of glasses FREE with code: FIRSTPAIRFREE
Dates: Nov. 24-28

Store: Crocs.ca
Deals: 25% off sitewide
Dates: Nov.28

Store: Dell.ca
Deal:  Laptops starting at $299 and lots more deals (be sure and check out their coupon offers too listed onsite)
Dates: Nov. 21-28

Store: ebooks
Deal:  15% off with coupon: cybermondayecp 
Date: Nov. 28

Store: Entertainment Book
Deal: all books $25 + FREE shipping
Dates: Nov.28

Store: EnviroStyles.ca
Deal: 30% off sitewide with code: Black Friday
Dates: Nov.25-28

Store: Etsy
Deals: Search "Black Friday", "Cyber Monday" or "free shipping" for all the awesome promos / deals
Date: Nov. 24-28

Store: Expedia.ca
Deal: Up to 50% off sitewide
Dates: Nov. 23-29

Store: FansEdge
Deals: Sitewide Sale up to 50% off
Date: Nov. 28

Store: French Connection
Deal: 25% off all regular priced dresses + FREE shipping with code: HOLIDAYDRESS
Dates: Nov. 23-Dec.4

Store: Funky Tricycle
Deal: FREE shipping all week
Date: Nov.28-Dec.2

Store: Game Stop
Deal: 80 games under $20 plus more great deals
Date: Nov.28

Store: Garage.ca
Deals: 30% off Storewide + FREE shipping
Dates: Nov. 28

Store: Gelaskins
Deal: 20% off sitewide
Dates: Nov. 22-28

Store: Gingerbread Monkeys
Deal: 30% off storewide with code: 30cyber
Dates: Nov. 26-28

Store: Green Bum Bum
Deals: minimum 10% off sitewide + 30%-45% off door crasher deals
Date: Nov. 24 (10pm est) - Nov.28 (10pm est)

Store: Green Planet Parties
Deal: 15% off sitewide with code: CYBER
Date: Nov.28

Store: Hatley
Deal: 30%-60% off sitewide 10am-1pm (est)
Date: Nov.28

Store: Home Depot
Deals: FREE shipping on most items + sitewide sales
Date: Nov.28

Store: Hotels.ca
Deal: 50% off sale, check site for full details
Dates: Nov. 25-28

Store: Ice Jerseys.com
Deal: 20% off NHL jerseys with code: MONDAY20 + 15% off apparel and accessories with code: MONDAY15
Date: Nov.28

Store: Innocent Earth Boutique
Deal: 40% off clothing, toys and shoes with code: Family40
Date: Nov.28

Store: Kinderel
Deal: 50% off select bamboo baby products with code: baby50 + 15% off bamboo fabric with code: fabric15
Dates: Nov.28-Dec.1

Store: Kobo
Deal: up to 60% off select books + Kobo touch & $20 gift card for $139 includes FREE shipping (try using code: June20off for an additional 20% off)
Date: Nov.28

Store: Kula Klips
Deal: 35% off sitewide with code: givethanks
Dates: Nov. 25-28

Store: Lancome Canada
Deal: FREE shipping with code: CYBER11 + a FREE 6-piece collection (valued at $106) with any $50 purchase with code: FESTIVE at checkout. 
Date: Nov.28

Store: Lavish & Lime
Deal: 20% off sitewide with code: CYBERMONDAY
Date: Nov.28

Store: LeapFrog.ca (FREE shipping over $60)
Deal: 15% off all bundles (excluding LeapPad)
Dates: Nov. 27-28

Store: LEGO
Deal: 10% off orders of $149 or more, FREE shipping on orders over $49 + 25% off select sets
Date: Nov. 25-28

Store: Lija Style
Deal: 50% off select collections and get Free Shipping over $100 with code: TURKEY2011
Dates: Nov. 23-28

Store: Little Passports
Deal: 15% off all Little Passports subscriptions with code: TURKEY15
Dates: Nov.23-28

Store: Loove and Sweet
Deal: 15% off with code: Christmas15
Dates: Nov.28-30

Store: Mabel's Labels
Deal: 30% off sticky labels, 35% off the big Kaboodle combo and 40% off holiday return address labels + FREE shipping
Dates: Nov.25-28

Store: Mac Cosmetics
Deal: FREE express shipping with code: CYBER
Date: Nov.28

Store: Mixbook.com
Deal: up to 50% off sitewide
Dates: Nov.28-30

Store: My Little Green Shop
Deal: 20% off sitewide with code: Wishlist20
Dates: Nov.25-28

Store: Nature Bumz
Deals: 50% off Drybees diapers, 20% off AppleCheeks diapers, 40% off Sckoon Organics, 20% off Happy Heiny fitted diapers + 20% off Rumparooz with code: HoliRoozy
Dates: Nov.25-28

Store: Pacific Coast Feather Company
Deal: FREE Shipping
Date: Nov. 28 only

Store: Penningtons
Deal: 25% off sitewide with coupon code: PTX25
Dates: Nov. 26-28

Store: Ringley
Deal: 30% off sitewide with code: wow
Date: Nov.28

Store: Robeez
Deal: 30% off with code: HOLIDAY30 + FREE shipping on 2 pairs or more
Dates: Nov.25-28

Store: Roots.ca
Deal: 25% off sitewide + FREE standard shipping on all orders
Date: Nov. 24-28

Store: Shutterfly
Deals: 30% OFF stationery products, 10% OFF address labels, BOGO 50% off the rest photobooks + more.
Dates: Nov. 22-30

Store: Sport Chek
Deals: 15% off your entire order + free shipping on $99
Dates: Nov.28

Store: Stylefly.ca
Deal: 35% off sitewide with code: CYBERSTYLE
Dates: Nov. 25-28

Store: The Body Shop
Deal: 3 items for $30
Dates: Nov.25-27

Store: The Children's Place
Deal: 25% off + FREE shipping with code: CYBERMON
Date: Nov.28

Store: The Source
Deals: Save up to 80% OFF on brand name electronics.
Dates: Nov.28-Dec.2 

Store: Tiny Footprint Toys
Deal: 15% off everything (except Striders)
Date: Nov.28

Store: Tommy Hilfiger
Deals: 40% off sitewide + FREE shipping with code: CYBER40
Date: Nov.28

Store: Toys R Us
Deals: 1/2 price event instore and online + hot deals like $30 off Nintendo 3DS! Plus additional 20% off clearance items with code: CLEAR20CM
Dates: Nov. 25-28

Store: Well.ca
Deals: Purchase $100 and get a FREE gift valued between $25-$38.99 each
Dates: Nov.25-28