SDM customers

[sweetsmom]

Just admiring all of your amazing shopping trips this past weekend!

Now, how in the world do you guys save up all those points? Do you shop there on a regular basis? I never think of shopping there....thinking the prices are just too much. But what are the things you buy throughout the year? I buy the odd thing there, but not enough to save up all those points.

And....how often do they do these redemptions?

Thanks!

SM

[momof_four]

I'm by no means an expert here but just to prove how easy it is - I've only been doing this since the Fall and I had enough for a $125 redemption already. I don't have babies so no diapers / wipes etc for me, but by shopping only on the 20x the points days and matching coupons with sale items, its been easy. Examples of things I've bought on sale and with coupons (I can't afford to waste any money): Greenworks cleaners, Loreal Feria hair colour, cold medication, shampoo... I buy english muffins when they are on for $0.99 and 20x points and stock my freezer, milk is always cheap, sometimes they have cheese on for $5, eggs are often good value...they key is really to match the sales of things you need with coupons you can use because the points are put on the amount you spent BEFORE coupons, so its a real win/win.

[blackpup]

I only shop on 20x days and friend's events. I only buy what I need in groceries and such (sale price only), stuff I would buy anyway at any other store

I was a sceptic before, sdm's prices are out of this world, but they do put on decent sale prices. I was addicted after my first 20x day. That faithful day, I got 3x my whole sdm point balance(had been passively collecting fo 12 mths) in 1 transaction. I remember sitting in the car and reading my receipt, like it was yesterday.

Then dd came along and needed formula...I felt I was stealing the points away from them then.

This was the first mega redemption as far as I know of, you can redeem your points anytime though at the regular levels. They offer bonus redemptions as well a few times a year

[coupon girl]

have to try to shop on 20Times the points days- i always seem to be working

[carlyincanada]

You can do it too!! Just takes some planning & get stuff you need!

1: Always buy a SDM GC first to get regular points! Do this everytime you shop at SDM! Then use it to pay for your stuff!

2. Use BP coupons for stuff you use! Different promos listed on SDM site & see under SDM section for BP offers & link thread I update!

3) Best time to maximize your points is to shop on 20X points days wus $50 (next is Dec 11) & stock up on stuff you need thats on sale!
Tip; you can bring down your total oop with coupons so your not paying alot oop!

this is my plan for this weekend! lol

http://forum.smartcanucks.ca/169302-...-foods-canada/

Hope that helps & join the obession with Optimum points!

I was able to redeem $625 this weekend!

[sweetsmom]

OK, I'll have to start checking out their flyer on a regular basis. I'm always in need of milk...so that was a good suggestion (thanks). Any other hints/tips always appreciated!

What are BP coupons?

SM

[blessedmommy]

Bp- bonus points...

[SAM2BOYZ]

Thanks sweetsmom for asking this question as I avoid shoppers because of their prices but maybe a little more planning I could have a brag one day!!

[janelcd]

You'll get lots of info reading the Shoppers Drug Mart section under FORUM - DEALS & FLYERS. Also, follow the following link and you'll have all the info you'll need to get going:

http://forum.smartcanucks.ca/127130-...-faq-q-canada/

[couponaholic]

Those are really good tips! I have been thinking about getting Shoppers Mastercard in order to get more points, but is it worth it? Or should I just stick with using the GC? Thanks!

[sweetmomma]

I buy diapers, shampoo & conditioner, cleaning supplies, and some groceries like bread, milk or eggs on a regular basis. I usually buy stuff on sale in combination with coupons and bonus points(either from SDM emails or from magazines/promotions). I also try to shop on 20x the points days. This year I probably redeemed atleast 5 times. It gives big savings in the long run.

[teachermum]

Sorry, got a bit long-I've learned so much here!

It can be done! Just keep following the threads here and you will get a feel for how to build points. Especially reading what people buy on 20x days-sometimes I overlook a deal and that could bring me over the usual $50 threshold. Until I started reading here, I was clueless about what I was missing!

I always buy a $200 gift card with my Shoppers Mastercard and use that until I need another. I don't use my M/C for anything else as I don't need any more points-I was struggling this weekend to spend them! We use our PC M/C for everything else, and I mean everything else, as I can use those points for groceries, etc and even giftcards (if I would remember to do that!) and carrying a balance on any credit card is not an option here-negates any benefits.

I NEVER buy fragrances, costmetics, milk, diapers, wipes, or formula. We rarely need prescriptions (but I do pay with gift card) I rarely buy cleaning products. I only shop on 20x days (or better, like the previous 18,500 deal worth about 25x points). I try to get as close to the minimum spend amount as possible. I will use coupons but they never amount to that much as they are mostly for things I don't usually buy. I also rarely use bonus points coupons for the same reason, though I try and keep track of them just in case.

I only buy what is on sale at my own rock bottom prices ie I won't pay more than $2 for a box of granola bars anywhere, so won't pick them up on 20x days unless they are that cheap. If I can get something almost free with a coupon but won't use it-I will buy it to get to the spending threshold and donate it. If I can't easily get to the minimum threshold of spending following these guidelines, I don't shop. I skipped at least 2, if not 3 20x events since July. Even following all of this, I zero'd my points in June and just redeemed this past weekend for $625!

Thinking about what I HAVE bought...allergy meds when they were on sale for Walmart's price during a 20x event-hopefully we have enough through next ragweed season and yes I bought more than $50 that day! Contact lens solution for ds when it was way cheaper than Walmart on a 20x weekend. Vitamins when they were on sale during a 20x event. Groceries on sale-I always go through that section because there are surprise sales. Cottage cheese, eggs, cheese, Aquafina type drink that dd likes, some frozen foods, most of my butter is from Shoppers, chips/tortilla chips, toilet paper, tissues, salmon, tuna. Frankly, if it weren't for the new grocery sections I wouldn't do nearly so well.

Hope that gives you some idea-I'm still fairly new to this having only learned from smartcanucks for about the past year.

Susan

[sweetsmom]

Thank you EVERYONE for all your great tips! Never thought about buying GC! I will now include the Shoppers flyer in my weekly list making routine!

I agree about not buying something unless it is a good price (and we will use it).

Can't wait to post a SDM brag! LOL

SM

[Ceren]

I always buy milk, eggs, english muffin and used to buy formula when it was on sale ONLY! otherwise its very expensive in sdm. I also buy tynlenol for the kids when its 20x the points and use coupons for them.

[sweetsmom]

One more question. Do you get "points" for buying a GC? I am assuming you do, since an above poster said to buy one and then use it for my purchases. Thanks again!

Just checked my balance...400 points as of today....onwards and upwards!

SM