• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

  • All
  • Family
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Travel
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Decor
  • About Lena
  • Contact

Visa Canada

Visa payWave It Forward #Giveaway

August 30, 2013 By Lena 197 Comments

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

It may have already happened before your very eyes.

Here’s the scenario: You’re in a checkout line, and the person ahead of you is waiting to pay for her purchases.

“That’ll be $37.50,” the cashier says.

The woman reaches into her wallet, and pulls out her trusted Visa. Then, instead of swiping her credit card or inserting one end into the chip reader, she simply waves the card over the terminal and “BEEP!” – her card is authenticated and her purchase is complete. No secret codes, no wobbly signature, no hassle.

Of course, if you have a Visa card with the payWave feature… perhaps that woman is YOU.

Here’s the deal. Go hunt up your Visa card. (It’s okay, I’ll wait.) Now take a look at it. If you see this symbol (pictured right) on the front of the card, great news! You’re already eligible to pay with Visa payWave for transactions of $50 or less, including taxes. So it’s ideal for places like fast food restaurants, gas stations, movie theatres, pharmacies and convenience stores.

And now, you can shop and be charitable at the same time with Visa Canada’s payWave It Forward program.

The fact is, many of us donate to charities quite often throughout the year. However, according to a survey commissioned by Visa Canada, 71 per cent of Canadians donated money to charity last year, but over half (56 per cent) wish they could have given more.

To help Canadians contribute to important causes, Visa Canada and key retailers are teaming up to support charities with the Visa payWave It Forward program. For a set period at participating retailers, for every payment made with Visa payWave, Visa will donate one dollar to the retailer’s charity of choice (up to a maximum donation amount). With Visa payWave It Forward, cardholders can simply “wave and go” to make their payment and the associated donation, without needing to key in a PIN, sign a receipt or look for change.

Canadians can join the Visa payWave It Forward movement at the following participating retailers:

ESSO (in-store) – August 19th to September 1st. Charity: United Way
Marshalls – August 19th to September 15th. Charity: Kids Help Phone
Metro (ON) – August 19th to September 8th. Charity: Green Apple School Program    
Metro: (QC) – August 19th to September 8th. Charity: Food Banks of Quebec

So… of course I had to lend my support to a good cause… and if the cause just happened to involve a little shopping, how could I say no? Off I went to Marshalls… I was feeling particularly charitable!

I was greeted by a gorgeous display of furniture and decor inspired from India –


As tempting as it was to add a little intricate styling to my mostly modern and minimalist decor, I came to Marshalls in the hopes of finding two things: a) a black blouse to pair with my blue skinny jeans and short, high-heeled boots, and b) a denim shirt to pair with my black leggings and riding boots. Now I’ve been fortunate enough to uncover random, great finds at Marshalls in the past, but because I was looking for two things in particular, I wasn’t holding my breath….

Read More

Filed Under: Fashion Tagged With: giveaway, payWave It Forward, Visa Canada

Back to School 2013: Let’s Go Shopping! #Giveaway

August 17, 2013 By Lena 233 Comments

NOTE: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

As a year-round savvy shopper, the concept of “Back to School” shopping isn’t really a big deal chez Lena. After all, chances are I’ll find better prices on fall/winter clothes during the after-season clearance, and often, Friends & Family Events and other shopping promos offer just a good a deal.

However, I do believe that there’s something magical about starting off the school year with some new threads, so I always make it a point to supplement my boys’ wardrobe with some on-trend pieces at a great price. Of course, there’s no shortage of Back to School sales at the moment; everything from supplies to clothing to (gasp) spray tan. Yes, apparently one needs to have a golden glow while converting fractions to percentages.

Not surprisingly, a Visa Canada survey shows that Canadians are being more frugal in their back-to-school shopping, and are looking online for better prices and deals. In fact, 90% of Canadian shoppers will be setting a back-to-school budget, and 87% of shoppers surveyed admitted to “showrooming” – looking at items in store before buying them for less online. As a long-time advocate of online shopping, I’m thrilled to see that more and more folks are catching on to the money (and time) saving benefits of shopping from the comfort of your home.

This morning was no exception. Armed with a cup of my favourite French roast coffee in the wee hours of morning, I was delighted to take advantage of Old Navy’s Jeans Sale. Until August 29th, you can grab jeans starting at just $10 for the entire family! It’s a great way to stock up for back to school – for less.


Of course, being a money-saving ninja means that I do have a few additional tips for you:

1) Before you start shopping, sign up online for Old Navy’s mailing list (found at the bottom of the home page). You’ll instantly receive a coupon for 20% off your entire purchase! While the coupon did not work for the $10 jeans, it did work for those priced $11 and up. So, I was able to grab a few pairs of jeans regularly priced at $19.50 for just $8.80! That’s a savings of 55%!

2) Check out the SALE section for amazing discounts on swimwear, tees and shorts. Ladies bikini bottoms can be grabbed for as low as $1.99, and I even found some sweet swim trunks for both my little guys for next year. And remember, you’ll receive an extra 20% with your mailing list promo code…. start the car!

3) When you shop at Old Navy until September 4th, you’ll earn SUPER CASH towards a purchase made between September 12th and 18th. (Find full details here.) So, because I spent $50 online today, I received a coupon for $20 off a future purchase of $50 or more. If you whip out your calculator, you’ll see that translates to a whopping 40% off if I spend exactly $50 during the week of September 12th and 18th. WOWZERS.

4) If all that wasn’t enough… you’ll score FREE shipping on purchases $50+! It’s the epitome of awesomeness….

Read More

Filed Under: Fashion Tagged With: back to school, giveaway, online shopping, Visa Canada

Back to School with Visa Canada! #Giveaway

August 30, 2012 By Lena

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

If you’ve been following my blog posts and tweets, you’ll know that this is – GULP – the first “back” to school shopping I’ve ever experienced… yup, my little guy is starting JK next week!

(Sit tight… I feel an emotional moment coming on. False alarm, it was just a sneeze.)

Hence, it’s been pretty surreal for me – because let’s face it, I really don’t know what I’m doing with this whole school shopping thing. Clothes? Shoes? Lunch box? Do they still make lunch boxes? Or is it all about the lunch bags now?

( ← This was the lunch box I wanted when I was small. Pretty sure I never would’ve used that flask, though.)

As you know, 99% of the time I’m on online shopping ninja, preferring to surf in the comfort of my own yoga pants home. I’m not alone; according to a July 2012 survey of Canadian online shoppers commissioned by Visa Canada for back-to-school, a whopping 72% of Canadian shoppers plan to take their shopping online. 

This number does not surprise me at all. I mean, who wants to brave the mall crowds? And, it’s not like Christmas shopping when adults go alone; this time, they’re dragging their whiny kids with them! It’s actually quite daunting….

Read More

Filed Under: Contests Tagged With: back to school, online shopping, Visa Canada, Visaperks

Primary Sidebar

Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

Connect with Lena

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Current Giveaways

Instagram

Instagram post 2198178178451471340_327607838 We've had a late start to decorating this holiday season, but every few days, we dress down in our comfiest clothes, turn up the Christmas carols and tackle another thing on our list! This past weekend the boys helped me put the finishing touches on our tree. Don't you just love our @UNIQLOCanada loungewear? My #ExtraStretch Long Sleeve Set has all-direction stretch for the ultimate in comfort, and the boys' #ExtraStretch Sweat Sets are their favourite chillin' clothes. (Psst - my #CurlyFleece Room Shoes are currently on SALE and make a great gift!) #LifeWear #UNIQLOCanada #ad
Instagram post 2196942347640341480_327607838 Holiday shopping this week? 🛍 Let @shopSTC make it easy! Scarborough Town Centre's Guest Services pop up (relocated beside Entrance 4) is a newly transformed space offering exclusive shopping amenities. Chill out in the visitors’ lounge, lighten your load with coat/parcel check and strike another thing off the "to do" list by purchasing STC gift cards or utilizing gift wrapping services. It's all designed with your comfort and convenience in mind, and let me tell you, it's so appreciated during this busy holiday season! Psst - only TWO weeks left until Christmas! 🎄#MeetMeAtSTC #STCPartner
Instagram post 2196198335807567733_327607838 The holidays are here, and what better way to share in the joy of the season than with a potluck! It’s the perfect way to celebrate togetherness, one dish at a time. Here are my best tips for hosting a fun potluck with friends:

1. Grab EVERYTHING you need from @walmartcanada. Yes, everything! Swipe ➡️ to see the amazing holiday-themed dishes and decor I purchased from my local store. From table runners to trays, serving dishes to sparkly ornaments, you'll be able to dress up your table in style while saving money.

2. Elevate your apps. I made a more grown-up spin on cheese and crackers by stacking flavourful Great Value Old Cheddar and Great Value Original Turkey Sausage Sticks on top of Great Value Wheat Thins - finishing with a sprinkle of chives. It's so simple to make and believe me when I say they go quickly, especially at parties!

3. Assign a variety of tastes, textures and flavours. This includes hot and cold appetizers, sweet and savoury sides and of course, make sure someone (or everyone) brings wine!

4. Use gift tags to describe the dishes. I lay out gift tags and a sharpie; as friends arrive, I ask them to write down their name and the name of the dish. Not only does it help at the end of the evening when it comes time to pack off the leftovers, it reduces the inevitable "What is this?" question from fellow guests.

Cheers to potluck perfection! #SpendSmallGiveBig #ad
Instagram post 2194764560406110512_327607838 How do you like your nuggets? I love mine hot, crispy and with "plantiful" flavour! Introducing @lightlifefoods Plant-Based Nuggets, now available for a limited time at @awcanada restaurants in Ontario and BC. These delicious nuggets are made entirely from plant-based ingredients right here in Canada, including peas, wheat and fava beans. Packed with 17g of plant-based protein per 6-piece serving, they're fun to eat and fun to share! Of course, now comes the big question: are you dipping them in Honey Mustard, Barbecue, Sweet & Sour or Jalapeno Ranch? I say, all four! Pop into your local A&W to try them! #LightlifexAW #ad
Instagram post 2194042482895765300_327607838 Experiences, not things. This holiday season, I’ve been focused on gifting experiences that can be shared with my loved ones. From adults-only travel adventures to one-on-one special time with each of my little guys, I’m convinced that the gift of time is the most priceless gift of all. Recently, I had an opportunity to enjoy a Priceless Experience with @mastercardca in one of their Priceless Cities, Miami. We sat at the executive chef's table at @three_wynwood and feasted on a tasting menu curated especially for Mastercard cardholders who book this experience. Visit my blog for all the details on our incredible date night, and information on how you can gift a Priceless Experience to a loved one this holiday season. #StartSomethingPriceless #ad
Instagram post 2192946946914561554_327607838 Each year, since the boys were very young, we've had a tradition: we head to @walmartcanada to choose a piece of holiday decor that gives them joy. It's usually an ornament, candle or stocking holder, but this year, Ryder and Reid both selected Nutcracker figurines. I love seeing the house filled with their beloved choices year after year. And since Walmart has so many seasonal goods at low prices, we never have to break the bank to create lasting memories. Because I always shop with my Walmart Rewards Mastercard, I was able to use my Walmart Rewards Dollars to pay for Ryder's Nutcracker figurine and got it for free! You can't put a price tag on holiday happiness, but our little tradition allows us to spend small and give big—exactly what the season is all about.
.
{Paid partnership with Walmart Rewards Mastercard} #ad #WalmartRewardsMastercard #YouEarnedIt #SpendSmallGiveBig
Instagram post 2192587720832841284_327607838 “Frinter!" ❄️ You know, the season where it's not *so* cold that you're cursing mother nature and you're still enjoying the crunch of colourful leaves underfoot. I'm ready for all the elements in my @UNIQLOCanada #HybridDown Ultra Warm Short Coat. It's actually UNIQLO’s warmest down outerwear! Filled with down and AIRTECH technology on the outside, I love that the non-quilted design reduces the bulk and gives a smooth, modern silhouette. #UNIQLOCanada #LifeWear #ad
Instagram post 2191865205067970587_327607838 It's time to Spark a Miracle! Here's a simple and rewarding way to #SpendSmallGiveBig this holiday season: when you purchase any toy for $20 or more at Walmart or online at Walmart.ca from December 3-8, @walmartcanada will donate $1 to Children’s Miracle Network, in support of @cmn_canada hospitals across Canada! You can also make a donation throughout the month of December in-store or online at Walmart.ca. My friend @extrasparklesplease and I think it's the perfect time to tackle our holiday shopping list, and hope we've inspired you to help #SparkAMiracle, too! #ad
Instagram post 2190201001911235541_327607838 *AD Blonde on the outside, but brunette at heart! ♥️ It doesn’t end there... although I’m in my 40’s, I’ll be forever 30 on the inside. Do you see yourself this way, too? Recently, I’ve found myself wondering if there was a way to align the way I look with the way I feel. Back in June I attended Beauty Decoded Live, an event by @JuvedermCanada. There, I learned about the science behind MD Codes and their role in addressing the emotional attributes of beauty, directly from Dr. Mauricio de Maio, *the* authority on cosmetic dermatology. How did the evening affect my views on facial fillers? Visit my blog to read my thoughts before, during and after the event. #JuvedermCanada #BeautyDecoded

Featured

Cruise Views: 10 Reasons to Escape with Norwegian Cruise Line

Toy Story Land: A BIG New Way to Play at Walt Disney World!

Beaches Turks & Caicos: Your FAQs Answered!

Copyright © 2019 · Foodie Pro & The Genesis Framework