Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

Back to School with Visa Canada! #Giveaway

By

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.

Well, the good news is that Ryder is enrolled in a swanky school which requires a swanky uniform, so I didn’t have to put much thought into his clothes. Did you know that the average Canadian spends $677 on back to school shopping? Yep, his FALL uniform alone certainly put a dent in that. #firstworldproblems

When that was taken care of, I did something very uncharacteristic… I crossed the border and shopped in person. Scandalous! I actually went against the norm for most people – this year, Canadians plan to keep the majority of their online spend within Canadian borders (72%), while 83% of their in-store purchases will also be local. However, we happened to be in Niagara Falls over the weekend, and no trip to The Falls is complete without making a run for the border – and Target, to be exact.

SO happy we popped in. Found two perfect pairs of shoes (for under $20 each!). First, a pair of black uniform shoes for just $19.99, and next, Paul Frank for Target (!) sneakers for just $18.99. Coupled with a lunch bag for $4.99, I’d say he’s ready for his first day of school!

(Side note: THIS is why I can’t wait for Target to arrive in Canada. I mean, c’mon, Paul Frank for Target? So awesome. When was the last time you saw “Insert Celebrity Designer Here” for The Bay?)

If you are shopping online (or in-store) for back to school items this year (hint: try the first week after school starts for even better sales and savings!) be sure to check Visaperks.ca first. Yes, it’s safe to say I’ve had a love affair with the site for some time. Habitual Visa-slinging shoppers such as myself will appreciate the perks that come with being a patron; the discounts are often an unexpected, sweet incentive. Case in point:

– Purchase any regular-priced merchandise totaling $99 or more at scholarschoice.ca with your Visa card and receive a $15 discount
– Purchase from an assortment of select Dell PC’s, such as XPS Notebooks (LOVE my #XPS13!) and Desktops with your Visa card, and save up to $200
– Purchase select regular-priced adidas merchandise with your Visa card and receive a 20% discount

Click here for more Visaperks.ca offers.

This September, although I’m still a little shaky emotionally, I’m quick tickled with my first foray into back to school shopping. With just under a week to go, best of luck to all my readers and their kiddos!

Want to offset some of those shopping bills? One lucky reader will win a $50 Prepaid Visa Gift Card courtesy of Visa Canada! Simply fill the form below with your qualifying entries. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Well, that’s a tough question. I do my school via correspondence so technically I’m buying all that off the internet (text books, labs, other materials) but the books and binders and things I buy in town!

  5. A bit of both – I bought some uniform shirts online last year during the sale – and scored some stride rite leather school shoes at Winners in store (last year I paid $60 a pair for the same brand of shoes!). Am still going to use their lunchboxes and backpacks from last year – so we’re good to go :-)

  11. Only in store, we don’t need a whole bunch, son is done school and daughter has decided its more economical to re-use most of her stuff from last yr

  14. In store… I buy things online VERY rarely, mostly just books from Amazon! I don’t think I’ve ever bought a clothing item online! I much prefer to try clothes on, and to see items in person before I purchase them.

  16. Unfortunately, most of it had to be done in store as I could not find all the kids school supplies online.

  21. Thjs year it was mostly in-store as it’s my first back to school shopping that wasn’t for me. My son is also starting JK. So I let him choose most of the things.

  23. I like shopping in store for school stuff, get a better idea of what Im getting, plus I like the sales

  31. I plan on keeping most of my shopping online. Back to school is crazy enough without fighting the crowds!

  35. We do a bit of both. Some great deals online but it’s not the same as going out with the kids to get them prepared.

  38. I prefer in store shopping because you can make sure to get the right item and dealing with delivery issues can be a hassle.

  43. Don’t like to pay for shipping and handling – all my shop is done in store – my poor feet !

  46. I have completed most of it online,but finished it up today at Walmart!

    ksceviour at hotmail dot com

  57. I’ll be shopping in stores this year and on a side note I think I had that lunchbox as a kid and even used that flask! What a memory. I can still smell the lunchroom.

  64. I’m kind of a “shop all year ’round” kind of gal. Lol. I bought Charlotte’s school shoes and boots at the Olly Warehouse sale back in the spring (although my hubby says it’s not “saving” if I buy 7 pairs. I disagree given I was able to buy several pairs of GEOX winter boots, a pair of gold-toned leather riding boots, New Balance running shoes etc. for less than $250). I bought her 2 pairs of Keen’s (less than half-price) at Winners in the summer. As for clothes — again, an ongoing affair. I almost buy NOTHING online (unless it’s a cute tutu or something, lol). I shop all the end of season sales (Carters, Oshkosh, Gymboree, Baby Gap etc.) and I also go to mom-to-mom sales in the fall and in the spring. That being said, I will confess I do buy things at (gasp) full price when I think they’re adorable. Oh, here’s a tip — I just picked up Charlotte’s “big girl backpack and lunchbox” yesterday at Baby Gap — where they’re clearing them out at 50% off. (Which is a savings, given I’d fully intended to buy her a set at Pottery Barn, at twice the price). Of course, I then spent over a $100 on a snowsuit for her at Baby Gap (no sale), so I’m not quite the frugal mama you are. But come on — they sell out of the sizes/pieces so quickly! (That is my justification, and I’m sticking to it).

  71. Both. School supplies offered for purchase online through our school. Thought I’d give it a try. Clothing purchases in-store with research online

  85. My son didn’t need much this year except for a microwave. Bought it in store. Got a great deal at a Zellers going out of business sale.

  86. Looks like u found great deals :) I work w children so I tend to buy supplies on an as needed basis both in stores and online.

  87. I buy from the weekend sales in store, tend to use the flyer to price match at stores that will do so though..

  96. I don’t have kids/go to school myself, but I love still getting in the back to school spirit and picking up some new things for fall! Normally a mix between online and in stores.

  100. No kids old enough to be in school but it doesn’t stop me from picking up some great deals-in store and online!

  101. 90% online had to hit the stores to try on pants to get sizing but ended up buying them online – better prices

  110. My boys are grown so I don’t have to do any back to school shopping but I used to take them with me to the stores to try everything on.

  113. I like shopping in person mainly but there have been a few ebay and amazon purchases throughout the year.

  115. I did my back to school clothes shopping online and for the supplies we went to Wal-Mart. So we did half and half! :)

  118. In store. While I like the convenience of online shopping, I do love to go in to stores and touch stuff.

  119. I did about 90% of my back to school shopping online this year. I love the opportunity to get it done from my desk…uhh…I mean my couch at home…and not have to schlep through the chaos in the malls. In addition, I oftentimes find the pricing to be much better online, what with sales and coupon codes.

  146. Actually Im not a big fan of online shopping. I like to see and feel the things Im buying AND try them on. Call me old fashioned …!

  148. Up until recently I mainly shopped online. The convenience of choosing what I want when I want it is too tempting to pass up, so I now buy everything (except groceries) online.

  154. Online!

    Just gotta say, first time entering… love the Strawberry Shortcake lunchbox. Just bought a Strawberry Shortcake tin from 1982 a little while ago. I’m pretty sure I might carry one now if I bought one for myself.

  162. We aren’t quite ready for back to school.. but we get our markers, paper, etc. in stores as locally as we can.