Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

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

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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.

This morning, I found the following toddler jeans at amazing prices… I picked up the following styles marked BOOM!

The jeans, plus a few pairs of underwear for Ryder (they have the cutest boxer briefs!) had me comfortably at the $53.80 mark. So, free shipping + an additional 20% off + $20 off my next purchase in SUPER CASH. Is it any wonder I LOVE online shopping?

(A word about security: Visa cardholders shopping online can count on several layers of security to protect them including Visa’s Zero Liability Policy, Verified by Visa, E-Promise, Address Verification Service and CVV2, the three-digit code found on the back of your card. Or, for those who prefer to shop online using existing funds or for those who lack access to a traditional credit card, Visa Debit offers a safe and convenient alternative.)

I’l be returning to Old Navy during the SUPER CASH redemption period, but this time I’ll shop in-store, as I often like to browse the clearance rack selection that isn’t always available online. It’s knowing when (and where) to shop that can really stretch your dollar, and I am nothing if not a frugal fashionista.

WIN IT!!!

One lucky Listen to Lena reader will win a $100 Visa Gift Card, to help offset some of your Back to School shopping! To enter, simply fill the form with your qualifying entries. Good luck!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Being able to shop online is awesome, I love not having to wait in line, saving money by not having to use the gas in my car, I just love online shopping!

    • Convenience of shopping when and where I want in a stress-free environment and being exposed to so many new and different products which would take forever to find if I had to traditionally shop

  6. Just getting into shopping online, need all the tips I can get. I like the security of the visa , and I really like the visa debit card.

  9. I find I have better luck getting the sizes and selection I need online. The Old Navy where I live is always a disaster and picked over. And we don’t have some of the stores I like to shop at here (like MEC), so online is very convenient.

  10. I have 4 little ones, including a set of twins. Shopping online is a necessity for my sanity! And it is a great money saver for all the reasons Lena mentioned. Our clothing bills are huge, and I’ve been burnt a few times trying to buy second-hand clothes online (full of stains/rips/etc). This way I can still buy new clothes and not have to take out a second mortgage to do so :)

  18. I love being able to find my size, as the ‘online store’ often gets its inventory from all stores.

  22. I LOVE online shopping ! For me, walking through the stores has become problematic, so I am not able to spend as much time looking at things as I used to. And let’s not forget being able to buy things in the midst of a snowstorm :o) Certain items though I MUST go into a store to buy – shoes or boots definitely, and watches (some watches will stop dead on my arm, but as soon as they come off my arm they start ticking merrily away again – weird).
    The only thing I miss, as you have mentioned, is being able to scour the clearance racks. So every now and then I make sure to get into a store to check them out.

  26. I love that I can sit in my pj’s and order gifts for the gifts that arrive in a plain brown box and no one has a clue!

  29. My favourite part of on-line shopping is the convenience of it all. I have a toddler who loves to trash and destroy , so at least o-line shopping is quick, easy and I can get what I want with zero stress while he plays. It is also amazing that it never closes and no matter what time of day , esp if you can get a free moment to yourself you can go on and shop. Sometimes those min aren’t until 3 or 4 in the morning :) Thanks for the Giveaway

  30. my fave part of online shopping is not having to get dressed, being comfy in my pjs and shopping whenever I want.

  34. I really like it that you can find unique things. + I love kids shoe shopping online. They have much nicer choices online.

  37. Not leaving my house and seeing selection and not wasting gas — but has to have free shipping or else or specialty item

  43. My favourite parts of online shopping are no crowds or pushy salespeople to deal with, and getting a big package in the mail – always so exciting! :) Thanks for the chance to win!

  47. I can do it on a cold day when there is a blizzard with coffee and PJ’s if i want, now that’s the best!

  49. Shopping from home and getting my purchases delivered to my home. Saving me time, money and gas!!

  50. I definatley like the convienence of it and you can get some really great deals and usually you have alot more selection

  51. My fave part is that I can shop with my pyjamas, my floppy slippers and a cup of coffee.

  52. with a 3 year old who loves to run and a 10 week old, best part is no stress, no chasing and I can shop while they are napping :)

  54. I love no stress of shopping from home, plus lots more options than in store…I also love that I can shop in my pjs from my. Couch..I am in love,with online shopping

  56. I love that I can shop for the best price and shop from the comfort of my own home whenever I feel like it.

    demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com

  57. My favourite part of online shopping is being able to buy items that I can’t get locally. My town is small and we don’t have much here.

  59. My favourite part of online shopping is being able to stay away from the mall parking lot. It’s so busy!

  63. I love the deals I get online shopping and love that I don’t have a whiny kid (and husband!) on my heels wanting to go home.

  65. I love that it is delivered to my door and I do not have to deal with traffic, parking and crowds at the mall. Also I know right away if it is on stock!

  67. I love on-line shopping – no stress of the crowds and no line-ups to pay. Besides, I have a better chance of getting my size on-line.

  72. I love the selection with online shopping especially because I’m from a small town that is cut off from everywhere else by two ferries.

  73. Let the fingers do the walking….Back To School clothes/haircuts/shoes/school supplies…hey, any time or measure to eliminate the need for rush/speed than so be it. All in….I love to shop online when the budget permits – save on gas and time….

  76. i can shop in my jammies, late a t night with no “momma, momma momma” also my computer doesn’t judge my glass of wine while I open multiple windows to make outfits

  79. I love the convenience and not having to leave the house ..save money on gas and not have to drag the kids outside!

  80. I love that I can do it in the middle of the night in my jammies when I have insomnia :)

  81. No Crowds, they always have your size, if not, you wait until you go back, you never overspend by window shopping at other places in the mall, you can do it from the most comfiest chair or bathtub in your house and the best part….No meltdown with 2 kiddies under 3 during your shopping adventure, LOVE online shopping!!!

  85. I like being able to comparison shop by simply flipping through sites instead of having to navigate the entire mall to compare prices.

  87. I can shop in my pajamas! It’s a money saver too because the cost of shipping offsets the cost of gas you’d spend driving around anyway.

  90. I like being able to see all the items on one page instead of wandering around the store all day!

  91. I like that I don’t have to deal with trying to find a parking spot – especially as Christmas gets closer.

  97. I like knowing that I’ll find what I need without having to go to multiple stores!

  102. I love shopping online because I do not have salespeople hovering over me and I can shop at night when the house is quiet.

  103. I like online buying because there is no lines. For example, my son loves walmart jeans, I go to buy a few pairs, they are cheap enough but the lines are incredibly long. They only had one pair left, I go online when I get home, order 4 pairs for 8 dollars less (EACH!!) than I paid for the other pair in store and they have lots in stock online and it comes with free shipping and comes right to my doorstep in a few days.

    Online purchasing rocks!

  109. My favourite part of online shopping is being able to shop around easily for the best deals & not having to leave the house!

  113. I love that I can shop at any time that I am free (like 2:00 a.m. in the morning!) and I can search and compare deals online before I make the purchase.

  124. I like to browse around the clearance and sale items before the full priced items, when I’m online shopping it’s easier to find the sales. I also don’t have to stand in line!

  125. Ordering items that are in stock without having to drive to a store and find out they do not have your size.

  131. I love sitting in comfy pj’s or shorts, with coffee or red wine , looking for deals and shopping online!

  134. I love shopping anywhere. Online and in-store. lol…. The best part about shopping online is the selection that is available. Because your not limited to just one store or even just the stores available in Canada you can shop anywhere. :)

  135. I love the convenience of online shopping. I don’t have to waste time traveling between stores and I’m not limited to shopping when stores are open.

  141. I like all the awesome deals I can score from the comfort of my home and also the excitement of having packages delivered!

  143. The kids and I have a fun time picking things out together without chasing the toddlers around the store ;)

  144. Being high-risk with my 3rd pregnancy is posing some major shopping withdrawals especially since our youngest is 8 all of our baby items have long been donated to others so we need everything from scratch. I love that black friday is coming up and I plan to take full advantage of it and snap up as much baby needs as possible :D

  145. I like how much territory you can cover – you’d never be able to go to that many stores looking for things you want!!!

  146. My favourite part of online shopping is the quiet. There is no chaos or long lines to wait in.

  147. It is really easy to get everything I need at once and not have to worry about running after frantically!

  148. My favourite part about online shopping is getting the packages in the mail. And I love how easy it is to price compare online

  155. No “snooty” sales people,Don’t get exhausted wandering around.I can sit with a cup of coffee and shop at my leisure and compare prices at different stores.

  156. I love being able to shop at any time I want, in my pajamas :-) and that everything comes to my door – makes it so hassle-free compared to getting out and shopping with my little ones.

  157. No Pressure Sales or crazy Crowds. Plus I can shop in my Pj’s in the comforts of home

  159. I love shopping at home because I can take my time, look at what I want to and not have to have other people in my way. I especially love Old Navy shopping – they have some great deals, and the free shipping and returns is a giant perk.

  162. Online shopping is just so much more efficient – especially now that I have kids! I love that most places do free shipping and returns, so it’s not a big deal if you want to send something back.

  165. I can shop one handed while feeding my 2mo, my 20mo naps, my 3yo isn’t destroying a display (just my house), and my 5yo isn’t begging me for every Hello Kitty item we see. :)

  169. Being able to shop in my jammies with a nice hot cup of coffee :) (and I dont have to worry about my 3 yr old have a melt down in the store) lol

  179. I entered your giveaway.
    It would be great to win a $100 Visa Gift Card.
    In response to your question of What is your favourite part of online shopping?
    My favorite part of online shopping is not having to fight with crowds
    and there is no standing in a line to pay for your stuff.
    Thank you for having this giveaway!!!!!!!!!

  181. I love the ease of online shopping! Also, I can browse many different sites to compare styles, availability, prices, etc. all from the comfort of my own home.

    Thanks.

  184. I don’t have to drag the kids to the store and there are more options than stores that are located in my city. :)

  193. My favorite aspect of online shopping is the variety of options to choose from! You are not limited to whats on the store shelf and can often times find unique products that cant be found in store!

  196. I can sit on my butt in my cozy clothes and not have to drag my children shopping! plus it’s easier to compare prices and wait for sales!

  208. I don’t shop online as I don’t own credit cards but I like the fact that I have a wider array of choices online than I do in the minimal amount of stores we have here.

  217. I can spend hours looking and price comparing. But I really like some of the sites out their that offer cash back on your purchases, such as eBates.ca. Watching out for door crashers is fun too!

  220. oh, you know, every store is 24 hours 365… and that is soooo nice when you’re chillin’ at home.. plus waiting for the package is kinda fun!

  225. I can take my time. Which is not really possible when my children shop with me because they are not patient.

  227. Since my accident its next to impossible to get anywhere…. Online shopping gets me the things I need with so much less stress

  232. Love that recipe for the Grilled Picnic Taco Nachos. I have to try bbq’ing that soon!
    Looks tasty!!