I get it, I really do. It’s an oxymoron, I know. *How* could I treat myself to a shopping spree if I was on a budget? Aren’t the two mutually exclusive?
Folks, it CAN be done. With prepaid cards, it’s easy to splurge while sticking to a set spending limit! Think about it: open loop prepaid cards look and function like traditional credit and debit cards with a significant difference – they access funds that have been pre-loaded by a consumer or business. Therefore, they’re the perfect budgeting tool! They allow me to exert control over my spending and at the same time, avoid interest charges and overdraft fees (win-win-win!).
This past week, my good friend Zeba from Ella Pretty Blog and I went on a prepaid shopping spree. Armed with my American Express prepaid cards, we had a girls’ day at the mall with one mission in mind: spend the entire balance available to me (a whopping $500).
Which brings me to my second point: sure, you *could* spend a prepaid card on groceries (remember my previous post?), but I really want you to do something amazing, just for you. A prepaid card is often a gift – treat it like one! You only live once, and splurging on yourself is twice as nice.
Now, since Zeba is my official style advisor and the only person I trust to advise me on fashion and trends, you could say that we had way too much fun. But that’s the beauty of prepaid cards: you get to spend, spend, spend until the card runs out, and then, you walk away with amazing new things – not credit card debt!
Are you ready for the big reveal? Here’s what we bought!
Now I may be biased, but I think everyone needs a little Chanel, Minkoff, Spade and Kors in their life! Collectively, these are all items I would have coveted excessively but never had the gumption to actually purchase. Thanks to my American Express prepaid cards (which feel prestigious, almost luxurious, not gonna lie!) and a sweet shopping companion, I feel good about my purchases and know that I splurged the smart way.
Remember, with prepaid cards, funds are universally acceptable. You can make purchases anywhere in the world the card is accepted, including online and over the phone. The cards are convenient and easy to use; they function in a similar fashion to credit and debit cards at the point-of-sale and offer the same fraud and loss protections. Ah-ma-zing.
Do you love what you see? Since Instagram is all about fashion, I’ve teamed up with four (4) of Canada’s best fashion bloggers to award one lucky Instagram follower the ultimate shopping spree –
You could win $500 in American Express prepaid cards! Visit this post on Instagram for all the details, and good luck!
For more information about open loop prepaid cards, visit the Canadian Prepaid Providers Organization (CPPO).
Thanks,I will be back
Looks like you had a fabulous shopping spree! I will be back later to check out what you are talking about! I could use some retail therapy after this last week.
nice , will be back thanks for sharing
sounds awesome. will be back later!
I totally love your new Rebecca Minkoff and your MK. Great choice!
That must have been so fun, like a kid in a candy store no worries
Great choices! I like prepaid cards for shopping online too. :)
I honestly believe it is good for the soul to splurge and treat yourself occasionally!
Thanks for the chance :)
I love it! I followed you & the other ladies!
Thanks for sharing!
Awesome! I followed all :)
thanks!
I like the Kate Spade sparkles a lot.
Nice to treat yourself. I am a big fan of making my money go really really really far by shopping sales so $500 would probably get me $600 to $800 worth of merchandise. Harder to do that on designer stuff of course since they rarely go on sale but sometimes they have bonus stuff or a few things on sale. nice haul
on your last post about prepaid cards many people put down groceries as their choice for spending the card and I think that is, unfortunately, reflective of the position most people are in -very limited funds for “fun”. I was talking with a lady that works the beauty area in a Shoppers right before Valentine’s and she said that people were really scaling back on Valentine’s gifts this year -hardly any purchases of nice fragrances etc compared to other years. It was not in an economically depressed area either.
Prepaid cards are the best. This would be a nice way to treat myself.
That Michael Kors bag mini key chain is adorable! WANT!
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the tip on pre-paid credit cards. As you said, since they are pre loaded, it would help to stay on a budget.
Holy batman, OMG. Re: WOW, I need the prize to buy much needed grocery & supplement to get well soon. Wow, prize $500 gc is fab. & splendid. 2 fingers snap. It is tight, fly & off the chain. Thank you for the awesomeness, the contest, and generosity. :) Pick me, pick me! Dear Santa: I’ve been nice. My X-Mas wish this year is to win this contest. Starving artist here desperately needs the gc to shop and eat. A life changing exp.
Oh, you ladies had fun – you deserve it! I love the Chanel polish and fragrance!
Lena, you have the best giveaways! My daughter and I drooled over this one and we both love a prepaid gift card. ;-)
Fingers crossed for this one,
buy perfume and makeup don’t know why previous comment never showed so doing again.
Always looking for good deals – frugal shopper – Chanel fragrance one of my favorites.
I love your choices. With my last prepaid gift card (Christmas) I splurged on a super cute hat.
Thanks for all the tips on pre-paid credit cards Great giveaway
Prepaid cards are great.
I am a fashion novice – I envy people who look so put together … I think you are right… I DO needs a little Chanel, Minkoff, Spade and Kors in my life! lol
I cant remember I splurged and spent money on myself…I havent bought a Winter jacket or boots in 10+ years..I wear my moms or sisters cast-offs!
I love all these products but especially the Michael Kors mini bag keychain; love love it!