Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

Online Shopping, Saving and Splurging… My Way!

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NOTE: The following contest is open to Canadians only.

So, you received a prepaid credit card (or two, or ten) over the holidays, and you’re thinking:

I should probably spend this on groceries.

STAAAHP. Just stop. I mean, you *could* spend it on groceries. Go ahead! Make my day. But if you do, you won’t be making the most of that magical little prepaid credit card. In fact, you’ll be doing a disservice to gift givers everywhere. Really.
Mastercard 2Today, I’m here to show you all the possibilities of prepaid cards. And after our little discussion, if you’re still keen on using it to buy groceries, I promise I won’t hold it against you.

ONLINE SHOPPING. Because open loop prepaid cards look and function like traditional credit and debit cards, they can be used anywhere the card network (American Express, MasterCard and Visa) is accepted, including online, on the phone and around the world. So, if you’re shopping online for say, a new handbag at Michael Kors, using a prepaid card allows you to make a secure purchase while reducing the chances of fraud or identity theft. 

Okay, so you may be thinking, I can protect my identity with a Michael Kors store gift card, too. Sure! But then you’d be limited to shopping at Michael Kors. Which illustrates a second benefit: a prepaid card can be used anywhere the card network is accepted, meaning they are not limited to one specific retailer. Plus, prepaid cards are reloadable; store gift cards normally can’t be reloaded once used up.

SAVING. Prepaid cards are an excellent tool to manage a budget, because a set amount of funds are loaded in advance of the purchase. I love, love taking a prepaid card along when we travel specifically for souvenir spending; if I know we only have access to a predetermined amount, it forces us to stay within budget and not go overboard.

Of course, keeping spending to a set amount also means that you can avoid costly overdraft fees and interest charges, which are common especially following a vacation (it’s way too easy to whip out that credit card!).

SPLURGING. Sometimes, it’s necessary. And prepaid cards make it so easy to do! After all, there is no waiting for a cheque to arrive in the mail or clear the bank. Funds are universally accepted, and they function in a similar fashion to credit and debit cards at the point-of-sale. And most importantly, if you do receive a prepaid card for a special occasion, remember – it’s your gift to spend! It’s a chance for you to be completely spontaneous or finally treat yourself to something you’ve had your eye on. Which brings us back to the question at hand…

Now that you know all about the benefits of prepaid cards – how will you spend yours? One lucky ready will win a $100 prepaid card to shop, save or splurge! Simply fill the form below with your qualifying entries.

And, for more information about open loop prepaid cards, visit the Canadian Prepaid Providers Organization (CPPO).

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. susan frampton

    There’s a couple of movies I’ve been wanting and this would be perfect, along with popcorn

  3. Elaine Laforge

    I would definitely be spending it online. I love shopping from the comfort of my home early in the morning or late at night. Actually I just finished making a Lego purchase online this morning for Mixels (series 7 just released today), I would have gladly used a prepaid card if I had one :)

  5. Teressa Bignell

    I will use it for shopping for my twin granddaughters birthday & my daughter’s birthday all coming up soon!

  9. Linda L

    I think I would keep it and use it towards Christmas gifts when I am out and see something early!

  10. Monica Petzoldt

    I use them for clothing purchases online. How often does a mother buy for herself? I use them for shoes, clothes and hand bags.

  21. Hui-an

    I would use it during the summer for a day out with my family. It could either be the Zoo, Ripley’s aquarium, or the Science Centre.

  23. Erinn Lishman

    I would definitely be using this gift card to buy groceries! Nothing exciting, but hey, I do enjoy cooking!

  25. Olga Petrik

    I’d love to use it to take my niece and nephew out – it’s been awhile since we’ve done something fun together!

  43. stg

    Toys! Can never get enough of them. And would love to expand our children’s CD collection. (see a theme here?…always looking to keep the kids busy…)

  51. Alayne Langford

    I can honestly say, no matter how hard I try not to, I would spend this on my grandchildren!! ????

  58. Wayne Lecoy

    It would be great to win a $100 Prepaid Card.
    In response to your question of
    What will you spend you prepaid card on?
    I would buy myself a pair of shoes.
    Thank you for having this giveaway.

  96. Donnas

    I like your suggestion of spending it on line on a Michael Kors handbag. That doesn’t sound bad at all. Without your suggestion, I probably would have spent it on groceries.

  108. Krista M

    My little boy is sad his tablet broke this month, so it’s up to mommy to buy him a new one! Would put this prepaid card from Canadian Prepaid Providers Organization toward that!

  122. Shelley N

    I would use it to buy a new pair of work shoes and my running shoes have holes so I need a new pair of those as well.

  130. dawn walsh

    i got my grandsons and husbands birthday coming up and then there is mine. So something they would like.

  149. Julie-Lynne McCann

    I would use it to take my hubby out on a date night, we never get a chance to go out! This would be a REAL treat

  153. LUZVIMINDA GUNTER-SMITH

    If the is some left after buying the bag, would like to buy something nice for the house to remind me of the winning. Thank you for the chance

  158. Debbie Bashford

    I would put it towards a sofa, I need to replace mine, it is over 60 years old and terribly uncomfortable

  172. Bailey Dexter

    My daughter is having her second little one & I will be travelling up to spend time with her & hubby. This would be perfect for the trip!

  197. Lori L.

    I like the idea of shopping online with the prepaid cards to reduce the risk of identity theft! I will shop at Chapters Indigo for some new spring decor & candles.

  199. Cheryl Almas

    I would spend it on my girlfriend by taking her out as she has been very helpful to me during this time.

  205. salexis

    I would spend the card on new shoes for myself and the kids – there is always a need for new shoes!!!

  208. Laurie Cockburn

    I would love to buy a coffee machine. I must have hinted it to all my loved ones at Christmas time but they mistaken my wish for a kettle

  211. Branka Stefanovic

    I have been eyeing a new grind & brew coffee maker. This would get me half way there. Thank you!

  224. Bo Simm

    If I win the $100 Gift Card, I would use it towards books for the family, school supplies, and arts and crafts for the kids.

  225. June Murphy

    I will use the pre paid card to gift myself a beautiful designer purse. I’m envisioning it right now! So fun!

  245. Erica Seaman

    I am taking my children to a hotel with a pool on their March Break, we could sure use it there :)

  251. Mandy

    I will take your advice and try to splurge instead of thinking about groceries. :P I do need a new purse and I’d like to get a good quality one that will last a few years.

  252. Tara

    I love Prepaid Cards – I use them with the kids instead of giving them cash and I use them to buy groceries or possibly spurge on a Kate Spade purse!

  255. KellyPC

    I’d buy a dress or two, we’been invited to two weddings this year (that I know of so far!) & they will both come with engagement & bachelorlette parties & showers. Plus this year will be mine & my hubbys 10th wedding anniversary, our 20th anniversary & I’m turning 40 in July so I’m going to need a few new dresses!

  258. Allan Harmsworth

    Thanks for the advice, but I do use them for groceries, or buy a grocery store card with them, that way they are not kicking around forever. These prepaid credit cards expire so you have to use them up within a certain time.

  259. Tiffany Shuster

    Whyyy oh whyyy did i not read this like 2 hours ago?! I literally just spend a $100 Visa GC on GROCERIES!!! NOOOOOO!!! It would have been so much fun to splurge!! Or save..for a trip. Well thanks Lena for the great read..i have now learned my lesson! Much love to you and your blogs! :) xox Best of luck everyone and thanks for the chance to do it right! ;)

  261. gayle bellemare

    I love the idea of controlling vacation spending by using prepaid mastercard so I think I would tuck it away for some travels later this year OR I might just splurge and buy myself something gorgeous and new at the mall OR I might go to the spa OR the salon..the possibilities are endless. I won’t buy groceries with it despite being able to, that is where all the rest of my money seems to go :)

  268. Heidi M

    Have a BIRTHDAY coming up for a son and love to treat some family members…this would come in SO handy

    Thanks for the lovely chance to win…they are the best

  274. Tara Gauthier

    I would set this aside for our upcoming vacations, such a great way to have money set aside to budget expenses while away!