Spring has officially arrived in Vancouver. When the days get longer, and not everything I wear is covered up by a winter peacoat, and I start getting the itch to clean our my wardrobe and go shopping.
Inspired by RetailMeNot.ca and its commitment to helping Canadians save, here are some of my spring saving tips, and the great bargains I have found both on my own or through RetailMeNot.ca.
1) Shop Online First
Through RetailMeNot.ca, I can see a wide variety of deals from some of my favourite stores, and click-through to browse online. One of my favourite stores to browse through is Chapters Indigo, but by shopping online, I can browse through thousands of items without having to get off my couch. In fact, I discovered that some of the items listed online are actually a better deal that purchasing in store – especially when it comes to books.
Full Price: Goldfinch: $33 / Sale Price: $20 / Saving: $13 (40%)
Full Price: Inside of a Dog: $19 / Sale Price: $9 / Savings: $10 (52%)
Full Price: Ottolenghi: The Cookbook: $40 / Sale Price: $22 / Saving: $18 (45%)
2) Shop During Holidays
I find that many retailers will find any excuse to host a sale. In March, through RetailMeNot.ca, I could see that the online fashion boutique ASOS was having a St. Paddy’s Day sale, even though the items on sale had nothing to do with the occasion itself. In April, I went to The Latest Scoop boutique on South Granville and scored a 10%-off discount because they were having an Easter promotion. They also gifted me a complimentary liquid eyeliner as a gift with purchase!
Full Price: $100 + $10 Eyeliner / Sale Price: $90 / Savings: $20 (18%)
3) Find the Clearance Rack in Stores
Unless they are having a store-wide sale, most retail shops and boutiques have their sale and clearance items towards the back of the store. Browsing through the sale rack at Moule in Yaletown, I scored a 100% silk dress by Charlie Jade, at 70% off! The dress pattern wasn’t anything to crazy to warrant it to be on the clearance rack, with its grey, black, white and yellow aztec-inspired pattern. However, there was an unmissable, wide, neon pink stripe down the back of the dress, which would either make or break someone’s purchase decision for this particular piece. For me, the dress hung beautifully and I loved the pop of pink.
The weather in Vancouver is still too cold to wear such a delicate piece, but in a couple of months I can bring it out in the full summer sunshine and be thrilled that I had the foresight to buy something in advance at 70%-off!
Full Price: $198 / Sale Price: $59 / Savings: $139 (70%)
4) Try Before You Buy
Even though online shopping is becoming more and more popular, there’s something to be said about physically being able to try a product before buying it. I was in the market for a new curling iron but wasn’t sure which one to get. My friend made a recommendation for the Hot Tools Curling Iron (which she purchased from Amazon.com), we got together on a Sunday afternoon, I tried it out and loved it, and went online the next day to get one for myself too!
In the opposite scenario, had I not loved the curling iron, I wouldn’t have wasted $30 on something I would not use anyway.
Full Price: $50 / Sale Price: $30 / Savings: $20 (40%)
5) Use Referral Codes
My friend recently sent me an invitation to GiftAGram, which is an online gifting app. Upon signing up, we both received $20 to spend – no strings attached! Supporting local, I purchased a jar of Archimallows (which I first heard about through their pop-up at a Holt Renfrew event) which was exactly $20. Use my promo-code: VC24814 for a $20 credit to GiftAGram!
Full Price: $20 / Sale Price: $00 / Savings: $20 (100%)
6) Shop Directly from Brands at Tradeshows
Having recently travelled to Anaheim, California for the Expo West Natural Products Tradeshow, I came across Molly Mutt, which is a brand which specializes in making stuffable dog beds, in contemporary patterns. By the last day of the show, they were trying to clear our their stock and instead of charging $30 for the Dog Duvet, and $10 for the stuffable sack, they were clearing out their stock at half-price for everything.
Read Modern Mix Vancouver’s review of Molly Mutt.
Full Price: $40 / Sale Price: $20 / Savings: $20 (50%)
==
Total Full Price of Purchases: $510
Total Sale Price: $250
Total Savings: $260
In my Spring Savings adventures, I spent $250 on $510 worth of shopping, saving a total of 51%.
Modern Mix Vancouver Giveaway: Win a $100 Visa Gift Card
Courtesy of RetailMeNot.ca, MMV is giving away a $100 Visa Gift card so you can spend and save this spring. You can enter between now and Monday April 27. Open to Canada.
84 Responses
I always try to have carry over pieces from season to season. Invest in some Quality Basics It will save money in the long run.
comparison shop!!
check online and in flyers for the best deals
sign up for newsletters to get sale notifications
very handy tips!
Check flyers weekly and make meals accordingly
Set a meal budget and use coupons
Use price match and take the flyers with you to the stores that offer that! Use coupons and go early for marked down items!
I love promo codes!
Always look for coupon codes before buying anything online.
I am a big clearance/sale rack clothing shopper. Often it is simply because there are only a couple of that particular item left.
For electronics – shopbot.ca! Can use it to price match at certain stores too.
I use coupons!
Price match!
My tip is to price match as much as you can
Use saving apps like Checkout 51 and save.ca
For books, check bookdepository. They sell new books, but often at much cheaper prices than stores like Chapters.
Spring is an AWESOME time to take advantage of winter clearance sales and items like clothing and gifts!
Always use coupons always look for the lowest price poiint
Check flyers weekly and make meals accordingly
I use Flipp and price match if possible.
Always check flyers
I always check the flyers before shopping,for great deals,and to price match ! I use coupons as well!
Look into helpful apps like flipp that offer flyers, coupons and other savings assistance.
Always look for coupon codes. It can save you quite a bit.
I always check for coupon codes, read the flyers, and check clearance racks
Unless I must have the item right away, I usually wait until it is on sale. Or I use ebates to purchase it online … gives me cashback!
I try to check a few different stores for price comparison, and I always check clearance racks for great deals. I also look online for sales. Thanks for the chance to win, twitter fan@plumerea
I love to use coupons on top of sale items to get products for an even better price. For example, at Old Navy on-line I like to shop the clearance section and then use an on-line code on top of the great prices to get even better savings!
Coupons, deals, etc!
Thrifting is fun for spring $avings, some stores give you a credit if you bring in used clothes or items to recycle and be green. I have really been lucky lately, sweet spring sales in the shopping malls too when buying new!
clearance racks, and take a list so that I am actually getting the things I need so i don’t get side tracked
Always look for sales. You can find some light winter transitional pieces on sale as well.
Don’t buy unnecessary items!
My tip is use coupons and check the flyers for sales.
I wait until the items I want are on sale and use coupon with them.
Be a savvy shopper. Watch online sales, sign up for newsletters because you often get added discounts. And don’t forget the second hand stores. (I prefer the name vintage shops)
wait for sales, be patient and only splurge once in a while.
Stock up on winter clearance. It’s when I get my kids clothes for the next year
Use the online rebate apps!
I use the Flipp app to find the lowest price on the products I am searching, or just to check different flyers
always use coupons and check flyers for deals!
I bookmark sites with items I like & sign up to company newsletters so I know when they are having sales 🙂
I always check prices online before making a decision
Checking for codes for discounts online can save money like at RetailMeNotca before making your purchases for small or large items is a great way to catch some spring savings.Pretty Awesome.
Coupons are always great for saving.
I always wait for sales. I was just at the Bay today for Bay days and got some great deals!
I set up alerts from different shopping sites
All theses tips are very useful! Thank you! Love to shop for good things!
I try and hit all the big spring sales 🙂
I check flyers and use coupons.
I always use coupons as well as promo codes!
i use a flyer app like flippap to find the best deals and lowest prices..also sign up for emails from fave stores and you get discounts usually
I use the flyers to find the best deals!
Always look for promo codes or newsletter sign up discounts
I love to use coupons as well as flyers
Promo codes!
Use coupons
I sign up for email newsletters from online stores and check them daily for deals!
I always price match & search for discount codes when shopping online.
check the flyers to see who has the best deals on
Flyer checking, clearance shopping and price matching are where I save most of my money on many items.
My online shopping tip is to add items to your shopping cart and then leave the website. Sometimes companies will email you a coupon code so that you will finish your order! Thank you for the chance to win!
Price match and research a deal
for clothing I buy slightly out of season! I got my spring/fall jacket for 70% off.
I never pay full price , only buy sale or clearence items
I love to use the flipp app and coupons.
I usually buy items only on sale and with coupons like old navy has 15% off with their surveys
thanks for the tips! i often search online for coupon codes and promotional deals.
I take the clothes that I no longer wear to the consignment shop. With the money I earn I am then able to get some fab new spring items from online deals.
Take advantage of coupons, sales & savings codes to do your shopping.
Use coupons, savings codes and watch for sales!
aside from checking flyers, I always look for promo codes, especially if it’s an online purchase.
I wanted to buy something for my fiance for his birthday, and was simultaneously Googling for promo codes, but also put a note on my Facebook, to see if my friends had one.
Well, they didn’t, but just after I found one online, the retailer (CafePress, I see you, darlings!) saw my tag in my status updated, and responded with a 20% off Promo Code! Awesome! Outrageous! I was totally beyond gleeful.
Always wait for items to go on sale, never pay full price. Online discount codes, clearance racks save me $$!!
I like to price match flyers
Be the lookout for sales and use coupons.
Use cash never shop when hungry.
I watch the flyers and use coupons
Check flyers weekly
I use the flipp app and create my shopping list. we buy groceries for the week so we don’t spend money during the week for lunch or dinner.
Use coupons and shop around for best deals.
Check e-mail for coupons and discounts.
Consignment stores are great if you can spend the time to pick through to find brand name spring clothing at a fraction of the price. And even 2nd hand stores like Value Village offer 50% off days which brings the cost down SO incredibly low (I especially use those sale days for all the kids books, too!)
Scope out flyers, online coupon codes and pricematch to get the best possible deal