shoppers optimum points tips

I get asked quite often about ways to maximize Shoppers Optimum Points (which can be redeemed for free items). Since I just went to a 20x's the event this weekend here are some tips...

1... Take advantage of the 20x's the point events.

These promotions help you rack up points quickly so take advantage of them! Depending on the promotion you must spend $50 or $75 before taxes, coupons, discounts and recycling fees in order to gain the extra points. I usually take advantage of the $50 ones but rarely the $75 ones.

2... Use free product coupons (FPC) or low price coupons.

By using these at Shoppers you will increase the base points that will be x'd by 20 without paying anything or very little out of pocket. Below were some of the items I was looking for on Saturday.

3... Purchase food items.

It may seem odd to buy food at a drug store but many Shoppers now carry an expanded grocery section. I've found that their price for milk and eggs are comparable or sometimes even less than my local grocery store. Earn points for what you already planned to buy from the grocery store! Below are the some of the food items I purchased along with 4L of Milk not shown.

4... Use Coupons.

Make your out of pocket expenses go further by using coupons and combining them with sales. I was only able to use one FPC and one low value coupon as some of the items I was looking for were out of stock. I did get 4 boxes of Eggos for $4.96, and a five pack of Pampers Wipes with 3 packages of Pampers diapers for $30.92.

5... Check out the clearance section.

Every Shoppers offers a clearance section somewhere in their store. Find out where it is and check it often. I picked up these two boxes of Fruit Twists for $0.99 each since they were expiring in a few weeks. However, I had a coupon for $1 off two so I only paid $0.98 for both boxes. Plus my boys will eat these within a few days =o)

6... Take advantage of items that are offering bonus points.

Shoppers offers bonus points on certain items each week. These will not be x'd by 20 during those events but they are still a great way to build up points.

7... Buy what you need.

If you're planning to purchase something anyways and it's at a comparable price pick it up at Shoppers instead. This goes for any day or the 20x's the points events.

8... Redeem your points on Bonus or Mega Redemption days.

Bonus redemption days are held through out the year and your points are worth more on that particular day. The Mega Redemption Day seems to be held every December and that is the one day of the year when you're points are worth more than at any other time. Make sure to use coupons on these days too so that your 'free money' can go even further!

9... Become a Shoppers Optimum Plus Member.

This is a program where if you spend $1,500 at the store in a calendar year you receive additional offers of bonus optimum points and deals. This is a lot of money however, that equals $125 a month which is do-able if you're purchasing groceries there regularly.

10... Buy Shoppers Gift Cards.

If you plan to spend money at Shoppers this year buy their store gift cards. You will gain points when you buy the gift cards and you will gain points again when you spend the money on the gift card!

All of that said, remember that collecting points is only worth it if you are buying items that you normally would. Don't spend money you wouldn't normally just to earn 'free' items.

For all of the items shown above my total came to $62.88. However, I used a $50 gift card I received from a different promotion which I did not have to pay for out of pocket for. So I actually only paid $12.88 out of pocket. I earned 15,800 points which is worth over $30 minimum on a mega bonus redemption day!