the lencurrie life » deals

Guess Who’s Going To The Canadiens Home Opener??

lencurrie — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 19:51:28 +0000

Yes, that’s right.. me. Am I Montreal Canadiens fan? Not a chance.. but who are the playing?? Tampa Bay Lightning! Ohhh I’m getting pretty excited just typing this, it’s going to be fantastic!!

Not only are we heading to Montreal for a few days, but then we are heading to New York City for the weekend! Oh baby!! This is one of those trips that most people keep thinking they want to do, but never get around to it, and now is the time for this kid. Myself and Liz are going along with her sister and her sisters boyfriend, they are Habs fans, but we (read: “I”) don’t hold that against them.

Pic taken the last time we were there

I wanted to write about how we ended up getting the tickets and the hotel and such. First, we used Stubhub.com for the tickets.. unfortunately they were $140 a pop, but really.. can you see the getting cheaper for opening night? I don’t think so – and we were willing to pay that much for them. For those of you whom have never been to a Montreal Canadiens hockey game, it’s a must see.. the atmosphere is absolutely ELECTRIC! One of the highlights of the trip the last time we went to Montreal for certain.. if not THE highlight actually.

The next thing we needed to do was get a hotel room. I’ve used Priceline in the past with great success so we decided to try that again as well. Sure enough, after some research (using biddingfortravel.com) in order to find out what were the 4-star hotels and which were the 3.5 star, we went a ‘biddin.

We ended up getting the Omni Hotel Mont-Royal which is from what I’ve researched is a great hotel (#30 out of 165 on Tripadvisor) and we got it for the price of $100 a night. Perfect! Especially when we went on their website directly after and couldn’t find it any cheaper than $210 a night! Pretty slick sale price if you ask me!

The only concerns we have are of course the driving when we get there (especially the nutty drivers in Montreal!!) We will definitely have a GPS like the TOMTOM ONE 130?S Automobile Portable Navigator to aid us when we’re there because I know even from the last time I was there trying to drive was pretty crazy.. it’s not exactly a city which is set up very well for drivers.

Now we’re on to trying to book everything for New York. We’re thinking that we’ll get something in New Jersey and just take the shuttle or subway or whatever they have built there to get into the Big Apple for the weekend – I’m really looking forward to it since the last time I was there was only for a day and it was pre-9/11 if that gives you an idea of the time frame.

As always, if anyone has any ideas or suggestions on travelling to NYC, please feel free to comment! I love hearing and reading the and they are more than welcome!

The Lies You Hear From Future Shop

lencurrie — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:04:59 +0000

I have a very big love-hate relationship with Future Shop. I love that they are here and that I can go pick up the latest (not always) tech in a matter of minutes if I wanted it badly enough, but I hate that they mark up certain items and really screw the people that don’t know any better or fail to do a little research.

They are however, a business. And businesses need to make money – Future Shop is no exception. I found an article online however that gave 7 Lies You’ll Hear From Salesmen At Future Shop and I wanted to post them here to share cuz they are SOOOOO true!

1) “The Service Plan covers everything” In fact, it doesn’t cover most things. Don’t believe any salesman who says it covers physical damage, spills, cosmetic damage, etc. Also, after you have you machine replaced (after 3 repairs), the Service Plan stops working. The salesman will act like the replacement is a benefit, really it’s so Future Shop can wash their hands of your buggy hardware.

2) “I’m going to give you a discount”
More often than not my co-workers would lie about high priced items, claiming to take off hundreds of dollars on cables or warranties to trick uninformed shoppers. Always shop around and find out how much things are worth, and watch what the items scan in at instead of taking his word.

3) “This model is a Future Shop exclusive”
Danger Will Robinson. “Exclusives” are always a repackaged retail product, usually with a slight cosmetic change, but bumped up several hundred dollars. As my manager put it: “They move the speakers from the bottom to the sides, repaint it and we mark it up”. Salesmen make about triple commission on these models, so there’s strong incentive to push them.

4) “Setup will avoid hours of work”
This only applies to computers, but it’s good to know. Most salesmen try to push this on technophobes, saying that it’s a complicated procedure involving special tools. Really, they click through the Vista install, run regedit to stop some software and burn a backup disk. Oh, and it’s automated. Unless your time is worth about 30 dollars an hour do it yourself.

5) “You’re saving on x”
With some products there are legitimate discounts available for bundling, and managers have the authority to offer real discounts on unbundled product. However, avoid bundles like “Pay 350 dollars for setup and get free Office and Antivirus”. You end up saving about 20 dollars on Office and Antivirus, but you’re paying 80 dollars for useless setup still. If you’re going for a discount refuse to tack on anything you don’t want, and try to push the salesman. It’ll hurt his numbers to help you, but he won’t want to lose a big sale.

6) “You need Monster Cables/Setup/x to make this work well”
Monster Cables are a scam, so avoid them like the plague. They make the salesman about 25 dollars per cable, and leave you with very expensive copper. Similarly, some salesmen say computers won’t work well without setup, which less technically-inclined customers tend to believe. A vga cable is a vga cable – chances are no one is going to notice the difference.

7) “You have to buy x”
Legally, the store is obligated to sell you any available (nondisplay) product at the advertised price. Many stores “pre-setup” their laptops to avoid making customers wait for setup. Salesmen see this as an excuse to force the setup on you. Legally (at least in my store), if the customer didn’t want setup we had to give them the laptop at the sticker price, with setup. If the salesman is too pushy ask for a manager, who will know the rules a lot better.

Love that list.. and it’s so true! Share this with some people (like your parents) whom have the best intentions.. but sometimes are likely to get ripped off!

Laptop Or Desktop – Which Computer Would You Recommend?

lencurrie — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 17:58:40 +0000

So I’ve decided that I need a new computer, and I don’t know which I want.. a laptop of a desktop model. The differences are obvious, but which would suit me better?

I would LOVE feedback on this issue as I’m sure lots of laptop users have had this debate and I’m sure lots of desktop users thought about it to. Here’s the scoop for my personal situation.

Well, I’m in need of more power due to the processing of photos and video which I’m doing – I realize that this would be a ‘pro’ for the desktop model but I’m wondering if portability would be a factor? Liz has a laptop which I use regularly as it sits in the kitchen for the most part and is a great little computer for pretty much everything.. the only problem I find is that it doesn’t have the power of my desktop – so therefore I never use it for any photo processing.

Laptops generally however are more expensive than desktop computers – even if I was to get one on sale it would be more expensive I’m sure. That said they have the portability and with wireless networks getting so good, that’s a real benefit.

I’m stuck!! Everywhere I look they have sales on for laptops such as buy.com’s Lenovo on for $449 and then Dell has a sale on as well which got me thinking about a desktop (found the 2 day deal here). If you have any insights or recommendations – I’m welcome to it all!

And The Newest Member Of The PEI Humane Society Board Of Directors Is…

lencurrie — Sat, 29 May 2010 16:48:06 +0000

Me!! Yes, that’s right.. I’m extremely proud to announce that I am one of two people hired on to the board of directors for the PEI Humane Society! Obviously anyone that knows me knows that I’m a huge animal lover and do a lot to support not only the PEIHS, but also Heavenly Creatures where I adopted my two beagles back in 2006.

My role is going to be part of the Marketing & Public Relations Committee which is going to be dealing with social media (ironic eh?) and obviously public relations. I really hope that my involvement can make a significant impact and I am really excited about the challenge.

Today Liz and I are going to go shopping for some groceries (yes, for next month!) and we’re going to head to Shoppers Drug Mart for their 20X the points event they have every so often. You have to purchase $50 worth of product, but I’m thinking with all their grocery items, plus everything else they have, that won’t take much at all. I wouldn’t really care about the sale – but I have almost enough for $75 worth of free stuff so I’d like to max that out and then cash in!

Speaking of sales, I also purchased a shirt at American Eagle this week online as they had a 15% off and free shipping event! I found the deal here at Red Flag Deals and I’m really excited for it to arrive. I know last time I purchased from them it took something stupid like 3 weeks for it to get here, so hopefully that won’t be the case this time. Another great sale which I think I’m going to have to look into is this one with a package of 100 4×6” photo paper on for $9.95. With all the photos I took last weekend at the wedding – I’m sure going to need a lot more than 100 if I were to print them all out!

I’ll be writing a lot more in the coming week so be prepared! Ha, have a great Saturday everyone!

Get 30 Cans Of Tomato Paste For FREE! (In fact you MAKE money!)

lencurrie — Tue, 18 May 2010 13:34:49 +0000

Yeah you read that right, I went shopping at Sobey’s last night and I now have 30 cans of assorted tomato paste (Hunts) and Sobeys’ actually paid me $2.30 to take it off their hands.

How did I do that? Easy.. with Air Miles.

Currently (until May 27th) they have a special when you buy 5 cans of Hunts Tomato Sauce, you get 25 Air Miles. The 156ml cans of Hunts Tomato Paste go for $0.59 a piece, so in order to buy 5 – it costs $2.95.

If you’re an Air Miles collector, you already know that 140 Air Miles will get you a $20 gift certificate at Sobeys…. soooo..

I bought 30 cans of Hunts Tomato Sauce - total cost = $17.70. Total Air Miles = 150… thanks for the free Tomato Paste!

150 Air Miles - $17.70 - (got some milk in there too )

Heading To The Movies? $2.00 off your entry by texting!

lencurrie — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 19:29:39 +0000

Apologies as I’ve been pretty quiet lately – truth be told I’ve been extremely busy and also most evenings been busy watching the NHL playoffs.. no better time of year I don’t think.. love it! Anyhow a few days left on this deal which I hadn’t noticed before:

OFFER AVAILABLE APRIL 12 – APRIL 22, 2010

Text SAVE to EMPIRE (367473) to get your mobile coupon for $2 off a General Admission Ticket! Standard text and data rates apply.

Unbelievable Deal on an iRobot Roomba! (I just bought one..)

lencurrie — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:04:20 +0000

I finally gave in, I’ve been curious about this thing for quite some time – and now it’s at the price where I can’t really afford ‘NOT’ to have one.

$99

London drugs has the iRobot Roomba 400 on for just $99 (CAD $115.44 after shipping). You can view the deal here if you wanted to go buy one.

I’m hoping that this will do my front room and kitchen, but truthfully I’d be just as happy if it did just the front room and hallway – expect more of a review when I receive it and start using it.

This is also a GREAT gift idea at this price point Boy, are my beagles ever going to hate me for this one.

Oh, I should also mention that they also have an entry-level Roomba with three bonus filters (a $20 value) at the awesome price of $75. It’s got multi-surface cleaning and an edge-cleaning side brush.

Wear Something Red To Old Navy – Get 30% Off!

lencurrie — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:41:35 +0000

Pretty sweet deal if you ask me, especially since it’s pretty easy to wear something red or something with Canada on it.

Old Navy will give you 30% off your entire purchase if you wear something red, or that says ‘Canada’ or has a maple leaf. Only available this weekend, from January 29-31.

That’s a pretty good deal considering the best Old Navy Weekly coupons are normally 20-25% off and $50 off $100 (which are difficult to get).

Some Baby Deals by Request

lencurrie — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:46:49 +0000

Yeah.. I took this picture.. SOO cute!!

Ha.. go figure, I got asked to see if I could find some good ‘Baby Deals’ online for a friend of mine.. so I figured I’d do my best.

It didn’t take me long to find the following post:

Baby deals for the week of Jan 15 to 22

Zellers

Pampers boxed diapers 72 – 152s $29.99
Zeddy mega diapers $8.99
Zeddy training pants $14.99
Zeddy club pack diapers $19.99
Huggies or Kandoo baby needs $0.50 off
Johnson’s baby needs $4.69
Huggies wipes 156-232s $6.99
Pull ups or Goodnites $17.99
Gerber graduates finger foods 3 for $6
Milupa or Nestle baby cereals 3 for $9.99
Enfamil A+ infant formula 730g $28.99
Nestle Goodstart with omega or Natural cultures 730g $30.99

Walmart

Huggies diapers mega pack $17.99
Johnson’s baby shampoo $3.43
Aveeno baby lotion $7.28
Huggies wipes tub $3.47
Pampers Easy ups mega pack $17.97
Enfamil A+ ready to feed 4s $11.74
Playtex hard bottle $5.97
Johnson’s baby toiletries 798-828ml $7.57
Nestle goodstart infant formula concentrate 12s $29.97
Nestle goodstart with omega 876g or Natural cultures 768g $29.97
Parent’s choice 2pk formula with omega 1,020g $29.97
Enfamil A+ powder 1.08kg $28.97
Heinz nurture formula powder $17.97
Milupa cereals $3
Nuk 3pk nurser bottles $15.97
Munchkin snack catcher $3.97
10pk bibs $9.97
Pampers largest pack diapers $36.97
Pampers 10pk wipes $20
Pampers newborn diapers $11.97
Parent’s choice training pants $13
Underjams or Easy ups $15
Parent’s choice baby needs 2 for $4
Johnson’s bathtime gift set $19.97

Real Canadian Superstore

Pampers or Huggies club size diapers $33
Enfamil A+ formula $5 off(with coupon in the flyer)
Nestle goodstart with omega or natural cultures $28
Nestle baby cereals $3
Gerber graduates puffs,lil entrees,etc $2
Nestle goodstart concentrate 12s $44
PC Organic,Heinz,Gerber or Beechnut baby food $0.77
Beechnut Let’s grow toddler snacks $3
Beechnut Let’s Grow toddler meals 2 for $5
Gerber feeding accessories $5
Baby or Toddler Mum Mum 2 for $5
Huggies Pull ups or Goodnites mega pack 2 for $33
Teddy’s Choice mega pack diapers $11
Teddy’s choice training pants 2 for $25
Pampers club size wipes $13
Playtex genie refills $8
Dove baby wash or Vaseline petroleum jelly $3
Johnson’s baby needs $3
Penaten cream 166g $8

Loblaws/Zehrs/Fortinos

Pampers or Huggies club size diapers $33.99
Enfamil A+ formula $5 off(with coupon in the flyer)
Nestle goodstart with omega or natural cultures 2 for $57
Nestle baby cereals 3 for $10
Gerber graduates puffs,lil entrees,etc 2 for $5
Nestle goodstart concentrate 12s $44.99
PC Organic,Heinz,Gerber or Beechnut baby food $0.77
Beechnut Let’s grow toddler snacks 2 for $7
Beechnut Let’s Grow toddler meals 2 for $6
Gerber feeding accessories $5.49
Baby or Toddler Mum Mum 2 for $6
Huggies Pull ups or Goodnites mega pack 2 for $34
Teddy’s Choice mega pack diapers $11.99
Teddy’s choice training pants 2 for $26
Pampers club size wipes $13.99
Playtex drop-ins liners 2 for $16
Playtex genie refills 2 for $17
Dove baby wash or Vaseline petroleum jelly $3.29
Johnson’s baby needs $4.29
Penaten cream 166g $8.99
Kandoo or Pull ups wipes refill 2 for $11

Sobeys

Pampers or Huggies mega diapers $14.99
Similac Advance with omega powder 100 bonus Sobeys points
Baby Mum mum 2 for $5
Huggies Pull ups or Goodnites mega pack $16.99
Johnson’s baby needs $4.49

Babies’R Us

Huggies super mega diapers $16.97

No Frills

Pampers box diapers 92-144s $24.97
Pampers mega wipes $4.97

Longo’s

Pampers mega diapers $14.99
Pampers wipes tub $2.99

Rexall Pharmaplus

Pampers or Huggies diapers and training pants mega pack $16.99
Johnson’s baby needs $3.99
Aveeno baby needs $6.99
Playtex or Gerber baby accessories $1 off
Pampers or Huggies wipes tub $3.99
Nestle Goodstart with omega 730g $28.99
Dove baby wash or Vaseline petroleum jelly $3.49

So there you go.. thanks to the smartcanucks website I was able to find a lot of deals, Now I have no idea what a ‘Longo’s’ store looks like any more than I know what prenatal vitamins do.. but I think the deals that are on at Superstore, Walmart and Zellers are pretty slick for you new parents or grandparents out there! If you’re a great grandparent.. well.. get someone else to drive you to the store.. god knows we don’t need any more 90 year olds on the roads, I don’t care how good of a driver you think you are..

Another Sweet Deal – BOGO at the Movies!

lencurrie — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:00:04 +0000

I noticed this last night and didn’t get a chance to blog it – so I’ll do it today!

Unfortunately, you can’t use this with Avatar 3D, but I would imagine you could since it’s been in theaters for quite some time and I don’t see many restrictions.. simply text BOGO to EMPIRE ( ) and you’ll be presented with a code to use the next time you’re at the movies! Sweet!

Text BOGO to EMPIRE (367473) on your mobile device for your coupon!

Text offer available until February 04, 2010. Coupon is valid until February 11, 2010.

Interested in receiving more great offers from Empire Theatres on your phone? Text JOIN to EMPIRE (367473) and be the first to know about our mobile promotions.

Have questions? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions here!

Coupons expire Thursday, February 11, 2010. Only one coupon per mobile device during this promotion period.

* Conditions for the Coupon is as follows:

• Present the BOGO barcode on your mobile device to a cashier when purchasing one General Admission Ticket and receive second admission ticket free.
• Second admission ticket must be used at the same time as purchased admission ticket.
• One coupon per person, per visit, per transaction.
• Not valid for Digital 3D or IMAX® presentations, the drive-in or special events/programs.
• Valid at any Empire Theatres location.
• Subject to seat availability.
• No refunds, exchanges or time extensions on expired offers.
• No substitutions.
• Not valid in conjunction with any other discount offers, including Reel Deal Tuesday pricing
• This offer is not for resale. This offer has no monetary value.
• No copies or facsimiles will be accepted.
• This is a limited time offer. Empire Theatres holds the right to revoke this offer at any time.
• Promotion may end without notice.
• Standard text messaging and data rates may apply.
• To end a subscription to Empire Mobile, text the word STOP to EMPIRE (367473).
• Offer valid only to those who have access to a mobile device capable of sending and receiving text messages and accessing the internet.
• Only one coupon per mobile device during the promotion period

There are some good movies playing like the The Book of Eli, The Lovely Bones and Youth in Revolt- with some good ones coming up in the next month as well… so why not put down the exposed acne solution, stop heading to the poker room for an evening, and take a ‘date night’ on the cheap!