What to Buy at a Shoppers Drug Mart Bonus Redemption

The Shoppers Optimum rewards program is fantastic. As many of you already know, I am a huge fan of this program from Shoppers Drug Mart. I really do believe it is the best rewards program in Canada. So much so, that I wrote an eBook about it: The Ultimate Guide to Shoppers Optimum Rewards.

When bonus redemptions roll around at Shoppers Drug Mart (every few months or so – and one really big one right before Christmas), I always get bombarded with emails from people asking me what is on my shopping list.

Are you wondering what to buy at a Shoppers bonus redemption event? Here’s what I suggest:

Items you can’t usually get for free/cheap

The best thing to spend your points on are items that are near impossible to get for free or cheap. This means you either have to wait for a good sale, or pay full price (ouch!).

Some examples include: Cat litter, garbage bags, Brita water filters, peanut butter, and bathroom tissue. Stock up on these items during a Shoppers bonus redemption to avoid the full price trap.

Items that are on sale

Most times, the sales that coincide with a bonus redemption are not spectacular. However, there are occasionally times when there are a few good deals. If these deals are for items you use all the time, it might be a good idea to pick a few of those sale items up.

Remember to watch for limits, though, as many of the front page deals are a limit of 4 per person at Shoppers Drug Mart.

Items that have bonus points attached

When you’re planning your shopping trip, be sure to check out our Shoppers Optimum Bonus Points & Coupons page to see what items can give you extra bonus points when you purchase them.

I know what you’re thinking: “What? You can earn bonus points when youre paying for your purchase with points?”

Yes, yes you can. Keep in mind that you will only be awarded bonus points on items that offer a set number of points. Will work: “buy this Pantene shampoo, get 500 bonus points”, Won’t work: “buy this Pantene shampoo, get 10x the points” OR “buy $10 worth of Pantene shampoo, get 500 points”.

Purchasing items (with your points) that have bonus points attached to them, is an easy way to build your points back up again.

Pantry staples you are running low on

Flour, sugar, baking powder, chocolate chips, honey, canned tomatoes, jam, oil, pasta, crackers – if you need these items soon, don’t wait for a good sale when you can get them for FREE during a Shoppers Drug Mart bonus redemption! Even if you have to “pay” (with points) full price for them.

We go through a lot of honey in our house, and many times I have had to spend $7.49 worth of points on each bottle I picked up during a redemption, just because those items were on sale. Could I have waited for a $3.99 sale (which happen often)? Of course. But then I’d be out $3.99, when in this case, I’m out nothing.

A splurge item for yourself

Collecting Optimum points takes time, patience and dedication. Redeeming those points is fun. Don’t spend them all on boring stuff like groceries. Be sure to get a little something for yourself, as well. Think of it as a tip for doing such a great job collecting points!

Whether it’s a new perfume you want to try, some makeup, a camera, or even your favourite chocolate bar – always get something for yourself. It makes those redemptions so much more fun.

Redeeming your points at Shoppers Drug Mart is exciting, and although there are many great things you can get for free with your points, you do want to go into the store with some kind of plan on how you’re going to spend them.

Make a list of “must haves”, and get those items first. Make a list of “just in case” items and get those if your must haves are sold out. Make a list of “inexpensive extras”, and get those items if you go to checkout and find out you still have a few dollars left to spend (this has happened to me many times, when items were on sale and not marked, which threw off my total).

The most important thing is to have fun. You earned those points – now go spend ‘em!