Posts Tagged ‘Canadian Tire money’

Mr.CBB’s Personal Finance Reading List #7 Air Fare Wars~ Air Canada Price Guarantee!

Posted: February 15, 2013 in PF Weekly Reading List
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Personal Finance Weekly Reading List

From Storage Wars to Product Price Wars and now to Air Fare Wars with Air Canada heating up the runway with a promise of an Air Fare Price Guarantee. Yes you heard that right and Air Canada is communicating this to its price savvy customers stating that if they book online they WILL get the BEST price Guaranteed. So, after you book and purchase your ticket “if you find a cheaper price for the same flight, itinerary and fare brand on another Canadian website Air Canada will give you a travel credit $50 plus the difference in the air fare costs”  according to Ben Smith, Air Canada’s chief commercial officer. Wow, I’m impressed although West Jet has something similar promising the lowest prices. This reminds me of the Canadian Tire Price Match Guarantee where they will not only match the price but give you 10% back in Canadian Tire Money to spend in the store. I know I’ve always plotted my purchases around these perks and will continue to do so as long as they are available.

I don’t know what it is any more but every where we look competition gets hotter and options just keep getting better although every dollar counts when it comes to saving. They know what consumers want, “The Best Prices” and they should stop at nothing to provide them to us even if that means price wars, business is business after all. As most Canadians continue to balance the family budget they also tend to stop spending as much money especially when consumer debt is a big part of the picture.

Canadians are always looking for ways to save whether it be price matching, cutting coupons, deal sites, coupon codes and now even money-saving apps like Checkout51 and Freshpoints Canada for the Iphone. Many stores have a price match guarantee and even a price adjustment policy which for some last up to 90 days. We purchased our water softener from Sears Canada which has a price adjustment policy for the 90 days so if they sell it cheaper we can head in and get reimbursed the money. It’s perks like these that the customers want to see because there is nothing worse than finding the same product for less.

With Air Canada I think it’s a great idea and will help bring back some of the customers as prices have always been much higher to fly with Air Canada hence why most people look for cheaper fares. Any time an organization steps outside with it costs, that cost rolls right down to the consumer. With all the technology and marketing a big company like that should be able to take it on themselves rather than shovelling it to online retailers which costs Air Canada a commission. Will this work is the question? Only time will tell but money talks, there’s no doubt about that.

Mrs.CBB and I both never bothered  heading to the Air Canada site after realizing prices were just far too expensive.  I guess you get what you pay for. All I ever worried about was getting from point A to point B safe, a good cuppa tea and space. I don’t care how cheap the flight is but if I must have smokey the bear breathing and drooling on me they can keep their money especially if it is a long flight. If it’s a short flight I’ll suck it up but anything over 8 hours I’ll pay the extra.  I’ve got a few good stories I might share one day.

I’ve travelled to many countries and I’ve never once booked through an agency. I would always search the internet looking for the best prices for air fare and book that way to save some money most often avoiding the direct airline websites due to cost. There were times I would chat to people on the plane and they would tell me what they paid and I would either bite my lip or smile because I knew I got a better deal. It pays to look around but it also helps when the big boys like Air Canada throw these types of money-saving motivators into the mix.  I’m sure this is only the beginning and we will see more air fare wars coming out of hiding because like anything money makes the world go round.

You can read the full story here.

How do you book your travel flights?

What was your worst experience on a flight?

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Is your Gas Tank Eating Into your Budget?

Posted: February 20, 2012 in Frugal Living
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Didn’t you just fill the tank honey? What do you mean you are on empty already? If you’ve heard these lines before don’t despair, so have I. Everything around us is going up except the numbers in our bank account.

In Canada every street corner adorns a petrol station with your choice of price. Take your pick, spin the bottle or take a chance that the station you chose will do the least damage to your budget.

How depressing is that? Driving up the road after filling your tank realizing you could have saved $5.00 down the street. It was clear I needed to do my homework before I went a bit nutty.

I managed to come across this website where you can check-in on the prices around town Ontario Gas Prices. Sounds great doesn’t it? Sure if you make it there on time but still a great reference.

I remember 6 years ago when gas was 75 cents a litre and I thought it was great compared to my mates overseas. When I over-heard people complaining in Canada about how expensive gas was I remember thinking, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

Ford Ka

Image via Wikipedia Ford KA

In the UK I drove a teeny weeny Ford KA 1.3 litre and it cost me a fortune to fill, about  35 pounds back in 2006 at 2.35 to the Canadian Dollar that’s a whopping $82.25(C).  Are you still complaining?   How’s that for a bargain? Yeah right. The only perk is endless roundabouts maybe Canada could learn from, less stop and go.

No one had the proverbial people carrier or minivan in the UK like most Canadian families. Who could afford to fill the tank unless they had money in the bank they didn’t mind burning.

To fill the tank of a Dodge Caravan in Ontario you’re  looking at around $75 a tank in 2012. Fill that a few times a month and you might  think twice before  heading out to window shop on a Saturday or Sunday with the family.

When I landed back on Canadian soil in 2006 the glory I once felt at the pump sunk at an exponential rate right into 2012. I’m sure all Canadians can agree we work to fill our tanks. On many occasions I’ve set out across town only to find out the price had changed on what was a sure thing. So, I have to ask myself is it really worth it for the 2 or 3 cent difference at the pump to chase the $$$ dream.

But Wait.. that’s not all folks! It gets better!

Did you know you could even get coupons sent to your email  from Canadian Tire for x amount cents off the pump price? Wow, what a great deal, bet you didn’t open that email right?

Well I did and I’m happy to say I saved myself the trek across town and a few cents at the pump just for printing a coupon. Is this the new way to get cheaper products now.  There really is a coupon for everything.

Perhaps the end may be near for  Canadian Tire Money from our wallets we welcome the weight of coupons to take its place.

English: Canadian Tire Money which can be used...

Image via Wikipedia

Do you know most families Price Match now?

Note to Retailers: If you haven’t seen me around lately it’s because I’m spending all my money at the store that accepts all coupons and price matches! Get a load of that! One stop shopping and saving time, fuel and money.

Maybe that’s why Sears  has finally woken up and has slashed prices on thousands of items. How else can you compete with the big box retailers like Wal-Mart?  Canadians just don’t have the money to pay for over priced items any more.

Credit Cards and lines of credit cannot be the third income in a family. It has to stop Canada! We all need to start budgeting and using our heads with our finances. No one will feel sorry for you,not even the credit companies.

Some tips I can offer to help take a load off your budget while filling the gas tank might seem redundant but is necessary for fuel economy.

Tips for Saving at the Pump

  • Maintenance is very important. Make sure your spark plugs are checked and all  fluids are topped up for best fuel economy.
  • Ensure tire pressure is checked often especially in the winter or change of season. Not enough air in your tires makes your vehicle work harder and costs you more money.
  • You might also want to make sure your tires are up to snuff otherwise you may need to buy new ones.
  • Check on-line websites for up to date gas prices in your community to get the best bang for your buck.
  • Use loyalty programs at your local petrol stations for free gas or in-store items.
  • Don’t make frequent trips to the station, if you need to fill it, then fill it once. The more trips you make the more money it will cost you in the long run.
  • Buy a diesel or  standard vehicle or any of the new efficient hybrid automobiles available today
  • Don’t start your engine in the winter and let it idle for too long just to warm it up, this costs money.
  • Use your cruise control on flat highway trips  and drive at a consistent speed in the city. When you accelerate up and down, your gas tank goes down, down, down.
  • In the summer open the windows instead of using the A/C
  • Plan your shopping trips in advance. If you know you are going to the dentist on Monday plan to do all your shopping on Monday instead of making another trip out.

I’m sure there are many other tricks to saving at the pump but those are some that I follow with our vehicles.

My last tip is to shake it until it’s empty-  the gas pump that is, because you’re paying for it.

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Happy Saving Folks! Mr. CBB

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