What To Do With Unwanted Gift Cards– Buy and Sell at Card Swap

CardSwap is Canada’s gift card buy and sell store. Buy cards through the site and get SwapPoints back which you can save up to purchase more gift cards or get cash back through PayPal. You can also sell your unwanted gift cards and receive up to 92$ in SwapPoints or get paid directly for it.

Shipping is always free and you can get 92% back on your cards that you sell. You can put merchants in your wish list so that you will be notified when a certain gift card is available for purchase.

I was given the opportunity to try the service out. I didn’t have any gift cards I didn’t want to sell but I was given some swap points to use to purchase a gift card. It was very simple. I decided I wanted a Tim Hortons gift card so I searched for Tim Hortons and found a $50 card was available which was perfect as that is how many points I had.

When you go to a merchant page, it shows you any cards that are available or just sold and how many swap points you will get back for purchasing it. If you scroll down there is also merchant information like the company’s website, how to check your balance on a gift card from that merchant and other information.

There are all kinds of merchants to choose from.

After ordering my card, I immediately received my SwapPoints and my card was mailed to me in less than a week. I have tested it out a few times with no problems, the proper amount was on it and it worked great (and the Tim Hortons tasted good of course.)

It is all very simple and I think it’s a great idea if you get a gift card for a store or restaurant you don’t really use, just don’t expect that since your card is worth $25, you will be able to get a different card worth $25 in it’s place, that’s not exactly how it works. Different cards are worth different amounts of points though.

Connect with CardSwap on Facebook and Twitter.

*Disclosure: I received SwapPoints on CardSwap free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes.  No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Lovable Labels Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sale

Lovable Labels makes personalized labels for just about everything from your children's belongings to household products. I've reviewed some of their products in the past including:

• Friendship Pack
• Holly Jolly Gift Pack
• Wire Tags

Disclosure: I will receive product from the company in exchange for this post.

Procter & Gamble Has Been In My Life for Years #PGmom

Recently I was picked to be a Procter & Gamble Mom and spread the word about the company and its products to my readers. I had already been working with the company through their PR team and it was me who had suggested they create a button for the bloggers they work with to display on our blogs. I’m not saying the program was created because of me but it was shortly after that suggestion that this program was announced.

Why am I thrilled to be chosen as a P&G mom?

• I’ve known the company name since I was at least 10, probably before since I was an avid reader and read product containers all the time.
• My clothes have pretty much always been washed in Tide, even when I was a child as that is the brand my parents use as well.
• I didn’t wear much makeup in high school but what I did was was CoverGirl.
• Duracell was always my family’s go-to battery brand. I liked the Energizer bunny but my dad said Duracell was longer lasting so that’s what we used.
• Always was always the brand of feminine products we bought. My mother used them so when it was my turn, I used them to and it’s what I still buy.
• Our family has always had dandruff troubles so we use Head & Shoulders to wash our hair and always have. Even my husband uses it and now one of our daughters.
• My razors are Venus brand. I’ve switched which Venus I’ve used but have always favoured Venus.
• MOST IMPORTANTLY – I love talking to other women and moms about what products and services I use and ideas to help make our lives easier.

I use some other products and others I’ve tried here and there. I don’t claim to use every P&G product but I’m happy to try ones I’ve not tried before. Over the next while, you will see product reviews, giveaways and informative posts related to Proctor & Gamble. I hope you will join me in the discussions of those posts. Even if you aren’t an official P&G Mom, if you use a P&G product and are a mom, you are an honorary P&G Mom and I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Some of the MANY other P&G Brands: Iams, Aussie, Braun, Clairol, Crest, Fusion, Gillette, Herbal Essences, Ivory, Nice ‘n Easy, Pantene, Olay, Pert, Secret, Old Spice, Oral-B, Tampax, Bounce, Charmin, Cascade, Dawn, Downy, Comet, Mr. Clean, Swiffer, Pampers, Pepto-Bismol, Vicks, Gain and MORE.

Name a P&G brand YOU use!

*Disclosure: I was chosen as a P&G Mom and as such decided to write this post. No compensation was provided for this post but I do get perks as a P&G Mom.  See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

P&G Brandsaver–$164 in coupons out Nov. 7 #PGmom

I’m happy to announced that I’ve been chosen as a P&G Mom and so will be sharing Proctor & Gamble news and more over the next while. I take a train tomorrow morning to Toronto for the program launch where I will learn more about the company and it’s products.




BrandSAVER is a coupon book from P&G and on November 7, the newest book will have up to $164 in coupons on tons of different products. Any family is sure to find something they like.
Where will you find  these coupons? Visit http://www.brandsaver.ca starting Nov. 7.




*Disclosure: I was chosen as a #PGMom and am going to Toronto for the program launch. No other compensation was provided for this post. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Unique Lifestyle Accessories, Gifts and Gadgets from Paramount Zone

Paramount Zone is UK based online store that carries interesting gadgets and gifts for everyone in your family from:

Like and Dislike Stamps

to a Sports Car Mouse

to a Secret Message Pen

There are techie gifts, cool gadgets, retro toys, electronics, magnets, more toys, games/puzzles and so much more.  No matter who you are shopping for, you will find something for everyone.

Paramount Zone has created special sections on their website to help you sort through their large selection of products to find just the right thing. Are you looking for christmas gifts for her? Perhaps you need christmas presents for kids. Or even more specific, christmas presents for a boyfriend.

There is even a gift finder which is like a search but you can input what type of person you are buying for (man, woman, child, brother, girlfriend, wife etc.) and their personality (couch potato, high flyer, Active, Gadget Geek etc.)

I found all sort of things that would be perfect for the people in my life, even the really hard to buy for ones. So if you have one of those in your family, Paramount Zone may be a good place to start.

Although they are located in the UK and offer free shipping within the UK, they will also ship to a few other countries in the world including Canada and the United States.

Keep in mind that prices are listed in £ and will be slightly different if you are not in the UK.

*Disclosure: I received compensation for my time writing this post. Opinions on the company are based on what I see, the product/service has not been tried. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

REVIEW: Back-to-School with Dudley Backpacks

Almost Back to School Time

In some places, it’s back to school time already. Around here, school doesn’t start for a few more weeks but it’s certainly time to get your back to school supplies.

My girls are going into Grade one and Senior Kindergarten(SK) this year. At our school, going into Grade One means moving from going to school every other day to going every day and of course means moving from play based learning to desk work.

Morgan (left) was ready for Grade One before SK even ended. She is SO excited to be a “big kid.”

Out With the Old, In With the New

Her old backpack was smaller, designed for young children and would not be suitable for a Grade One so we needed a new backpack. I usually wait till last minute and end up with a cheap backpack that isn’t that great.

Then I found out Dudley, the maker of Combination Locks recently starting manufacturing backpacks. They agreed to send me one to evaluate. Available exclusively at Staples Canada, these backpacks are designed for the student of today.

Important Features Your Child’s Backpack Needs:

• Proper padding on more than just the shoulders to protect their bodies. (Dudley backpacks have wide padding on the shoulder, back and even hips.)
• Compartments for organizing items and distributing weight (Dudley backpacks have multiple compartments from large to small)
• Made of Durable Material (Dudley backpacks are have a hard plastic bottom and are made well to stand up to what your child does to it.)
• Style Your Child Likes - Kids can be cruel and you want your child to be proud to wear their backpack. (Dudley backpacks come in White, Black, Blue, Pink or Yellow and the design is modern and trendy.)
• Meet the Needs of Today’s Child – who has electronics and often carries money and/or house keys. (Dudley backpacks have ear bud hole access to prevent loss or theft of electronics and hidden interior pockets to hide small valuables)

Padding on Shoulders, Back and Hips

Lots of Inner Compartments

Earbud Hole Access

These lightweight backpacks are available at Staples Canada with a suggested retail price of $49.99

Dudley Also Has School and Locker Supplies

Chose from their Locker Boot Mat to trap dirt, mud and water and keep your locker dry, the Vertical Set-Your-Own Combination lock, Bicycle Cable Lock with Letter combination and Stationary Accessories Kit (with geometry set, pencil case, pencil sharpener, flexible ruler, mini stapler and staples and three hole punch)

Supplies Availability and Pricing:

Locker Boot Mat (Staples Canada) $7.99
Stationery Accessories Kit (Walmart Canada) $15.99
Set Your Own Combination Lock (Staples Canada, Walmart Canada, Jean Coutu, Novexco, Varites Prud’Homme) $9.99
Bicycle Cable Lock (Jean Coutu)$8.99

The Bottom Line

I am pleased with the backpack. It is a little big for my 6 year old (and she’s a tall six year old) but she will grow into it and I expect it to last her a few years. I don’t think $50 is too much for a quality backpack that should last a few years and has such great features. I know when I was in school it was hard to keep my backpack organized because it all went in one spot.

A Chance To Win

I will be giving away a Dudley backpack to a lucky Canadian  in the Back to School Spree Giveaway 8/17-8/31

*I received product from a company or PR agency for evaluation purposes. All review are honest.

Zellers is Looking For Your Memories (Sponsored Video)

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As mentioned previously, Zellers is closing it's doors and I am sad to see it go.

My family shopped there all the time. I got my back to school shopping done there, I bought new clothes there, we bought gifts for others there, and when I had kids, we bought baby stuff there. I don't want to let it go!

Do you remember Zeddy? The Zellers Teddy Bear character? I had almost forgot about him till I saw mention of him. He was taken off as mascot in 2005 except in the baby section but was brought back a few times since the stores starting preparing to close.

Unlike other stores, Zellers really appreciates it's customers and wants your help in remembering it's past. They are looking for customer's memories that they can recreate like the video below.  Maybe something memorable happened to you or your family member in a Zellers. Something funny perhaps? Or embarassing? Don't be shy, share your story!

Share your story on the Memory Showcase Tab of the Zellers facebook page. If your story is one of the eight they pick to bring to life, you will receive a $250 Zellers Gift Card! Considering all the sales that are going on, you can buy a lot with that. There are some stories there already that you can check out!

Also anyone can stop by the page and pick up a Zellers coupon for $15 off when you spend $75 or more in the seasonal department but hurry, the coupon ends Apr 5.


*Disclosure:  This post was sponsored by Zellers but written by Callista's Ramblings. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

REVIEW: Phit Grip - Antimicrobial Non-Slip Shopping Cart Cover

There are all kinds of products on the market that protect babies from the germs of shopping carts but what about adults without children, or those who didn't bring their children? How can they prevent getting germs while shopping?

PhitGrip is a company that makes antimicrobial non slip grips for weight lifting and now they have a special grip for shopping carts.

(c) phitgrip.com

The grip doesn't just cover the cart with something clean to hold on to, it also has a anti-microbial surface that scares away staph and e coli germs. Plus it provides a nice comfortable grip which is easier on your hands and its only $11.99!

You could easily stick it in your car with your reusable grocery bags to be taken into a store with you whenever you go. It feels like foam so it could easily be wiped clean before the next use or even bent to fit into a tight spot in your car.

Buy Here and check Phit Grip out on Facebook and Twitter

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

Shopping with Centrsource

Shopping sure has changed.

When I was a kid (not even that many years ago really) you did all your shopping in the store. If a store wasn't in your city, than you couldn't shop at it. You scoured the weekly flyers for the specials so you knew what store to go to and that was about it.

Now many stores allow you to shop online so that if there isn't a specific store in my area, I can shop online and the products shipped to my door. Even if I do have a local store, I can do all my shopping online, even grocery shopping. Plus there are daily deal sites and sites that help you find what you are looking for like Centrsource.

Centrsource is a Canadian site, run by Canada Post. It shows you deals around Canada in different categories. You can search by topic and/or by location to get offers that are relevant to where you live.

When you click on an offer, you are given more information on the product and store it comes from and you are shown how much time you have left to take advantage of the offer. It's not like daily deal sites where you only have one or two days and a certain number of people have to want it first. The deals I looked at today were good until Dec 19, November 2012 and March 2020!

There are ebooks and magazine subscriptions, electronic, home appliances, toys, pets, gifts even vehicles. You can search by seller too.

*Disclosure: I received compensation for this post. All content was written by me and is honest. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.