I love back to school shopping “season” (it’s a season, don’t you think, like the holiday shopping season?) Not only do I have a massive love of all things stationery, I also love organizing and planning and yes, sending the kids out the door back to school and back to routine in September! Of course, this time of year puts a financial strain on many, and it’s important not to shop last minute in a panic, but rather to be strategic about all your back to school shopping; whether that’s for supplies, clothing or tech.
This is the time of the year to utilize rewards programs, especially ones where you’ve strategically saved rewards points throughout the year, like I do with my RBC Visa. By putting basic everyday purchases (coffee, clothing) as well as the big purchases (winter tires, kid’s sports) on my RBC Rewards credit card, I accumulate rewards for the purchases and then have rewards to use when I need them the most.
RBC Rewards is offering a number of exciting deals to clients from now until August 26, 2018, including deals on the latest tech, merchandise, gift cards and more. With products from Apple, Bose and more than 50,000 products from Best Buy, RBC Rewards can help you meet your back-to-school shopping needs, using points instead of dollars. This way, you can then have more cash for all the other expenses sure to come your way this month (have you done the big back to school lunch and snacks grocery shop yet? That’s a biggie in our household!) I also like that you can also use your RBC Rewards points to purchase gift cards for retailers and then shop in-store – super helpful for all those small items (school supplies in this case!) that are easier to shop for in-store than online.
RBC Offers is also a great way to save money and earn bonus RBC Rewards points when you use your RBC Royal Bank debit or credit card. It’s easy to use – clients can access their offers through online banking or on-the-go with the RBC Rewards app to view great offers from top brands in travel, shopping, dining gas and much more. Visit rbc.com/offers to load your offers, including 3x RBC Rewards points when you shop online at Indigo.ca from August 1 – September 30, and 2x RBC Rewards points when you shop at Apple.
Budgeting can be tough work, but I’ve found for our family (and the core principle that Feisty Frugal and Fabulous is founded on) that it’s about smart use of your cash.
Frugal is not about being cheap, it’s about getting the best deal for your dollar!
You can check my About Me page, it’s in there! It’s so true though, being frugal – smart – is about finding ways to stretch your family budget but still have the items you covet most. Using rewards programs is one of the smartest and most logical ways to get what you want FREE!
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in partnership with RBC. All opinions and commentary are, as always, my own.
To celebrate (!!!) the back to school shopping season, I’ve partnered with RBC Rewards to offer an awesome giveaway to my readers! Someone is going to WIN a Samsung Gear S3 Smartwatch (retail value $399!), one of the many items you’ll find in the RBC Rewards merchandise catalogue! This is an awesome tech item sure to be useful for the older student in your household or, let’s be honest, for yourself! To enter to win, simply fill in your name and email address in the form below and click BEGIN! Then leave a comment below on this blog post answering this question: What are you most looking forward to this back-to-school season?
I am most looking forward to seeing how much the kids learn this year.
I’m looking forward to kids concert and getting back into the regular routine.
I am looking forward to getting back to a rountine
I’m looking forward to quiet days lol
I am looking forward to getting back to a daily routine.
I’m looking forward to shop for my granddaughters clothes. I love buying an outfit or two for back to school.
I’m looking forward to back to school sales to stock up on stylish new clothes for my kid.
I’m looking forward to having a routine again and going to bed early lol
I’m craving my routine and predictable days .
Definitely routine. This summer is fabulous.
I’m most looking forward to things getting back to “normal” with a regular routine.
I most look forward to the routine that comes with going back to school but with only one in school this year, I don’t think it will feel as structured as it usually does.
I am most looking forward to experiencing some school firsts with my little one starting school this year.
I am most excited for my middle daughter starting JK! She has been home with me all summer and so excited to go to school and make some friends
My daughter has a year to go, looking forward to cooler weather and hopefully all the forest fires to be out
I’m looking forward to both kids in highschool and a routine and quiet mornings in the house again 😉
Definitely looking forward to getting back into a routine!
New stationary, and new fall TV shows… hahaha. Thanks for the chance to win 🙂
My daughter is starting her first year of preschool so I’m really excited for her to make new friends – and that I finally get a break during the day, lol.
I am looking forward to my girls entering eighth grade and my boys third. Such pivotal school years!
Forward to getting back to a rountine and mommy time alone 🙂
I’m looking forward to getting back into a routine – minus making lunches.
Last year I volunteered at the school everyday in some capacity. This year I’m going to try and stay home a little more and focus on what I need to do at home. Therefore, giving my daughter a little more independence and me a little more time. Here’s to a less crazy busy school year! 😊
I don;t have kids in school but the neighbourhood will be real quiet lol
I’m looking forward to cooler weather and the return of routine!
I cannot wait to get back into a routine again with the kids.
Thanks!
I’m looking to learning–nerd I may be!
I’m looking forward to my daughter starting high school & having cool new options to take which will propel her into the future! Plus her new school has just finished some amazing renovations so she will be in a fresh, modern environment to learn in!
I am most looking forward to the back to school sales.
I am looking forward to getting back into a routine and meeting my kids’ teachers.
I’m looking forward to getting back into routine.
I am looking forward to being back into a routine.
I’m looking forward to new notebooks! There’s something about fresh new stationary that’s full of potential 🙂
I look forward to makig lunches again 😉
I look forward to my grandson coming around after school. Also some camping in the fall is really nice.
I’m most looking forward to seeing all my kids at school again (I’m a teacher…best job ever) and to getting my own kids back into their daily routines!
I’m looking forward to my sons excitement when he meets new friends, creates new relationships with his new teachers and is eager to get up every school day!
Cozy clothes, pumpkin everything, seeing kids reading/working in libraries, etc.
I’m looking forward to all the fun grade 12 events my middle daughter gets to participate in this year!
I’m looking forward to all the kids going back to school instead of just hanging out.
I like the routine of the BTS season!
I’m most looking forward to a little quiet time for myself – its been a crazy summer….
Looking forward for me time again while the kids are back at school.
I’m looking forward to more quiet in the mornings.
Some peace and quiet!
I am looking forward to getting back into the work force 😊 7 years later of being a SAHM
Looking forward to a set schedule.
I am looking forward to taking the grandchildren shopping for back to school outfits. I am also looking forward to great fall weather.
I’m looking forward to watching my daughter learn and grow this school year. Thanks!
I am looking forward to watching my kids learn more and more.
I am most looking forward to the kids and husband (a teacher) going back to school. But I am also a teacher, so it’s a double-edged sword!
Looking forward to some free time to myself. Been a long summer.
I’m looking forward to my daughter learning to read!
looking forward to the end of their boredom they are complaining about all summer
I am looking forward to getting back into routine
I’m starting a new job as an EA so I’m really looking forward to that!
Nothing… my son is entering jk this year. I dont want him to go. I dont want to have to start making lunches
Getting back into a routine and getting my baby uninterrupted naps
Nothing really-I hate back to school time.
I am looking forward to some routine.
Getting more things done while everyone is away, quite time & me time.
I’m looking forward to the kids going back to school because I’ve been babysitting all summer
I’m looking forward to seeing how much more my granddaughter will learn and grow!!
Getting back to a normal bed time.
I’m looking forward to getting back to a regular routine.
looking forward to routine and a clean house for a few hours
I always look forward to hearing about something special my kids learned/did/saw that day at school. Seeing there days through there eyes (where I am not present) is such a great learning experience for me
I’m looking forward to the leaves changing, and cooler nights.
cozy sweaters and lattes!
I am looking forward to having a regular routine
I am looking forward to some relaxation and more walking after a very busy summer.
I am looking forward to a regular routine
Looking forward to my son learning more in school and communicating better with us.
I’m excited for my kids to continue to learn and grow!
I am looking forward to picking my grandson up from school.
Cooler weather, I’ve been melting all summer.
I am looking forward to seeing how much my daughter learns. She is so curious and loves science. She
I am looking forward to making new mommy friends!
oh my gosh i’m looking forward to so many things with my little going into Kindergarten!!!!!! i’m looking forward to getting back into my gym routine, i’m looking forward to hot coffee, i’m looking forward to actually enjoying the time i spend with her in the day because it hasn’t been all day every day. i’m looking forward to hearing about all the things she is going to learn. i’m looking forward to her being exausted at the end of the day and bedtime not being an endless battle.
yay for back to school!
I’m looking forward to getting back into a “normal” routine.
I look forward to the bts sales!
I am most looking forward to the Christmas concert!
im looking forward to being back on a scheduel
My nephew starts school when it starts. Can’t wait to find out what he’ll learn
I’m moving soon so it will be a fresh start!
To be honest, I’m not really looking forward to much this back to school season – I love summer break, and love having my kids home with me!! I guess I would say I am most looking forward to them making new friends, as they are both social butterflies who love people. My oldest is starting a new school and my youngest will have at least 5 new children in her class this year, so I am excited about the new friends they will meet.
I am looking forward to watching my niece participate in different sports and activities
I’m looking forward to electrics class
I am looking forward to shopping with my daughter for her grad dress, and seeing how my oldest does in his first year at uni.
Our family getting back into a routine, it makes things run smoother and smiles all around!
I am looking forward to getting back to a regular routine and getting a little bit of a break from my kids. I’m a single mom, no childcare, so I’m looking forward to being able to bathe in peace, and get a little bit of a break from them on the days when I don’t have appointments.
I am most looking forward to getting back into routines and schedules.
I am looking forward to getting back to a routine.
Getting back to routines.
I’m looking forward to having some one-on-one time with my daughter once my son is back in school. I always have really nice quality time with them when it’s like that.
I’m most looking forward to watching my son be the big kid in SK!
Having a regular routine.
I am looking forward to some routine and structure. My oldest son starts high school this year. Should be interesting
I am looking forward to a regular routine and all the new friends and experiences my daughter will have
For my kids to be back in a normal routine. And hopefully normal bedtime too!
I’m looking forward to all the new books.
I’m look forward to getting back into a routine!
I’m looking forward to hockey season and the return of my favorite tv shows!
I am looking forward to getting back to a regular sleep schedule for the kids.
Just the routines again ! Seems so much less hectic !
Routine!!!!!!!!!! my little guy has had quite the lax summer of gaming and outdoor play. time to get back into it.
ps. I need to up my rewards game!!
Looking forward to a routine and eating healthy 🙂
Love fall…favourite time of year. Back to a regular routine.
Getting back to a routine
I am looking forward to getting back to a routine
I look forward to not going back to school!
I’m looking forward to going back to bed earlier!
I am looking forward to getting back into routine and having the children excited about learning again
I like the routine.
I look forward to getting back to a routine and having a clean house again.
I have always looked forward to BTS time. It was more structured and I could sneak in some me time.
I am looking forward to getting back into a routine.
The fall weather!