Lululemon - yoga and active wear
Last week we went off to the States for a short holiday and this was what prompted me to take a close look at what is in my wallet. I did not want to carry a load of useless junk around with me.
Now I am back I am reviewing what I do carry around.
Here is a list:
- My debit card – gets me cash out of the ATM but most often is used for paying for coffee and other small purchases. Sometimes very small purchases.
- My credit card – also used for purchases. Unlike some Canadians I don’t use my to buy a coffee. My card earns me travel points for flights (but is not the same as my Air Miles card)
- Safeway card – gets me discounts on purchases there. I can quote my home phone number instead so I may discard this one.
- Air Miles – to collect miles at Safeway and other retailers. Never taken a flight on air miles but I hear that it can be done!
- Save on more – another rewards card, which I use at Save On and also some gas stations. You can redeem points for groceries and stuff from their catalog.
- Loyalty card from Eddie Bauer – when buying clothes there.
- Loyalty card from 3 different coffee shops – which makes you wonder if “loyalty” is the right word!
- Library card
- Credit card from the Bay. Rarely shop there but got it initially to improve our credit rating.
I could go on, but I am sure you can see how big a wallet you could need.
Actually whilst away I bought a new wallet. In the process I had an interesting chat with the sales guy. He agreed that the loyalty cards were a burden. His solution was to keep them in the car. That works pretty well if you are planning a shopping trip and remember to bring the cards with you. I suspect that this may not suit us all. If the number of times I go into a shop without my reusable shopping bag is a guide, I will be leaving those loyalty cards behind most of the time!
One solution could be to be a loyal customer – shop in the same place all the time and use their card only. Unfortunately my experience is that you need to go to a variety of places to get the quality you expect. Disloyalty has its costs and its benefits.
