How to collect a ton of Air Miles

I wrote about how to build a grocery strategy to collect Air Miles, several months ago.

Here's my specific way of approaching Customer Appreciation Day (20 times the Air Miles) at Safeway and Sobeys.

Step 1: Identify your monthly needs. Toilet paper, cereal, soup, etc. (Things that are non-perishable) I also include canned goods and freezer foods. I also have kids who take lunch to school. So I use this math formula.....

2 granola bars per day x 5 days a week, x 2 boys = 20 granola bars per week (80 per month)
2 juice boxes per day x 5 days a week, x 2 boys = 20 juice boxes per week (80 per month)

2 large boxes of cereal per week = 8 boxes of cereal (per month)
3 boxes of pasta per week = 12 boxes of pasta (per month)
2 jars of pasta sauce per week = 8 jars (per month)
1 bag of frozen fruit for smoothies = 4 bags (per month)
1 bag of frozen vegetables = 4 bags (per month)
Friday night frozen pizzas (Dad's night to cook)= 4 (Per month)
2-3 rolls of toilet paper per bathroom per week, x 2 bathrooms = 16-24 rolls per month

Step 2: Identify the cupboard staples you need: Flour, sugar, baking supplies, sauces, pickles, margarine

Step 3: Add your perishables to the list (in 7-10 day quantities - depending on expiry dates)

Milk, bread, fruit, eggs, yogurt, cheese, dinner meat, lunch meat

Step 4: Is there discretionary money left in the budget for luxuries like chips, cookies, etc?

Step 5: Are there any amazing bonus offers on Air Miles worth adding to the list? (i.e., buy 6 get 100 Air Miles)

Step 6: Study the weekly flyer to see what's on sale and within budget.

Step 7: Adjust the list according to flyer & budget. EVERY SINGLE THING I BUY MUST BE A "good price" whether on sale or not. If it is over-priced, or comes on sale regularly but is regular price today, I DO NOT BUY.

*** Don't be alarmed. This will be bigger than your normal average grocery bill. But it will actually save you time and money in the long run. Instead of spending $100 per week (5 Air Miles) you are spending $300 in week #1; $30-$35 on perishables only in weeks 2, 3, & 4. As a result, you are spending the same $400 per month.***

With this formula, you will collect 300 (PLUS bonus miles) in week #1,  and 2 or so miles on weeks 2, 3, 4.  This is a HUGE difference in Air Miles from the 20 you would collect monthly from doing $100 weekly shops.

With this strategy on 20x Customer Appreciation Day, you could earn enough miles to buy a plane ticket to Toronto every 4 months.