Scrutiny by the Masses: Walgreens Balance Rewards

We are a fairly prescription heavy family.

Not in pain pills or such - but with five asthmatics, food allergies, intolerances and other fun medical quirks, you can pretty much look for me in the pharmacy section at least twice a week. All of those different medicines run out at different times, doncha know. This unfortunate reality means that I'm in a drugstore a LOT - it's fortunate for the store, however, as I tend to remember that I need one thing or another - and I've spent money almost without thinking.

We try to live a healthy lifestyle. We eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, avoid sodas (for the most part, but I will confess to a Diet Coke addiction), use sunscreen religiously, get our immunizations and try to get plenty of exercise. We aren't freaks about living healthy, but it's a really good idea and the concept of "healthy living" is one that I want my kids to grow up with - as opposed to trying to adopt in their 40's.

Ahem.

Walgreens has introduced a new program designed to reward shoppers for living a healthier lifestyle. "Balance Rewards" is a comprehensive program that supports you in your efforts to live your life in a way that makes you happy and keeps you healthy. You can earn thousands of points on many of the items you buy that can be redeemed on future purchases, either in store or online.

What does this translate to? It's a shopping card that you swipe - either a physical card or a digital one that can be loaded on your phone - yayyyyy for me - if I have to put one more card in my wallet or on my key chain I might lose my mind - and you are rewarded just for doing things to improve your health.

Get a flu shot? Earn points.

Buy vitamins? Fill prescriptions? Get more points.

Go for a walk? Earn even MORE points.

Seriously. You get points for going for a WALK. Walking is one of the best exercises that there is out there - you don't need equipment, it can be done at any fitness level and can be done with your husband while you give him the intimate details of your day - after all, he's a captive audience and can't escape.

Not that my husband EVER tries to do that.

Here's a great explanation:

With exclusive sale prices for Balance Reward members, it means that your total shopping cart will cost less - which means more money for chocolate.

Or fruit. I TOTALLY meant fruit.

Your points are totalled up for you, and you can redeem those points for items you love.

I'm going to join the program and shop over the next month. I'll be reporting back here with my thoughts - make sure to check back. And let me know your thoughts!

Disclosure: I was compensated to facilitate my review of the Walgreens Balance Rewards program. This compensation did not affect my opinion, and, as always, my thoughts are my own.