Hooray, Guilt-Free Spring Shopping Is Here

Do we need a reason to go shopping? Short answer: no. Long answer: helllllll to the nahhhhhh. But even those of us who don’t regular engage in retail therapy find plenty of reasons to shell out every spring—Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and graduation celebrations all call for thoughtful gifts and outings, Easter beckons in a whirlwind of social events, spring cleaning requires organizational resources and those perfect April days just beg for a new pair of sandals. Boom, spending happens. 

If shopping is inevitable, get ahead of the game with the Shop With Heart card. Sponsored by the American Heart Association, the card is available for purchase now for $50, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefitting the organization, which works to combat heart disease and stroke, the No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death in America, respectively.

Heart Card holders will receive special perks at more than 500 retailers and restaurants during the 10-day shopping period from April 22 to May 1. Local and national stores like Bering’s, Elaine Turner, The Container Store, Fleet Feet Sports, West Elm, Manready Mercantile and Tootsies will offer 20 percent off merchandise. If you’d rather save on a service, cardholders can get the same deal from local gyms, workout studios, salons and spas on the list, including Azur Salon, Blush and Brush, Orangetheory and Sanctuary Spa.

Stop in a participating restaurant like Tony’s, Bernie’s Burger Bus, Roost, Américas or Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen on a shop break and present the card to receive a complimentary appetizer or dessert with the purchase of an entree. (Studies show shopping is like playing a sport, so you’ve earned it.)

Check out the full list of participating businesses here, and go ahead and start making your reservations and game plans now—play your cards right and you could get all your late-spring gifting and spending done at a discount. You wouldn’t have to set foot in a boutique until September rolls around—not that you’d let that stop you.