We are giving away 1 free Bell Video Store rental code to the first FCL reader to email us. The rental has a $5 retail value and is valid till Dec 31, 2008.

Once the code has been given away this post will be updated.

Details about Bell's Video Store can be found at bellvideostore.ca/moviecard

Canadians love Tim Horton's coffee and now with the new Tim Horton's prepaid cards, buying coffee could not be easier. The Tim Horton's cards are credit card sized cards which can be preloaded with an amount of money up to $200. You can load credit on your card either at any Tim Horton's store or online. However there are few scams out there that you should be aware of.

Switched Blank Cards

You just loaded $50 on your Tim Horton's card. You go to the store and buy a couple of coffees the next day you go back to Tim Hortons and the cashier tells you that there is no money left on your card. What? How is that possible?

There are hundreds of blank cards in every store. The last time you were there the cashier had switched your card with a blank card.

You can protect against this by writing your name or initials on your card with a permanent marker. This way you can be sure that you are getting your card back. Also always ask for a receipt. The receipt will show you how much was charged to your card and how much is left.

Stolen Credit Card Cards

You see discounted Tim Horton's cards for sale on Craigslist, or Kijiji or from someone in front of a store. The cards are loaded with $100 or $200 online using a stolen credit card number and sold for $60 or $150. The seller will even allow you to check the card balance at a store and the balance will be accurate. A few days later your card will not work. That is because the Tim's card was bought with a stolen credit card and when Tim Horton's found out they deactivated it.

Cloned Cards

This scam is similar to the stolen credit card scam but a little different. A Tim Horton's card is loaded with cash. The magnetic strip of this card is then copied and written on to blank cards. All of these cards will then have the same amount loaded on them. However as the different victims use one of these cards the money is subtracted from all of the cards.

Protect Yourself

The best way to protect yourself is to use cash. If you must use a Tim Horton's card then make sure you write your name on your card, keep it in your sight at all times and don't buy cards from someone you don't know.

The evening of Friday, October 31, is Halloween, and millions of kids around the world will go door to door trick or treating. You could use this opportunity to advertise your business to the parents of these children by placing your business card along with your treat.

Handing out business cards with your candy is a cheap and relatively effective marketing strategy. The kids might not read it but most parents check their kids loot bag when they get home. This means that they will see your card.

Door to door flyer delivery would cost you between $0.06 - $0.10 per house or mailbox, excluding the cost of the flyer. Handing out advertising material during Halloween is free. Keep it fun. You could hand out Halloween themed buttons, stickers, pencils, fridge magnets, toothbrushes, with your business information on it.

Enlist the help of your friends and family, have them hand out your business cards as well. Remember that you have always given them a discount when they asked for your business services.