December 2016 Frugal Chatter thread (all welcome)

[jasperandchar]

Welcome to December 2016 frugal chatter thread

[Ciel]

The Longos calendar on my bedroom wall has been open to the December page for about two weeks now. Yes, I'd like the cake pictured for the month. Talk about baking ideas!

P&G coupons (from last insert) have Dec. 11 expiry dates-let's shake those savings out on our shopping trips.

The weather forecast for Hamilton this month seems to have temperatures hovering just above or below 0C. Not sure there will be snow for Dec. 25. Tea and toast time regardless-I have enough tea to take me into the New Year/January (when I'll probably want a change).

[sweet sparrow]

I just saw the new BMO rates beginning today. I suppose it won't be long before other banks follow suit. I haven't completely made the switch over to online banks simply because of the ability to get rid of my loose change whenever I feel like standing in a line. With conveniently located bank machines, it seems quite easy to find change for $5 nowadays. I also kept the old account for the lower fees for bank drafts and exchanging Cdn currency.

There is still a major car purchase next year, so I assume that will come in handy at least once, but DH will still have his account, so I'm sure I'll be safe in giving up mine. DH tried to close his account once but they told him he could only do it at the branch he opened it at, which I suspect was a dirty trick in making him go away. There's no way he could visit a branch two hours from here, between Mondays - Fridays from 9 AM to 3 PM....

No baby news for at least a week, according to the doctor. Baby is low, but still quite comfortable in there. I, on the other hand, woke up to the most horrible hip cramp after LO had a restless night. I thought it was only leg cramps but it can go to your hips too! Well, not long now. I am hesitating to take LO out of daycare permanently to make next week the last week. There's no going back! Perhaps LO and I will have a chat tonight. She has already chosen acceptable names for the new baby and informed everyone at daycare.

[Frugalbigmama]

I just saw the new BMO rates beginning today. I suppose it won't be long before other banks follow suit. I haven't completely made the switch over to online banks simply because of the ability to get rid of my loose change whenever I feel like standing in a line. With conveniently located bank machines, it seems quite easy to find change for $5 nowadays. I also kept the old account for the lower fees for bank drafts and exchanging Cdn currency.

There is still a major car purchase next year, so I assume that will come in handy at least once, but DH will still have his account, so I'm sure I'll be safe in giving up mine. DH tried to close his account once but they told him he could only do it at the branch he opened it at, which I suspect was a dirty trick in making him go away. There's no way he could visit a branch two hours from here, between Mondays - Fridays from 9 AM to 3 PM....

No baby news for at least a week, according to the doctor. Baby is low, but still quite comfortable in there. I, on the other hand, woke up to the most horrible hip cramp after LO had a restless night. I thought it was only leg cramps but it can go to your hips too! Well, not long now. I am hesitating to take LO out of daycare permanently to make next week the last week. There's no going back! Perhaps LO and I will have a chat tonight. She has already chosen acceptable names for the new baby and informed everyone at daycare.

When I bought a car for cash years ago I just ordered a bank draft and it came quickly. (ING/Tangerine and PC FINANCIAL- have done with both) Yes you pay a higher fee but really it is a rare thing needed.

[Frugalbigmama]

I just saw the new BMO rates beginning today. I suppose it won't be long before other banks follow suit. I haven't completely made the switch over to online banks simply because of the ability to get rid of my loose change whenever I feel like standing in a line. With conveniently located bank machines, it seems quite easy to find change for $5 nowadays. I also kept the old account for the lower fees for bank drafts and exchanging Cdn currency.

There is still a major car purchase next year, so I assume that will come in handy at least once, but DH will still have his account, so I'm sure I'll be safe in giving up mine. DH tried to close his account once but they told him he could only do it at the branch he opened it at, which I suspect was a dirty trick in making him go away. There's no way he could visit a branch two hours from here, between Mondays - Fridays from 9 AM to 3 PM....

No baby news for at least a week, according to the doctor. Baby is low, but still quite comfortable in there. I, on the other hand, woke up to the most horrible hip cramp after LO had a restless night. I thought it was only leg cramps but it can go to your hips too! Well, not long now. I am hesitating to take LO out of daycare permanently to make next week the last week. There's no going back! Perhaps LO and I will have a chat tonight. She has already chosen acceptable names for the new baby and informed everyone at daycare.

I have a US account at CIBC. and it is free to put money in and costs .75 to withdrawal. Apparently most banks have this cheap US account.

[coupon girl]

wow dec1 already -I have the tree standing but need to put lights on and decorate -may leave the decorating part for when ashlyn will be here Friday night /sat morning
-wow have a ton of stocking stuffers and gifts all over my spare bed gotta get those away today before ashlyn arrives Friday night
-leaving for Toronto early just around 8.45 to get Toronto so my daughter can go for a massage and hot pool spa -we will leave around 5.00 to then get home and pick ashlyn up at her other grandparents to sleep over -wow both grandkids same day
-I told son if her ever buys tickets to something again next time tell me right away and I will pencil it in on calendar as I am sure I will be tired sat afternoon -still waking up at 5.00 a.m some days

[Natalka]

Good day!

Went through some of the flyers for next week, so I could see what was left of this week's list which were better deals, and it turns out Sobey's has some good prices for things - so my sweet husband will stop by and pick those up on his way home from work.

Hope you all have a great day!

[Angela273]

PDAP has finally agreed to reimburse us 85% of the cost of hiring this restoration company, but now we will be hitting a cold snap and the company doesn't know when they will actually do the work. I have to pay 75% as a deposit, and the other 25% when they come to do the work. I don't want to tie up 75% of this money while we wait...who knows how long...since PDAP won't reimburse us until the work is complete.

I'm about 1/2 done my Christmas shopping. I have ideas for most of the other stuff, the problem is finding it for an appropriate price in our small city or online. We ordered Bogo Magic tracks for our son, plus a police car and fire truck. The extra set will get stashed away in my closet for a later date. This is his "big" gift. He's been asking for it for a while and keeps seeing the advertisement on tv.

[Frugalbigmama]

Was smart and put a laundry hamper etc in my vehicle this morning. Has all the dirty clothing from the week. Worked through my lunch and will stop at the Laundromat and put the load in on my way home. I can't wait until 7pm to start laundry at cheap rates and this way it will be all done and caught up for the weekend start. (Hockey, Hockey and more hockey) And throw in a romantic dinner out (using Gift card he was gifted for helping a friend out in the summer) And a little road trip Sunday for free brunch at the casino

[coupon girl]

-just sold a glass tray on kijiji 5.00-so that brings my total to 508.00 for the whole year and that is just on kijiji -no moms group or facebook as I don't do facebook -pretty good instead of donating (extra cash in our pockets)

[Granger]

Speaking of calendars, I was disappointed that Santa was not on my Coke Calendar for December. Another Coke "pin-up" girl (tasteful mid-1900s style). We have Santa Coke glasses we keep out year round.

We celebrate a Christian Christmas with more emphasis on Jesus than Santa, however, we do an "honest" Santa. Our children have been taught the truth and we do the tradition of Santa too. We use the story of Saint Nicholas and tell it every year. They know that some people don't know the "real" Santa died and have been good at keeping the secret. And while they know, they are at an age where they believe anyway.

All this to say that I love Coke and since they are responsible for Santa's red suit...I secretly have a little Santa love too and was disappointed in my calendar.

[Angela273]

Breaking News! Air Miles Cancels Expiry Policy - Your Points are Safe!

[Natalka]

^ I thought AM had given plenty of notice for it anyway, so I had switched mine a long time ago.

[coupon girl]

yeah angela I had 75 airmiles that were gonna expire end of june next year -only have 2,200 points which doesn't get you much of anything -so I will still save -thanks angela

[Frugalbigmama]

Went to bed at 9pm last night.....been awake since 3am....