April Frugal Chatter 2016

[Ciel]

@jasperandchar -Walmart seems to like 900g packages for ground beef, which is enough for two taco kits. Not aware of the store carrying tubes.

[avoncallingu]

Hi folks!
I took my db to a dr. appointment in Blenheim this afternoon. His appointment was at 3:15 and we got out at 5:30. I love this doctor but she really doesn't take into account how long she will be with patients. She's a real "Country Doctor" - still follows her patients when they are in hospital, for example, many drs. don't now. She knows our family inside out but you know you have to take some form of self-entertainment when you go to see her.

This left me making supper in a hurry when I got home but I had bought a "buy the stir-fry meat and get the stir-fry veggies free" at Sobey's yesterday. I had meant to put it into the slow-cooker but didn't get time. I added veggies that were needing to be used from the fridge and it turned out not badly.

My dh won his "Brackets" pool when the team he had picked as the winner of the college basketball national champions actually won the game in the last second with an incredible throw from way past the foul line. I'm not sure how much he has won. Each person put in $20 to be in it. His daughter had organized it and encouraged him to be part. March Madness has turned into April Win!

People down the street have sold their house which means that 2/4 of the ones which were listed when we had ours on the market have sold. The other has taken the sign down but I don't think it is sold. The one that sold was a private sale and apparently the owner told another neighbour that they "took a loss" on the house as they spent a lot of money on putting hardwood floors in and then decided not to move in. (A case of children wanting their parents to move closer but parents not really wanting to do that.)

I hope they didn't take too much of a loss as it will effect the sale-ability of our house should I/we want to sell it in the future. Theirs has a finished basement - ours does not.

[Angela273]

I had my contrast pelvic CT yesterday. The tech blue my vein twice before calling in an EMT who got it in one try on my other arm. I've had an IV at my elbow one other time and that lady also had issues starting the IV. I've had IVs in my hands 4 times and they have always gotten it first try.

Today is 10% off Tuesday at Sobeys. My receipt says that I had 43% savings, not including the $10 in AM that I redeemed and the $3 from CO51 for Rice Krispies.

[avoncallingu]

Angela - Ouch! Sorry about your experience with the IV. Hope you get some answers soon!

[SassyAshley]

Avon we have this problem in our complex, lately most of the houses that have sold the people have had financial issues and had to sell and get out quick. Most of them sold for much less then our houses are worth. Now those just wanting to sell and move are dealing with extremely low offers and being told the houses are not worth what they are asking. One listing actually said "lowest price in our community, houses don't sell this cheap anymore."

[Andit]

Good morning, everyone.

Sorry I went awol, things got a bit chaotic. bff is dealing with some unpleasantness as well, so we spent the weekend having a movie marathon and venturing out only to enjoy a little sake one day and try absinthe the next. Absinthe is a definite keeper - lots of fun watching the making of the cocktail (first an ounce of the liqueur is poured into a glass, then a flavoured sugar cube is placed on a slotted spoon over the glass, finally water is poured drop by drop until the sugar dissolves into the drink). A bit pricey, but quite entertaining.

Went with my Mom to her appt this week. Happy I got to see & grill her Dr (not happy that the cranky one seems to be the one in charge, and not the nice one, sigh). At this point, the diagnosis is lung cancer, but they won't know for sure until a biopsy is done. They're hoping to schedule for next week, but haven't heard yet. With my luck, it's right in the middle of my annual testing.


At this point, things are chaotic, so I may go awol again.

Brats are being helpful, by reminding me to eat several times a day.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day.

[Frugalbigmama]

Good morning! We are getting snow today. So a good day to be at work.
I posted a bunch of stuff for sale last night (too small sport equipment etc) and have tons of interest! Dropping a $10 item off at lunch (I paid $4 for it but we don't need it ) Hope to post a bunch of stuff again tonight. Off to check out my PC pts and see if the points have been added from the weekend (used MC as SDM for the CT Gc's )

[coupon girl]

-I am back -and a bit tired
-avoncallyu awesome deal on the pants 75% off love it
-ceil nice to get a haircut -I did on march break
-and jasper you are right a nickel is a nickel -I try to live by that with a few treats thrown in like we took ashlyn to kelseys on Monday night she was soo good and I had a coupon for her meal to be free(actually I don't know why they charge such and awfull price for little ones 7.99 for entrée,side and ice cream -kids 3 and under should be free everywhere just my thought -she didn't even eat all the small pizza and I didnt want to take it home tasted like a frozen 4 pkg pizza I use to buy my kids when they were little -cant remember the name
-she was missing her mommy and daddy at day care the teacher said -she looked out and saw a black car -and said "where's mommy" -mommy's car -cause my daughter-in-law works at the daycare where she goes -nope someone elses car teacher said -I gave her lots of hugs and kisses thou so did papa-it amazing how their little minds are at 2 and a half -trying to tell me "one more minute" of whatever she was doing before I took her up to bed -well had to carry her up crying both nights as she didn't want to go -but she stopped and said to me "big hug "-my son called and thanked me again and said they were having a great time -I bet they miss her
-anyway gotta go talking to a gentleman about getting our driveway done
-I missed be on here -its just part of my routine -but my routine was different the last few days -yes I had a bit of break yesterday as she was in daycare -but scrubbed my son's floors and dusted every nook and cranny -took time to have a bubblebath in their big tub(which I don't care for to hard to get out of when you are in your 50"s and I am not a big woman a tiny bit of weight to lose for sure-lol )
-anyway have a ton of laundry to do

[Frugalbigmama]

-I am back -and a bit tired
-avoncallyu awesome deal on the pants 75% off love it
-ceil nice to get a haircut -I did on march break
-and jasper you are right a nickel is a nickel -I try to live by that with a few treats thrown in like we took ashlyn to kelseys on Monday night she was soo good and I had a coupon for her meal to be free(actually I don't know why they charge such and awfull price for little ones 7.99 for entrée,side and ice cream -kids 3 and under should be free everywhere just my thought -she didn't even eat all the small pizza and I didnt want to take it home tasted like a frozen 4 pkg pizza I use to buy my kids when they were little -cant remember the name
-she was missing her mommy and daddy at day care the teacher said -she looked out and saw a black car -and said "where's mommy" -mommy's car -cause my daughter-in-law works at the daycare where she goes -nope someone elses car teacher said -I gave her lots of hugs and kisses thou so did papa-it amazing how their little minds are at 2 and a half -trying to tell me "one more minute" of whatever she was doing before I took her up to bed -well had to carry her up crying both nights as she didn't want to go -but she stopped and said to me "big hug "-my son called and thanked me again and said they were having a great time -I bet they miss her
-anyway gotta go talking to a gentleman about getting our driveway done
-I missed be on here -its just part of my routine -but my routine was different the last few days -yes I had a bit of break yesterday as she was in daycare -but scrubbed my son's floors and dusted every nook and cranny -took time to have a bubblebath in their big tub(which I don't care for to hard to get out of when you are in your 50"s and I am not a big woman a tiny bit of weight to lose for sure-lol )
-anyway have a ton of laundry to do

Sounds like you had a good few days! It's nice for us to get away and know "mom" is in charge
My sister is my keeper now since I find my mom is too old now to worry about a teenager and my sister has no problem hunting him down We are going away for a night at a local spa and I can't wait! Best Bday gift my honey got me- he even arranged my sister to watch kids!

[jasperandchar]

@avoncallingu glad your db has a great doctor, congrats to your dh on his win
@coupon girl you amaze me with all you do especially clean their house while away - very kind of you
@Andit so sorry to hear the news about your mom, hugs & prayers

_________________________

feeling bleh and everything is bothering me.

Dh has been working at a school for 8 days straight which is great but the principal is entering his hours as he is not replacing a person, BUT, they needed an extra person. He has asked 2 times his start time and given 2 different times, he doesn't get a break or lunch break so of course he has no idea how many hours he is actually getting paid for which is irritating me as the lead EA (person in charge) arrives after him and leaves before him....this doesn't sit well with me as it doesn't make sense that he would get more hours in a day than person running the show. He refuses to check and see if the principal has entered his hours, I'm so frustrated with the whole situation. I asked him if they discussed a contract with him and he has said no. I told him last night that he should check his hours online as today is his last scheduled day their unless they ask him to stay on longer....and he said.....I'll wait until the pay period to see if the hours are or are not entered....geez that pay period is in May 12th end of rant....haha

[coupon girl]

-well booked our driveway -they will start the end of may -was able to set aside 600 last month towards it
-just got an email invite from daughter-may8/16 -gender reveal party they are having at their condo from 1-7.00 for a late lunch early supper-I guess that's mother's day -no worries I will see both my son and daughter that day cant wait to see what they are having -then I can shop the sales for clothing deals -either on-line or in stores -yipeee

[sweet sparrow]

@coupon girl : How exciting! You could also shop the sales now for both girls and boys and then return whichever one is not the gender.

I raided the refrigerator yesterday for food going past it's prime. There was a lone cauliflower with dark spots and a few leaves in various shades of zombie grey. Horrors! But, I snipped off everything until it was back to it's white colour and steamed it. I can't believe I ate an entire cauliflower for lunch today with some cheese. It tasted just fine and all that wasted was a few florets. I've seen many like it in the reduced bins at grocery stores so I didn't think it could be hazardous to eat!

Yesterday I found a dime on the bus and made sure to pick it up. I've been finding dimes these past few weeks and am not complaining!

Shopping at RCSS has been a bit of a letdown lately. The one nearest me used to price match across Canada. Then, I heard through the grapevine that someone had gotten away with continuously price matching US flyers and they put an end to it. Price matching became Ontario only. That was fine, until they changed it to only local. Now it's only selected local places and they won't match any of the smaller advertised shops nearby, no ethnic grocery stores, not Giant Tiger, and their limit has gone down to 4 from 6.

They do still price match one large ethnic store across the street, but only if the flyer is worded exactly. The other day, I tried to price match skinless chicken, and the photo was of boneless, skinless chicken. They said they couldn't because the words stated "boneless chicken". I took a walk across the parking lot to save more, but LO had to wait a bit at home without me.

WM still price matches, but the selection is less than stellar and often don't have what I'm looking for.

[Frugalbigmama]

I was a good girl and went home for lunch. Then stopped as SDM to shop for work. 12,270 pts for me ))

Sink is full of dishes so I know what I'm doing as soon as I get home. I have eaten too many westerns lately so need a new plan for dinner. But don't want to be in the kitchen all night either. Hmmm. Will have to figure it out.

[avoncallingu]

Oh Andit, I am sorry to hear about your mom's diagnosis! I am hoping that you can be with her as she moves through this journey. My prayers and healing thoughts are offered to you and your family.

[avoncallingu]

Oh, FBM, how lovely! Enjoy!