May 2016 Frugal Chatter - ALL WELCOME

[jasperandchar]

here's the link to June's frugal chatter thread
http://forum.smartcanucks.ca/416262-...a/#post6638938

[Angela273]

I managed to finish planting the garden this morning with our son while our twins were napping. It is just starting to rain, we are expecting about 2" over the next 48hrs. My SIL now has a diagnosis and specialists have been contacted. No improvement. I've managed to fold 1 basket of laundry, still have 3 more waiting. Washed dishes and I've started supper.

[Natalka]

Angela, hoping and praying for your SIL that things change for her soon now that she's been diagnosed properly and they can deal with things.

Best frugal news of all for us - our son was able to find us a great deal on a computer, which we have badly needed for quite some time. We got a great deal on a Dell - we just needed the tower.
If anyone wants to see the specs, it's here (they don't mean much to me, just that they are a huge upgrade from what we had).

https://otvtech.ca/catalogue?page=sh...ategory_id=263

It's just FAB how wonderfully it works - such a diff from the old one!
Milan spent the bulk of yesterday first saving all the info from the old computer, then installing everything on the new one, and getting it all ready for me to use. What a star he is!

Hope everyone has had a great day - I'm just going to put soup on for supper - half homemade (lol), and we'll have sandwiches with it because we have fresh bakery bread and deli meats.

[Natalka]

Does anyone know what proper hummus is supposed to taste like? I made one that was fairly thick. I liked it. Then I found another recipe that said it was amazing hummus that you'd want to eat it with a spoon. It was much runnier. It asked for the beans to be heated in the microwave with the water from the can, which seemed really gelatinous and gross. I practically boiled it and because of the additional water, it was much smoother and creamier but it didn't really make me want to eat it with a spoon.

QOTD: I was listening to a podcast and they mentioned that you should have money each month to be spent on enjoying life, no matter what your budget. Do you have "fun money" to spend on things you enjoy as a budgeted item for you, your significant other, and/or your children?

I think usually hummus tends to be runny, but we just tried this new Hanes hummus, which is much thicker and very good. My son's comment was that he could eat this one in bed without making a mess - sheesh!

It's cool, too, because the creator is from our city

http://www.haneshummus.com/

QOTD - no, unfortunately, no fun money for us. Not for ages, and probably not for some time to come.

[jasperandchar]

I've had super thick hummus when purchased at the grocery store and thinner hummus served at restaurants when having a donair, I prefer the thinner hummus, however, my dh forbids me to eat it as it's so full of garlic so I get it when he is away at his hunting camp so I don't have to deal with the garlic breath comments AND would rather not sleep on the couch (haha).

As for fun $, we used to many many years ago or both dh & I.

We put $25 a week for each boy aside for college, house downpayment or whatever we want to give them the $ for. This is how we purchased their cottage lot and paid cash, the lot will be transferred in their names when they are of legal age. It's already increased 30K since purchased 2 years ago , the guy is related to dh so he gave us a bit of a deal .

When dh & I were both working fulltime before the kids we used to get x amount each payday, however, since our circumstances have drastically changed we no longer a lot x per pay or month. Having said that we do get takeout as a treat or go garage sailing, etc. We get a treat while out yard sailing a coffee, lemonade, etc, we don't do this often. Besides that no fun $, we are all different and I guess what 1 person considers fun $ another may consider a necessity ie garage sailing for odds and ends at a cheaper price vs. buying brand new.

Our fun which excludes $ (yes gas, lol) is going to the re-use it centre and getting items we need or can use for free.

On sunday I got 3 rag rugs (in brand new shape) 2 are the same size and the other is smaller they are all the same color. I washed them this am and hung out to dry. I placed 1 in our bedroom and still have 2 more to decide, I may add another in our room to make the elusion of 1 massive rug.

I also got a beautiful brand new still in box Wedding picture frame with a nice saying, I will add this to my gifts for my nieces wedding

Also got some fabric @Ciel I was thinking how you would be in your glory at the re-use it centre. I want to make matching curtains for our room, we currently have 3 different curtains, they function it just looks odd The curtains we both like are $56 a panel x 4 panels . So I will attempt to make something and hope for the best until we can afford the curtains we want.

[walkonby]

Mostly I buy different brands of store bought hummus but I have also made my own many times too. When I first made my own it was runnier because my device for blending was not powerful enough. The mixture would stall and I would have to add more liquid, either EVOO or water from chick pea can to get it turning again.
Any of the store brands I've tried are delicious and thick enough for me, although I have never tried eating it in bed ( ha ha loved that @Natalka !)

Oh about " fun money " .....um we are pretty easy to entertain so not a lot of $$ needed to distract us on the weekends. We do movies probably the most and Scene Points provide many discounts. I do love live stage shows/musical theatre BUT just cannot bring myself to spend on that. Two times DH and I have sprung for Blue Jays seats, that about broke the bank....ha ha.

[coupon girl]

-well workers are here bright and early at 7.45 -started ripping up my driveway -I just made them a cup of coffee
-cant wait to see it all finished will be nice-curb appeal

-cant hang my clothing out for a few days as they are working in back yard too -oh well we cant always be frugal

[sweet sparrow]

I do love live stage shows/musical theatre BUT just cannot bring myself to spend on that. Two times DH and I have sprung for Blue Jays seats, that about broke the bank....ha ha.

In the days where we could come and go as we pleased, we'd take a trip to Stratford and buy a last minute ticket to a show. There were multiple shows playing and to kill time, we'd walk to the pond to see the swans and picnic in the park. It's a lovely area. Once, it was not worth it, as I got too much sun and fell asleep in the theater, missing the entire show!

-oh well we cant always be frugal

That seems to be our theme for May! Today was a financial day and I paid all the CCs and bills to date. I had to take out money from savings to cover the difference, but it's all done.

When I went to the US appointment, I noticed that I forgot my bus pass in my jacket at home. I had to borrow change from co-workers for the bus at full fare.

Yesterday, I wanted to see if I could still get some exercise, so I tried jogging to daycare to pick up LO. My time was horrible, but under the circumstances, I think I held up really well, as did my bladder! I wore maternity pants all last week, not because it was necessary, but I did wash all the borrowed maternity clothes and I'm sure I'll need them very soon!

Budget for maternity clothes: $0 I can even sell these ones next year as my friends are finished with them. I wonder if I can keep the bin.

[sweet sparrow]

Due date announcement coming June 2nd, after my next doctor's visit. One of my friends was well over four months before she found out!

[Frugalbigmama]

As for fun money- I also put money aside for travel. We all have to remember that we are all at different stages of life too. I worked my butt off the past few years to put me in the situation I am in now and sometimes have a hard time spending but have to remember that we only have this one life to live and I want to enjoy experiences and not "stuff". So I be frugal where I can so we can explore etc.

[jasperandchar]

@sweet sparrow re gift for wedding, I feel that it's a must even with the expenses of being in the wedding party. Accepting a request to be in ones wedding many consider an honour others just dread it as it can be quite costly.

For my niece her plates are $130 each and we are 4 attending, many feel and some brides & grooms feel that the plates should be covered plus some extra. We spoke with my niece and told her that there is no way we can give $200 each x 4 and she said that they are not expecting this, I do believe her as our family and his family are not wealthy people. That is why we are making them a custom piece which she has pinned on Pinterest and honestly if they were to purchase this piece would be close to $1k, dh & I are quite crafty/handy so that is the avenue we are selecting for their gift plus a few other things I have picked up along the way.

When dh & I got married we didn't register anywhere except the bay, that's 21 years ago, however, my mom & mil had a list of items we wanted linens with the colors we wanted, etc. BUT I will admit those gifts are long gone because they wore out, some of the best wedding gifts which we still have were not on our list. A beautiful pewter clock, a piece of art (not an expensive piece BUT a lovely piece).

____________________________

Laundry is out and drying.

Supper tonight is sweet and sour chicken which I will start around 11 before it gets too hot and I lose motivation.

I've put up all the curtains for the summer to keep the heat out. The curtains are closed during the day to keep the warmth out as it's already so hot. This week is supposed to be in the high 20's not counting the humidity .

The garden is 1/4 planted still have lots to plant but it's so too hot, that's a project for the upcoming weekend before the sun is in full force.

Wishing everyone a great day.

[Frugalbigmama]

@sweet sparrow re gift for wedding, I feel that it's a must even with the expenses of being in the wedding party. Accepting a request to be in ones wedding many consider an honour others just dread it as it can be quite costly.

For my niece her plates are $130 each and we are 4 attending, many feel and some brides & grooms feel that the plates should be covered plus some extra. We spoke with my niece and told her that there is no way we can give $200 each x 4 and she said that they are not expecting this, I do believe her as our family and his family are not wealthy people. That is why we are making them a custom piece which she has pinned on Pinterest and honestly if they were to purchase this piece would be close to $1k, dh & I are quite crafty/handy so that is the avenue we are selecting for their gift plus a few other things I have picked up along the way.

When dh & I got married we didn't register anywhere except the bay, that's 21 years ago, however, my mom & mil had a list of items we wanted linens with the colors we wanted, etc. BUT I will admit those gifts are long gone because they wore out, some of the best wedding gifts which we still have were not on our list. A beautiful pewter clock, a piece of art (not an expensive piece BUT a lovely piece).

____________________________

Laundry is out and drying.

Supper tonight is sweet and sour chicken which I will start around 11 before it gets too hot and I lose motivation.

I've put up all the curtains for the summer to keep the heat out. The curtains are closed during the day to keep the warmth out as it's already so hot. This week is supposed to be in the high 20's not counting the humidity .

The garden is 1/4 planted still have lots to plant but it's so too hot, that's a project for the upcoming weekend before the sun is in full force.

Wishing everyone a great day.

I guess I better check the temp here for the week. I broke down and put the A/C on Sunday morning for the 1st time this year. I turned it off this morning since it was cool/breezy out. All the windows are closed so I will see how it is this evening.

[Granger]

@sweet sparrow $900+ for the suit. WOW. My $700 included shoes for DH. I would give a card for the event. My SIL and my in-laws gave us neither a gift nor a card. I could care less about the gift, but the no card made me feel like our marriage celebration wasn't appreciated. Although I am sure that is not the case. Blessing the bride and groom shouldn't be an inconvenience even if some of the other expenses are. Just my two cents.

I like my hummus thick. It is the only thing that makes my baby gassy through my milk though, so I am eating sparingly.

Laundry calls, baby wanting attention...see you in the June thread if my baby brain doesn't post here first.

[sweet sparrow]

@Granger : I think our $300 included both the groom and best man suits and included everything: shoes, tie, jacket, pants, socks, etc.

I also echo your comment about the card. I have every intention of making them my best card with iridescent paper (from our wedding cards), glass beads, and lots of paper and glue. Or if I get short on time or sick, I'll get out the embossing gun and the copper glitter. My SIL also gave no card and no gift. I've always wondered if her card was lost as she is the type that always gives a card for every occasion.

As to my QOTD, we've never had a fund budgeted for fun. We've always taken a walk to the local duck pond, gone to the library, taken up running together (pre-baby years ago), an $8 Netflix account, and just gone out to dinner three or four times a year. We will also pitch in for large family dinners where it's unfair for one or two people to do the majority of the cooking.

[Frugalbigmama]

I just went to Walmart since I needed lettuce of some sort for dinner (tacos) and wanted to get more of the Aveeno with coupon for the overage. Spent .60 cents on aveeno, romaine lettuce, ranch dressing and 2 x gravy packets. I don't like Walmart but I like this deal.