November 2016 Frugal Chatter - All Welcome!!!

[Ciel]

While I'm excited at prospect of lining up at the local Shoppers for the grand reopening (there are incentives for early arrivals), I realize tomorrow is redemption day so I plan not to linger long-want to play the Optimum game and see if I can get a goodie bag. Clipped the bonus Optimum points coupons from the mailer to set aside for another time.

Did watch an older Martha Stewart DVD covering 5 cuisines (3 dishes per cuisine, 15 guest chefs). Saw a way to prepare artichokes and braise them. Have to figure out a substitute for the shallots/onions used and replace the white wine with perhaps a citrusy radler beer and give the dish a trial. Also found out the Roman version of spaghettia alla carbonara does not use cream-cool!

Will have to wait and see how the weather is on Saturday or Sunday in order to get to get the gas for mulchfest (Monday tentatively as no rain) as there is slop/snowshowers in the forecast. Rain features in next week and the sooner I get this task done, the sooner the second round of Happy Ciel can commence.

With the dampness/cold weather, toast and tea and carbs seem like the ideal 9pm snack concept for the week. Maybe some nutmeg too. Now if I could figure out a cake to bake (less spicy this time), Saturday will be set for breakfast (yes cake and tea would work for early start to get to the store).

[Ciel]

@lilo0003 -if you don't need a stockup in moisturizer/hand cream tubes (Neutrogena hand cream or foot cream, first aid products, hot chocolate rations or Xmas items, or Post-It Note blocks-love those), would you consider getting items to donate to a senior's Xmas gift through a local organization or get dry food goods for a food drive? It would not hurt to have small items to purchase for impromptu gifts should the need arise if guests surprise you with one or you have to go to someone's home but don't have time to stop for a gift on the way over. Gift bags and bubble mailers and TAPE are always handy at home. Mom's used up some of the small/medium bags I had purchased at the Hamilton store with Target stock. Will see if I can swing another trip over there next month to get plain coloured gift bags and one or two shiny ones.

[barbis9]

Shoppers has an excellent offer for Neutogena hydro boost gift set. Both the full sized 47ml gel cream and SPF 15 50ml gel cream is specially priced for $19.99. Not all stores carry it but it would make a great gift.

[Angela273]

Some things took longer than I had hoped, so we are going to go second hand clothing shopping tomorrow.

I spent $245 at Sobeys. I used $13 in coupons, I forgot to use one $3 coupon but it doesn't expire until the end of December. I used the $76 remaining on my gift card that I purchased with my Air Miles. I earned 976 Air Miles, which equals $102.74. I also earned $4.75 from CO51, which brings me over the $20 mamark to order my next cheque. I'll be able to purchase my next $100gc with Air Miles when these points get credited to my card. The Air Miles offer on the pizza wasn't accurate online, so we picked up KFC tonight. A bit expensive, but a nice treat for the family.

[Ciel]

Great shopping and time management, @Angela273 ! May you find the clothing you want at the store tomorrow too!

I seem to be slowly getting a cold, if the sneeze frequency is something to go by or any cold drink is causing a lingering issue.
Guess I'll have to add some ginger to my food tomorrow.

[Granger]

I like the name Bruce. It means from the brushwood thicket!

Redemption day. I no longer do the top level redemptions...easy to get $85-100 worth of groceries. $170-$200 is just too high unless you have a couple big ticket items.

Today we will do two $85s. We sacrifice 5000 points splitting the transaction, but it makes it easier for DH to do my Christmas shopping.

Today we are going to see my cousin who is performing in Niagara Fallsview Casino's Christmas Show on Ice. Should be fun day without children. DH and I haven't been on real date since September and not a substantial time since the summer. In September we met up for a quick lunch.

I am almost done my Christmas shopping, but am having a hard time with those last few people who seem to have everything. I know my sister wants a Tupperware serving tray, but it is outside my budget. I usually get them Gift Cards but was trying to be thoughtful instead of doing the same thing.

[coupon girl]

well did 2 top level redemptions this morning one was all food ,xmas tin cookies ,probiotics ,cascade and 19.99 perfume for me-came to 8.20 after redemption and 8.00 in coupons
-the second one was xmas gifts -perfume gift set ,playdoh my little pony for ashlyn ,some meds ,marcelle wipes ,quo foundation for me and saved 8.00 in coupons again this order came to 15.11

-so for 23.31 got 340.00 worth of stuff -oh and both my orders came to 172.13 and 172.89 before redemption -tried to keep it close to the 170 subtotal

-so I am pretty happy

[Ciel]

Played the gumball game and won 500 bonus Optimum points today. Had the cashier ring the coupon in so the points appeared on my Optimum account.
The store has new store carts, a small chest cooler for the bacon/eggs food special (end of food aisle, one row over from the fridge/freezer wall), all 4 checkouts open and I noticed that there is non-alcoholic beer for sale too. All household needs/paper products have a wall section after the freezers. Bright white light in the store does reflect off the white floor tiles. Noticed a Foster Grant eyewear display (Pharmacy endcap)-one of the sides of the display actually has eyeglass holders-two beaded ones and one shoelace style one! The beauty department is the new power aisle on the way to the post office (there's a new wall with stationery items in the area).
Forgot to check to see if SDM might also carry the Christian Lacroix Evian glass bottles. I know in the past that the SDM in Lime Ridge used to stock the holiday bottles in certain quantities. Will look at other area stores.
Lots of staff on the sales floor plus at least one person (colleague or family) in a suit next to the pharmacist (also in a suit) by the entrance. Did not get a goodie bag-the mailer did say for 200 eligible customers, so likely the ones who purchased things today.

[jasperandchar]

@Angela273 sorry you were disappointed, I would report that person about it being a fundraiser that's fraud

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I did 1 x 95k and 1x 50K sdm redemption today, dh is going alone tomorrow to redeem 95K and do some Christmas shopping for me

I also went to rexall $6.99 for folgers MINUS $1 = $5.99 I got 4 cans, adidas cologne for bil $9.99 reg. $24.95 was going to get a sdm but wanted to check Rexall AND win win....got ds1 Hummer cologne also for $9.99, I got a spend $10 get $10 off coupon.

So I went back in and got 3x pepsi just had to pay $1.83....

Then into Independent for free Flamingo chicken tenders & burgers......

SO it was a fantastic money saving day.

Wishing everyone a great evening

[Frugalbigmama]

Will take a walk around my SDM in the morning and see if it's worth my wild to redeem. Today we had an out of town hockey game that ended around dinner time so took DS to the casino for a free dinner on out way home ☺. Still recuperating from our 3 days away at Great Wold Lodge. What a crazy kid filled place!!!! The best part was grandma watching the kids one night for a few hours so we could sneak out to casino for a bit. I won $615 and my sister won $300!!!! We were both happy!!! Best 2 hours ever! Hope to get up early tomorrow and start cleaning and set up Christmas tree. Will start wrapping some gifts tomorrow night. Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

[thriftygranny]

Congrats on the win, what a great time of year to win some cash!! good for you!!!

[Angela273]

I've had a lot of abdominal pain since 4am. I finally went to the ER tonight, only time a doctor is there unless there is a serious emergency. The tests and symptoms are inconclusive. Repeat blood work, etc in the morning. Possible appendicitis, C-diff, etc. They don't know. I'm hoping for some good sleep tonight.

edit: I'm feeling a bit better this morning, but still in pain and don't know why. I'm supposed to go back to the hospital around 10am to repeat some boarder line bloodwork tests.

[Natalka]

Gee, Angela, hope you get a diagnosis and feel better soon!

Husband went with son while he did the last of work (hopefully) on our van, and winterized it - for his labour (as if it's enough) we had him over for Chinese food, then after a great visit, sent him home with enough food for several meals, and some goodies.

[Frugalbigmama]

Morning! Guess I should get up. Lots to do and DS is having a friend over this afternoon so I better get out of the house now while I can!

[coupon girl]

-well didn't want to go out today wanted to clean maybe get tree up
-but as I was psoting my brag on here I noticed I was charged for 2 downey yesterday -only bought 1 so gonna go back and get the other one (don't want my money back as my total was 172.89 before redemption)good thing I spotted that