September 2018 Frugal Chatter thread (fall fair time)

[coupon girl]

well just found out I am having my kids/ and the grandkids on the sunday for thanksgiving -before I was only gonna do a breakfast as my son/his family are away at great wolf lodge fri/sat oct 5,6 for Ashlyn will be 5 years old
so off I went and got a turkey p.c brand as butterball only had huge ones turkey 21.30-20.00 in points paid 1.30 for my turkey -so glad to get that out of the way

supper tonight fresh bread ,scrambled eggs and peameal bacon -nice and light

[Ciel]

I picked our son up from the party and was promptly greeted by the mom. She told me that our son ate the best out of all the kids at the party. He ate a plate of food and his piece of cake. He told me how our son sat and watched as the other children acted crazy and were read the riot act she said that he was one child that she didn’t have to worry about. The dad came over to tell me how our son built Legos with him. I later told our son how proud I was of him. I told Dh when we got home and we again praised him for doing so well and being a good kid.

Gold star parents! That is marvellous to have other parents realize how good your son is whilst the other kids "went wild." Hope the parents have a chat with their own kid about how s/he behaves at social events.

[Ciel]

Happy belated birthday and anniversary, @coupon girl! Great to read of your activities from yesterday!

Speaking of Thanksgiving, the Longo's turkey kit price will go up tomorrow. And Sobey's will offer bonus Air Miles if customers prepay before Oct.3.

Still have no firm ideas about getting a prepaid turkey kit as yet. It does seem like my father will pass away soon (initially I thought before Halloween) but my best guess is around Thanksgiving or mid-October, he'll be gone. I told my other family members of intention to call the local health integration network on Monday to get a caseworker around to discuss hospital or hospice lists but both said NO. So it'll be a home death (not exactly discussed). Dad's health has failed more noticeably in the last 72hours and I put his cane out yesterday after overhearing my parents talk about his walking and his mention of a cane (which he bought a few years ago and was tucked away in the basement). I've tried reaching out to another entity to see if it might trigger some healthcare response but the reply was that the request has to come through a doctor or the police. Now I'll have to raise the issue of the wills with everyone while Dad's semi-lucid as he is the only one who knows where they are.

I've begun tearing out vegetation from the garden and collected some peppers and too many tomatoes. There may be some more tomatoes next week but I will have the garden cleared by next weekend. Yesterday was spent doing laundry (some for Dad plus their bedding and some for myself) so Mom would not have to do it all herself (sheets almost daily)-with the cooler outdoor temperatures, line drying is tedious. I also moved Dad's personal care stuff from the basement bathroom upstairs to the main one (not much counter left as a result) and moved my things downstairs plus cleaned the shower stall and switched out the storage drawers on casters. The mini-barn is also my cleanout target list this week. There's clutter that needs a cutdown ASAP.

As I have said before, I'm not worried about Dad's passing (too much bad family history) but about the finances after he passes away. My sibling won't necessarily understand everything that might affect Mom's tax return next year so I am trying to be heard in the few minutes I may get sibling's ear. Then Mom will likely be told to manage the phone bill, utilties and such on her own once sibling has finished with estate matters and settled the relevant legal/financial matters. Sibling has not offered her any monthly cash like he has done with Dad. That's another hot topic with me.

[Ciel]

Today I walked to the college for Internet time as I skipped my usual library session yesterday in order to do laundry (washing and drying). Ms. Sunshine is her beaming warm self.
Found 5 beer containers to add to the 6 I had collected on Friday's second walk>$1.10 today. Picked up three free community papers from boxes too and the Rexall flyer. Will resume looking for black blazers online for Mom; I told her of the items of interest seen at Banana Republic on Thursday when I was in Burlington. Finally put my new electronic ID card to use to purchase a Coke from a vending machine. It seems to work on the tap system despite only having a magnetic stripe and not an obvious chip. I did insert my card into a cash slot (almost was unable to retrieve it) and a second card slot for debit/credit (but my vending choice was not connecting to any obvious payment message on the screen). So finally I just held my card slightly away from screen and kept typing my choice and finally "AUTHORIZING" showed on the screen and I was able to pick my pop and get it to vend. I'll get another pop later (stress is craving carbs!).

Next week, I'll follow up with my doctor about my ultrasound and mammogram images (managed to get both done on Thursday due to cancellations) to learn if there is an obvious reason why I am experiencing some chest pains during the day (I had some yesterday while crouching and reaching in the garden) and maybe news about the lump in the right breast.

The Weather Network forecast is indicating wind gusts of 35kph for Monday, 42kph for Tuesday and 51kph for Wednesday in the Hamilton area. I did walk past one home in town where a big tree limb from a mature tree was knocked down and smaller limbs were recently cut by a tree service. If you are collecting fallen branches or doing other outdoor work, it might be wise to have eye protection on in case the wind whips grit,dirt or pieces of vegetation into your eyes. Last Friday was some kind of windy day (worse in the afternoon) and I still managed to get some tiny bits into the corner of my eye despite wearing my regular glasses on my second can walk.

Monday's for Club Saver members at Value Village-50% off long sleeve knits, shirts and tops (men/women/kids). Excludes activewear and new merchandise. I doubt that sweaters/cardigans count but I am keen to find out.

[SassyAshley]

Good Afternoon Everyone,
Pretty productive day here. Before Lunch I made and packaged the following for breakfasts/Snacks:
Brown Sugar Muffins
Cake Mix Cookie Bars with Chocolate and Peanut Butter Chips
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
Blueberry Muffins (this was a mix, I have no idea where it came from but I found it in the cupboard so I made it, normally we do not use mixes so no idea how we got it)

I have also made myself a number of Sandwiches for Lunches and Chia Seed Pudding for Breakfasts.

This is the first week I am able to travel again and I am going to be in a couple different branches and will have a couple late night and then early mornings the next day so I wanted to be prepared. I have noticed in the last few weeks I have not been eating the best and this has to stop. So having these items pre made in the fridge will ensure I eat well this week even well travelling.

I decided to make a nice Sunday Dinner, both sides of my family were always bit on Sunday Dinner. Either Mom made a nice Sunday dinner before taking bro home or Step Mom made a nice Sunday Dinner before Dad brought me home. I find lately I want this tradition back so I decided tonight I would make a nice Sunday Dinner before out crazy insane week starts. I am making:

Zucchini Lasagna Rolls (These are made and in the fridge, just need to pop in the oven), Garlic Bread and a Cesar Salad.

Well making dinner I discovered the Ricotta we had in the fridge was very expired. Turns out we looked at the Month, not the year, it was Oct 17, turns out it was 2017 not 2108. At this point I already had the Zucchini Sliced and Salted so I had to run to No Frills for more Ricotta, good news was they had it on sale this week. Well there I also grabbed some fruit to take with me on my travels as well, I grabbed:
Apples $0.97/lb
Oranges $0.77'lb
Cantaloupe $1.47

I also grabbed Mom a Peameal Bacon on Sale for $1.97/lb plus 2 x Early Grey Tea $4.97 (still more than I would like to pay but these rarely go on sale and Mom only drink Early Grey).

Now I am resting for a bit before I have to put the finishing touches on dinner. Really happy it is all done and ready to go as I have to admit I am getting a little tired and my back is starting to bug me. I think I stood too long today without moving or walking around.

Hope everyone is enjoying their Sunday

[coupon girl]

sassy-there is a cpn for tim hortons tea(not the outlet its a manufactuers cpn) has a 1.50 off any tea expires oct I think -it can be used on all boxed tim hortons teas in the grocery store -not every store sells the tim Horton's brand but I found the earl grey at sobey's 4.99-1.50=3.49 and you only get 20 bags but I love earl grey in the morning to start the day

[lizzie bargain]

My husband and daughter love Earl Grey tea and I usually find the best deal on the large yellow Twinnings box at Costco.

[greentires4me]

I usually buy the Tetley Earl grey when I am out. I like that brand for that earl grey. I have been looking at flyers trying to plan out my plan of attack for when I am paid in 3 days for groceries. They don’t really have anything in the superstore flyer I want. Not even when I spend 250$ is a turkey I don’t have room in my freezer for one either. Unless I donate it downstairs or something. I think they have a deep freeze maybe. But I saw lots of things in the no frills flyer that caught my eye.

I took down my pirate flag I was going to move it but the place I was going to move it to is taken by the alarm panel for the fire alarm. So I put away in a Rubbermaid container under my bed.

I got my Shaw bill but I have to wait till check day to pay it. I have until October 22nd for it to be paid though.

It rained all day mostly I went outside at 8am and it was raining cats and dogs. I voiced my concerns with a my worker and next thing I was told either go upstairs and take some medication or we are calling emergency services. Not very constructive and very dissatisfying to the point it pissed me off. I came upstairs and took some medication. I didn’t want to go to the hospital I wanted to bounce my stressors off of them not be told what I was thinking was wrong or quote “have no backbone”. None of this helps me destress anything I wanted a ear I didn’t want someone wagging their finger at me, if I wanted that I would have moved back in with my mother.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Frugalbigmama]

Happy Monday! I did not want to come to work today after being off the past 4 days but here I am . Of course my inbox is full so should be a busy but quick day I hope!

Saturday morning we popped into the casino for a quick free breakfast. Had $9 in free money that I took out for tip and tucked the $5 in my wallet and then got $20 in free snacks and drinks to bring home. Best free trip to casino Had dinner with a hockey mom friend Sat night and then went for a drink. Was nice to catch up. Sunday was on the road with him while he worked- stopped in Costco to return 2 items ($80 credit on my mastercard) and then we made a nice dinner of chicken, corn on the cob and salad. Was a great weekend.

The fridge needs to be cleaned out tonight since tomorrow is garbage day. Will prep food for the crockpot tonight for the morning as well. A roast and carrots for sure (10 lb bag we have to use up) and make mashed potatoes and gravy as well.

Have a great day everyone!

[Ciel]

Walk home yesterday-found 8 beer containers, 25 cents (2 dimes and 1 nickel-almost gave a driver shock picking up dime in curb lane with three cars coming) and #12 bank card! Did not have success using my e-card to get a second Coke at vending machine (tried two machines and kept getting Try Another Card). Today I went online and I still have $2.50 left on my card so I'll have to visit the card office to figure out what's wrong during the week.

This morning-started laundry early (6:34am) and cooked rice in chicken broth with some dried parsley and toasted a half-dozen English muffins in the toaster oven (buttered them all and added jam to two of them). Made English breakfast tea too (perfect for this cold morning). Just wanted some stuff ready for parents when they decided (or one decided) to eat. Cut some grass (rain for next two days) and finally finished sawing a tree limb into smaller sections. Began a cleanup in mini-barn. Not sure if I can do another look around today but I found one area where carpenter ants had been this past winter/spring. I expect to find more wood shavings on the same wall but farther back after I move the yard waste bag piles off the shelving.

Checked one other place for paperwork and came up empty.

Cashed in my containers and put $2.35 into my account. Have to add about $3 by Friday to have the month's bank fee covered.

While reading Friday and Saturday papers, I saw an obituary that I was expecting to be published (friend's mother). I'll put the celebration of life date into my planner.

Dinner is most likely cooked pasta with herbs and chili pepper flakes and oil tonight. I still have some roasted cherry tomatoes to finish off (seems I have some for two meals per day) and I think I'll roast another half-sheet pan of tomatoes tonight to use up more produce and get some counterspace back. Have to check roasting time-my lot from weekend could have used another 10 minutes but I aced the seasoning!

I will stop in at Value Village to see if there's a long sleeve shirt of note at today's Club Saver sale. I asked Mom to make a grocery list as pantry staples need replacing on Wednesday). Will also see if I can obtain pop cardboard trays to help with sorting various tools and things in my cleanup activities. Probably will need to spend time oiling metal surfaces to help deter rust--to be determined.

The sky seems to be promising rain today--it's been grey for about 2.5 hours so far! Enjoy your evening, Smart Canucks!

[Ciel]

To my fellow Earl Grey tea drinkers-I tend to stock Tetley's decaf Earl Grey tea! I do love Twinings English Breakfast (full box or part of a variety pack) but today I had to use the version sold at Winners and it was ok.

[lilo0003]

@Ciel sorry to hear about the deterioration of your dad. It can't be easy to watch.
Left work early today to drive DH to the airport as he is escorting his parents to England. The boys and I will join them mid next week for a short 5 day stay. I was happy I had decided to clean the freezer on the weekend as the random frozen leftovers fed us when I came home. It's crazy how happy a tidy defrosted freezer makes me.

[Angela273]

It’s bedn a long day, but I’ve arrived safely home. One medical problem resolved itself. The other specialist appointment resulted in increased medication due to unsatisfactory results from the last month of treatment. He is also referring me to another specialist in his field, to get a second opinion. He is trying to avoid doing surgery on me.

I had a 2hr lunch with my great aunt. She treated me to a local place she likes. I had a kale and bean salad along with a large cinnamon bun. I went to Value Village after my second appointment and purchased 2 pairs of pants for our son and 2 pairs of jeans for myself, $23 oop. I went to Walmart where I bought a pecan pie for 25% off, $7 pair of sweat pants for ds, 6pk of come for $1.97, and SCOPed 5 different cleansing face masks that came up for the wrong price. I figure I could include these in the Chinese gift exchange through dh’s work, or include it in my sister’s next gift, or use some for myself.

Dh ordered in Chinese food for supper. They got the delivery wrong, so he was vocal about it and got a discount on the food.

[coupon girl]

yesterday drove to Toronto in the morning as daughter asked if we could watch Sebastian as he was sick on sunday night -and you cant go to daycare for 24 hours later -she couldn't work from home as she had 2 important meetings and her hubby just started a new job end of august ,so off we went he was so good saying "hi nana" hi papa " as we walked in the door ,plus he slept for 2 hrs and 15 minutes ,daughter got in at 6.20 and made us her homemade pizza before we left at 7.30 so glad we can help out when they need us

staying in as having cable come today of course between 11 and 3

the two tops I ordered from the gap for me with my gap cash last week are going back -too boxy looking one is the other too tight -I am starting to love thrift shopping more and more ,sometimes the clothing out there is not made for a 59 year old women( and I wear XL) -or 50 and up it either too short ,knots in back of summer tops or back half showing ,too much rayon which I hate -mind you I did get two nice tops this summer one from joe fresh grey t-shirt ,the other short sleeve dressy top with pleats multi-coloured from the bay 10.30 I paid ,the rest was thrift shopping ,oh well I will keep trying

[Angela273]

Sample Source is live! Go now!

There was a lot of questions this time. I qualified for 9, one was already sold out.