February 2020-Frugal Chatter

[SassyAshley]

Good Evening,
Everything is packaged for the week and the kitchen is clean.

I proof read 1 manual & recorded 2 videos, only took about 1/2 an hour.

Budget it done, I think I am good with the numbers.

I totally agree that they should teach students about money in school. I am someone who craves organization which includes budgets, to-do-list and plans but I have to be honest I really do not know much about budgeting other than what I have learned along the way (more about this later).

I think it is time for a nice cup of peppermint tea and some relaxation. I really need to find a new crochet project to work on.

Hope everyone has a wonderful night.

[SassyAshley]

I did not get a chance to make my second post last night but I was going to post about money.

I do totally agree money management should be taught in school. I am a total saver where is Mom is a live for the moment and right now. We both have separate bank accounts but we do have a joint account for the household bills. I manage the joint account and we have "rules" for what can come out of the joint account. It is mainly for our monthly bills:
Mortgage
Hydro
Taxes
Cable/Internet
Ect

Anything outside of that needs to be discussed. I will admit at times if I need Mom to pick something up I will tell her to use the house account but I replace the money. We adopted this rule a few years ago as Mom used to think if there was money in the account it meant it was "extra" money that could be spent. But then we would come up short as usually that money was for a bill I had not paid yet.

I do think they should teach money management in school as I have to admit even as someone who loves a budget I am not sure my method for budgeting is correct. I think my view on budgeting is skewed due to my up bringing, I have always been a saver and always been the one there when we came up short but part of being that person is it has always been my goal to spend as little money as possible and then when something happens I have the money to "fix it."

People in my life make fun of me as I cannot remember the last time I spent money or gift cards given to me (I think I was a teenager). As I always save everything for the what if moment. I keep it all tucked away for in case of emergency.

I have previously tried to save up money for things but something always happens. Last year I saved up money for a weekend away and then Mom's brakes went so I used my weekend away money to get her brakes done. Another time I had set aside money to get new sweaters for winter but the washing machine started leaking so I paid for the repair.

So now I have gone back to just trying to spend as little money as possible. Basically my budget is household bills, groceries and try to save everything else for the short comings.

With that being said I tried to take a different approach this time around. I tried to set aside money for other things than just household bills and groceries. I must admit I am a little over whelmed as it seems like every time I turn around right now there is something else we need for the house but I also realize this is partially our own doing. Even small things we do not plan to replace them instead we wait until something stops working and then usually just have to buy it. I want to change this. I have started a list of things we need to buy for the house and I have set aside money in the budget to accommodate these things. It will not all be bought in one shopping trip but this way based on the money we have I had prioritize and hopefully not have guilt when the money is spent.

Yes, I said it guilt when I spend money, this one is huge for me personally. Almost anytime I buy something for myself I feel guilty as what if we need that money for something else. What if I bought those new sweaters and then the washer started to leak and I did not have that money tucked away.

Right now I need new shoes so bad but I keep putting them off as Mom's pay has been up and down with her medical issues lately so I keep putting it off. But I have decided this week I am going to buy the new shoes. I know it seems so silly and simple but this is just how my mind works and for some reason I always find the best option is for me to go without.

My point is I have had no one to teach me how to budget, my mom is a live in the moment, if I have the money I can spend it. Dad's side of family has money, if need or even if they want it, they can buy it. I have budgeted for years but like I said my version of budgeting is spending as little as I can and saving the rest. Now I am trying to change my views and approach but it would have been nice to have been better shown these things and different options.

Well we will see how this goes, wish me luck.

[greentires4me]

Do you have any honey at home? It'd would help with the cough. Have you added any garlic to your soups or cooking of late?

I have honibe these
And I been making garlic flavoured potatoes for dinner.


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[greentires4me]

I’m kicking myself I didn’t scan My PCO card. For the deal 20x the points on Friday so I missed out I only remembered at home that I forgot to do it.


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[greentires4me]

I don’t make a whole tonne of money so there was a time when I saved money as well as spending it was an equal ebb and flow. But now I use my money small spend sprees on things I need more so then on things I want. I had to tell someone yesterday I couldn’t buy them a bluray player. They have money so they can buy it. I feel like Laura’s pocket surplus for other people. But I am not and I am sick and tired of their bull.


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[Giseledta]

good morning all.
going to be a busy but good week.
tonight is dentist. i hate the dentist. grew up with a fear of them , and we didnt go alot. sigh. things i hope not to pass down to my kids.

we have strike here for 2 days but my child who goes to catholic still goes.

supper will be chicken, garlic butter rice, and frz veggies.

[SassyAshley]

Good Morning Everyone,
Even after spending almost an hour on Pinterest last night I still have no idea what dinner will be tonight. I feel like we keep eating the same things which we probably do as I have been scaling way back on groceries. Good news is we are way under budget since the start of the year, bad news is I will need to do a serious shop soon as we are starting to run out of options.

I really need to clean and organize all of my freezers, this seems to be something we cannot stay on top of. I am thinking I need to take a weekend and clean all 3 freezers as generally what happens is we clean 1 with the intentions of cleaning the other 2 but then we stop. This means 1 is cleaned but the mess just gets moved to another freezer, to be dealt with later. Ideally I would like to see:
The Freezer upstairs be our grab and go Freezer, this would be stuff for breakfasts and lunches we can just grab
The Chest Freezer would be all Homemade Pre Made Meals and Bread Products
The Stand up Freezer would be all of our sucker sealed Meats, Fruits and Veggies (items but need to be cooked or prepared in some way)

We know Mom has Saturday off and I am really hoping they give her Sunday off too but I have a feeling it won't happens as it seems like all of a sudden no one can work Sundays at her work. This past Sunday she was the only one in her department and worked open to close, good because she needs the hours but it was a lot, she was exhausted when she got home as they were busy and normally there are 2 people in on a Sunday. If they give her Sunday off I would like to try to tackle a few things around the house I need her help with, like the freezers. We need to do a proper purge and get rid of the stuff that is not being eaten, we I know we have some stuff that we bought for her to try and she has not, if she is not going to eat it then as much as I hate to waste something it needs to go as it taking up room. Can you tell I am really in the mood to purge?????

I was looking at my February to do list and with my back I am really falling behind. I really need to get on this list especially since Mom mention she thinks she might have heard a mouse this morning in the living room, oh how I hope not. But I need to move some stuff around and check tonight if possible. This is my issue with my February list it is a lot of moving and lifting which I do not think my back can handle right now but if we have a mouse I have to push through and check.

Alright well better get back to work, I am having a frustrating morning as nothing seems to be going to plan so let's see what I can get done today.

Have a great day everyone.

[Frugalbigmama]

Good Morning! The roads are clear here and the sun is out this morning. Compared to last night it the drive home was slow and scary lol (I drove his company car since he had a few drinks and you are always more cautious when its not your usual car especially when the roads were snow covered and messy) I was happy to be home.

Well my wine is still chilling in the fridge. Didn't have a glass at all this weekend. Tonight!! And I want something yummy for dinner. Have the peppers/zucchini/onions and muchrooms to use up. I'm thinking fahitas or a pasta.
Will take out chicken in the morning (we have so much chicken) and cook it up. Then I can make DS chicken ceaser wraps for dinner. He will love that. I will take a bag of wings out of the freezer too and cook up and debone and use for chicken fried rice. Another fav of my youngest DS and something he would take to school for lunch. I have a wilted celery bunch that needs to be used up and is perfect for the rice.

I didn't spend much money at all this weekend. We took coffee from home each morning when heading out. We only ate out at the casino Sat morning since we were near there for work and had the free slot play bonus and figured a few $'s in comps. It all worked out since I was able to pay the balance of the breakfast and leave with the $60 cash. $5 on a produce box at RCSS and redeemed $10 in pc pts on at $10.20 purchase (blueberries/bananas etc) Was near an out of town $tree and bought wraps for $1.25. Sell for over $3.50 in the stores I shop. DS will be happy they are nice and big (not like the ones in the taco box lol) Frugal February is chugging along nicely!

[Ciel]

I was watching CHIN Radio's Johnny Lombardi show yesterday afternoon and noticed all the Casino Rama ads-particularly the one of the man at the salad bar noticing another person's brisket portion on a plate and looking around for that station! Loved the floral bouquets, the scirubetta segment (seems like Italian shaved ice) and the Nutella dishes from Fables & Focaccia Blogger & chef, Jenny Arena. I asked sibling if he'd dined at the Rama food area when he attended concerts but he did not say yes, so I assume that's a no. The show usually has a few concerts held at Casino Rama and one in the spring with an Italian headliner usually airs on City TV Toronto prior to the actual singer's concert, so it's fun to see what the Rama chefs share on the show with viewers. Since the San Remo musical festival was held on the weekend, the show had tv footage of certain Italian singers.

The morning meant I had the house to myself (YAY!) so while I cooked up the last of the large flake oatmeal with half of a large apple and 1 tbsp of cinnamon, I emptied a cutlery drawer and one pantry drawer to wipe them down and check what had to stay and what had to go. I also glanced through the usual things in the fridge with expiry dates to see what had to be tossed. Think I will be told off for throwing out one spread container with a Nov. date but fridge space will be at a premium if Mom needs space for things she is making soon. Will have to plan to wipe down the fridge shelves and crisper bins-they are looking in need of a soapy encounter. I have some apples to cook into a compote and save one or two for eating, as some have started to change.

Managed to return some alcohol containers for 90 cents refund yesterday-snow was not completely slushy then, unlike this morning (the house roof emptied in two sections between midnight and 3:15 am-guess who shovelled the walks after doing a load of laundry (and sipping some cola first)?). Also bought some personal care items and no name facial tissues to donate to the food bank bin at Fortinos-part of my January related donation based on food savings in January tracked as part of the Money Master Class. I'd like to plan on donating Feb. savings to another organization like Out of the Cold, providing I bank the cash savings to write that cheque in early March.

Happily found 3 recent DVD releases on the express movie shelves (I had a soundtrack listed as in transit so I looked up the movie and managed to find a copy in branch)--I'm watching two today and one tomorrow. Afternoon goal is to recycle as much paper as I can in my room and to check my one pair of pants-the hems are showing threads, so some hand sewing might be in order. Have tossed out my shiny tote (due to wear) but kept the handles and metal rings; the black tote bag is now in use with a back up grocery bag just in case I need to carry other things.

[SassyAshley]

Good Afternoon All,
Spent about 15 minutes of my lunch on Pinterest and finally found a recipe for dinner today. I am going to try Baked French Onion Pasta and probably make a side salad for myself, Mom is not a fan of Salad.

So as I went over the grocery budget last night I determined we have on average been spending $10 to $15 a week on groceries since the start of the year. I have to admit I like this number but it is not sustainable. We are really lacking fresh items in the house which was part of my problem with coming up with dinner for tonight. I was thinking vegetarian would be nice as I feel like we have been eating a lot of beef (we have quite a bit of beef on hand from some sales late last year), but it is hard to find a vegetarian meal when you barely have any veggies on hand. I have 1 pack of mushrooms, some peppers, carrots and lettuce, we are even out of frozen veggies.

Alright well time to get back to work, today is feeling quite long.

Have a great afternoon everyone.

[Ciel]

May I suggest you get some frozen veggie mixes (my fave is California mix by Arctic Gardens or No Name brand) to help with meal ideas? I find the mixes great for adding to soups or cooked rice or even to a roasted veggie pan that needs some more veggies. @SassyAshley you are #bakinggoals! I need to get some of that going at home and bake tea biscuits and a quick loaf.

Spotted on Twitter-Steakhouse sheet pan dinner for two: https://twitter.com/FoodNetwork/stat...17589689012224

[Giseledta]

both ebates, and shopper army have changed thier amazon rebates.

[Frugalbigmama]

Change of plans for dinner. Vegetarian Taco salad. Pretty much the only way i can eat the fake meat ( the seasoning makes it taste good).

[Granger]

Everyone has been busy!

Worked today. Strike days for me are tomorrow and Thursday this week, so I also work Wednesday and Friday. My own kids are off Tuesday, Wednesday for strike and Friday for PA day. Then, Family Day Monday. Having trouble keeping it all straight? Me too!

On the financial front, my Grandfather wanted to gift some money from the sale of his home to family. We were gifted some money that will clear our LOC and pay for the fridge we bought. This means the LOC is available for the furnace or strike if it is needed. We still have an extra $1000 from the gift to put toward the furnace. Our February budget looks like we will make ends meet despite the strike days. I will save my strike pay (20% of what normally I make in a day from the union) from Feb towards March in case we are still striking then (I hope not!!!) The gift from Grandpa came at a great time for us.

Got some amazing deals at Wal-Mart for my niece and MIL for their birthdays.

[coupon girl]

oh granger that nice gift couldn't have come at a better time .

Babysat cara today didn't wish to take her out for a walk as it was to sloppy and mushy wet snow ,hubby fell in son's driveway as he wore his shoes instead of boots .

So we played with stampers ,homemade playdoh,dollies and had a pretend tea party

When cara slept for an hour and a half I cleaned one lower closet that had gift bags in it (asked daughter-in-law ) she said go ahead ,also cleaned there walk in closet a bit ,found one of ashlyn's missing socks ,bonus .