December 2021 Frugal Chatter thread-Opportunity knocks...

[coupon girl]

cath-enjoy your 2 weeks holidays you deserve it ,dealing with your dental problems for awhile now .

I have had a few expensive dental procedures the past few months and a bit of pain also .

[Angela273]

I chose to spend a Christmas filled weekend with the kids. Yesterday I let twin girl go shopping with me for new beads for making Christmas tree ornaments. Our kids thread shiny beads and jingle bells onto pipe cleaners to make wreaths.

Today twin boy walked with me to Dollarama to pick up Christmas sprinkles. We made a cookie house. We turned large marshmallows into snowmen. We made 3D Christmas trees out of Rice Krispies. We entered their cookie house into a contest at the local library.

I got an afternoon nap today. Dh helped the kids build a snowman and a wall of a snow fort. When I joined them we built a snow slide with a stopper on the end, to make sure they won’t land in the street.

[SassyAshley]

Good Morning Everyone,
I cannot wait until Friday when I can turn off my alarm for 2 weeks. Not that I want to be able to sleep in, let's be real this is me I will still be up early that is who I am, I am a morning person. But just to be able to not have the alarm go off and immediately go into, okay what do I have to get done, do I have to go anywhere today.

Today I woke up just before my alarm and laying in their the silence before the day started was nice. But then my alarm went off and it was time to tackle all of the things.

I had planned to work from home this week, get caught up on all the things, do my year-end tasks. The plan was to get as much done as I could this week so hopefully during Shut Down the time I had to work would be limited. I am realistic I know I will get emails of things that need to be taken care of during Shut Down since I will access. But, I feel like this dream is just that a dream. I know it is my job to be in the branches and helping but I had not planned to be in the branches this week. I was going to focus on my own work but things happen, life happens so yeah.

I have a lot of stuff I wanted to get done this week at home but reality is we will have to see what happens. Now that my plan for the week is out the window I know it is the house stuff that will suffer.

Deep breathes, I can do this, I got this, magic will happen.

Happy Monday Everyone.

[Ciel21]

Ms. Sunshine is out this morning-that's a win for me! Have a slight sinus headache on one side as well-not sure what is setting that situation.

On the topic of stocking up on groceries this year-I will likely try to stock up on rice/lentils/porridge/frozen fruits and some other protein at end of December or early January (when HST credit comes out). The one ongoing pantry issue that when the bag of long grain rice (usually a large one) runs out, a replacement bag might not be purchased for up to a month. It depends on who realizes that a new bag is needed, will spend the $ and manage to get the item home. With weather/mobility issues for me, I keep running into the timing/money/logistics cycle-sometimes all of those things line up for me and other times, I am a spectator knowing I am missing on grocery deals for certain pantry staples (because other two family members balk at my requests that they take turns getting items or won't hustle to nab the deals as they drive, then complain about the cost etc.). Basically, I have 4 possible grocery stores within 30min to access plus the surplus store (random food finds). Sobeys is not going to be a destination during winter for me.

Today or tomorrow are my opportunities for last-chance physical library materials returns. The weather is wet or snowy from Wednesday onwards. Yard needs more raking for the smaller branches/cones.

Have decided to post a Donations tracker thread in Finance. I hope it will be multipurpose in covering donations (quantifiable and unquantifiable plus discussions related to making donations). There is a possible snag I foresee as I don't want to run against forum rules. Mods, please advise if I have to make some edits-this topic is a vital one.

[barbis9]

@Giseledta See if you figure out for what's in season in terms of local/frozen produce (vegetables/fruit i.e. how many different kinds of apples you can use in muffins/snacks/meals during winter) to help with food costs. You know what kids like and don't like (textures are another variation on the food issue so perhaps your family can help with spiralizing/blending/chopping/grating to help you reduce time spent on prep). Challenge will be in any special-foods required for dc kids with dietary needs (for health/by parental request).

Can the regular Giant Tiger shoppers verify if the chain is still honouring 3-cent rebate per reusable bag if customers provide them for staff to fill? I found mention of the program on GT's How to Save More page. Wish I knew that from the outset, as those cents can multiply for a food shop when there are specials or several clothing items shop!
I ask because remember how many stores last year (not offering rebates) would not let customers place their reusable bags on the conveyor belts for bagging due to concerns how clean one's bags might be/germs due to the COVID-19 pandemic (while capacity limits were smaller during the spring of 2020)?I want to know from the GT regulars what their stores are doing with the bag rebates (i.e. bags must not be regular plastic shopping bags but ones obviously meant to last for several weeks/months of regular use?)

@Ciel they are providing the 3 cents but you have to remind the cashiers, and I use both cloth and plastic bags.
I also have to remind them to input my phone number as a registered GT member, items are sometimes reduced.

[coupon girl]

I just went to the mall for when it opened in and out i was.

First stop sephora to get my $12.60 credit back on my visa (i returned the first bottle of perfume as they wouldnt adjust for my 5 days when i ordered it online (only 3 days to adjust)crazy yes .

Then down to eddie bauer -ladies summer t-shirt 24.99-50%off clearance =12.50-10.00 adventure promo (good til jan3or4)=$2.81 for a brand new eddie bauer top for me cant beat that price
Oh and i was told i could try it on if i didnt take my mask off ,yes i was told 2 times please dont take off your mask when in our change rooms.

Childrens place had 75 and 80% off some clearance
got a long sleeve top with a cat on for ashlyn for next year $3.99
then 2 tops for cara long sleeve with kittens on it $5.99 or $3.00 each

Then i was done as i am still needing to blow my nose as my cold is in its last stage as least i didnt have a drippy nose like last thursday when i went to shoppers.

Then on the way home stopped in style encore -no they didnt buy my 4 tops or purse but still gave me $25% off
so i bought an underarmour peach coloured t-shirt 7.00-25%=5.25

Then into metro spent $76 at metro got 27 airmiles
Oh and ceil they had ziploc medium bags(cant remember if you wanted small or medium) 19 bags in each box $4.00 each and 5 bonus airmiles for the 2

[Frugalbigmama]

Today was a me day. Booked the day off with no plan. Went to sleep early last night. Everyone busy today (school/work). Since it was suppose to be a nice day and no snow (clear roads ) Decided I would go to the casino for early breakfast, gamble a bit and then Costco to do my returns that I still had to do. Was wide awake at 4am. Was in the car after 5 am! No $1 coffee offer for Mcdonalds on the app so decided to wait till I had breakfast for coffee. Was too early for breakfast so went and decided to play a machine and in the 10 mins I was there won a large Jackpot handpay!!!! Went and put the money in the car and then went for free breakfast.
GT- 3pk BLSL $4.97 reg $9.97. Dawn $1.97 Bought 2 of each
COSTCO Decided to fill up car. Bought only 3 items ($62) then to Food Basics for more pasta and sauce.
Walmart- more eggs and OJ
RCSS- Parm cheese (found $1 coupons for it!)
CT to pay CT MC for the gas fill up and Costco shop.

Now home to get a few things done. oh and already hit 10,000 steps. #1 reason I like going to the casino- I walk around lots and don't notice it till the end of the day!

[barbis9]

I have stocked up on paper products at Costco as I hate running out of toilet paper/paper towels. I am really using up everything in my fridge and cupboards and have cut back drastically on fast food runs.

Saw the House of Gucci yesterday as Cineplex Scene members had a BOGO free offer that expired yesterday. Movie was good - excellent acting by Lady Gaga but Jared Leto stole the movie, he was so funny and unrecognizable. The movie is based on the book about the family by the same title.

[Frugalbigmama]

I have stocked up on paper products at Costco as I hate running out of toilet paper/paper towels. I am really using up everything in my fridge and cupboards and have cut back drastically on fast food runs.

Saw the House of Gucci yesterday as Cineplex Scene members had a BOGO free offer that expired yesterday. Movie was good - excellent acting my Lady Gaga but Jared Leto stole the movie, he was so funny and unrecognizable.

Thank you for the movie review! I have wanted to go to the Cineplex and was waiting for something worth seeing. My friend should like this movie too so we will have to plan to go soon.

[barbis9]

I just went to the mall for when it opened in and out i was.

First stop sephora to get my $12.60 credit back on my visa (i returned the first bottle of perfume as they wouldnt adjust for my 5 days when i ordered it online (only 3 days to adjust)crazy yes .

Then down to eddie bauer -ladies summer t-shirt 24.99-50%off clearance =12.50-10.00 adventure promo (good til jan3or4)=$2.81 for a brand new eddie bauer top for me cant beat that price
Oh and i was told i could try it on if i didnt take my mask off ,yes i was told 2 times please dont take off your mask when in our change rooms.

Childrens place had 75 and 80% off some clearance
got a long sleeve top with a cat on for ashlyn for next year $3.99
then 2 tops for cara long sleeve with kittens on it $5.99 or $3.00 each

Then i was done as i am still needing to blow my nose as my cold is in its last stage as least i didnt have a drippy nose like last thursday when i went to shoppers.

Then on the way home stopped in style encore -no they didnt buy my 4 tops or purse but still gave me $25% off
so i bought an underarmour peach coloured t-shirt 7.00-25%=5.25

Then into metro spent $76 at metro got 27 airmiles
Oh and ceil they had ziploc medium bags(cant remember if you wanted small or medium) 19 bags in each box $4.00 each and 5 bonus airmiles for the 2

Wow, you get some deals. Sephora should have adjusted, but glad you were able to use the discount.

[SassyAshley]

Well, Grrrr.

I was just getting in my groove getting everything prepped for my 3 meetings tomorrow and 1 on Wednesday and a server has gone down, kicking us all out. We have now been down for over an hour. I have finished everything I can think to do without being able to access the server. My plan had been to push through tonight and try to get as much done as I could so the rest of the week, I could work "normal" hours.

Still need to figure out dinner for tonight, not really craving anything.

Dehydrating Marshmallow was a success, only thing is instead of shrinking when they dehydrate they actually puff up. So Mom sat here today and cut them into quarters for me as they were too big for the cookies.

Maybe if I walk away and start working on something around the house, the server will come back up.

Update: Double Grrrr. I called my boss at 4:30 for an update, it is an internet issue (I had guessed, if it was server we would have been back up and running), last update was another 3 to 6 hours.

[coupon girl]

My granddaughter ashlyn age 8 got her covid needle today ,on the way home my son called us she said "nana i got my covid needle ,i only cried a little cause i was nervous" I told her thats okay you got it .

My son treated her to a frozen yogurt next door to the clinic ,that ice cream place is making a killing the employee told my son due to all the parents giving their little ones a treat after the shot.lol

[cath007]

back from the dentist he did the front teeth repair 124$ huh when this circle will end....i dont know when i will have my protesis....and I have 4 more cavities to treat....but next appoitment is just in march..that suck..they have no time before...still frozen I will eat dinner later have a good evening and night.

[Skippy]

Good evening fellow thread dwellers!
I have noticed that there are those out there online complaining about the price of turkey.
Let it be known that Metro has Butterball turkey on sale @ $1.99/lb through Wednesday.
Meanwhile this turkey is busy tending to his usual pain as well as new to him pain.
But hey I’m on here so life is good! One day/hour/minute at a time! I’ve reverted back to my hour setting after being stuck on minute for awhile.
DW has the tree up while I have inflatable Sponge Bob on a gift perched on the porch.
I’m glad to read through the thread to try and stay on top of life.
I can’t believe Christmas is so close (12 more days). Gift shopping may be done but still lots to do.
Time to go as nodding off as I write.
Take care my friends!

[lizzie bargain]

I visited a new to me wholesale/retail produce market in NE Calgary today-. Not too close by but well worth it to go. They had crazy prices like asparagus $1 a bunch, lemons/limes 10/$1.00, clementines 5 lbs $2, bag of 9 avocados $2, 50 lbs of red potatoes $10, cantaloupe $2, red and yellow peppers and grapes for $1.49 per lb. The list goes on-I think I will be a frequent visitor.