Rain report from here:
3min downpour just after 7:30pm last night. Just sudden on and off!
Light rain around 7:45am today for a bit (I was heading outside for community paper and felt a drop fall down)
Sky was looking like rain on and off all morning and into early afternoon, sky went gray and wind reallypickedup
Think there was an afternoon rain while I dozed because I heard something briefly when I woke up
Air in house today was not moving too much until later in afternoon. Outside, it was more comfortable and super ideal for drying laundry. Still have not hiked out to a store to spend my last $5 on hand. Giant Tiger is showing a sale on Pure Leaf Iced tea for 3.17 and cukes for 88cents (though nearby Longos has 3 cukes for $5-have to decide).
A Walmart watermelon sibling bought two days for Mom-it turned mushy really fast but it was juicy *flavour was hit and miss* and Ihelped to eat most of it.
Grocery prices-meat is not a regular thing for my meals. Usually it shows up on pizza takeout (Sibling is still ordering one or two per week, down from 3+) or the odd chicken takeout he brings home from KFC or Mary's Burgers.
I have noticed the price of feminine hygiene supplies is going up and that some stores (Shoppers, Fortinos, Walmart) only carry one of two size packages, not both sizes (liners or pads). Saw in upcoming SDM flyer that 80-129 ct of U by Kotex liners are 8.99! (I last spent $7.99 on a 129 ct pkg in Shoppers earlier this year, but more recently I had to settle for a 64 ct pkg at $5 and something as I ran out). Same issues with brands-not all grocery stores carry the same ones. Stayfree is hard to find in smaller packages but Walmart carries the larger packages.
ONtario cherries cost a lot but the flavour is worth the one lb price. I don't if Mom's cherries bought tonight are local-will check tomorrow.
Our household tends to run out of certain condiments at different times of the week and it can be awhile before all of them are restocked. Depends if I remember or I wait to see if Bro does a Costco run (not a fan of heavy jars or club sizes). Sometimes Mom will move on a grocery list if I have 5-6 items compiled. Staples of household paper (tissues, bathroom) usually get main attention then whatever else is needed. If we run out of the jug of Palmolive dish detergent, literally a week or two can go by before one is purchased (assuming I have a smaller dish soap bottle on hand to pinch-hit in the meantime). I tend to be the one on top of sponges, Vileda Scrunge and cleaning supplies since I want things cleaned and am usually the one doing the porcelain cleanups, plus Comet or Vim purchases.
The disinfecting VIM bathroom cleaner with bleach does not do much to clean bathroom sinks. I always have a couple of spots that won't budge. So I bought Comet cleanser and have used the VIM cream cleanser to tackle the issue. The Power & Shine Vim bathroom spray seems to be a bit better for main bathroom cleaning needs. The shower stall has stubborn issues-still trying to MacGyver that problem as water pools in places and stuff appears.
Impulse buys will take down my budget. However if I see something on clearance that might suit (baked goods at Longos, granola or fruit bars, the odd household or personal care item) our household, I will buy it as usually when I return a day or so later, the items are not there. Fortinos-good for boxed pantry items, the odd household items (NoName 35 ct disinfecting wipes are 50% off from @2.99 at the clearance rack at my local store), baby food or care needs (how I discovered baby porridge). I have tossed out that JFrieda shampoo I bought 2 weeks ago. No cocoa in the ingredient list and smell is altered plus I detected a distinct cinnamon scent (not a fan). That is $7.99+ taxes I just wasted. I will decant some of the Nexxus conditioner and mix it with the Herbal Essences one to tone it down (very tropical scent) to ward off any major split ends. Realize that I need shampoo soon as current bottle is getting empty. Need a $3.99 deal or something that smells good.
Not buying cereal as often. I am trying to remember which ones I really like then trying to buy Cdn where possible *even if it's full price retail because sometimes I have to have a box of cereal in the pantry.* For some reason this summer, I am preferring milk (Mom will buy one bag in a month) in my cereal over the coconut almond beverage. Not sure why but I am picking up my Goldilocks tendencies. The heat does pancake the brain...
Cooking oil is now an issue for me. The olive oil bottles (Bro bought like 4-6 late fall/early winter) have been used and Bro bought Mom a jug of Unico oil which is one not often used. I'm used to Becel sunflower oil and I don't remember the last time anyone bought some. There's a small lemon flavoured olive oil (part of a 4 bottle variety pack-two were used, one tossed and this one was left) lurking in the pantry-have to see if I can use it for roasted veggies on a cold night to use the product up.
The quinoa, long grain rice and lentils will get a lot of attention this week for protein/starchy food needs. I have them and they just need some time in the morning and I'm set for the day, as long there are fruits or snacks to help round out the meals. We have not had any meat pies or quiches in the freezer for a month (except Bro had mini meat pies for his meals) and I do miss them but not the 60-70min cooking times.
Bandages-the hike from $5.97 to $6.77 on one particular Band Aid product is a reason why I got some $4.99 large gauze pads on sale (small gauze pads are over $7) at Fortinos to help offset the prices (though I have to buy tape for the pads). However the lighter Band Aid product is my preference during this heat wave. I just keep going through lots and am ready to cry about the hit each month on expenses just for those items.