July 2022 Frugal Chatter: All about fresh products and gardening!!!

[Angela273]

I wasn’t feeling very well, so I had an afternoon nap today. I might be having an unknown allergic reaction too, so I took some Benadryl.

Still working out details with our childcare provider. She’ll take care of the kids for Dh’s entire work day while I’m away for work and it’s a no school day for my kids. There are several of those at the end of August, since teachers head back to the schools before students return on September 1. She will take care of our kids after school until Dh gets gone from work. She’ll take our kids to their weekly gymnastics classes and cook supper each night. I’m making a book of supper ideas for her to refer to. I keep the house well stocked. I might not go so far as to meal plan, that way she can still cook what she or the kids want to eat. I’ll be home nearly every weekend, so I’ll still do the grocery shopping, laundry, most of the weekly housekeeping, and yard work. I’ll remind Dh to water the garden while I’m gone. Dh and Ds mow the lawn and shovel the snow.

[Ciel21]

@Angela273 How expen$ive it is to have to recertify those first aid courses and not be able to get a tax write-off? Since the certifications are a requirement of work, I'd think the Education credit would apply if all courses totalled $100 or more at same issuer.

This is reminding me when I had a friend in dental hygiene program. Everyone had to have their CPR-C's done to get into first year. Certifications were good for three years but PROGRAM dept required annual certifications. That's $$ for college students that are taken from something else, plus more work on top of course loads.

Wishing you better feeling over the weekend from your studies. I did go to four pharmacies to scope out their first aid sections for any Lanacane products-no luck. I still intend to visit an independent pharmacy in my area soon to see if one bottle might be in stock and there's another pharmacy I will call (I could see the Band-aids on their back wall but without glasses, I cannot make out what else is on the bookcase as upper part of store had light but not the bottom part). Meanwhile, looking at Amazon or Ebay, the product is selling from $28 (US) to $43 (from UK). The shipping fees are outrageous.

[Ciel21]

@cath007 Good for you on finding the desired items at Costco and getting some meal plans into place! I don't know if you and aunt saw any warehouse deals on clothing at your store-sometimes, there's a brand for a week or two with womenswear that might interest you!

I was in Ricki's in Oakville and scored some sock deals-5pr of conversational print socks (cats on light green, bees on light pink, grey socks with Ferris wheels and tents, woman on the beach (blue/sandy brown; got 2pr)at $1.99 - 20% each. Plus the regular priced grey socks were 50% off-$14 in total. Since Cleo and Reitmans were next door, I visited each store for the navy belt quest (no luck on belt search other stores I checked). Reitmans-I saw a v-neck viscose blend t-shirt and asked employee for two colours. Only one was in my large size and I took the medium in the other colour *if it does not fit, I can donate it to a clothing charity.* Got 30% off the second t-shirt due to a promotion, Buy 1 Get 30% off second.

Unfortunately, there was no tops of interest at Joe Fresh at RCSS. I spent more time looking at food items and home section than in the clothing area. Friday afternoon at 2pm, the store was busy at the checkouts!

[Ciel21]

Today's good surprise #1: when at the bank near bus terminal to withdraw cash, I discovered my bank balance was richer than I thought! Seems my third tax credit deposit meant my direct deposit info got updated in just under 4 weeks' time. I doubled my withdrawal! Spree!

Good surprise #2: I found a garment at the children's shoe store that satisfied my shopping desire. Had to register my name and phone number to get the sale discount but that helped soften the purchase price. I did not let myself go into Buy Buy Baby afterwards (to offset my spree).

Good surprise #3(not the very long walk to Value Village at the back of retail complex during afternoon rush hour): finding what looks to be the mini-USB to USB 2.0 connector cable for $2.99! Store does not bag cords! I found black ones without capacitators and white ones with capacitators. I will see if it fits my brother's camera because then it likely fits the cellphone! SCORE! I also saw a lamp I want (no car) and a dress too but I could not talk myself into buying it (despite my coupon in tote, I forgot about it) at $17 and change.

Did treat myself to a meal in the mall food court. I managed to eat all of the meal, as I was craving protein (crackers and drinks were not helping to stave off the dinner hangry feeling by 5pm).

No treasure found on my walks and the remaining funds in my account are likely to cover produce for next week's heatwave. Shoes are not part of July budget for the second time (but I had fun until I got tired and had 2.5h of buses to take to get back to town, then a long walk home because 2nd last bus did not get into town before the last local bus left). I bought too many drinks in Oakville, but I was able to hydrate as I took rest breaks at every bench area on the walk! My feet...

On a cooler day, I'd like to explore Burlington's Haber complex which is about a long block away from the GO 407 carpool lot. It was busy in the afternoon and early evening. I admired the picnic tables and umbrellas around the playground (as my buses passed by). The skateboard area was crowded!

[Frugalbigmama]

Good Morning! Nice sunny start to the day!

Dropped DS off at work. Enjoying my McDonald's coffee now ( the last of the stickers to add to my collection).
Cleaned the kitchen.
Soon off to the garage to clean/organize.
Will take some chicken out of the freezer. DS sent me a shopping list last week of the stuff he wanted to make a "rub" so that is his plan for dinner.

After I'm done in the garage I will have a shower and go out for a bit and see if I can find any meat deals.

[Angela273]

@Ciel21 WHMIS is required by federal law and it was provided as free online training by the school division. Schools are required to have two staff members certified in First Aid, CPR, and AED training on staff. It does not have to be teachers. Since I’m not a physical education teacher at this school, I would not be a priority on their list to train. Schools save money when staff choose to better themselves voluntarily, then the school or school division do not have to pay to get the necessary number if staff certified. It’s unfortunate, but true.

[Frugalbigmama]

Cleaning out the fridge. Breakfast is French toast with banana. Leftovers from the other day. (opened a new bottle of Maple syrup given to us from a hockey family. They tap and make it on their farm. Such a nice useful gift )

[Giseledta]

good morning. I did not do 3 frugal things yesterday. hense why i need to refocus a bit.
I am back to work Monday.. i am working on the dc rooms for a couple of hours today, bit f sprusing up

watering veggies.
folding laundry.. maybe get more done.. prob get more done. lol

i have dc planning to do , and prep for next week.

off to start my day . should be a good one

[cath007]

I dont feel mentally well today so that will be an easy day

[harbie]

Hugs @cath007

[SassyAshley]

**HUGS** @cath007

[SassyAshley]

A bit of a slower start to the morning, I was up by 7 but just relaxed well I had my cup of tea.

I have started to prep all of our veggies.
4 x Broccoli cut up
1 x Cauliflower cut up
2 x Zucchini cut up

I am waiting for Mom to come downstairs to see if I should cook the cauliflower like I do the broccoli or if she wants to do something different with it.

I have been cooking my Broccoli using the 0 minute Instant Pot Method and it is almost like blanching your broccoli without all the extra work. Then we can either add it Salads, use it as side dishes or whatever. Then if we do not eat all of it I can freeze it for later.

Next I need to move onto the fruits and start some of the actual cooking.

[Giseledta]

hugs @cath0007

[coupon girl]

hugs cath.

[coupon girl]

Hubby is 63 today ,so to celebrate his birthday i will get us swiss chalet (with a gift card we got from daughter last month )plus free dessert with our CAA card.

I needed groceries but decided to wait til sunday or monday .

Washing my sheets and doing this hard puzzle in between weeding .