December 2022 Frugal Chat (when Autumn turns into Winter)

[Ciel21]

@SassyAshley You and Bro really made Mom feel very special! For you and all the things you do for Mom! Hope she hugged you and you took or will take photos of the two of you in the house to mark the holidays.
Christmas is 12 days long--there is opportunity to plan some special things for you now and in 2023-perhaps a course or some conference/trip to develop your graphic arts/business marketing skills?
I forgot to ask if your Opa participated in your Dad's Christmas dinner and how he's doing? I don't know how active he is and if he still drives or now has someone to assist him with errands/house or made a move to a senior's apartment and sold his home?

[Ciel21]

Lovely Ms Sunshine is keeping the day lit and throwing lots of beams through the windows-today looks to be light yardwork cleanup day!

Had a breakfast of unsweetened English Breakfast tea with Gingerbread Pop Tarts, and a couple of Honey Garlic Pepperettes with sliced bread. Not fascinating but quick.

Put away last night's dishes from dish rack, washed my breakfast dishes, watched a little morning show (segment on local eatery in Ancaster today!), and vacuumed living room. Am doing some contest look arounds before heading outside for fresh air and some movement. Plan to trek later to Shoppers to see what's available on clearance and for Oasis Health Break bevvies (or I'll chuckle at empty shelves and look for a newspaper) and the cocoa and see if Kleenex pocket tissues are same or lower price than at Fortinos).

Will tend to sewing machine sometime in afternoon. Would like to find treasure on my walk today...Keep curious today everyone-you might see opportunities!

[Angela273]

Today is my husband’s 50th birthday. He’s at work today, so we celebrated yesterday. We spent the day as a family. We went to a movie and then out for supper.

[SassyAshley]

@Angela273 , Happy Birthday to your DH

[SassyAshley]

@Ciel21 , thank you for asking, Opa choose not to join us as he was 5 days post-op.

He is still in his house. When Oma started to decline he hired help to take care of her. When she passed he kept 2 of the ladies to help take care of him.

He has stopped driving but one of his helpers drives plus our family is close that someone could always swing over and pick him up.

Bro and Sis-in-law, plus Cousin, his wife & their kids visited him, on Christmas Eve. My Aunt and Uncle (Not sure if they had either of the girls with them) went on Christmas Day. The day after Boxing Day Dad and Step-Mom went to see him.

He is still somewhat active but I do feel Covid hit him hard like many of the elderly. For his safety, he stayed home, did not come to work and just did not have the socialization or activity he did prior to Covid. Once in a blue moon he will come to work well I am there but he struggles more to get around now.

[Frugalbigmama]

Hi All,

My bestie is not feeling her best (life and sick mama has her down in the dumps) She needed some time away and to relax. So I booked us a room at the casino last night. We left early morning yesterday, checked in about noon and had brunch (we missed breakfast so had to have lunch at buffet)
Then walked around. Pool/sauna/steam room. Late dinner at the buffet again (the fancy restaurant wasn't open ) We did not really enjoy the buffet the 2nd time around. I gambled and did well We had breakfast this morning and left for home around 11am.

I went to RCSS (picked up a shampoo/conditioner clearance pack and another kids electric toothbrush with 2 paste for $4.94
(now I have 3 for my friends twins and my niece) To add to their June birthday bags!
Then Food Basics. They were clearing out the steaks for 6.34KG! I spent $49.04 (paid with change from casino) I am now getting them wrapped for the freezer.

Dinner tonight is steak . Will make perogies and veggies. I also have mushrooms and onions! Yum!

Now to un pack from night away. And then tomorrow I pack us for Florida. We leave on Friday. Airport service picks up in the morning so nice to not have to worry about driving/parking. (My wonderful sister ordered it for us) I so owe her a week away and I will stay with my niece! She is so good to us!

[coupon girl]

I popped over to winners as my dear daughter got me marchino cherries "laura secord"-well when i opened them they were dried up and squished with no syrup ,she just bought them in toronto last week.They returned them at my winners with no bill but i would get a gift card for the $11.49which i thought was great .

i bought ladies socks for gifts and i will see if one pair fit me (as i tossed 3 pairs of holy socks before xmas) 3 pairs of hot socks for 7.00 and the second box had 2 pairs she gave me them for 4.00 -someone swiped a pair .lol
No wrapping paper at winners left behind and none at walmart.

I did get 3 frozen chap sticks and a tin for 2.50 (cara)and neon pastels on the reduced rack for ashlyn 3.98 ,i will give them it now .As a playdoh set i bought 2 sets of this new stretch playdoh was awfull gooey -took 4 times of wiping down my kitchen table .So i called the 1-800 number and they are sending me a prepaid envelope to send back to them and she said she would give me regular playdoh because of this inferior product .

Walmart had ladies clearance /mens and kids an extra 30% off -i dint care for the 2 ladies tops i tried on ,but i did manage to get cara for easter a nightie for $3.50.Then grabbed licorice allsorts on clearance for $3.48 and a bit of fruit and got out of there too crowded for me.

[Skippy]

Good day my friends! Glad to read over the posts and catch up on the latest!
My Christmas was nice with Candlelight Christmas Eve service and Christmas Day Brunch and Dinner with DD and husband. Was stupid and decided to go to mall near dinner time on Boxing Day for my freebie small NY fries(if you have an account with them you should have one too,only drawback expires on the 31st).
Anyhow I realised why it's been years since out on Boxing Day.The crowds and background sound was enough to rattle me,although the fries were good!
Picked up a few things at Shoppers that I will use on Valentine's Day as most goods have long expiry dates and no one is any the wiser about price.
Did venture out with DW yesterday to Hallmark and realised I'm a dinosaur as even the discount prices on some stuff seem expensive to me.
Got my walk in today which was good as body hurting for lack of doing so during those windchill days.
Hope that whatever you're up to today that you may feel relaxed and able to recoup some sanity after the busyness of Christmas.
Be the blessing you wold have others be to you!

[lilo0003]

Both DS2 an I are now testing negative which is amazing because they say some people test positive for months after they have Covid.
I braved the stores yesterday as we needed some groceries and the biggest issues is lack of staff. Walmart had 2 cashiers on with about 40 people in line and self checkout was also hell. but I choose it over a cashier. It only reminded me why I never shop there. Since I was in the area I did stop at Giant Tiger. DS2 needs a new set of sheets and he has the only double bed in the house, the prices at Walmart were insane and I found what I needed for a third of the cost at GT.

[barbis9]

Today is my husband’s 50th birthday. He’s at work today, so we celebrated yesterday. We spent the day as a family. We went to a movie and then out for supper.

@Angela273 what movie did you see?

[barbis9]

Both DS2 an I are now testing negative which is amazing because they say some people test positive for months after they have Covid.
I braved the stores yesterday as we needed some groceries and the biggest issues is lack of staff. Walmart had 2 cashiers on with about 40 people in line and self checkout was also hell. but I choose it over a cashier. It only reminded me why I never shop there. Since I was in the area I did stop at Giant Tiger. DS2 needs a new set of sheets and he has the only double bed in the house, the prices at Walmart were insane and I found what I needed for a third of the cost at GT.

@lilo0003 I agree, its horrible paying at Walmart - long lines not matter what you pick.

[barbis9]

Bought 2 large tins of Quality Street for $8.69 each at a Shoppers on the way home, I was surprised as other Shoppers price them for a lot more. I also bought assorted Turtles for $5.69 and the last Aveeno gift set for $16

[harbie]

I’m a dinosaur too then @Skippy . I can’t imagine going to a mall on Boxing Day . People were lined up on the hwy to get to one of the malls here. They lined up close to 15km on the hwy! I never went near it but saw it on the local FB page. Pure insanity.

Yay @lilo0003 glad you both are negative .

Yesterday and today we’re extra long days at work. I’m working on Friday then I’m off with Dh until Wednesday in the new year! Phew.

Just bought some old dinosaur anti wrinkle cream and beauty stuff on TSC via Rakuten so in addition to free shipping ($75 or more ), Extra 15% Boxing Day/ week sale and then 3% cash back from Rakuten. It all helps.

Im exhausted so I’m off to bed and not even 9pm

[Angela273]

@Angela273 what movie did you see?

Avatar The Way of Water. It was 3hr 10min long. The movie was ok, but slow. It’s very clearly a setup for the next movie.

[Giseledta]

hi all.
dropped off youngest at the plane. she is back in Halifax. we did a quick stop after for stuff for a visit with my brother and mom tomorrow. anda micheals stop... 30. percent off yarn. i picked up a grey. i am making a baby blanket in yellow, white and grey.

with the nice weather i will start to bring in the inflatables outside.
clean the house a bit.

i need to get my planner out and start putting some plans goals on paper.

hugs to all