January 2023 Frugal Chatter Thread -Money shuffle dance time!

[coupon girl]

Well i got out first stop Bed bath and beyond .I really need sleep pillows (daughter says are are so awfull and i agree they are)i usually pay 10-12.00 each at walmart ,winners and they just dont last (i dont wash them either)

I went for a pillow that was on sale $26.00 but they sold out and no rainchecks ,so i splurged along with 3 other women and got a 49.99-20%=39.99-5.00 pillow in bed bath and beyond points program =34.99 and it states never goes flat on the bay made by therma -something or other.I was told if you are not satisfied with it return it and get your money back 90 days with bill.

The older lady behind me had no discount as i was putting my buggy back,ashame the people dont use cpns and points programs .So in my eyes this is a bit of a splurge but hey if it means better sleep worth it.

I also got a nice melamine plate in clearance for .70 cheaper than dollarama .

Then popped over to sobeys and spent 60.00 mind you i did get 380 pts after just complaining about their points program but 2 were in store points offers and one was my personal offer.A few deals i got

Brocolli crowns 1.23
strawberries 3.49
olympic yogurt 6.49-50%=3.49-2.00 checkout51=1.49 close to expiry date
3 lovely juicy watermelon slices not on sale but 3.10
and rolls and deli meat -stuck to my list plus a few other items
i

[SassyAshley]

@flemeth did your store have the Andy Boy 3-Packs or was it another brand?

Originally I was told the brand of produce did not matter just had to be the same size but then she said no it has to be the same brand.

[SassyAshley]

Went downstairs and did a Pantry Tidy. All of the groceries I bought this week for the Pantry had not been put away so I put them away. I guess the good news is after my fall my knee was not bothering me until I forgot I have a huge bruise on my knee and went to kneel on the floor to put away the 2 bags of flour I got. That hurt. I did get them put away but it was in no way graceful.

I could not get the bread in the freezer as I desperately need to do a Chest Freezer Tidy but not today, I had other things to tackle.

I went upstairs to do a Hallway Deep Clean but what I call my "Cleaning ADD" kicked in and I was all over the place. I went to put something in the bathroom and thought oh I should mop the floor, then I went into my room and was like oh I should move everything and give my room a good vacuum and then I thought oh I need to do Mom's room too.

At this point I decided "Done was better than Perfect" so I decided to just vacuum upstairs, I did not move furniture, I did not mop, I just gave it a good vacuum. A deep clean will still be needed but for today it is done. I do still need to sort some stuff in the hallway and finish vacuuming but that will probably be a tomorrow task.

After Mom got up and I had another cup of tea and some muffins, I decided to go take a shower, my original plan was to be done for the day after my shower.

Then I went downstairs to get the stuff for dinner and decided I could not ignore it the chest freezer needed to be done, so I reorganized the freezer:
Mom sucker sealed the burgers that were flash-freezing (for weeks LOL)
I did lose a tub of ice cream, it went all gummy and a baggie of Cauliflower I froze myself as it went a weird yellow colour.
I did also throw out a bag of peas because they were not bought to be eaten, a couple of years ago Mom hurt her knee and needed to ice it but we could not find our Ice Pack so I bought this bag of peas for her, they were our hurt peas. So they have defrosted and refrozen many times, we have now found our ice packs so I threw out the peas.

The good news is I do now have some space in the freezer and I see a few things I need to pick up like more hamburger buns. Also, see some things I need to use up we have some part bags of veggies I will try to work into this week's meal plan.

Lastly, because I had the stuff out of the freezer, I took out our garbage. Plus I wanted to get it out as they are saying we might get some snow tomorrow.

Tonight we are going to try a new dish for dinner called Dutch Oven Chicken Breasts and Vegetables, I thought the recipe had potatoes in it, but it does not just Carrots and Mushrooms so I will serve it over Mashed Potatoes. A lot of the comments said they found it a little bland as the original recipe only calls for Garlic Powder and Salt to season the dish so I will kick up the spice.

Now it is time to relax, other than making Dinner I am done for the day.

[Ciel21]

Have only managed to skim read the first 6 pages of threads for Jan. Hope to be caught up next week. So many Internet things to chase online-Youtube videos only do so much then I miss the browser and online surfing.

Have a Chapters item pickup ready but I'll wait for Monday when item 2 is due to arrive. THink due to flurries in forecast (next Sat-grr) I will have my birthday chai latte experience next week during the week when I do the belated two-store visit then a Chapters visit for pickups/chai latte. Have not had my planned fun for past two weeks (cold during week 2 and this week's lousy wet weather).

5 more weeks until Hamilton's yard pickup collection resumes. Yes, that excites me-too many branches and bits to add to the bags already in the bin.

Wish I had purchased Advil Cold & Sinus in Dec when there were coupons to use but the store limit of one Tylenol or Advil product last week was fine by me. I was desperrate a week ago Thurs to be free of a sinus situation with cold (hadn't had one in a long while) and was just GLAD there were a few boxes in stock. STill have sniffles that have lingered. Other two family members still have their colds but Mom had the worst coughing situation for days. The coughing has eased thankfully. One daily thing that made cold days better-changing the pillowcase every day. Just a small thing to help me make progress and make the most of the 1-3 hours in am I was able to sort of do things before I spent most of hours in bed. It was that kind of long week.

Have been a fan of toast and tea and bagels in past two days. Need some protein so will buy something on the way home. Got a scratch ticket-will see if there's a win or not before I leave the library today.
My appetite has been all over the place this month. Made sure to have a generous portion of oatmeal this morning with my favourite spices and brown sugar and milk.

I miss making cream of carrot soup. It'd be perfect for a snow flurry day (i.e. tomorrow). Need ingredients-have the milk at home but not the carrots.

I could not find a list of winners of the Sobeys Advent Calendar contests. Think the draw occurred on Tuesday...was anyone lucky in getting a win?

[Frugalbigmama]

Well i got out first stop Bed bath and beyond .I really need sleep pillows (daughter says are are so awfull and i agree they are)i usually pay 10-12.00 each at walmart ,winners and they just dont last (i dont wash them either)

I went for a pillow that was on sale $26.00 but they sold out and no rainchecks ,so i splurged along with 3 other women and got a 49.99-20%=39.99-5.00 pillow in bed bath and beyond points program =34.99 and it states never goes flat on the bay made by therma -something or other.I was told if you are not satisfied with it return it and get your money back 90 days with bill.

The older lady behind me had no discount as i was putting my buggy back,ashame the people dont use cpns and points programs .So in my eyes this is a bit of a splurge but hey if it means better sleep worth it.

I also got a nice melamine plate in clearance for .70 cheaper than dollarama .

Then popped over to sobeys and spent 60.00 mind you i did get 380 pts after just complaining about their points program but 2 were in store points offers and one was my personal offer.A few deals i got

Brocolli crowns 1.23
strawberries 3.49
olympic yogurt 6.49-50%=3.49-2.00 checkout51=1.49 close to expiry date
3 lovely juicy watermelon slices not on sale but 3.10
and rolls and deli meat -stuck to my list plus a few other items
i

I think you should buy quality mattress/pillows and shoes.

[Frugalbigmama]

Decided to make today the "fun" day.

Dropped DS off at work and then we went to the casino for a free breakfast and to use the free slot play they offered.
I am on a total lucky streak! Came home with bank!
Picked up a few things at grocery store since I wanted to grab buns to make burgers for dinner.
Spent $26 at Food Basics on buns, romaine, yogurt, 3 club house packets, eggs and 2 x lactose free cheese bars.
Then $13.65 on 4L bag of milk and 2 x tampons (to be prepared!) Received 1000 bonus Optimum points for the tampons. and used $1 coupon for the milk.

Tomorrow is cleaning/food prep day!

Enjoy the night!

[flemeth]

@flemeth did your store have the Andy Boy 3-Packs or was it another brand?

Originally I was told the brand of produce did not matter just had to be the same size but then she said no it has to be the same brand.

@SassyAshley it was the Dole. The produce clerk read the description and said as long as the wording did not specify a brand it’s a good PM

[SassyAshley]

@flemeth , that is the way my RCSS and what Freshco originally said but then said no it was brand specific. Oh well, could have just been the cashier. When I went in there was only one.

At No Frills there are certain Cashiers I know are not PM friendly.

@SassyAshley it was the Dole. The produce clerk read the description and said as long as the wording did not specify a brand it’s a good PM

[harbie]

QOTD: is the coming soon PC points days the one where I have to stand on my head and try to calculate if it is a good deal when item(s)not on sale yet points given?

I'm just guessing here but with just how generous Mr Weston is I’m guessing you’re correct BUt you will have to do that with one eye closed, using one hand to hold an apple in a semi dark room

[SassyAshley]

Dinner was a Hit, Mom liked it but I did tweak the recipe by adding Onion Powder, Paprika and Pepper to the chicken and Pepper, Onion & Garlic Powder to the veggies, plus some Dijon Mustard before I made the cream sauce.

I used my new Dutch Oven I bought before Christmas for the first time. I will have to check I think it is a 4-quart, it is cute and much easier to move vs Mom's 7 or 8-quart.

Still need to clean up the kitchen.

I am feeling very done but at the same time super happy with what I got done today.

Thinking tomorrow, I might make some Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup, I think I am going to try reducing the amount of Orzo because after the soup sits, it is no longer a soup the orzo absorbs all of the liquid.

The only thing is I should get a dutch oven bread rising for tomorrow but my body is saying no, I am done for the night. So is my head, to be honest, I have been battling a headache all afternoon.

Going to either Crochet or Work on my Bullet Journal.

[coupon girl]

Frugalbigmama -how true mattress ,pillows and shoes .I have bought quality mattress and shoes ,but never put a lot of thought into the sleeping pillows .Cant wait for my sleep tonight .

Chatted with my daughter today for about an hour about dating ,life in general ,sebastian,her work .She always loves to talk when she doesnt have him .

[lilo0003]

@coupongirl , I too miss the sun and the only lingering effect of my bought of Covid is a headache and I wonder if it’s the post Covid or if it’s the dull weather.
I drove down to visit my mom today and took her out for groceries and was very surprised at the amount of 50% off stickers I found. I picked up a huge chicken Greek salad and split it with my mom and it was 8.50 so it will keep me in salad for days, best part is I hate raw onions so mom took all of them. We checked out the clearance produce rack and I picked up 15 perfect looking jalapeños for 1.50. These freeze really well. Since they had pork shoulder on sale I picked up a few becuase I had the jalapeños so ds2 will make a pork carnita dish with homemade pico.

[Frugalbigmama]

Good Morning!

Have to drop DS off at work soon.

I will stop at Walmart on the way home for SOS pads ($1)

Went to the upright freezer this morning and took out pork chops, chicken kabobs, tray of steak and family pack of lean ground beef.
Will cook up the chops, kabobs and steak and then a bunch of sides so we can make quick dinners the next few days. Will cook the ground beef into taco meat. (and then once done will text the oldest that there are tacos here ready for when he is working at his studio and hungry (he lives out of town)

I have to go to the bank machine to deposit a cheque so will bundle up and take a walk down to the water. The fresh air will do me good!

[SassyAshley]

Good Morning Everyone,
A bit of a slower start today because I did sleep in but I had a bit of a night, I could not fall asleep and then I woke up in the middle of the night thinking it was morning.

Think I might do some cooking this morning, thinking of Soup, maybe some bread and I might make a batch of rice to have in the fridge for a quick side this week. I am thinking I will make the Brown Sugar Sesame Pork Loin in the Slow Cooker, then on the side, I will combine some Stir Fry veggies and Rice.

Just trying to plan ahead and use up some of the odds and ends I found in the Chest Freezer yesterday.

Part of me is like I need to get up and get things done but the other part of me could totally just curl up on the couch.

I do have a couple of work things I should get sent off today because I did not get them done on Friday but hoping that should take under an hour. I could try to get it done before we open tomorrow but when I bank on that something always happens, I sleep in, or I cannot connect or something.

Need to figure out dinner for tonight, thinking maybe Lasagna.

Happy Sunday

[coupon girl]

Wow what a great sleep thanks to my new pillow 10.pm to 6.00 a.m yes.

Doing laundry today sheets and clothing.