February 2023 Frugal Chat

[Frugalbigmama]

TGIF!!! School bus service is canceled in our area. Extra long weekend for the kids!

Now to crush this work day! I need the weekend!

[SassyAshley]

Good Morning Everyone,
Up and getting all of the things done. I was up at 6 and got right to it.

Some of the work things are getting done, not sure if we are in a rough patch or people think I do not have a plate that is overflowing but the amount of stuff coming in right now is overwhelming. But, I am not going to let that get to me, I will put it on my to-do list, set realistic deadlines and take it one day at a time.

Getting some home things done, started laundry as soon as I got up this morning. I just took a quick break and washed up a few hand dishes. Next, I am going to run the Kettle with some vinegar in it to clean the kettle and since I will have hot Vinegar, I will also clean the drains.

I have started my to-do lists for the weekend so I can stay on track. I do have a bunch of prep to be done but the list is not final yet as I still need to do next week's meal plan. This week has been okay for dinners but like last night we both had a late lunch so Dinner was French Toasts Squares. It isn't bad but just does not feel like a proper dinner especially since with my schedule this week multiple times this week we have had dinner after 6:30. So a meal plan is a must especially since I have a ton of fresh produce on hand.

Happy Friday

[Skippy]

Brrr…the seasons are changing more often than me posting-sigh!
The sunshine is quite deceiving given the wind out there.My walk was 10 min max if that!
Although we all may be a small sample, I wonder just how many people do have any decent PCO offers?
I also wonder what is going on behind the scenes as I sent a missing points inquiry last Sunday with no reply other than we’re busy…
Like I always say, if that’s my biggest problem then I’m not doing too bad. @cath007 continue to do what you are doing and you will get to where you want to be. @coupon girl sorry to read that you’re under the weather,praying for you and still admiring your Nana skills.
Everyone stay safe and warm and have a great weekend.

[SassyAshley]

I think I may officially be obsessed with Bullet Journals.

I have my standard Bullet Journal which will be tweaked for March but loving the processing.

Earlier this week, I decided to start a Bullet Journal for my Budget. I know some people put this in their regular Bullet Journal but I am weird about money things and do not wish to share the financial side of my life. I think it goes back to growing up, we were always taught not to talk about money with anyone, you do not talk about money, it is rude. With that being said we were also always taught we needed to budget but again we were just told we needed to budget and have savings but that was it.

I have always had a budget and by nature, I am a saver but I also feel it is time to tweak the budget so I have been working on that and my finalized Budget will go into my Financial Bullet Journal.

I have also started a 3rd Bullet Journal. I have decided if I have to have 3 Smart Goals for work, let's put those in a Bullet Journal so I can visually track those as well. So I started that last night and hope to have it completed it next week, I am waiting for a few answers back to finalize things.

I am officially obsessed but loving my Bullet Journals.

[SassyAshley]

I seriously thought this day was almost over. I thought it was like 2, maybe 2:30 nope it was 12:30.

But with that being said work stuff is moving along, although a little frustrating as I am waiting for others to confirm stuff for me and no one is answering me today.

The dishes are done, but I do still need to empty the dishwasher. The kettle, microwave and drains have been cleaned, WOW does my house smell like vinegar.

Laundry is done, just need to fold it.

I got an Amazon order for a few things for around the house. We need to replace our Dish Drying Rack. Mom bought the one we have and she swears it was stainless steel but it must have just been a coating because there is now rust on it. But I also kind of feel we cannot complain as I think it is like 10 years old so it is probably time. Replacing it has been a bit complicated because we have a narrow 2-tier dish rack which fits perfectly beside our sink but I came across 2 issues well trying to replace it:
1 - Everything is now collapsable which I get, dish racks are not pretty but would 100% be another excuse for me not to wash dishes, dishes are one of my least favourite tasks.
2 - WOW dish racks have gotten expensive but watching them day after day has paid off

I also ordered myself a new comforter so I can move my current comforter to the couch and the couch one to the garbage. The fabric on the couch blanket is so thin from use and washing that it keeps ripping. I just fixed 2 rips a couple of weeks ago so I could wash it and now there are 3 more in different spots so it is time for it to be replaced. Again, the couch comforter we have had for over 7 years and it was my bed comforter before it was moved to the couch so it is time.

[harbie]

I’m back. It feels like forever ago I was online but I’m guessing it was just before Valentine’s Day.

It was a crazier than usual week. Work was more physically demanding than it normally is and it’s a physically demanding job but it’s a long weekend so yay!

Only managed a few deals this week.

Got diesel for 168.9 after driving a little further away from where we live, my 3C off for my BCAA membership and the additional 5C off for an Airmiles offer. The price of diesel was 198.9 around where we live so I’m happy with that. PLUS used $10 off Airmiles cash rewards!

My chopper and kettle arrived and I’m planning to was them today for use! Cased in dream rewards on AM


Went to Safeway on Wednesday and got:

2 Nextmilk for $3.99 -$1=$2.99 ea
2 GoodBaker Vegan pizzas for $4.94- $1.50= $3.44
1 mushroom for $5.99

With sales and coupons I saved $13.10 for a 40% savings. The mushroom were pricey but they were quite literally perfect. No bruises, clean, dry and not moist from condensation. They were perfect for adding sliced to our salads.

On V-day Dh and went for a 5+km walk along the water. Cold but sunny so no complaints. Plus we grabbed a couple of Starbucks since it was double star days.



Then we stopped by the mall and I forced Dh to get a pair of lululemon pants. Since we embarked on this healthy lifestyle and we’ve both lost a few pant sizes he actually didn’t have any pant’s except joggers. He NEVER does anything for himself and ALWAYS puts me first so now it was his time. He felt a bit sick paying that much for them but they are really nice, great quality and he looks soooooooo hot in them .

Today will be tax time. I really need to finish them up. On the plus side I did our RRSP contribution so at least that’s done.

[coupon girl]

Skippy thanks for the nana comment ,yes i am feeling better still have a cold .The bug i had yesterday was only half a day as i felt better around 1.00 p.m .

Stayed in today worked on a puzzle and did a load of towels .Hubby went to help son attach the water line on his new fridge .My sons fridge went after only 12 yrs.I guess appliances just dont last as long anymore.

Harbie -nice gifts from airmiles .I have to use mine up one day .

I called my 80 yr old former co-worker and we chatted for an hour ,she is in a new apartment as someone was trying to take advantage of her .So glad she got out of that situation.You need to be happy in your golden yrs not stressed .

[SassyAshley]

@harbie , I have that mini chopper and love it, makes prep and cooking so easy.

[SassyAshley]

Yesterday before the snow and ice came, I ran out and got our groceries for the week. Which sounds like it was a good thing, I was talking to a co-worker who normally does not comment on winter driving but said today was absolutely horrible.

This is what I got this week:
Food Basics:
2 x Raw Frozen Shrimp $5.88
3 x Pork Tenderloin 2-packs $2.88/lb (This will give us 6 meals)
1 x Grapes $1.88/lb
2 x Asparagus $1.88/bunch
1 x Romaine 3-pack $3.99 - Same as buying it at Costco and I missed the $2.99 at Metro last week
1 x Orange Juice $2.88

No Frills:
2 x Eggs 18-pack $4.99
2 x Hot Dog Buns $2 wub 2 or more
4 x Oranges $0.69/lb
3 x Roma Tomatoes $0.99/lb
2 x Mangos $0.89 - Personal Offer
1 x Mini Cucumbers 1.5 lb bag $4 + 400 pc points
1 x Cauliflower $1.87 (PM Wal-Mart)

Not a lot but because of the Shrimp and Pork Tenderloins it did add up quickly. We are officially stocked up on pork now but will be watching for a beef sale, I need a cheap Roast we can cut into Strips and Chunks. Plus I see we need Chicken so I will have to get that next time I go to Costco.

Tonight's Dinner is Baked Lemon Chicken Breasts with Rice and Roasted Asparagus.

[cath007]

Good earlier evening eaveryone!!!
Oh my what a day,TGIF altrought it really change nothing for me...have to push trough my books all week end..grrr...The school had a meeting and the conclusion is I will finish these massive 2 books at home by my time..no more at school...so the evening week end and break week....and maybe lunch time at school if I only take 30 minutes instead of 1 hours to have lunch...
3 exams after break week..grrr...And I start 2 news massive book by monday..supposed to take 30 hours each book...
Had to paid 1 book by my own 42$ since I want to writhe and highlight in it...grrr
I will resee psycholigist at school next week and another specialist to to helps me with my schedule...
The good news of the day it is my doctor dont charge 40$ fee for missed appoitnement and I got another appointment exceptionnaly the march 24, at 6 hrs the evening....My doctor only do 1 evening by month and I cannot be there the day so it is difficult...
So the week end will be laundry,shower grocery and work in my books....
I want to pm Strawberries at Super C for 3,00$ and red seedless grapes at metro for 1,99$ lbs...I really dont saw others fruits affortables this week...
The weather this morning was terrible here too and the schools where open (at least at adults....the other where in hollidays )

Have a lovely week end!!!

[cath007]

@SassyAshley : I truly would love to know your secret to managed job and house...you are good at that
I have no time for my appart this week end and the next weeks...

[lilo0003]

Add me to the basket of people overwhelmed with work. I am moving into a new role after 15 yrs in this one, but my current role is not even close to filled and the new project kicked off, it’s an international team so meetings are early but my team is used to having me around until 6 so the days have been long. I am exhausted and have at least 2 months of this. I am very happy it’s a long weekend. I am going relax tonight and Saturday will be the catch up day. Older son started laundry today so that’s a help.

[SassyAshley]

@cath007 , Thank you. I wish I knew the secret but honestly, it is just one day at a time, some days will be good days and some days will be bad days.

Friday was a good day, I was working from home, work was flowing, nothing big came up so I was able to work for an hour or two and take a break and get home things done.

Where is Tuesday was a bad day, I left my house at 5:30 am and got home at 7 pm, so the fact we did not have take-out for dinner was my win for the day.

I will say the one thing I have found has really helped me is to break things down and even if I just get one small thing done a day, that is one thing I do not have to tackle on the weekend. But I still have days like Tuesday where nothing got done. This includes not letting things pile up, I will be honest Dishes are one of my least favourite chores so we would let them pile up. If I do them daily it takes me 10 minutes, if I let them pile up, I have had weekends where it has taken me an hour or more to get them done.

Honestly, for me, it is keeping up with what I can (even 10 to 15 minutes helps, when I do not want to, I set a 15-minute timer and make myself do something for 15 minutes, then something is done) and it is so hard but I am trying to learn to let go what I did not get done and remind myself there is always tomorrow and tomorrow is a new day.

My Motto for 2023 is done is better than perfect. For example, does my bathroom need a deep clean, yes, but today if that doesn't pan out and I just clean the bathroom then clean (done) is better than the deep clean (perfect) because I got something done.

[SassyAshley]

Good Morning,
Today started as planned, I woke up just after 5, got up and right away got started on cleaning the oven. I sprayed it to soak with my Homemade Cleaner and got to work. The plan was to clean the oven and then deep clean the bathroom.

Well the oven was soaking I was on the internet looking at various things and I checked the Costco Hidden Sales, yep, you see where this is going. I finished the oven and ran to Costco as they have the Cuisinart Immersion Blender on sale for $39.99.

Our Immersion Blender died just after Christmas and we use it all the time because we do not have a blender (well we have a magic bullet). But the issue I found is most do not come with the accessories which we also use all the time. I have been eyeing the one at Costco as honestly, they had the best price but I have been holding out. It is on sale for the weekend only, I checked online and it was on sale but $10 more to cover shipping so decided it was best to just run to Costco.

Well I was at Costco I grabbed a few other things:
Chicken Breast
Chicken Wings
Scrubbing Bubbles Foam Cleaner
Cheese Slices
Toilet Paper

I discovered when I went to grab Chicken last night we are a little low so grabbed a pack. Mom mentioned she was almost out of wings so grabbed those too.

The scrubbing bubbles foam cleaner is a 4-pack and was on sale for $10.99, I meant to grab this earlier in the week but forgot. We also needed toilet paper but when I went earlier this week, honestly, I did not want to carry it in. Lastly Cheese Slices, we went from tons in the freezer, we never get through a whole pack so we freeze them to none.

So by 10 am, I cleaned the oven (I got it done before I left), dug out my car, went to Costco and got home. Not bad.

Happy Saturday

[Frugalbigmama]

Hi all,

Working today again but its once last small issue and hopeful will be complete today!

While I was waiting for an answer on something I cleaned the kitchen, scrubbed the stove and sink and turned on the dishwasher.
Have a basket of laundry ready to toss in the washer. I'm going to strip down and put the hoody and jeans I am wearing in the washer and put on my housecoat till I have a shower. Will hang the laundry load up to dry when done.

I dropped DS off this morning and then got an oil change. Now vehicle is ready for adventure!!
If done early enough today will go for a hike at a new trail we've been wanting to check out for awhile.

Have a wonderful long weekend everyone!