September 2023 Frugal chatter Thread

[SassyAshley]

The budget is all caught up. Doing better than expected.

I knew I was over on my stock-up budget, that is what 2 trips to Costco in one month will do. Not to mention the list was long. Although I did not get everything, there are a few things I pushed off to next month.

Groceries were lower than expected, I knew I spent quite a bit last week and was a little worried I maxed out the budget but nope.

There are still a few things I need to pick up for the house this coming week. Mom really needs a couple of new pillows for her bed, I keep forgetting to grab some when I am out. As well I need to check Dollarama for toilet tabs as the one I went into well I was out of town did not have any.

Happy to see things are on track, I was a little worried, felt like we spent more than we did so happy to see we did not.

[HermanH]

Wednesday was customer appreciation day at Caesar's Pizza. Med pepperoni were being sold for $5 each, so I bought four for the hospital staff. On my way out, I decided to get another for myself on the way home. I saw a cop sitting in the parking lot and tried to extend the appreciation a little further by purchasing one for him.

I walked over and told him that I had bought dinner for him and that he could go to the outlet and just pick it up. That way, he would not have to worry about anyone messing with his food. He was gracious, but declined; worrying about possibly being caught on video munching pizza. I couldn't convince him. After all, he had to eat and should not be concerned about a few idiots. The public still knows that they are the good guys. We shook hands and parted.

What a shame that a police officer is afraid to accept kindness from the public. I gotta wonder if he is reluctant to pursuit some courses of action and if his morale is so low, how much longer will he remain on the force.

I tried to pass out the extra pizza to everyone I saw and met. Man, it was like trying to give away plutonium. What a crazy situation. Free food and I cannot even give it away.

[SassyAshley]

Good Morning Everyone,
Today was a very slow start to the morning, I just did not want to get out of my bed, it was just so comfy.

Once I got up I really did not want to do my prep but I put on a YouTube Video and got to work. I was aiming for an hour but took closer to an hour and a half but I did stop for Breakfast.

Might seem small to some but for me stopping for breakfast is huge for me. Normally I would just push through to try to get it done and skip Breakfast.

All of the veggies are prepped. I forgot to pull some spinach from the freezer to make my stuffed peppers so that is in the sink now. They will be quick and easy to throw together and pop in the oven.

Thinking tonight's dinner will either be Chicken Caprese Spaghetti Squash Bowls or I might make One-Pan Chicken and Mushroom Skillet as we have some mushrooms and chicken broth to use up. I will see what Mom thinks.

Happy Sunday Everyone

[crafter]

Good Morning Everyone,
Today was a very slow start to the morning, I just did not want to get out of my bed, it was just so comfy.




Once I got up I really did not want to do my prep but I put on a YouTube Video and got to work. I was aiming for an hour but took closer to an hour and a half but I did stop for Breakfast.

Might seem small to some but for me stopping for breakfast is huge for me. Normally I would just push through to try to get it done and skip Breakfast.

All of the veggies are prepped. I forgot to pull some spinach from the freezer to make my stuffed peppers so that is in the sink now. They will be quick and easy to throw together and pop in the oven.

Thinking tonight's dinner will either be Chicken Caprese Spaghetti Squash Bowls or I might make One-Pan Chicken and Mushroom Skillet as we have some mushrooms and chicken broth to use up. I will see what Mom thinks.

Happy Sunday Everyone

Your dinner ideas sound delectable

[SassyAshley]

@crafter , thank you.

Change in plans, I pulled out the cute little peppers I bought to make stuffed peppers to see that they had marks on them which would make them impossible to stuff. Quick change in plans, I now have a Stuffed Pepper Casserole for lunches this week. It will go in the oven once the oven is preheated.

Thinking I might also make some Peanut Butter dip to go with the apples I bought.

I have some grapes I washed and cucumbers I cut up. Trying to make sure I have some quick and easy produce options. I am not horrible at eating fruits & veggies but more would be better.

Trying to think of something I can make for desserts for the week. Hmmmm

[coupon girl]

Popped over to shoppers to get
(4)butter 4.99-i wont pay anymore than that and the deal ended today
(3) chex cereal 4.49-spend 11.00 get 5,000 points=2.82 each
family lays chips 2.50
(4) single chocolate milk .99-personal offer =3.16 or .79 each

then went to bulb barn saved 5.00 with a coupon as i spent over 20.00
got a few nuts and trail mixes and my chia seeds.

[SassyAshley]

@coupon girl , No Frills keeps giving an exclusive offer for No Name Butter for $5.99, nope, not at that price. Not when I just stocked up for $4.89 & $4.99.

[SassyAshley]

Helped Mom gather up everything she will need to make dinner for later in the week. We are having Dinner with Bro, Half Bro & Sis-in-Law for Bro's Bday which was last week.

Just need to take the garbage out and then I am done for the night.

Dinner was Skillet Chicken & Mushroom, it is a one-pot meal with orzo.

All the dishes are done, I admit, I am not one to "close" our kitchen each night. Normally by the time we are done dinner, I am done so I clean up the next morning. I admit it is nice to have it done but will it be a nightly thing, probably not.

I find I am having the same issues with getting things done during the week. Everyone keeps saying it is because I work late but I find even when I do not work late by the time I finish work, make dinner, clean up from dinner (load the dishwasher, put anything that needs to soak in the sink and wipe down the counters and stove) I am done for the night.

We shall see how this week goes but I am going to be honest right now it looks like I will be all over the place this week.

Time to prepare for the week to come.

[walkonby]

@coupon girl , No Frills keeps giving an exclusive offer for No Name Butter for $5.99, nope, not at that price. Not when I just stocked up for $4.89 & $4.99.

lol! @coupon girl and @SassyAshley I've caught myself hrmph-ing out loud while reading a supposed " sale " price for butter in a flyer and knowing I will hold out for an actual sale.
Having homemade Buttermilk waffles, turkey bacon and a rich creamy coffee for dinner was hilarious. DH had another round after dinner, made himself dessert waffles with ice cream in between.

[Frugalbigmama]

Good Morning and Happy Monday!!

This weekend I ate so much food I felt so sick last night. Today I am back to prepping healthy food only! It's fine to have a nice "big" meal now and then but it was never ending!! So off to the freezer to pull BLSL chicken and veggies. That will be dinner. Breakfast will be oatmeal, lunch a smoothie and snack will be boiled egg and cucumbers. I will prep it all this morning so it is ready to grab and eat when needed. I always felt good when I had my food prepped and ready so this will make the difference.

The sun is shining so will get out there for a morning walk. I need to start taking breaks when working so making myself go for a walk outside is the plan (fresh air and sunshine!) So I will set my timer every day to remind myself to get up and go.

Just enjoyed my coffee. Now to wash up the weekend dishes (we were in and out all weekend and the kitchen is a mess) then will make my oatmeal.

Oh - my new fav sweet treat? Frozen raspberries! I am a little obsessed with them. (My friend does Keto and made me frozen raspberries with cream and it was good but the cream was too much for me. I enjoy the berries on their own!)

Enjoy the day!

[Frugalbigmama]

lol! @coupon girl and @SassyAshley I've caught myself hrmph-ing out loud while reading a supposed " sale " price for butter in a flyer and knowing I will hold out for an actual sale.
Having homemade Buttermilk waffles, turkey bacon and a rich creamy coffee for dinner was hilarious. DH had another round after dinner, made himself dessert waffles with ice cream in between.

Yeah the butter offer was a good laugh considering every one (including Loblaws chains) has had brand name butter on for under $5 many times the past few weeks. I notice the in store prices at Loblaws (RCSS and No Frills for me) are much higher then elsewhere. (I try to buy/stock up on sale) but feel bad for the regular shoppers that think they are getting the best price.

[walkonby]

@Frugalbigmama
this sentence you had in your post: This weekend I ate so much food I felt so sick last night. It's fine to have a nice "big" meal now and then but it was never ending!

It reminded me of a segment in an episode of Season 2 from The Bear I watched last night.
The actress portraying the sous chef was on a mission to taste and rate so many different foods from many establishments all in the same day.
I was getting nauseous just watching her down the foods. Then I asked myself where was she putting all that food, she's a small girl! lol. TV magic!

[Frugalbigmama]

@Frugalbigmama
this sentence you had in your post: This weekend I ate so much food I felt so sick last night. It's fine to have a nice "big" meal now and then but it was never ending!

It reminded me of a segment in an episode of Season 2 from The Bear I watched last night.
The actress portraying the sous chef was on a mission to taste and rate so many different foods from many establishments all in the same day.
I was getting nauseous just watching her down the foods. Then I asked myself where was she putting all that food, she's a small girl! lol. TV magic!

I'm pretty sure I ate more food in the past 2 days then I have in the past 2 weeks lol.

[Frugalbigmama]

Kitchen is clean and now I am food prepping and cleaning as I go.
Eggs boiled. Veggies chopped and in pan on stove cooking now ( cleaned out the fridge- 2 carrots, 3/4 orange pepper and 1/3 sweet onion. I have a full bag of cauliflower that I will steam soon to add to the bowls. In my freezer search for chicken I found sausage that needs to be used up so meal prepping a few pasta/sausage bowls for the boys. Pasta is cooking now too. Rice will be on the stove soon. Just letting it "soak".

I feel so much better already having this all on the go!!

[walkonby]

Congrats to getting that fresh food prepped, you are back on track!