September 2023 Frugal chatter Thread

[SassyAshley]

Good Morning Everyone,
I was up early and got my day started. I continue to try to focus on taking care of myself (it is one of my September goals) and I realize I just function best when I am up early and get a jump start on everything. Morning truly is my most productive time of the day.

I am feeling a bit overwhelmed, I feel like everywhere I look in the house I see something else that needs to be done. I am not sure if it is because I spent most of the weekend in the basement working but yesterday Mom was on a bit of a roll with things she sees that need to be done. I have to admit now with her health issues and limited mobility I feel like the world is on me because most of what she pointed out she cannot do so it all falls on me. I had a bit of a moment last night with that thought.

I spent about an hour last night going through my work stuff and seeing what I need to get done. I went into last week with an ambitious to-do list knowing I wouldn't get it all done, but the reality is I got almost none of it done so all of that is rolling over into this week. Feeling a bit overwhelmed but hoping if I can just find some time to focus this week I can knock it all out. This also fell into my thoughts of last night.

I think I am going to pause on the Basement this week and work on the Bathroom and Upstairs Hallway. Actually, I wanted to focus on the Upstairs Hallway but I realized to do this I need to deep clean the Bathroom as most of what is in the Hallway needs to go into the Bathroom.

Does anyone own a Steam Cleaner? My Sister-in-law got one a couple of months ago and it really got me thinking about getting one as she showed me how clean it got her windows. As I embark on my journey to deep clean my house I think it would be a handy tool to have especially for the Bathroom and Kitchen but I am torn.

Happy Monday Everyone.

[Frugalbigmama]

Morning! Grey dark start to the day. Work from home day today which is nice.
Maybe a good day to make a homemade mac and cheese (wanted to make one and let oldest know to stop by and grab some) So maybe today is the day!

We grind the coffee beans and leave in the grinder. The lid was on so tight and it was not budging. No one home to help me! So I put it down and walked away for a bit. Went back and was able to open it lol. Funny how things work out like that. So now I have coffee

Loving our clean fridge! Can see the fresh stuff to use up. Thinking I will make a pot of rice, sauteed veggies and grill some chicken. Then I can make rice bowls for my lunch for the next few days. I need to get back to prepping healthy food. Will boil eggs for my afternoon snack this week. I need to get back at it. Taking walking breaks. I'm lacking routine lately and have so much freedom now that DS has his own vehicle. I need to make my own routine now.

Hope you all have a fantastic Monday!

[SassyAshley]

@Frugalbigmama , funny how that happens once we walk away. I have had this happen so many times when I am trying to do something or fix something around the house. I will practically be in tears at times because it is frustrating me so badly, I walk away, come back and poof it works.

[Frugalbigmama]

@Frugalbigmama, funny how that happens once we walk away. I have had this happen so many times when I am trying to do something or fix something around the house. I will practically be in tears at times because it is frustrating me so badly, I walk away, come back and poof it works.

lol yes. I thought about breaking it but then that would have made a mess and then it would have been garbage so wouldn't help me either.

[coupon girl]

Went to get my license renewed with picture $90.00 later and my health card ,only took all of 30 minutes.

Now to rest til i watch the girls overnight wed and thursday as daughter-in-law is going away with a friend .

[Frugalbigmama]

Completely forgot about the 2 packages of ground beef I put in the fridge yesterday
Cooked one up into taco meat Split the other one between freezer bags and put in the freezer

Just need to pop out and pick up peppers and then tacos/taco salad is a dinner option for tonight or tomorrow!

[lilo0003]

I have a manageable day for work today and am just doing reports so my plan is to spend some time and finally pack up the stuff for NS, I will carry it all upstairs to sit in DS1 room so I don't have to look at it and it will be easier to move out to the SUV next week. I have been through every corner of the house to see what can go now and I think we have enough to manage for a month & I have no more room. So I have now started the pile of what goes next.

[harbie]

Good luck in your steam mop quest @SassyAshley . I used to own the shark steam mop which I loved in the beginning but found it to leave water puddles behind after a while. It happened with 2 different ones (I returned the first one). It might be just me but I haven’t had real good results.

Dropped off the car for its oil change and of course it needs a new engine filter. I’d be surprised if I walked out with just an oil change. Oh well, that’s life.

Dh and I walked to the mall after dropping off the car before they were opened to grab a coffee before heading home. We walked home which was 11.5km. My legs are DONE! Especially after yesterday’s 24km hill ride. The rest of the afternoon is resting time lol.

I will have to figure out some meal plans for our trip this weekend ( Friday til Monday). It’s that time of year fir my hair appointment plus visiting BIL & SIL on the way back. I don’t want to inconvenience them with our vegan meals so I bring my own. Apparently it’s going to be a scorcher that weekend so that will be fun.

Have a great rest of the day. I’m off to sleep ZZZZZ

[SassyAshley]

@harbie , this is what I am looking at, it is a handheld steamer. This is the one my sister-in-law got, I want the one with all the accessories but finding one that isn't super expensive and with good reviews is proving tricking.

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/b...%20cleaner#srp

[SassyAshley]

Good Morning Everyone,
Yesterday morning went really well, I was knocking things out for work and took a few breaks and got a few things done around the house.

Cleaned the Bathroom except for the floor, did the hand dishes, and cooked a pack of bacon and a batch of rice well I was working.

Then I went to get our a meatloaf for dinner and was trying to move some stuff around in the freezer and the meatloaf fell and hit me in the head. That kind of threw off my afternoon. My head did not really hurt but my neck and shoulder were, I think I jarred them when it hit me.

But by dinner time I was feeling better. We had Meatloaf, Mac & Cheese and Cucumbers.

After dinner, we loaded the dishwasher and I finished up a few things for work, including sending a proposal for one of my new training plans. I am trying to start a train-the-trainer plan as we have a few people in the company who would like to help with training but first I need to train them on how to train.

I woke up early this morning but I woke up just as Mom was going to bed so I was waiting for her to be done in the bathroom and fell back asleep. Then I laid in bed a little longer than planned just listening to the rain it was so relaxing. But then I got up and knocked out the few things I needed to get done because I have back-to-back training sessions today and a manager wants to discuss their inventory with me.

Plus I need to run out, Mom needs her pills and has a package at the post office that I need to get.

Well, I was listening to the rain I was thinking about this week's project and I have decided to change my plan again. I am only going to clean the cabinet and closet in the bathroom so I can put away everything in the hallway. Then I can deep clean the hallway and the bathroom deep clean will happen later, I am trying to focus on one project a week so I stay focused. My issue is I let things snowball and think as I did for the hallway "Oh I should deep clean the bathroom first, oh maybe I should the basement pantry and see if anything needs to come up, oh I should do this, oh I should do that." and then I end up with 20 projects that are partially done and I get overwhelmed and things don't get finished.

Happy Tuesday Everyone

[Frugalbigmama]

Morning! Rainy day here!

Last night after work I felt the need to get out of the house for a bit so I went to RCSS and SDM.
RCSS- 2 loose bananas in a nice white gift bag with 30% off (I save the bags for gift bags!) peppers (.99LB PM NF)
SDM- 2 bottles sunscreen $5 (clearance Expiry 2025) each with a $2 coupon stuck on bottle so $3 each after coupon
2 x inflatable pools $5 (Reg $49.99) 2 gifts for next summer. $1 9pk fruit to go (not sure what it is called)
Best part- no tax charged on any of my SDM purchases! It must have been the way they put the clearance items in the computer? I'm not complaining!


Dinner last night was taco salad. Now we are out of lettuce so I will stop at No Frills on the way home from work.

Have a great day!

[Frugalbigmama]

The rain has stopped and the sun is trying to come out now.
Good thing our grass was cut yesterday

[harbie]

@harbie, this is what I am looking at, it is a handheld steamer. This is the one my sister-in-law got, I want the one with all the accessories but finding one that isn't super expensive and with good reviews is proving tricking.

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/b...%20cleaner#srp

Oh ok. I’ve only had the floor model. I like this idea much better.

[harbie]

So Dh and I hit up SOF this morning for a few $1.49 Tuesday deals.

2X cauliflower for $1.49
6X Dare real fruit gummies (it’s really hard to find vegan gummies (without gelatin )) $1.49
2X Vit D3 (90’s) $1.49
2X firm tofu $2.99
1X 10lb potatoes
A couple of sweet potatoes.
=Savings $33.06
Spent $42.24

Next up was RCSS

4X Chickpea pasta $4.99
1 Bunch Bananas / 200 pts earned
1X Hellmans vegan mayo $5.49 no coupon
4X couscous $3.79
1X OXO silicone molds on clearance $7.94
1X green onion $1.29
1X yves “turkey” slices $4.49-$1 coupon
2X skittles to get close to redemption amount

Total $60.17
OOP after redemption 17C


So happy for the OOP cost but WOW $60 gets you a whole lotta nothing

Now I just need some buns for our trip and we’re set for meal prep for the weekend road trip(plus obviously leftovers when we get home)

The plan for the rest of the day is to fine tune the amounts of the foods I will be making and packing with us as to to not over or underestimate what we will eat (this town doesn’t have any vegan options other than subway, kfc and the pub that makes a vegan burger (but can’t get the bun or fries)).

Then off for a ride. Have a great Tuesday everyone

[lilo0003]

We took my 97 yr old father in law out for his birthday to a nice restaurant and they gave home a 25.00 off gift card for next time. It’s a lovely gesture and a smart idea.
Ds2 finally decided he wants to come to Nova Scotia for a week when he has reading week. I booked the doggie daycare, now to get tickets and he needs to book off work.