October 2023 Frugal Chatter Thread

[SassyAshley]

Good Morning Everyone,
Up early but a slow start to the morning. I woke up super congested this morning and my sinuses are not happy so just enjoying my cup of tea and hoping the allergy pill kicks in.

I went to go and update my budget last night only to realize I only set up 1 of my 3 budget pages for October. So I updated the page I had set up and made the second page. I will set up the third page either today or tomorrow.

I have actually spent less on groceries than I thought. I knew I was under budget but for reason just felt like I had spent more than I had. I think it is because to make the sales and points line up I had to shop at a few different stores and expected when I added it up it would have been a bit higher. I am happy just surprised.

We haven't spent much on house stuff the past couple of months but this month I trying to take care of the little things we need to grab. I have to admit even though I have the $$$ there I find it so hard to spend it at times. It is my nature to not spend. Although I do feel like setting a budget it has gotten better, but I got used to just pushing the extra forward.

Time to finalize the meal plan and prep list. I think I will hold off my prep until tomorrow since I plan to do some cooking for the week to come.

Happy Sunday.

[coupon girl]

I am staying in my p,js today .Hubby is getting ready to drive to toronto to pick up son and his family from their vacation ,cant wait to hear how their cruise went with the girls.

Just doing my puzzle ,watching t.v and laundry .
On monday i was told by my sister-in-law not to bring anything,but i bought 2 boxes of chocolates on seniors day at shoppers merci and another one came to 12.00.I just couldnt show up empty handed.

[SassyAshley]

Good Morning Everyone,
It is officially Sweatshirt weather here, oh my gosh, it's so cold here this morning. We are on day 2 of rain and wind.

Had dinner at Dad's last night oh my gosh so much food, my Step-Mom said she was making a Turkey and Potatoes, and the rest was on us, so we all showed up with Dish (except Bro). Then Step-Mom also made a Ham, Carrots, and Peas. I brought Roasted Mix Veggies which were a mix of Sweet Potatoes, Butternut Squash and Brussel Sprouts, other Bro brought Green Bean Casserole, Sis brought Apple Crisp & Butternut Squash. Oh and Step-Mom bought a Pumpkin Pie from Costco, there was so much food.

I got home late last night and had trouble falling asleep so feeling a little blah this morning.

I need to get some prep done today. I am ready for all the Soups & Stew and Casseroles. Thinking I might bake some Bread as one night this week I am planning on making Broccoli Cheddar Soup. I found two bags of Broccoli in the freezer that were a little frosty and will be perfect for soup. The only thing is those 2 bags will make 4 batches of soup.

If I get my behind going and get all the things done that I need to get done, thinking I will make a Roast for dinner tonight.

Happy Thanksgiving Monday Everyone.

[crafter]

Good morning. Well my dog certainly didn't want to walk far this morning in the cold wind...he's now curled up by the warmth of the gas fireplace.

Sipping on coffee and then time to tidy a bit and practice my ukulele. Not sure what we'll have for lunch today. We brought home some leftover turkey and we do have some lettuce to use up..hmm perhaps a turkey caesar salad would be the solution.

Have a wonderful day and enjoy the warmth of being indoors

[coupon girl]

Happy thanksgiving everyone !

Son called me this morning they loved the trip ,cruise trip and cara went to bed everynight at 7.30 so my son would take ashlyn out to watch the shows while his wife stayed with cara.The girls loved the island a lot caco bay i think it was called .

Going out at 1.00 p.m for our turkey/ham meal at hubby's older brothers house .Enjoy the day everyone.

[lilo0003]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
I am cooking a ham and all its sides here and then we will go to my brothers. We still don't have all the furniture so it will be comfier at his place. Its a gorgeous fall day here, once the storm blew thru yesterday is was 22 degrees and sunny and today is a bit cooler but still an amazing blue sky. It made for a gorgeous drive to Halifax yesterday to pick up DH and DS2.

[Skippy]

Happy Thanksgiving one and all! I’m thankful that my needs are met along with some wants. @crafter your dog had more sense than me! Indeed quite a cooler day today and that wind just goes through you! Went out for my usual walk and ended up knocking off 3 minutes from my usual time as just wanted to get back inside ASAP.
Had the full Turkey and trimmings with DW and shared with friends.Thought of leftovers for tonight but getting hungry again after reading other’s posts!
Wherever you find yourself today, enjoy and count your blessings!

[SassyAshley]

I got my behind moving and knocked out a few things.

Laundry is going, the last load is in the washer now.

I made a Batch Baked Apple Oatmeal for my Breakfast this week. When I went to grab some apples I realized my apples were starting to go so I asked Mom if she could peel and slice them. She cut them up well I tidied the Kitchen and I turned them into Nanny's Special Apple Pie which we will have for dessert tonight.

Well, my Oatmeal was in the oven, I also tossed in a Batch of rice to have one hand. I think I will make Chicken Fajitas so I can make Fajita Bowls for lunches this week. Plus I have one or two dishes on our meal plan this week that would be served with Rice.

Once the Special Apple Pie comes out of the Oven, we will pop a Beef Roast in for Dinner. Will make all the sides, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, and Acorn Squash.

I had hoped to get a Batch of Muffins made as well but ran out of time and the Roast needs to go in so maybe after dinner, we will see.

[harbie]

Good morning. Last day of our long weekend today. Sad it’s ending but so grateful for the extra days off!

We hit up NF this morning just to grab a few things like butternut squash @99C/lb, avocados for 1.99 each ( I desperately needed them so I bit the bullet), apples ( not impressed with quality vs $$$).

Spent $7 and change after OPT redemption.

Now we’re off for our walk before the rain returns and then the gym for another strength day .

Have a great day everyone

[coupon girl]

I just went for a 20 minute walk ,still dealing with a few health problems .
Called my brother in london ,ont to see how his thanksgiving was and how he is doing .

I just ordered a few items from the body shop had a 10.00 birthday code plus saved 9.20 from buying 2 items on for 20% off and i got &7.42 from raketan .I love their pear line and by xmas they are usually sold out of the pear line ,so treated myself .

[walkonby]

no outside at all today, needed nothing so that was easy. Just reading back at a few Thanksgiving posts. Sounds like a great time was had at your gathering @SassyAshley .
There was no shortage of food, wise to have everyone pitch in with dishes/sides.
My sil went into ICU on Sunday, ( lung infection ) we only found out today. After speaking on the phone with her I laughed at her telling me she was relieved to have gotten out of cooking the big Turkey dinner. What a character! She cooks this meal yearly for a large gang.
I'm glad her condition is improving and she'll soon transfer out of ICU and into a regular room.

[SassyAshley]

@walkonby , hope your SIL recovers quickly.

[Ciel21]

Good Morning! Cloudy day here this morning. Enjoying the fresh "cool" air.

Washed up the dishes in the sink. Emptied the dryer (towels) that have been in there for 2 weeks (no lie).
Put a load of darks in washer and will hang to dry once complete.

I have been on the hunt for 0 sugar added chocolate/chips. (for a healthy snack I make) Found Lilly's Semi-Sweet style baking chips- No Sugar added at Dollar Tree for $1.50! (will work until I find a more natural item) Made the treat last night so will get DS to try and see if he likes it.

The kitchen freezer is stuffed so I should pull something from there for dinner. Maybe the chicken souvlaki kabobs since they take up room. Good night to BBQ them. Will grill veggies too. Made a plan!

Have not tried these chips but they are at Goodness Me: https://goodnessme.ca/products/krisd...emi-sweet-185g

[SassyAshley]

Good Evening Everyone,
Was in a branch today to work with 2 staff members but the first one was not in so the other got all my attention.

On my way home I needed to stop for Gas and since I was going through town to get gas I ran into No Frills as we needed Milk but of course I grabbed a few other things, I got:
2 x Strawberries $1.87
1 x Lemons 2lbs $2.77
1 x Apples Naturally Imperfect 6lbs $6
1 x Milk $5.49
1 x Hot Dogs Buns 12-pack $2.99

I used all of our apples on the weekend as when I went to make my Oatmeal I saw they were very weird. I think they were going bad from the inside out because I cut into one and it almost exploded as I cut it. I also noticed 2 were split it was weird. So I used what I could and made my Oatmeal and Nanny's Special Apple Pie.

I keep forgetting it is Tuesday so really hoping those apples aren't on sale next week as we could have waited until Thursday. Ugh, I am so lost on what day it is.

Ever since I got home I have had a chill I cannot shake so I have been sitting wrapped in a blanket finishing up some work and then I checked out Amazon to see if I could find any good sales. I found a few things but still pondering.

Dinner tonight is Perogie Bake as I could not think of anything, looking at our meal plan nothing jumped out. Actually, the soup was but I did not get the bread made on the weekend and it was too late to start when I got home. Hoping there are leftovers for tomorrow's lunch.

I did not get my fajita bowls or muffins made yesterday. By the time I got home today, it was not happening today either.

Happy Tuesday that feels like a Monday Everyone.

[Skippy]

no outside at all today, needed nothing so that was easy. Just reading back at a few Thanksgiving posts. Sounds like a great time was had at your gathering @SassyAshley.
There was no shortage of food, wise to have everyone pitch in with dishes/sides.
My sil went into ICU on Sunday, ( lung infection ) we only found out today. After speaking on the phone with her I laughed at her telling me she was relieved to have gotten out of cooking the big Turkey dinner. What a character! She cooks this meal yearly for a large gang.
I'm glad her condition is improving and she'll soon transfer out of ICU and into a regular room.

Praying for sil healing