October 2023 Frugal Chatter Thread

[barbis9]

Question: Has anyone here tried the Dawn Powerwash?

I see so many people saying how amazing it is and I see tons of cleaning videos where people are using it. It is on sale at Costco and I could be tempted.

@SassyAshley I use Dawn Powerwash to soak items or just to clean a few plates. Very easy to use. Costco has it at a good price.

[barbis9]

Good to know it works with casseroles etc.

@crafter it works good on anything that is baked on and needs to be soaked. I use it to clean my George Foreman grill.

[barbis9]

Almost had a heart attack at Metro this a.m. Went to redeem 95, to earn 25 AM as well as to earn more in Base miles which goes towards the MaxPass promo.
Bounty is the only one P.T. I like ( I've seen these cheaper elsewhere in the past ) but since it was earn 20 AM wyb 2 of the 4=6 pkgs. ( $7.99 each )
I had 4 pkgs. ( $31.96 ) , which together with a few other items brought the total up to a $40.00 spend which would qualify me for an AM base point earn of 2 AM.
Those 2 AM get multiplied by 40 for the MaxPass promo, plus getting the 40 BAM on the P.T. as well as earning 25 AM back on the redeem. ( total 145 AM )
So....imagine the look on my face when I saw no BAM for any of the P.T. on the receipt and they charged me a whopping $18.99 for EACH pkg! ( $75.96 )

ha ha
Turns out this was all MY mistake....apparently there are packages that look exactly the same as the 4 = 6 ones, BUT they are 4 = 8 rolls.
They were kind enough to refund me those 4 rolls and I bought the correct 4 earning the 40 BAM.
Whew! Always check that receipt before you leave the store eh?

Funny enough, because of that crazy expensive purchase on the first receipt I earned 6 Base AM points, sowouldn't it be grand if they multiplied THAT number by 40 for my MaxPass promo?
6 x 40 =240 AM!! I'd love that!

@walkonby I noticed that happens to me too - as the packages all look the same, and usually aren't properly marked. Good thing you checked, though I would have had sticker shock at the register.

[HermanH]

RCSS was selling their Markdale Creamery 2L for $4 so I got my Chapmans coupon for $4 and expected to pay nothing. Nope. Manager says that the regular price is $5.50 so they will charge me $1.50, even though the advertised price is $4.

Screw that. If I am going to be forced to pay, I'll go to Walmart or anywhere else and get the same price, but will at least get a better flavour selection. If RCSS wants to play stupid games, they get to win stupid prizes. I will make sure I go ANYWHERE except RCSS.

[SassyAshley]

Good Morning Everyone,
Well, my plan for today is not coming together as planned. I planned to get up early and just try to knock all of the things out as my house is a disaster and needs lots of love. I slept in, I woke up at 3:30 this morning, actually I kind of woke up with a jolt and it took me a bit to get back to sleep. Ended up sleeping until 8 which I know my body needed but UGH, there is so much I need to get done around the house.

I can admit, I am feeling super overwhelmed with everything that needs to get done. The end of the week did not go as planned since I ended up in the plant working and then decided to shop my way home Thursday and last night I was just exhausted. I am really struggling to keep up and next week is going to be another busy one as we have another new staff member starting so another trainee and it is a short week which means we will be super busy.

I have high hopes that this cup of tea will bring me tons of ambition and I can knock everything out. But I should also be realistic that everything will not happen in one day. The list is just too long for one day.

I need to write a meal plan for next week and it looks like the temps will be a little cooler and alot of rain so I am excited for all the comfort foods. But with how busy my schedule is going to be next week, I 100% have to get my prep done to everything is ready to go and dinners will come together easy.

Happy Saturday Everyone.

[Shwa Girl]

Happy long weekend.
Been looking for a cell phone. Costco had one for $199.99. Then another on clearance for $218.88. Spoke with the electronics guy who told me the $218.88 phone is regularly $399.99. So got a 5G phone for $218.88. Plus 2 year warranty. Putting this here instead of the Brag section. For all you frugal folks. Usually we would get the cheapest phone but this time, the cheapest phone was not the best deal.

[harbie]

Good sunny Saturday morning to everyone

Thanks for all the anniversary wishes. It was a super chill day. Cards( we have always written beautiful cards especially when we were tight on $$$ in the early days), flowers and Dh’s dinner choice of masala Mac and cheese.

Went to a naturopathic dr the next day. Thankfully I have some coverage through insurance (hope to use up the allowance by end of year). I’m felling really good about the whole visit and the plan ahead. It just feels weird to be prioritizing myself. You know when you’re so use to putting everyone and everything before yourself. It’s hard to flip that narrative. I just keep trying to tell myself that “self care is never selfish”.

The sun is back and glorious and my fave temperature that maxes out it 25 degrees. With the rain coming on Monday I’ll be soaking up every single second of sunshine.

This morning is bedding day, and vacuuming/washing floors and if I’m up to it the shower. Also going to prep dinner which means making the rice and preparing the veggies etc.

Maybe I should go for a walk first……. I just can’t get enough of this weather. Oh and I have to prep the garden for fall ( get my garlic ready etc…)

Hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend.

[Skippy]

RCSS was selling their Markdale Creamery 2L for $4 so I got my Chapmans coupon for $4 and expected to pay nothing. Nope. Manager says that the regular price is $5.50 so they will charge me $1.50, even though the advertised price is $4.

Screw that. If I am going to be forced to pay, I'll go to Walmart or anywhere else and get the same price, but will at least get a better flavour selection. If RCSS wants to play stupid games, they get to win stupid prizes. I will make sure I go ANYWHERE except RCSS.

This is absolutely crazy!..I've done this over the years at many stores and have never had that happen!..totally illogical on their part!
Sorry this was your experience and I hope you were able to get it elsewhere.

[walkonby]

Congrats @Shwa Girl for getting the better phone for the lesser price!
@SassyAshley , it's 3 days away from work thanks to the Turkey holiday! I hope you can enjoy some of those hours forgiving yourself for sleeping in.
Although I KNOW that frustration of having a plan and POOF! it's gone.
@harbie what's that advice they harp about on airplanes? " put YOUR mask on first " . Old habits of being a caretaker to others can often leave you breathless.

My sweet find this morning were 3 medium sized Delicata squash! That typeis not always in with the usual ones offered ( butternut, acorn, turban etc. )
I'm really going to enjoy roasting those up either today or Sunday. The skin is not only edible but tender and flavourful.

[SassyAshley]

I am trying but today was not the day I had planned. Okay, maybe I am being hard on myself but there is just so much to get done, I really wanted a good knock it all out get it all one type of day. That did not happen, after lunch, I kind of crashed, I did not sleep but felt like I could. Probably would have but I got a phone call from a staff member who did not know how to deal with something so I walked them through it and let my boss know.

I washed the towels from defrosting the freezing last weekend, I did not mean to leave them this long but I kept forgetting about them and then I got called into work. Then I washed the Blanket I used the wrap the bins I could not fit in coolers.

I emptied the dishwasher and noticed some gunk so decided a dishwasher deep clean was needed. I ran it with vinegar and then wiped it out and cleaned the drain in the back of the dishwasher.

I gathered up all of the boxes, there were random cardboard boxes all over our house and the box of Cardboard we keep to collect our recycling in had overflowed and was all over the floor. So I gathered it all up and Mom broke it down and packed it in an emptied fan box.

Now it is time for Dinner, going to make Instant Pot Alfredo and add some Chicken, Broccoli and Mushrooms, YUM!!!!! Plus just because I can I am going to make Cheesy Garlic Naan.

Thinking tonight is a good night to curl up in a blanket on the couch and watch movies. Might even include a cup of Hot Chocolate.

But I do need to write our meal plan so I can plan my prep for the weekend and need to update my bullet journals.

[lilo0003]

I am home alone, but my brother and sister in-law are close so I am heading over for dinner.
DH is back in Ontario as DS1 has finished his work out here so his dad did the drive back to Ontario with him and then Sunday he fly’s back with DS2. So far the weather is ok, the hurricane is not going to hit as one but just windy and rainy overnight. I have made sure to put away anything that could blow away.
Monday we will do thanksgiving so I made sure I had everything I need today and then Sunday I will make the dessert and one of the side dishes before I head to Halifax to get ds2 and DH.

[crafter]

Well it's 5 pm and I didn't get any planned baking done lol. I did manage to get 3 loads of laundry done and I started my fall cleaning by the toaster. I deep cleaned the toaster and air fryer. I was amazed at how many crumbs came out of the toaster after I had emptied the crumb trays. I'm going to try to do 30 mins of deep cleaning every day.

We were approved for a bill credit with Ontario Hydro since we have a low income. I was quite shocked at how much came off our bill. $45 plus tax so $51 savings per month. I'm putting aside in a savings account to help pay for HVAC repairs/replacements. If you have a low income, it's definitely worth applying https://www.oeb.ca/consumer-informat...rogram#qualify

Well time to get my indoor aerogarden lettuce seeds started before dinner.

Have a nice evening!

[Shwa Girl]

This is absolutely crazy!..I've done this over the years at many stores and have never had that happen!..totally illogical on their part!
Sorry this was your experience and I hope you were able to get it elsewhere.

You are right @Skippy --> if they don't honour your legit purchase with their own rules, go to another store.

[Shwa Girl]

Well it's 5 pm and I didn't get any planned baking done lol. I did manage to get 3 loads of laundry done and I started my fall cleaning by the toaster. I deep cleaned the toaster and air fryer. I was amazed at how many crumbs came out of the toaster after I had emptied the crumb trays. I'm going to try to do 30 mins of deep cleaning every day.

We were approved for a bill credit with Ontario Hydro since we have a low income. I was quite shocked at how much came off our bill. $45 plus tax so $51 savings per month. I'm putting aside in a savings account to help pay for HVAC repairs/replacements. If you have a low income, it's definitely worth applying https://www.oeb.ca/consumer-informat...rogram#qualify

Well time to get my indoor aerogarden lettuce seeds started before dinner.

Have a nice evening!

Great tip @crafter , about the Hydro plan for low income folks. This post helps a lot of people fearing heating their place this winter. Thanks for posting here.

[crafter]

Great tip @crafter, about the Hydro plan for low income folks. This post helps a lot of people fearing heating their place this winter. Thanks for posting here.

Appreciate the feedback Shwa Girl. Here's another program that we took advantage of a year or two ago. Depending on a person's income and home heating situation, there are multiple free items or upgrades people may qualify for.

https://www.enbridgegas.com/resident...oofing-program

We had an energy assessment done for free and they gave us some electric and heating tips and help
Here's what we qualified for :
Free assesment
Free Ecobee smart thermostat and install
Replacement of of all of our lightbulbs to LED (Plus extras)
2 energy saving power bars (really high quality)
A folding dryer rack
A timer for our Christmas tree
They offered us a free replacement fridge (they take your old one)but we turned it down (it was a model we didn't like when we owned one before).
There are other benefits too depending on the outcome of a person's energy assessment