2024 April Frugal Chatter Thread (here comes the sunshine)

[Shwa Girl]

This morning I decided as much as I dislike shopping on a Saturday I needed to go. Mom gets anxiety when the fridge is to full, I was getting anxiety because it was so empty. Originally I was going to go to Wal-Mart and a few other places but decided as I was driving, let's head out of town and I went to RCSS and Costco.
I was going to just do a small shop at Costco but a lot of the sales that were going to start next week had already started so instead I did a large shop. There are still a few things that weren't on sale yet I will have to go back. I was surprised to see Costco had Ground Beef for $3.64/lb so I grabbed 3 packs as we are out of Taco Meat, Burgers and almost out of Meatloaf and Meatballs.

@SassyAshley , I also noticed Costco specials starting April 8, were already on sale on Friday April 5. We got the tzatziki and roasted red pepper hummus on sale. The tzatziki does not go on sale often and it's really tasty and healthy too.

I was wondering if they are thinking that they may lose some customers on Monday, if they are avoiding travel due to the eclipse and traffic, in their area. Just an idea.

[Shwa Girl]

Well Costco was not a 3 ring circus….more like a 5 or 6 . They supposedly opened at 9 AM but the parking lot was completely filled by then. They must have opened earlier . Not even a handicapped spot was left for mom. Oh well, we did it. The only thing I bought off my list was some Heavenly Hunks and that was only because I saw they were carrot cake and I’ve never tried that flavour before so in the cart it jumped .

Costco weekend opening time is funny. It depends on the manager in charge. Some open right at 9 am. Some managers open the door up to 15 minutes before the official opening time. And lots of people line up or go early and sit in their car, then go in as soon as they see the line outside moving.

[Shwa Girl]

Since it's after Easter for most, and most have had Easter dinner, saw $0.44 cranberry sauce tins and $0.44 turkey gravy tins.

Did not need cranberry or gravy.
Had an Optimum offer for 1000 points for Tilda rice ($1.00). Got Optimum member pricing offer too:
$3.99 each (regular). Paid $2.49 each (Optimum member price). After $1.00 in points, paid 1.49 each.
Walmart had it on sale for $2.00 each WUB 4.
Loblaws

[coupon girl]

We had a lovely belated easter meal at my sons ,he did an awesome job cooking the turkey was and the stuffing was superb.

[lilo0003]

I just realized I don’t think I have popped in the week. I have some seriously crazy stuff happening at work so I need to make some decisions. It would be sad to walk away after almost 30 yrs but life it too short so there is a good chance that is what it is going to come to.
I totally screwed up last month and inverted the numbers on my MasterCard payment so I under paid by 400.00 and ended up paying $250.00 in interest. I am beyond annoyed with myself.
Given the last 3 months I am not surprised I made an error.

[SassyAshley]

@lilo0003 *HUGS* I hope everything resolves itself in whatever way is best for you quickly.

[SassyAshley]

@harbie , oops meant to post this last night. It was funny I got to Costco at 8:30, RCSS was quicker than expected, when I pulled in there was no one, within 5 minutes all of a sudden there were cars everywhere.

Normally my store does not open early but yesterday they did open the doors 15 minutes early which worked for me. I was a woman on a mission and I was in and out in about 35 minutes.

Although I did have to laugh when I was trying to leave people were so concerned trying to a spot further down from the door and no one noticed me trying to leave and I was in the spot closest to the door.

[SassyAshley]

Good Morning Everyone,
I do not want to jinx but I feel like I am finally getting back into my morning routine and I am loving it.

Enjoying a cup of tea.

I have a load of towels in the washer right now. Mom bought some new towels as hers is falling apart, the new one came in a two-pack. Not sure why but we seem to have a lot of towels this week so I broken it up into 2 loads. Not sure yet if I will do all the laundry today or finish it tomorrow.

I am working from home tomorrow because Mom has an appointment she has to go to, the plan is for her to take herself but she has been having a lot of mobility issues recently so I want to be home just incase. The good news is the appointment is literally 5 minutes from our house so if need be, I can drop her off come home and work until she is done and I have to pick her up. But the plan is for her to take herself.

Just had to use the washroom so I decided to clean it and get that off my to-do list. Does it need a deep clean, yes, but I still feel like I am struggling to keep up with just the day-to-day so I need to get on top of that first.

I am hopeful this week I can get back on top of everything, I am close but still a few things I need to tackle.

Once I am done my tea, I have to tackle the kitchen, I did not get it cleaned last night. I kept telling myself I was going to go soon but it never happened.

Happy Sunday Everyone.

[SassyAshley]

Kind of odd question but hat type of Toilet Brush do you use?

I need to replace ours and I feel like there are now so many options but I need something that scrubs. Right now we have one of the Regular Brushes with Bristles, but I am intrigued by the silicone brushes. If you have a Silicone Brush do you have the flat or rounded one? I thinking Rounded is the way to go but who knew there were so many options.

Not sure I like the disposable option, a few have recommended them but I feel like the replacement pads will add up quickly.

[walkonby]

I just realized I don’t think I have popped in the week. I have some seriously crazy stuff happening at work so I need to make some decisions. It would be sad to walk away after almost 30 yrs but life it too short so there is a good chance that is what it is going to come to.
I totally screwed up last month and inverted the numbers on my MasterCard payment so I under paid by 400.00 and ended up paying $250.00 in interest. I am beyond annoyed with myself.
Given the last 3 months I am not surprised I made an error.

oh boy, @lilo0003 seems like there's way too much going on if you must make that huge decision to walk away from your job. Hard to know in the heat of the moment if walking away is the best option. I wish you all the best in that area. As far as messing up the CC payment, ( ahem ) I'll admit to a few missteps with the keystrokes when making my online payments. If this makes you feel any better, my sister once sent her CC payment to CRA! ha ha
All the best.

I'm unfamiliar with all things Costco, but very familiar with grocery store aggravations, so parking lots being full before opening time would do it.
In the frugal column I feel despite the recent spending on rehab equipment along with impulse restaurant meals ( just the 2 of us ) , we are going to be fine for April, but I have no idea what May will bring as I must trust DH and DS to actually go to the grocery stores for everything needed.
As a certified control freak this will be my biggest challenge, letting go of the reigns and only focus on my knee recovery. Wish me luck !!

[Shwa Girl]

o
In the frugal column I feel despite the recent spending on rehab equipment along with impulse restaurant meals ( just the 2 of us ) , we are going to be fine for April, but I have no idea what May will bring as I must trust DH and DS to actually go to the grocery stores for everything needed.
As a certified control freak this will be my biggest challenge, letting go of the reigns and only focus on my knee recovery. Wish me luck !!

Wishing you all the best with recovery @walkonby .
About relying on your DH and your DS for grocery store trips, we have seen men walking in the grocery store with their cell. They are talking to someone who can't be there. The show each item on the shelf and double check that it's the right one on the list. Even had one bump into me when they found a good deal on an item that the person on the phone may want them to pick up. lol. Maybe this will work for you-- if you can't be at the store due to recovery, you can 'be at the store' with their cell guiding you down the aisles.
Just a thought.

[Shwa Girl]

@lilo0003 *HUGS* I hope everything resolves itself in whatever way is best for you quickly.

+1

[Frugalbigmama]

Sending a quick recovery vibe to Harbie and Walkonby on your upcoming surgery!

@Lilo - been there and sending you good vibes.

[Frugalbigmama]

Good Morning and Happy Monday!

I am feeling tired today (late nights and early mornings the last few days) but hoping my mid-day shower will wake me up. Then I am going to go for a walk around the block for some fresh air.

No cooking all weekend. Redeemed points for free meals on Friday and we have been eating that all weekend.
Will make a nice healthy dinner for tonight. Thinking shrimp stir-fry since I didn't take anything out of the freezer but shrimp can thaw quickly.
I will start chopping my veggies this morning so it is all ready to toss together later today.

Went to Costco yesterday because I wanted the kayak on sale. Same one my friend got so will be easier to transport together being the same size.
It was busy and I was going to walk out and go another day but thought I better just look and make sure they had them...good thing I did because it was $100 off and the sale ended yesterday! There was a cart there so it was meant to be. Would have been easier in the truck but I stopped there while on my way back from somewhere else and it fits fine in my SUV with the hatch tied down. (my friend said 2 will fit once it is our of the packaging)
Happy to have that in the garage now!! Will unpackage it this week so it's ready to go on the next nice day! We have a great place to go (that has parking and a dock right on the river!)

Today- Work- Clean kitchen. Make a nice dinner. That is the extent of my to do list. Oh pop out to grab coffee cream at some point. Maybe that will be my evening walk!

Have a wonderful day!

[SassyAshley]

Good Morning Everyone,
Happy Monday.

I need to do all of the things today, I need to reset, refresh, regroup and refocus. But for the first time in awhile I feel like I got this and I can make it work.

I did not get as much done yesterday as I did Saturday but hey that is life right? Not everyday is a get it all done day, some are just I got things done.

Most of the ground beef has been dealt with although we do still have some meatball mix we need to roll and bake, we ran out of room on the racks so that will be done today. Then we can package everything up.

The kitchen is clean which always makes me happy.

Mom made it to her appointment this morning and I am working from home. I have some house stuff I want to get done today so I will work on this as I need breaks. I have a lot of work I need to focus on since it is a work-from-home day but I feel like I have this.

I do need to do some local grocery shopping but I think I will hold of until tomorrow.

Happy Monday everyone.