2025-01 January Frugal Thread

[SassyAshley]

Good Morning Everyone,
We got some snow last night, probably not the best person to speak as to how much because right now it all feels like too much LOL. I know this is probably just a typical Canadian Winter but I have been spoiled by the mild winters we have had and well I like the mild winters.

Main issue here is blow snow, we did not get a ton of snow but it is blowing.

Have not looked at the flyers yet, would not mind a small spend week. I did see this week No Frills has Russet Potatoes might grab another 2 bags, we will see.

I am slowing working on getting my budget caught up, last year I was watching my budget but not tracking it as closely, this year we are back to the bullet journal. The main area I am looking at is are we spending the money where it is allocated or am I moving it to other categories. For example I know quite often we come in under on our Take-Out budget so I move the funds but I would like to better track where I am moving it, is it the same category everytime or does it vary. I won't get rid of our Take-out budget (it is nice to have and makes those treats not so gasping) but want to really see where we are going over and why.

I did run out yesterday to drop off my return, a little girl math, I am returning more than my new order so basically my new order is covered from December's budget.

I am in that place again where we aren't over spending but I have spent quite a bit lately on myself and it is making me guilty. I keep trying to remind myself I NEEDED new cloths (some of my old ones are looking their age which for most is 5+ years) and I bought everything on sale and got good deals but seeing it on paper is a challenge.

Time to focus.

Happy Wednesday Everyone.

[Giseledta]

Morning! Day#3 this week for the school bus service canceled.
DS's work partner didn't make it in today so he gets the day off.

Dinner- We have leftovers from the fahitas last night so they can fight for that.

Sale flyers starting tomorrow- Nothing really on my list. Will take a walk in the stores at some point I am sure and see if any deals we need. But for the most part will plan meals with food on hand. We have lots of fruit/lettuce etc that needs to be eaten before we shop for that.

I'm not feeling like working today... Will make myself get a few things done this morning and hopefully it motivates me.

Have a great day!

I wasn't to impressed with the pc bonus points for this points event.

Sent from my SM-A526W using Tapatalk

[walkonby]

Isn't it strange how we can justify the spend on foods, household needs, repairs, even gifts for others but the minute we buy ourselves some MUCH needed clothing to replace the tattered and/or out of style or tight fitting items that we've been rotating in our closets we start to get a twinge of guilt??
That should not be happening but I do the same. Been doing that for years actually, doing with less or going without to keep the budget in line.

So @SassyAshley allow yourself those items guiltfree!! I command you! ha ha
Today I'll stay indoors again, I don't fancy that snow outside either.

[coupon girl]

Sassy ,sometimes we need to treat ourselves and not feel guilty.I think nothing of always buying for the grandkids ,clothing that is cheap.
I needed to go out this xmas eve to my girlfriends house and i had no nice long sleeve tops ,so now i have 3 i spent about $48 on sale at cleo .

I was up at 8.00 a.m shovelling the small amount we had before it freezes later.Not going out at all today .
I just finished making homemade potatoe soup (my moms recipe ) i didnt have the can of cream of chicken condensed soup ,so i improvised put a tablespoon of corn starch in the soup and 2 tablespoons of chicken powder to add a bit more flavour and it turned out great .

I got 3 contai ners one large one and 2 smaller container plus i got the 3% milk i needed reduced the other day for 50% off=$3.00

Doing a load of laundry and trying to finish my puzzle as i need the dining room table for end of feb for a family get together.

[Arjon]

sometimes we need to treat ourselves and not feel guilty.

Agreed. IMO, it's worth keeping in mind that treating ourselves and spending responsibly are not mutually exclusive. Among various other possibilities, the approach I use is simply to have an annual budget sub-category for treats that I update whenever I spend part of it. So, I'm always aware of how much is left, and I adjust my purchasing accordingly.

[coupon girl]

Giseledta i agree with you not too impressed with the more offers next week -i do like the month offer of is 4.99 or 4.00 paper towels tiger and i may go for the cereal one spent 8.00 or more get 4,000 but that about it.

I wanted to go for a walk -nope the wind almost blew me over so only a 15 minute walk ,then got my mail and home.

[HermanH]

Happy Chinese New Year

[flemeth]

Good Morning Everyone,
We got some snow last night, probably not the best person to speak as to how much because right now it all feels like too much LOL. I know this is probably just a typical Canadian Winter but I have been spoiled by the mild winters we have had and well I like the mild winters.

Main issue here is blow snow, we did not get a ton of snow but it is blowing.

Have not looked at the flyers yet, would not mind a small spend week. I did see this week No Frills has Russet Potatoes might grab another 2 bags, we will see.

I am slowing working on getting my budget caught up, last year I was watching my budget but not tracking it as closely, this year we are back to the bullet journal. The main area I am looking at is are we spending the money where it is allocated or am I moving it to other categories. For example I know quite often we come in under on our Take-Out budget so I move the funds but I would like to better track where I am moving it, is it the same category everytime or does it vary. I won't get rid of our Take-out budget (it is nice to have and makes those treats not so gasping) but want to really see where we are going over and why.

I did run out yesterday to drop off my return, a little girl math, I am returning more than my new order so basically my new order is covered from December's budget.

I am in that place again where we aren't over spending but I have spent quite a bit lately on myself and it is making me guilty. I keep trying to remind myself I NEEDED new cloths (some of my old ones are looking their age which for most is 5+ years) and I bought everything on sale and got good deals but seeing it on paper is a challenge.

Time to focus.

Happy Wednesday Everyone.

@SassyAshley you shouldn’t feel guilty for spending on yourself you are working hard and deserve to treat yourself to whatever you want or need from time to time. Enjoy the fruits of your labour.

[lilo0003]

My Flashfood has been freezing things I would never buy frozen like lunch meat and salsa. So far the bakery has not been frozen. But now even I freeze the salsa, I like the Jack’s salsa and the large costco container would go moldy before I could use it so now I split it in to small amounts and freeze. It has no change to taste or texture. The produce is usually a small amount and really belongs in compost so it’s not something I go for.
I am not missing my early years in the snow belt. Blowing snow is just nasty. We have snow but it’s been manageable. Last night I had to take the QEW and most drivers were slow and steady so no issues with the weather. It had stopped by the time I came home so that was nice.

[harbie]

Hi Ho Hi Ho it’s off to work I go……

Yesterday I spent $18 on a car wash . I really didn’t want to but she was sooooooooo dirty. Of course the rain will come in the next day or so but I feel better now that she’s clean.

Actually I could say I saved $18 at the same time. After the wash I noticed it didn’t do a good job. There were huge spots that didn’t get washed and some soap didn’t rise so after speaking to the staff I got another wash for free and it did a much better job. I definitely will not be going there again that’s for sure.

After work I’m going to peruse the latest flyers and see if there’s any deals I can get.

Have a great day everyone

[Frugalbigmama]

Good morning!

We are back to a regular winter day here. Yesterday there were many stranded drivers and many road closures. So glad I stayed home.

DS and dad are leaving early tomorrow morning for a hockey tournament 3 hours away. I just can't handle the winter driving so I am not going as much as I would love to be there. My 1st plan is to wash DS's bedding Kind of looking forward to having the house to myself for 3 days


Have a wonderful day!

[coupon girl]

Frugalbigmama enjoy your time alone!

I just popped over to shoppers got a few deals on seniors day plus a 10.00 promo card for next time as i spent over 50.00

I posted in the brag section the deals i got love the cereal deal 4 boxes of chex cereal 4.50 plus 4,000 points when you spend 8.00 or more works out to 2.50 a box.

Then got gas 150.2 and came home .

[walkonby]

Loaded my Moi offers before heading out and had Cheez Its crackers for .99 a box. and Marc Angelo kebabs for $8.99 , I scanned my Moi card ( I was at F Basics ) but the discount wasn't recognized on either product?? I had to leave both items them there.
Came back here and logged back into my Moi offers to make sure I had check marked both items, ( I had ) BUT then I saw that those 2 things showed " at Metro " So are the offers specific to the 2 different stores then? I was sure they were interchangeable. No matter really.
I'll just try going to Metro to get them on Saturday after I get my 2 dozen eggs from SDM for cheap! Today was pretty successful despite the F basics disappointment.

[coupon girl]

Walkonby-i thought i had a free offer for lunchables today at shoppers ,then they rang up 3.99 not free so i told her i would go home and look at my offer(no cell phone here)so i returned it -looked at home and it said at fortinos (in fine print)lol

I havent shopped metro or foodbasics since i joined in dec ,but i think it is specific to certain stores metro ,food basics and another store that is in quebec.

[walkonby]

Walkonby-i thought i had a free offer for lunchables today at shoppers ,then they rang up 3.99 not free so i told her i would go home and look at my offer(no cell phone here)so i returned it -looked at home and it said at fortinos (in fine print)lol

I havent shopped metro or foodbasics since i joined in dec ,but i think it is specific to certain stores metro ,food basics and another store that is in quebec.

@coupon girl Thank you! I thought I was losing it! Tbh, I hate the Moi programme now. With this exception regarding which store you buy the items at, to them ONLY giving you the Moi points on the first item ( if you dare to pick up 2 of the same thing...no points for that 2nd one loser! ) to never successfully linking my RBC card to the reward card ( 5 tries and nothing! ) , so.... I'm over it.
Mind you FB does have great sales so I'll only shop there for those things and earn Moi points on their instore items ( with signs posted! )