2025-01 January Frugal Thread

[Giseledta]

@SassyAshley I'm with Rogers. Hubby is peeved!!
I'm staying out of it.
I told him ... if they are doing this ... the bill can come down thank you kindly.
I'd like to get rid of it all together, but I'm picking my battles.

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[SassyAshley]

Good Morning Everyone,
Light dusting of snow here but we are supposed to get squalls today, wondering if I should run out for a few things before they start?

Up early and got my day started, it took me an almost an hour just to clean up my emails from being off, this does not include dealing with any of the new emails. I am going to work on that now.

I want to start a new morning routine but I find it is so hard because I like being up early and starting my day before the chaos of the day starts. Some days 5 am to 7 am are my most productive part of the day because it is before everything happens and I get pulled in 37 different directions.

I did start something new, I created a tracker yesterday to write down everything I do at work. For the past 2 to 3 years they keep talking about getting me help but either our plans do not pan out, they ask me what do we take off your plate or what takes up all your time. It is so hard to answer the last two because there are so many things I do not think about and just do. At the end of the day I do technically hold two titles whether that was our intention or not and they clash.

I noticed the job I actually accepted which is Corporate Trainer when I wrote my to-do list for the next 2 days none of it actually involves training which is the norm. Pretty much the only time I work on training is when I am hands on with staff which is why I fake my way through training a lot.

Think I will get a load of towels going before my meeting.

Happy Thursday Everyone,

[Frugalbigmama]

@sassy - We are getting your squalls right now! It is crazy out there - I can't imagine what it would be like driving on the hwy.

[Frugalbigmama]

Happy New Year!!

New Years Eve I headed to Walmart when done work at noon. I hadn't been in weeks. Checked out the dairy clearance and it was full of egg cartons. I put a few in my cart and the price was .73 (one was .89 for extra large) each so I kept loading them- Took all 8 since they all looked good. (only a few had 1 broken egg and the rest were fine) I also picked up 2 packages of bacon (sign said $3.27) and they rang in at $3.77 so got one free! Great start for Jan 1st groceries!!

No interest in going out New Years Eve- Didn't feel like cooking and wanted a treat (but didn't really feel like take out from anywhere) so picked up the Rotisserie chicken deal at RCSS. We ate dinner that night- DS and his friend ate it a 4am after returning from night out. We all ate from it all day yesterday! It went far!
Went for a nice walk New Years Eve after dinner.

Yesterday morning the house was quiet so I didn't want to make noise so I left and picked up a coffee at Mcdonald's and went for a walk at the lake. It was wet and slushy so only lasted 20 mins. I had to go to the bank so decided to park at the far end downtown and walked to the water and the bank and got in another 20 mins! (the snow was wet and cold and really blowing but I pushed through!!) Did my deposit and headed home!
Dinner was fend for yourself/leftovers.

Today- I am going to attempt to make egg bites! I have bacon crumble/spinach/mushrooms/onion/peppers etc. Think I will try just bacon and cheese for DS and see if he likes them. I will try one but not sure I would like it- I will make an omelette this morning for myself to use up some of the veggies.

Today is a work day- Have a list of things I want to get done and then I really want to clean my office.

Have a wonderful day!

[coupon girl]

Morning off to shoppers for seniors day i need milk plus other items .

Frugalbigmama-i always buy the eggs or milk reduced at walmart -great deals.

I called and complained to fortinos about the hot food that was dried out on new years eve -yes hubby had half my chicken breast -they will refund me or i can get another meal.No i did not feel like cooking after taking care of a sick child ,cleaning up and all the laundry i did .

[Ciel21]

I made a batch of energy soup yesterday. I did not quite have all ingredients but big pot was at the bevelled edge for liquid so I had to adjust gas as boil started. Very little spillover but when I was pureeing the lot, I managed to get drips from bottom of blender and fine rooster tail through lid cap gap. Cleanup...had to launder Mom's oven mitts right afterwards. I still dislike kale but am keeping the frozen veggie bag for its wide opening- much easier to toss veg scraps in them than into small freezer bags. Pleased that I made veggie broth on Dec.31 but it only yielded 7.5 cups.

Would encourage those with kids in their lives to make hay with the no tax event on kids' apparel for the four seasons if winter stuff on sale can be found, then any spring/summer clothing promos. Plus toys/games for gifts. I may move on one musical toy to add to gift bag for a baby's first birthday during summer. Have the rest of bag contents and card ready.

Purolator is still bogged down with parcels. Noticed one womenswear store has reverted to Canada Post for shipping. Advise against shipping if you can pop into area stores to check. Laura has 20% off all categories until Jan.6 but the find in store lookup froze or is not working.

New Year's Eve-Radio-Canada had Improteine Expose 2024. The troupe did a fine send-up of Ontario's beer in stores and close relationship with a major grocer. You can likely find it on Youtube or the Radio-Canada site. Did see the En Direct de l'Universe musical special. Aretha Franklin's granddaughter did sing Respect towards the end of 90min. show. Went to bed after 10pm so did not see the ByeBye 2024 special.

Fire truck sirens have been going off at twice per day everyday this week. Canada Post agent actually put some mail into the box, so I will return.

[Ciel21]

Bell supposedly is doing free channel previews of its rebranded networks. Do not know if one has to sign up for that or just go to their websites and watch. @walkonby do you see the channels?
Apple+ tv has a free Jan.4-5 preview (per another site). Apple+ is available though Prime Video in Canada. Monthly sub for Apple+tv is $12.99 plus taxes. New PC Optimum members can use the QR code on store receipts for 3 months free of Apple + tv.

I am keen for Michelle Yeoh's new Star Trek series premiere. Still want to get other series viewed elsewhere before the new ST drama starts.

[lilo0003]

I need to start checking out the deals at Walmart as it’s not a store I shop at. But I cannot justify 4.00 for a dozen unhappy eggs. If they were farm fresh then yes.
I needed to pick up an item I was gifted from my buy nothing group so I decided to check out the grocery stores on that side of town. I am glad I did, lots of good clearance prices. Starbucks winter blend on for 5.99 with 200 Scene points when you buy 2 so I am stocked for coffee as I bought 4 packages. I also found BLSL chicken thigh for 50% off, I picked up 3 packages and left lots others. They were the bigger packages so this will make lots of meals. No Frills had tenderloin on sale so I used PCO to do a stock up. It felt like a great start to 2025.

[SassyAshley]

After my morning meetings I needed to walk away from my laptop for a bit and we really didn't have any snow yet and it was bright and sunny so I ran to the store to grab the few groceries I wanted, I got:
4 x Peanut Butter $3.88 + 2000 pts ($1.88 after points), 2 are for baking and I will donate the other 2.
1 x Mushrooms $4.50 (we are going through so many mushrooms and I am going to need pizza soon)
3 x Broccoli Crowns $1.33 (not the normal $0.99 but a nice fresh option)
1 x Naturally Imperfect Tomatoes $5 (I foresee some pasta in our future and cheaper than Cherry Tomatoes)
1 x Naturally Imperfect Mini Cucumbers $4.50 + 700 pts (personal offer and app offer)
4 x Diced Tomatoes $1.49 (is this the new "it" price?)
2 x Tomato Paste $1 (mom mentioned she needs some)
2 x Blueberries $1.68 (PM Food Basics)
1 x Bananas
1 x No Name Bagels $1.97 (to go with the bacon I cooked)
3 x Earl Grey Tea $6.88 + 3000 pts for spending $20 (not the best price, but Mom prefer this over the one at Costco)

I got home and got back to work and then got a phone call there was paperwork for me at the office and decided I should just go grab it since who knows what tomorrow will be like. We had almost no snow I literally let my car run for 10 minutes and didn't have to clean it off at work 10 to 15 minutes away they had a foot and a half. Got my paperwork and came back home to finish my day.

I worked a little later than I wanted but I was on a roll and wanted to finish so got 2 things I was working on done and tomorrow one can be passed off to someone else to do the next step.

Dinner, I am cheating a little, awhile ago I grabbed a Butter Chicken Sauce for something different and it was on sale (limited as to what brands I can buy since Mom is allergic to coconut). I am making this tonight. I do want to try to make my own but I am missing some of spices needed and the snow has started so I am not running to Bulk Barn.

[walkonby]

Bell supposedly is doing free channel previews of its rebranded networks. Do not know if one has to sign up for that or just go to their websites and watch. @walkonby do you see the channels?
Apple+ tv has a free Jan.4-5 preview (per another site). Apple+ is available though Prime Video in Canada. Monthly sub for Apple+tv is $12.99 plus taxes. New PC Optimum members can use the QR code on store receipts for 3 months free of Apple + tv.

I am keen for Michelle Yeoh's new Star Trek series premiere. Still want to get other series viewed elsewhere before the new ST drama starts.

yes @Ciel21 I just scrolled through my guide and there are many that say this channel is no longer available through your network...bla, bla, bla
We're not affected negativley though because the channels that I saw we never watched anyways. Mtv, Bet, a cooking network, a wrestling channel?
These big companies know how to upset us don't they?

[Giseledta]

Re tv channels.... my hubby is arguing with them..
We are weighting options.
FYI... we are with Rogers. They removed the on demand option somehow .
I am watching this unfold...

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[Ciel21]

Canada Post delivered addressed lettermail from mid-November and December, this week's Giant Tiger flyer and a specials card from local restaurant.

I am planning to get an instant scratch lottery ticket to see if a spree is forthcoming, in case a contest recently entered does not select my name for one of two gift cards (also known as mall crawl sprees).

There is an icy layer under the snow today. Decided to stay home. Tomorrow is Gst/Hst credit day-Giant Tiger may get some business so that the $10 off $75 shop coupon gets redeemed. Have some grocery flyers to sift through still. Plan is to get ingredients for scalloped potatoes and other dishes but I need to get a final list composed. Kind of setback that I did not obtain a 2025 planner yet, plus more Bic Bold Glide pens.

The Swarm is called Abysse on Ici.Tou.ca so I still have to get the free trial situation resolved because Takuya Kimura is in the cast. Must see his series. Do not know if Masquerade Hotel is streaming on any network. It was an intriguing drama that I saw on Youtube about three years ago and TK was in it. Recommended viewing.

[Ciel21]

Re tv channels.... my hubby is arguing with them..
We are weighting options.
FYI... we are with Rogers. They removed the on demand option somehow .
I am watching this unfold...

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Is your tv a smart tv with Roku or Google or Amazon streaming options? Might better to drop cable and just keep Internet to power the smart tv and any streaming channels. Some of the local news channels have streaming channels on Roku or network apps. Our over the air channel signal antenna is having trouble getting Toronto signals due to precipitation in atmosphere and the condensation on window. I miss 5 CBC Toronto but their evening news is on a streaming Cbc channel via Roku. We do not get 9 Ckco but do get Barrie's 35 CTV signal over the air channel.

[Giseledta]

Is your tv a smart tv with Roku or Google or Amazon streaming options? Might better to drop cable and just keep Internet to power the smart tv and any streaming channels. Some of the local news channels have streaming channels on Roku or network apps. Our over the air channel signal antenna is haing trouble getting Toronto signals due to precipitation in atmosphere and the condensation on window. I miss 5 CBC Toronto but their evening news is on a streaming Cbc channel via Roku. We do not get 9 Ckco but do get Barrie's 35 CTV signal over the air channel.

Oh, that is a huge part of out conversation right now.

We had always had a very good deal with Rogers because we have been customers for over 20 yrs....
Changes may be happe ing.

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[walkonby]

@Giseledta I'll be following your saga unfold! I hope you win with them and get free channels!!