2025-03 March Frugal Thread

[HermanH]

Arggh! Everything is melting! Bring back the cold!

[Ciel21]

Thank you for starting this March thread. Clocks change for Daylight Saving Time in 8 days except in a few places.

Melting snow is good. Mega icicles are not good but they melted off of roofs this week.
Mr Wind is blowing cold air in Southern Ontario. Chinook might be coming for the 12C day next Wednesday here???

March 2 coupon expiry on peelies for buy 3 get 1 free Tostitos/Lays/Pepsico products.

March 2 is also last day for registered Olsen Rewards program members to earn points on womens clothing and accessory purchases. Members will have until October 31 to redeem points. See program rules on redemption tiers.

SCENE+ MEMBERS
1) World Compliment Day at Scene+ grocery banner stores on March 1 & 2. Earn 500 Scene+ pts wus $25+ on Compliments products in single transaction. One time use?
2) Tuesday March 4 is Scene+ Member Day. Get 15% off or $20 off $200 purchase.

[SassyAshley]

Good Morning Everyone,
Happy March and bring on Spring, I am done with the snow and the cold and the wind and all of the joys of winter.

My head and face started to bother me last night, I was hoping it was just the weather but still feeling it this morning, it isn't as bad but it is there. I am really try not to take anything unless I have too so hoping it dulls or goes away.

I got the bedding washed and beds remade. I cleaned the kitchen, we had a lot of hand dishes but washed them all up and left them to dry overnight. Will put these away shortly.

Out of the 3 sets of homework I had to check I only got one checked, but 1 still has not handed in their homework and the one I did check I still need to do the write-up for. Also I am not ready for next week's training as I should really rewrite the whole training plan but I just don't have time for that. Any chance we can squeeze in another week before Monday so I can get caught up?

Happy Saturday Everyone.

[Ciel21]

Hamilton, ON members-this is your LAST chance to get replacement recycling boxes through the City if your boxes are damaged. Once City box supply runs out or March ends, you will have to get your own boxes. The company taking over the recycling program in April will not supply boxes. March 31 is the fiscal year-end for different tiers of government in Canada. Hospitals too.

>>>March 23 is the e-filing date for personal income tax returns if taxpayers want to get their Canada Carbon Rebates on April 15. If you don't mind getting the CCR 6 to 8 weeks after your return is filed, just ensure your return is submitted by April 30 to the CRA.<<<

*If you received your Ontario $200 rebate cheques, did you see the fine print on your Service Ontario account online? It mentions families eligible to get cheques for their children must apply for the Canada Child Benefit by March 31 to receive their children's cheques.*

[Ciel21]

@SassyAshley You have the unexpected benefit of having an early warning system for weather due to your injury. Treat yourself today after morning chores.

Given your training background, does the incomplete homework give you a sense of the candidates' work style or likelihood to stay with the company?

[Ciel21]

Thursday March 6-registered Be Well Member Appreciation Day. Save 20% off on regular priced merchandise at Rexall.

[SassyAshley]

@Ciel21 , both training and hiring have become a new beast since the pandemic so much has changed.

In the 5+ years I did this job before the pandemic I have under a handful of trainees who did not make it through their first three months. Since the Pandemic in the last 2 years I am over 5 who have not made it through for various reasons some pandemic related (called back to an old job, found something in their chosen field).

I find one of the current struggles is a lot of people seem to be look at their next move whether it is within our company or future goals and trainees will now tell me in training, I don't plan to be in this position long and it is true they say most people now work a job for 2 to 3 years before they start looking for a change (or so HR told me, they got the stat from some HR thing). Before they have started with us they are already thinking of their next steps.

So I find it can be hard because you don't get the commitment or in some cases even if they plan to stay with our company they are already looking at other positions and not as focus on where they are now. Not to mention it has apparently become acceptable to decided you just aren't going to do certain things and it is okay.

But I find homework it depends, there can be struggles and if they want help and want to work through it is a good sign. But if they keep putting off handing it or hand it incomplete and don't seem to see the issue that can also be a sign.

But the other factor I fight is in a lot of cases you have to learn other positions before you learn your position. For example my Branch Managers have to first learn to be a CSR, then a retail supervisor then a branch manager (all of these positions work under a branch manager). But sometimes having them see the value is hard and they want to get to "their" training (branch manager training). But we aren't a Wal-Mart if a CSR calls in sick it isn't like a cashier calling in sick and someone else can be called in. We have X number of CSRs and their backup is their Retail Supervisors and Branch Managers so they need to be a CSR before they can be a branch manager and that can be a challenge.

It is hard to say sometimes why homework does not come in and if it is a sign but I do then watch a little closer as we continue to move through training.

[SassyAshley]

Good Afternoon Everyone,
Back from the funeral, as expected it was standing room only and the reception after was insane so I did not stay long. The face is not happy and noise is really bothering me today but spoke to my cousin, his wife, their kids and my cousins and aunt.

I have to say I was little surprised, I knew one bro wasn't coming, he is sick but the only people from our family were Dad and I.

Got home a little earlier than expected, originally I was going to a simple dinner like Nachos but since I got home earlier decided to make Potato Soup instead. Still simple, but nice and warm, it is cold out there and a lot of blowing snow.

Tonight I am going to try to do some planning. We have some produce prep we need to do tomorrow, there will be some leftover soup, but see what else I can make or prep for the week to come. I did not get the prep I had planned last week done and I felt it so hoping tomorrow I can.

[cath007]

Good evening everyone.

Let's just say today was a bad day to me...

This morning I got a call from my nurse doctor.Seems I have a thyroid gland problem too wow.
It seems she works slowly.I had that happen before and it resolved alone so let's hope it will do the same thing this time too.

For now my doctor just watch the evolution.Another blood test to do for that in 6-8 week.And if no change I will be on pills for that too.

Let's just say I did my last blood test 2 weeks ago.So Why calling me for that matter so late after??? mmmm

Let's just say my body hate me those time.

I am not happy and sad about that.

I just want a break with my body and sickness....Is that ask it so much???

I am not looking forward spring and summer.I am always hot and not comfortable.

[coupon girl]

Sorry you had a bad day cath ,maybe spring will be nice to get out before the hot weather of summer.

After sleeping 3 hours today i am sure this will throw my night off.

I just ordered another pair of old navy flare pants and some tops for the girls really cheap my pants were 22.00 after i used the old navy cash,saving 20.00 off the 50.00 is a good deal ,plus i like these pants i have them in navy and grey now i have a brown pair coming,plus a night shirt for me .

[flemeth]

Good evening everyone.

Let's just say today was a bad day to me...

This morning I got a call from my nurse doctor.Seems I have a thyroid gland problem too wow.
It seems she works slowly.I had that happen before and it resolved alone so let's hope it will do the same thing this time too.

For now my doctor just watch the evolution.Another blood test to do for that in 6-8 week.And if no change I will be on pills for that too.

Let's just say I did my last blood test 2 weeks ago.So Why calling me for that matter so late after??? mmmm

Let's just say my body hate me those time.

I am not happy and sad about that.

I just want a break with my body and sickness....Is that ask it so much???

I am not looking forward spring and summer.I am always hot and not comfortable.

@cath007 (((HUGS))) sorry you had a bad day.And your DR call makes you feel bad but it’s always good to know what you are dealing with so you can do your best to get the result in your favour.

Its been over 10 years my dad DR been telling him he is pre diabetic, since he know that he changed his eating habits and make sure he goes out for walks early in the mornings or late in the evening

[SassyAshley]

@cath007 , **HUGS** I know the phone call was not something you expected but knowing gives you the power and opportunity to make changes and take control.

I know it can all seem overwhelming but just take it one step at a time. You cannot change everything overnight (Trust me, I have tried and failed many times). If you can break it down into smaller goals and once you achieve that goal and feel comfortable add a new one. Goals don't always have to be huge, it can be something simple (currently, I track my water intake, meals and snacks, and how many fruit and veg I eat in a day). Also if you are comfortable I would suggest writing it down and tracking it, our minds will play tricks on, I have weeks I think I totally failed but when I check my trackers, it wasn't as bad as I thought. Always remember one bad day does not mean failure, tomorrow is a new day for us to try again.

[SassyAshley]

Good Morning Everyone,
Okay, trying to find my ambition, I did not sleep my best last night which is weird, I couldn't fall asleep and I didn't stay asleep but I did sleep in a bit so now it is time to get things done.

Originally, I was going to try to get all the prep and cleaning both done today but I think I will start with the prep and see how I feel and go from there. I always aim high but I am also working on being realistic.

I know we never know why certain things happen but I have had moments where I feel like breaking my nose is showing me/forcing me to slow down a bit and really truly see some days you just can't get it all done.

I need to go and pull some stuff from the freezer and pantry so I can prep. I think I will start by making some bread dough so it can rise, cook a batch of rice and go from there. I think I have a semi-solid plan for the week to come. Some stuff I can prep ahead, some meals that will just need to be cooked off but the key is going to be getting everything on my list done today.

Time to get going.

Happy Sunday Everyone.

[walkonby]

@flemeth that is terrific news regarding how your father changed the inevitable path towards becoming diabetic by making the diet and exercises changes! Congrats.
A few years ago now, but a co-worker of my DH's seemed very unwell and my DH pulled him aside and told him to GO get his blood sugar checked ASAP.
The next week this man was off and recovering at home. He told my DH that he had saved his life as his glucose readings with in the high 30's! His health at that moment was dire, hospitalized, observed and placed on insulin right away as well as other meds.

What happened over the next year was this guy changed everything! His diet, his lifestyle, he began working out and was eventually taken off ALL the meds.
He returned to work a NEW man! Now he lectures/advises diabetic patients who attend information meetings at Community Centres!
He is living proof that we can be the change we need!

@cath007 the newest blood findings about your thyroid was not something you were too thrilled to receive BUT how lucky are we to have great free medical care. Going forward just make whatever changes you are able to, whether it's taking a new med to keep your thyroid in check OR if possible finding what it takes to eventually go off the med? Sorry, I'm unfamiliar with thyroid meds.
Best of luck!

Today we are treating my SIL to her birthday lunch! Her and DH are the 2 eldest of the siblings in their clan. We will all probably order steak today.
Enjoy Sunday everyone!

[Giseledta]

Cath- hugs. I know it seems overwhelming. But information is key. If your Dr is letting you know this stuff, it's better to know then not. And It can be overwhelming, but we are all here for you. Hugs

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