March 2026 Frugal Chatter Thread

[Frugalbigmama]

I remember one year I had March break off to spend with the kids and guess who got picked for jury duty?!! Was told it could be a 6-8 week trial.
We had one day to inform our employers and after the 1st day started and after our 1st lunch break the accused plead guilty so it saved us going though a long dragged out trial but still ruined our March break a bit.

[SassyAshley]

@cath007 , **HUGS** sorry to hear.

[Frugalbigmama]

Snowy night in here. Glad I went out yesterday to pick up a few things and that we have a plan for dinner. Steak with fries and gravy...better then take out!

[SassyAshley]

I swear I read somewhere that March Break was last week and didn't realize I was wrong until Wednesday I was at the gas station after work and 3 buses drove by LOL.

YAY!!!! my work day is done, I will just wait for the final day end postings to come in, tidy my email and I will be done.

Last night I got an email about a book sale and decided to check it out. I have been reading a series for the past 2+ years, I am on book 37 and there are 2 more books but I feel like I need something different. It is about a group of vigilantes who are out to right wrongs where the justice system could not, it is my typical book, true crime/who did it but in fiction.

But I have to be honest with everything going on in the world right now, I am just not feeling it. I have even stopped watching my normal true crime shows, I need something different. I found 4 books ranging from $0.99 to $1.99 each.

Also as per my sister-in-law's suggestion I am watching Younger on Netflix. I just need lighter not serious right now.

It is that time of day again, I was originally thinking pasta but now that it is dinner time I am not sure, so guess we will see what I make.

[lilo0003]

@cath007 Sorry to hear this did not go as hoped. It must be so stressful. @harbie I am glad to hear they allowed 5000.00. With my last vehicle purchase it was only 2000. I am currently babying my 2014 SUV as we leave it in Ontario when we go east so it’s getting very few miles. My sons do use it occasionally just to make sure it does not sit idle. I expect to buy a new one in 2027/2028 because I am far to young to not have my own set of wheels.
My no spend plan is totally working because I have had a wicked cough all week so I stayed in. I decided while working on some financial stuff that I am going to move the money left at the end of each month to a separate account. We have a 14 months to pay the balance of the Alaskan cruise so this will be good way for me to stay focused.

[lizzie bargain]

Our last stop in Brisbane today was cancelled due to high winds-so on we go to Sydney for our flight home Monday night. Oh well these things happen. The ship is really rocking so popped a couple of sea calm.

[harbie]

Hugs @cath007 I’m so sorry to hear this.
@walkonby ugh! I feel your Dh’s pain (literally). Back pain is a real….well…… pain. My right side is killing me this morning so I feel his pain and I hope he gets some relief and soon.

So today was going to be a day of organizing and cleaning but with my back/hip flexor area agitated it’s going to have to be a rest day . I have so much I want to get done but stretching and rest are more important I guess.

I think I’m going to book the hotels for our road trip at the end of May. I’m going to get my hair done after 8 months and since we have the new vehicle we’re taking my parents with us. I hate the idea of going out of town when nobody is home in case something were to happen and my brother will be in Europe at that time .

Have a great and hopefully relaxing weekend everyone.

[SassyAshley]

Good Morning Everyone,
Must be something in the air, I woke up feeling like my hips and lower back were in a vice.

I stretched them out and honestly wanted to side on my b*tt and do nothing.

But I got nothing done all week, it took all I had in me just to get through my work day so I know I needed to get a few things done.

After I made my tea, I turned on the dishwasher, didn't want to stay up and wait for it to finish last night.

Did a quick bathroom wipe down (sink, toilet), did the toilet bowl and popped in a new tab.

Well I made my breakfast, I emptied the dishwasher, scrubbed down the counters, did a few hand dishes from last night (I let the pot soak and we used the last of the brownies for dessert last night).

Still need to do the floors and a few other things but at least I got a few knocked out.

Happy Saturday Everyone.

[coupon girl]

Afternoon popped out got gas 161 ugggg .

Then went to Sobeys strawberries 2.49 plus 100 pts when you buy 2 so got 2=1.99 each
pudding for the girls 1.88 each and fun pkg of cereal 4.49 on sale

I decided to get the hefty garbage bags 6.99 -3.00 checkout51=3.99 for 30 and they are large .They only had one pkg left .I noticed the regular garbage bags i get at canadian tire have gone up a few bucks ,i mean what hasn't gone up.

Now in for the day.

[HermanH]

Found another ice chipper on the road. 1/2 dozen in my collection, thus far.

[lizzie bargain]

Just 24 hrs more aboard this lovely vessel and thankfully the seas have calmed. Yesterday the winds were 50 knots per hour and the force on the Beaufort scale was a 10-with 12 being the top at hurricane force!
So we felt natures wrath and I popped some sea calm.
Apparently two couples were kicked off for fighting in the laundry room. My family probably didn't take me seriously when I described laundry aboard the Queen Anne as a blood sport!!
Today is a lazy sea day-resting up for the long journey home.

[HermanH]

Queen Anne passengers do their own laundry?

[lizzie bargain]

Well you do unless you want to pay handsomely for it-which I don't.
Turns out one guy hurled an iron at another guy which the captain did not tolerate!
My sister has cold symptoms and the medi centre has confined me to quarters as I have the runs. Guess I will have dinner delivered! Despite this we remain optimistic that we will complete our circumnavigation of the world tomorrow!! As a bonus my seat is right by the washroom!

[walkonby]

Afternoon popped out got gas 161 ugggg .
Then went to Sobeys strawberries 2.49 plus 100 pts when you buy 2 so got 2=1.99 each
Now in for the day.

@coupon girl I drove to Timmies at 6:30 this morning to spoil myself with a large coffee ( Mmmm, I do love their java ).
On the way back I eyed both Shell and Petro Can gas prices....$169.9 !! Ugh indeed. Our tank is at 3/4 atm.
And yesterday DH were at a FB out of our area trying to get some of their $1.98 strawberries. So tough to find the ones
from Mexico, almost all are USA. Snagged one container.

Well you do unless you want to pay handsomely for it-which I don't.
Turns out one guy hurled an iron at another guy which the captain did not tolerate!
My sister has cold symptoms and the medi centre has confined me to quarters as I have the runs. Guess I will have dinner delivered!
Despite this we remain optimistic that we will complete our circumnavigation of the world tomorrow!! As a bonus my seat is right by the washroom!

@lizzie bargain Such an incredible journey you've been on!! Of course it can come with unexpected " pitfalls " like illness, inclement weather
and the odd fisticuffs in the ship's laundry room. Still so worth it I bet!! Safe travels for you as your cruise comes to a close.

[Frugalbigmama]

Happy Sunday!

Yesterday was a great day for a drive. Clear dry highway (where I went anyway!)

Today- A blizzard and it doesn't look like it is stopping anytime soon. I made coffee and popped out to Rona to grab a box of the 200pk 25L garbage bags for $9.99. Took one out and it fits our garbage can.
Had to go to the bank to make a deposit so went to No Frills since it is close. Found garlic bread (the think sliced one- freezes very well) with 50% off stickers with March 19th expiry date....the same date as the ones on the shelf selling for regular price.) Of course I grabbed both clearance packages for DS.
I also grabbed a package of the ground beef on (4 day sale) so we can make sliders one night this or next week with the rolls that I have in the freezer for this.
SDM- Lindt 100 g chocolate bar for $2. I could have bought so many but just grabbed the one!
FB- Strawberries/bananas/coffee creamer back up/crackers (hidden for future lol)
Only thing I do want to grab is 2 pineapples from RCSS and then no more shopping lol. Have to get my fresh fruit fill at a good price when I can.

Brought home beef dip and side for dinner last night (onion rings/fries/ sweet potato fries- everyone got their preferred choice) Also grabbed an order of spring rolls and Beef and noodles (which I had a bit of that for my dinner) so I will have my beef dip (probably give 1/2 to DS since it is huge) and potato fries for dinner and someone can have the left over spring rolls and beef and noodles.

Ok off to tidy the kitchen and then enjoy the afternoon!