Marching Forward with Frugality & with Savings 2015 frugal chatter

[Frugalbigmama]

Went and paid my Canadian Tire credit card off at lunch. Bought a few things for house including a rug for outdoors that will transform the backyard into a welcoming relaxation area I hope lol. Wanted to spend some of the cash from my selling jar .

[saundyl]

Isn't it always the case that we buy for our kids when we should be buying for ourselves? I need clothes but spend on them all the time. I have been wearing the same dress pants for years- I really am finally starting to spend money on myself and can't wait to go Spring shopping for office clothes.

I think the only reason i have gotten new clothing for myself in the past 3 years has been because Work has $500 allowance for work clothing and i get reimbursed (and i know I still have over $150 available to use in 2014). Otherwise I've had friends and my mom all give me multiple bags of handme downs (love them!)

[jasperandchar]

Evening All,

What a day, woke up to the power being off, so we didn't know if it was a snow day or not .

Logan caught the bus and we had to drive Jaden in once we figured the buses were running .

Since we had no power I stopped at the library to print my 20x wus $25.00 for SDM, now I need to wait for my points to appear....How long does it normally take?

We dropped our taxes off at the accountant and now we wait to hear what's what , I hate tax season since I retired from work on medical grounds.

Exchanged Logan's xbox controller as the one he rec'd from us for his birthday didn't work, so now he's a happy camper

Oil change & tailgate on truck fixed and it was in the buget so yeah

Budget is done and last 2014 tax installment is done , just nee check the status online in a few days to ensure that it did go towards 2014 and not 2015 like last month.

Once 2014 status is all good, I will make my 1st 2015 installment for taxes and it begins. Mailed off the request and paperwork yesterday to have increased taxes deducted so hopefully that takes effect by the end of the month, I will call in 2 weeks to ensure that it was rec'd and actioned .

So off to the 1st page to update some of my March goals

Wishing everyone a wonderful evening.

[SassyAshley]

Good Morning All,
I must say me and this cold are not long on good terms with each other. It is really starting to affect my $$$ situation, luckily I have not had to take a sick day but because I have been so worn down I have not been doing the overtime I normally do daily and well it is reflected. I know it is what it is and I should not worry but yeah money is freaking me out a little right now as our Hydro bill took another $80 jump this month. My hydro has jumped almost $300 this winter which I do not get as Mom is working this winter and not home so it should really be going down, but I am still too sick to call and fight with Hydro as I know I will just end up in a huge coughing fit and probably have to hang up before I make my point.

I am supposed to go and do a little grocery with Mom tonight after work, wondering what will be said if I get two more Almond Milk, we currently have 2 in the fridge and I am the only one who drinks them. I will not drink a glass of regular Milk but will Almond Milk which I consider my treat as I buy the Vanilla one. Only issue is they take up a lot of room in our fridge for something just I use. Wonder if she will go for the "but I am getting them free"? Also thinking of trying the Cashew Milk, never had it but for some odd reason it really intrigues me.

Oh yes Tax Season is upon us, I gave all of my stuff to my Dad the other day he will give to my Step Mom who will drop everything off for all of us next week. I always hate Tax Season, I think it is unknowing part of it as a couple years I got some huge shocks. This year really has me worried as I got re accessed on a few things last year with my deductions at work and all of them have to be submitted with this year's taxes so really I have no clue where I stand and if any of these changes will lead to a bad outcome for me. So I am extremely nervous and in all honesty right now just want to know the outcome as I have a feeling it won't be in my favour which means trying to re work the already tight budget.

Mom texted me last night to say she has booked off Easter Weekend if I want to go to Buffalo, as of right now this choice will solely be based on how my taxes turn out. I know it isn't the best time to go with the Canadian Dollar being what it is but there are a number of things we cannot get in Canada I want to pick up. Since I no longer travel to the States for work I have been unable to get some of these items. SO I figure as long as I set a budget I can make this work. Plus for years we have been talking about going for my Bday and for years our plans keep falling through so even if it is just to get away I will take it. I need more excitement and getting out in my life.

Hope everyone has a great day.

[Andit]

Good morning, everyone.

Day 2 of having little sleep due to bizarre dreams (keep waking up, then getting back to the weirdness). Last night I was to be married off to an entomologist and was terribly upset that A) I had to marry a stranger & B) I had to give up my little condo to move into a dark dreary house with pictures of bugs on all the walls. The night before I was being stalked by a serial killer who was singing selections from the Sound of Music - I kept finding bodies, cause the serial killer was not very good at his job & kept missing me & killing folks around me - the worst part was trying to explain to the police who thought I was out to lunch.

Wondering if a nap or 2 is a good idea or if I'll be married to the serial killer this time?

It's nice & sunny (but cold!), so might run out to the grocery store to get a mini dose of Vit D (if any sunshine can penetrate the dozen layers of clothes I'll be wearing).

Hope everyone has a wonderful day.

[MrsSunshine]

awfully quiet in here..
my poor kid after two straight weeks, i made an appt for him to see his dr. we need to get this situation straightened out. even if he has to take something for it, besides gravol. honestly its getting to me as well.

back to being cold for a few days here.. then were supposed to hit 7 this week coming?? i believe that when i see it.

[bobbiegirl2010]

I got my $20 in FPCs Pepsi promo booklet in the mail on Monday so we redeemed them all at No Frills yesterday. Really good coupons this time:

Free Tropicana OJ 1.89L carton
Free Tostitos Salsa or Dip (I got Con Queso dip)
Free 2L of pop and bag of chips (I got Tostitos and Mugg rootbeer)
Free 12 pk of pop (I got Schweppes Gingerale)
Free bag of Twistos

Redeemed at No Frills so everything was free including the tax. I had to pm the OJ ($2.99 @ Foodland) to get it free as the retail price was more than the max value on coupon (it was $5 something @ No Frills - who seriously would pay that for OJ - that's crazy!!!!).

Still waiting for MIR for Oxiclean dishtabs and $21 chq from checkout51

[Andit]

@Andit , might it be better for you to have a cellphone? When you switched internet from Bell to Teksavvy, did you have any issues?

For some reason, cellphone service is hit & miss in the condo. There's a radio station within walking distance and all I get is static when I try to tune the radio so have to listen online.

As for Teksavvy, I am very happy with them. Their customer service is outstanding (the CSR called me to apologize when the tech was a half hour late). The package I have is $34.95 per month with 150GB (https://teksavvy.com/en/residential/...cable/cable-10) - they just raised the GB & even before I didn't go over (if you go over, they cap you at the next package level, Bell dinged me tons for just barely going over my limit which was a lot less). In terms of switching over, I scheduled the installation a few days before my Bell service ended, so I would have less to pay but had no service interruption. I did have to buy a modem ($80) but my bill is cut nearly in half, so I'm a happy camper.

[jasperandchar]

@SassyAshley I think that a trip away from home is exactly what you and your mom need to rekindle the friendship you used to have as the "house & money" seem to be both be stressers but more for you (not meaning to offend). Hope you feel better soon

[jasperandchar]

Mrs. S. I think an appointment for your son would be a good idea as perhaps there may be a little more too it, we never know.

[jasperandchar]

@bobbiegirl2010 lucky ducky with the FPCs, I didn't take part this year, enjoy the free treats

[Andit]

awfully quiet in here..
my poor kid after two straight weeks, i made an appt for him to see his dr. we need to get this situation straightened out. even if he has to take something for it, besides gravol. honestly its getting to me as well.

How is his sleep pattern? Ask the dr if melatonin might be an option to help him sleep more soundly. Never know, it might help.


Any new creations to show off? I'd love to see them (I'm sure others would too).

[thriftygranny]

Mrs. sunshine, I hope your son gets this figured out, poor kid he must get tired at work taking gravol everyday, it knocks me out. I think a trip to see his gp is the next step.

Nice shopping Bobbiegirl! I haven't used my FPC's yet, but they are sure nice to have I love that promo!!

[jasperandchar]

Morning all,

1. I have Double batch of moose Chili is in the crockpot

2. and 2 envelopes ready to mail for prescription reimbursements,

3. dh is painting jaden's old room again....geez that green is awful poor guy hopefully no more green painting after today.

4. load of whites are washed and washing over the woodstove to dry

5. Laundry is all folded and put away and life is good

Wishing everyone a wonderful day

[saundyl]

Good Morning All,
I must say me and this cold are not long on good terms with each other. It is really starting to affect my $$$ situation, luckily I have not had to take a sick day but because I have been so worn down I have not been doing the overtime I normally do daily and well it is reflected. I know it is what it is and I should not worry but yeah money is freaking me out a little right now as our Hydro bill took another $80 jump this month. My hydro has jumped almost $300 this winter which I do not get as Mom is working this winter and not home so it should really be going down, but I am still too sick to call and fight with Hydro as I know I will just end up in a huge coughing fit and probably have to hang up before I make my point.

I am supposed to go and do a little grocery with Mom tonight after work, wondering what will be said if I get two more Almond Milk, we currently have 2 in the fridge and I am the only one who drinks them. I will not drink a glass of regular Milk but will Almond Milk which I consider my treat as I buy the Vanilla one. Only issue is they take up a lot of room in our fridge for something just I use. Wonder if she will go for the "but I am getting them free"? Also thinking of trying the Cashew Milk, never had it but for some odd reason it really intrigues me.

Oh yes Tax Season is upon us, I gave all of my stuff to my Dad the other day he will give to my Step Mom who will drop everything off for all of us next week. I always hate Tax Season, I think it is unknowing part of it as a couple years I got some huge shocks. This year really has me worried as I got re accessed on a few things last year with my deductions at work and all of them have to be submitted with this year's taxes so really I have no clue where I stand and if any of these changes will lead to a bad outcome for me. So I am extremely nervous and in all honesty right now just want to know the outcome as I have a feeling it won't be in my favour which means trying to re work the already tight budget.

Mom texted me last night to say she has booked off Easter Weekend if I want to go to Buffalo, as of right now this choice will solely be based on how my taxes turn out. I know it isn't the best time to go with the Canadian Dollar being what it is but there are a number of things we cannot get in Canada I want to pick up. Since I no longer travel to the States for work I have been unable to get some of these items. SO I figure as long as I set a budget I can make this work. Plus for years we have been talking about going for my Bday and for years our plans keep falling through so even if it is just to get away I will take it. I need more excitement and getting out in my life.

Hope everyone has a great day.

Our Power bill has gone up by about 210 dollars since November. We got a sheet from the power company whuch shows how much certain devices cost per month if used or plugged in for 5 hrs per day. We spent yesterday evening going around and unplugging any chargers that werent in use (they draw power even when not charging something) BF reset the timer on the block heaters, unplugged the microwave and will be making an effort to hit the power button on the satellite receiver when its not in use.

I hope you feel better soon.