January 2019 Frugal Chatter thread (New Year, new calendars)

[lizzie bargain]

I think any NY resolutions we make involving our health are very worthwhile-I am also in the lose weight camp and trying to do less sitting and more activity to keep my back fit and pain free after a tough 2017 for my back. I am frugal too on a day to day basis so I can spend on the things that matter most to me-helping to fund our daughter through uni and travel. Our 19 year old does not seem to have inherited too many of our frugal genes( lol she is adopted). We have definitely tried to lead by example. I am sure other parents of teens can relate to some of our frugal discussions with DD.

I occasionally hear her make statements about saving money( buying secondhand clothes etc) which makes me happy. Then again I find that she and most of her friends that age think nothing of paying for shipping, grabbing a coffee from Starbucks, spending money on makeup, paying for an Uber rather than riding public transit, always buying the trendy brand( don't get me started on marketing) ordering in dinner and paying delivery charges, going to a bar, having the latest cell phone etc. These are things I would think twice about.

I think at 19 many of them do not yet realize that if you save on the little things day to day you will have more money for other purchases or savings. I have been pretty clear that we only pay for some of her needs( defined as groceries, shelter, medical, transportation, tuition and books-all of which which she also pays towards). The wants are up to her and she has to priorize as she does not have enough $ for them all-welcome to life. Of course it doesn't help that she is going to school in Vancouver which is very expensive. Although she loves Vancouver I heard her say that she probably could not afford to live there after graduating and may come back to Calgary or elsewhere after grad-so I think she is figuring a few things out through life experience which is the best teacher. I have also stressed to be mindful rather than impulsive about your purchases, always keep a little bit in your savings account for an emergency or unexpected cost, try to buy on sale, pay your credit card in full each month, remember that student loans need to be paid back with interest, etc . I am sure I sound like a broken record! Hopefully more $ wisdom will come with age and a regular pay cheque once school is done. And of course don't get me wrong-our daughter is far from completely financially irresponsible-just that DH and I would like to sometimes see her make better choices with her wants money- but it is hers and we recognize it is a learning curve and different priorities for different people and even different generations I think.

We took DD to visit her birth grandparents over Xmas. They offered to give her their car as Grandpa is no longer able to drive it. Of course, even though DD kind of wanted it, we politely declined to take it and fund the expenses of gas, parking, insurance and maintenance in a big city with good public transportation and a bus pass included in the cost of tuition. In any case they need the $ so hopefully they can just sell it. I don't think a 19 year old who has never owned a car realizes how expensive thay can be-but we do! She can buy her own car when she is working FT and needs it. She did of course understand why we said no thanks and realizes the monthly expenses could not possibly be covered in her discretionary $. I think she is very appreciative of the financial help we provide-of her uni friends, some have parents that pay all, some, or none of their expenses.

DH and I reviewed the finances last night-he keeps track on Quicken on his computer of what we spend. The good news is that on the Canadian side we spent less than we earned, but on the US accounts( he keeps two as he is American and Canadian and so still has some investment income in the US and must fill in double tax returns etc) we spent more than we made and so dipped into the US savings. Averaging the two together though we are fine-and not living off our retirment savings-yet!! I think as we age further some of our expenses will decline( uni and travel come to mind) but others will increase( medical) so we do try to be mindful of our spending but still have fun. We are also trying to find the balance between leaving our assets( house, investments etc) to our daughter in an inheritance later( if we don't spend it all!) and sharing some of it with her now for her education( but not giving her so much now that there is no need to work or be frugal!). Our will does state that, in the unlikely event we should both pass before she is 30, our executor will fund necessities( education etc at their discretion) but the bulk of the money would be paid out( if there is any left!) after she is older and wiser and hopefully already established in her chosen career.

I would be interested to hear from any of you who wish to share, how you intend to pass on any $, assets you may have left to your kids, grandkids, charity etc. I guess because we are both in our 60's we are thinking about these things now.

[Giseledta]

morning all. i work today. full crew, so it will be a busy one.
i might whip up some blueberry muffins, youngest bought me new silicone muffin pans for Christmas. so i will try those out. will pay bills, and move money around later today.
plan is park, and play today. some mellow time, the kids need to get back to routine.
i think only middle child is home for Supper.

just trying to be mellow for the next few days.

[Angela273]

@lilo0003 @Giseledta @lizzie bargain
There is a health and weight loss thread here on SC. I’m one of the people who post how my journey is going and we try to encourage each other. Here is a link to the thread.
https://forum.smartcanucks.ca/419683...9/#post6948598

[wendymac]

Hi all. What a cold, cold morning. I got up at about 5...started the coffee, restocked the airtight, put out the dogs who wanted back in almost immediately, made up a Duncan Hines cake mix that will be DH's breakfast when he wakes up after a much-deserved sleep-in, and now I am organizing for the weekly jaunt into town to loot and pillage...er, shop for groceries and other necessaries. I am determined to eat down the considerable stock of food that I've accumulated over the last year or two, so I am buying only on deep sales and then I'm stocking up with multiples of the items. Otherwise, I'm cooking what I've got in freezers, cellar pantry and the upstairs one. I don't think we'll be buying too many fresh veggies this winter because they are so expensive. Fortunately, I have lots of frozen and canned that should be used up, anyway.

Today...DH and I are going to Giant Tiger because it has the best price on the dog treats that are luxuries that I can't resist getting the little guys. I'm sure I'll see some grocery bargains that I can't resist, as well. Oh, and I will redeem the free apple pie coupon that I got as a birthday perk in the email for being part of their newsletter "family."

Then onto Rexall where I will buy slightly over $55 worth in order to redeem a 80 airmiles bonus coupon that I got in email, as well as use the $5 survey coupon for when you spend $25. I buy most of our vitamins, hair care, etc. off their bargain shelves, which offer about 50-75% off. But they also have decent buys on other "necessities" like Metamuscil, of which I'll buy several because it doesn't go bad. So I'll shop frugal, spend about $56 and get about $13 of that knocked off.

Then off to Bulk Barn for which I have 2 coupons that give us $5 off a $15 purchase. Each of us will buy $15 worth of hot chocolate--dark and white--that should see us through the winter. We'll get $5 off each and use 2 of the $5 GCs that we got as promos in a previous shop there. So we'll be out of pocket by $5 each.

Next stop, Freshco for no other reason than DH is an eggnog junkie, and Freshco should have after-New Year's prices on the eggnog clear-outs. While I'm there, I'll pick up some half-price $5 hams, some 51checkout redeemables, and use the Sobey's card to pay. I got 150 airmiles points for the card last month.

I'm trying to play this game 6 ways from Sunday because I really, really would like my husband to retire. So busy day. And I'm off to do battle. After another cup of coffee. Enjoy yours, everyone.

[lizzie bargain]

Wendymac-welcome to this thread too. What is an airtight? LB

[coupon girl]

morning everyone
lizzie -first I will chat with you ,my dear daughter had to have all the brands(she spent enough at shoppers and the body shop ,oh and at winner s she got a job there but spent a lot on clothing ) ,nice makeup ,jewellry when she was 19 going to a bar etc in fact my son said she could have bought a car instead ,but they had to share our sunfire back then 17 and 19 ,she never could get a good job in the summer to save for university in fact she had a dangerous landscaping job one summer and we told her to quit,but we wanted some help thru university so she paid for her books and parking pass -she went to McMaster university so we didn't have the expense of out of town

When she was done school she wanted to do a post grad in Toronto so she found a one room(no bedroom either) for $600 a month plus she had to pay back one year of schooling student loans as we took a trip to Alaska that year ,she struggles so we saw that she was so focused on school we would buy her groceries the odd time we went there

In the end we paid off the 11,000 she owed and gave my son the same amount as he went to collage but over time we paid him and to anybody who states they need to learn to pay their own way I totally dis agree ,as my husband`s parent and my dear mother couldn't care less about education (my dad passed away when I was 15 but he was educated thru his service in the army)

so in the end my daughter who is now 36 has an excellent job in Toronto ,she changed careers last year another good move and she is starting the last few years to be pretty frugal -her son has very little clothing ,very little toys as they have a small condo but she is saving to his education and making that more of a priority(she regifted this xmas a few items he got after his birthday)she takes clothing that is 6 years old from her sister-in-law and uses it for Sebastian she saved this year from not buying him a snowsuit -so I am really proud of the woman she is now

Infact the last year of university for a gift she asked ~will you pay my cellphone for a year~which we did
so lizzie don't worry in the end it will all work out

[coupon girl]

love to chat more but I have Ashlyn here ,so gotta go play with her ,then she wants to go to the park with papa later

[lizzie bargain]

Yes CG I think you are so right-and we are already seeing a couple of hints of frugalness-hopefully there will be even more to come in the future-especially when everything comes directly out of her pocket!! Lol-your daughter at 19 sounds just like mine!! And I certainly agree with you that it is worth investing in their education if you have the funds to help-along with any grants, loans, bursaries, summer jobs etc they can find or are eligible for. My daughter also works very hard at her studies-if she was goofing off and barely passing and not funding some of it we might be having a different conversation! We intend to help pay back any loans for her first degree and and have told her that grad school is up to her if she chooses to go further-she can work for a few years and save up and apply for loans, bursaries, work PT during grad school etc.

I think given that we are older parents our priority is helping with the first degree as we already work only part time and do not have the high income or the desire to fund her schooling forever-I don't want to make promises we can't/won't keep for grad school or possibly leave our retirement year savings too lean as she enters her FT earning years. We did save up in an RESP so the $ are there to help out. We have all heard of Freedom 55-I told DD when she started uni that we planned on Freedom 25-in other words she needed to plan to be completely financially independent by 25 at the very latest. I see some of my friends and relatives still paying for their kids schooling at 30 or having them living at home and not financially independent-and I hope to avoid that.

Of course when she is older and working we can still give gifts at our discretion if our finances at that time permit-but we only intend to help pay the rent( split with a roomate) while she is in school FT for the first degree. Anything beyoned that is not planned. I am sure if we had more than one child or were unable to work ourselves we would not be able to contribute much at all to her education and so I consider it fortunate that we can.

[flemeth]

Lizzie bargain . You DD will find her frugal self as she mature. My older DD did her undergrad and live home.But she became frugal when she went to Law school for her post grad and saw it will cost an Arm and a leg even though she lived at home. For her undergrad we had RESP that covered that she also took OSAP because it would be an advantage for her. For her postgrad she took OSAP and the Bank give her crazy credit line . But because she knows she wanted to be debt free she was very frugal in those years. When she started working she put all her money towards her debt. Not to forget she is living at home rent free just her day to day expand phone.Mine DD turn 28 years. She did her intern and and was paid well.saved up her money with the hopes to move into her own place. Well Now that she has her licences she decided she is not sure she want to practice law. Since she is living home we are encouraging her to find out what she truly wants to do . It has to be something when she wakes up in the morning she wants to get out there to do.
On the other hand my 19 yr old has always been frugal. She is in her 2 year university and she is living out which is costing her. Does not like public transit. But is forced to take it when she is at school. She buys her groceries on sale, look for deals and did move out of campus for cheaper rent in her 2nd year. We did also do an RESP for her but since she choose to live out she will be in a lot of debt with OSAP. We will help her when she is finished. Leaving out the both line the best phones there plans are not too crazy.

As for our Asset and every things we have it in place that if something is to happen to both my DH and I the girls have 50% each of everything. And the way life is going for us we are pretty OKAY not I. lots of debt
You would see the difference and she mature with age and set high goals for her self when she graduate. Being parents we always have to be there for our kids

[Frugalbigmama]

Happy New year everyone!

Last month i booked free hotel rooms at casino for Sat Dec 29th and Sun Dec 30th incase we felt like a relaxing night away. We used it Saturday night. Worked out in their little gym. Used the pool and hottub. Watched the hockey game and had some good free food in the pub. Gambled for a bit and took home $360!! It was a great night with free breakfast in the morning. I kept the room Sunday night for my friend.
New years eve we went out of town to friends house and watched band at local venue. I was dd and went thru ride program on way back to their house. Went to bed about 4 am but slept in till noon and had a wonderful brunch with everyone. It was a great night
Today we are going shopping and making some returns.
Have a wonderful day everyone!

[barbis9]

Today is return day - should get $77 back. New year and I'm thinking of paying cash for everything but will miss the cash back on my credit card. My goal besides losing weight is to read most of the reserves I have at the library. My book club stopped :-( at the library, so will continue reading fiction on my own.

I have so much chocolate from Christmas.....may freeze it.

[coupon girl]

flemeth -you are so right we always have to be there for our kids

We never had resp for our children as we got married at age 20 and bought our first house at 23 just before I had my daughter ,as hubby was on strike or layed off due to his job for many years -I went out to work when my son was 5 and he was mr.mom for a whole year ,but we have always saved paid our first house off and moved as the neighbourhood had a lot of crime ,drugs but not when we bought ,now we live in suburbia and this house is paid off thank goodness as my hubby can no longer work due to health reasons

yes and if anything were to happen we already have a will and my son/daughter will receive half of the house and any money
as we get older not yet I will put my dear daughter on my bank account s my dear mom did to me -so much less hassle when I pass

B ut you can teach your kids good money management but then again who knows who they will marry ,my dear daughter-in-law is a shopaholic and overspender(pretty sure it bothers my dear son to no end) but hubby and I are pretty frugal -sometimes we splurge like last night took Ashlyn to swiss chalet cost 33.00 then tip sometimes not much more than fast food -mind you she got a free full adult sundae as with CAA you get either an appitizer or dessert

Just baked homemade banana muffins with Ashlyn and papa just took her out in this cold to the playground ,as I am a bit exhausted having a 5 year old sleep in my bed didn't allow me much sleep

[greentires4me]

Reading everyone’s plan for 2019 in the shadows...I was choosing what to say with me. I have decided that 2019 I will make it known my boundaries with friends and family. I have cut people off and left them in the internet dark. Considering there was more people on there then I had given the password to. I pay for it and it’s expensive. I have also decided that I will write a book of adventures cooking, living off disability, my medical issues, and using my poetry to explain periods in my life.

When I was 19 I was working full time I was a dishwasher/prep cook/breakfast line cook. I was in Jasper, Alberta living and working. Living in staff accommodations with lots and lots of people. Almost dormitory style the first place I worked. I would frequent the bars, take cabs, order in food, but when I would grocery shop I used coupons and only buy on sale. I ate most gnarly meat items until I shopped around there was 2 grocery stores but really expensive it’s a tourist town so the prices are triple then when I grew up in BC. I am used to paying high grocery bills I think from living in Jasper. After awhile I was buying groceries for everyone so like 20 people. They give me a list, money and cab fare home. We lived near a mountain so about 15-17$ taxi fare home. I buy over $1000 in groceries every 2 weeks. But I also saved money because of coupons or fpcs I could stack them at one of the grocery stores. I made a lot of money when I worked.
coming out of high school in my town I was turned down by McDonald’s even. when I came back from my adventures i was now 22. I had completed Katimavik a national youth volunteer program. And came back to go to college I took culinary arts: professional cook program from VCC. My dad said he pay for my schooling boy was I wrong. I took out a bank student loan and was living back with my parents. I was back again grocery shopping for 6 people. I found a job seasonal shopping for bankers, lawyers, doctors, pharmacists, ceo, chefs and celebrities. I made a lot of money which went to living and being able to pay for items that my parents weren’t going to pay for. Like clothes, shoes, woman’s soccer, medical and transportation to and from college. Food and liquor was covered. I made honour roll really easily.
I may have expensive tastes but I was always on the look out for a deal or sale.

Ever since I was 16 I saw the rising costs of everything and as things rise or they seem to. The cost of inflation rises but not wages. Soon no one will be living anywhere in Canada it will be too expensive and where would people go I have no clue. In my town homelessness is rampant considering news goes national here about the homeless camp. Put on the map for the wrong reasons.

It’s 1C outside there is no snow as of yet where I live. I am sorta glad. It’s my friends birthday today and she turns 53. I bought her some things and made it so as though I had no clue what she was talking about that people forget her birthday. I am going to bake a peach cobbler and serve it with caramel sauce and miracle whip.

Anyway have a good Wednesday.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[lilo0003]

@lizzie bargain I have one fairly frugal kid, saves everything he earns and one spendy kid. But both pay attention to how I shop and what we do to save money. We started thier RESPs as soon as they were born because I only just paid off my own student debts s I had our 1st and we knew that we did not want to saddle our kids with debt if we could help it. The older child has stayed in high school an extra year so his RESP is done and funded and we know he has more than enough for the program he wants and has enough saved to buy a car when the time comes (he is going to attend close to home but not transit friendly). Once he turned 18 we stopped buying his clothes paying for hair cuts etc. The kids have always paid a portion of thier cell phones. We also live in a very affluent city so that has been a life lesson as they have friends who get whatever they want without earning it at the same time they have friends that get little from parents. We remind the kids that the life they lead now is a reflection of the work that we did and so they will have to do the same if they wish have such a lifestyle. We expect ok I hope that I will retire before the younger son finishes uni (7 years) and I worry about the extended health care so DH will work until he is 61 and then the kids will be independent of us. I expect they will inherit from us simply because I am an over saver. But DHs family has a long life expectancy (his dad is 92) so who knows. They will receive money form DHs family because we have already talked to the grandparents and advised that part of our inheritance will be set aside in trust for the boys. When you get to be 92 you start to have such open money talks.
This past year has been an interesting one as they have watched their dad go to dozens of interviews with out getting the results we want. But they also see that you can live on one income and not suffer and even though they are in high school they have enjoyed having a parent home for them. I know they are on the right track with the financial education because both kids stayed home new years and I told them they could order pizza (older son has a credit card on our account). They drove to pick it up to save delivery and the order was 20.00 because they used the app to figure out the best deals.

[SassyAshley]

I have to admit, I also need to lose weight but my first concern is eating better which to me is eating more within the day. I am horrible for skipping meals and it is almost like work for me to eat regular meals in a day. Once I get my eating on track then I will start work worry about what I am eating.

I know within myself I can become a bit obsessive and learned a few years ago that the way my obsession comes out in my eating is I get so focused on should I or should't I eat this which leads to me just not eating.

But with that being said yes I am overweight but I am at a place where I totally own who I am and I am happy. I understand some have concerns for me and my weight but this is my journey and I do not feel the need to focus on their input. I am not trying to be rude but going back to my obsessive thoughts I find if I let too many people give me "suggestions" I get over loaded and get obsessive again which leads to not eating because it is becomes a should I eat it, shouldn't I eat it and I give up and just don't eat.

My big goal is less take out, I have to say in the last few months we have drastically gotten our take out down which I am ecstatic about. This also falls into finding more time for me as I do love to cook but I get so overwhelmed with everything else going on that I put work and other things before cooking. I have really found spending Sunday Morning prepping has helped a ton as if it is ready to go in the fridge I am about 80% more likely to cook. Also I even now pre prep our frozen meat, everything is chopped and ready to go which surprising helps so much in choosing to cook vs take out. I find not having to prep the meat really makes me okay I will cook.

First steps are to eat more and then worry about what I am eating but with that being said I will make sure to keep the house stocked with fruits and veggies as I love to snack on fruit at work.