2025-04 April Frugal Thread

[SassyAshley]

@coupon girl , hope Cara feels better soon as @walkonby said so many people seem to sick right now. This year has been awful and just like the weather I feel like cold and flu season is not letting up either.


Oh my gosh, me without a list usually means another trip back to the store. Heck even with a list it can be hit and miss, I had my list of items that were on sale (I use an app) but I also had a list of things we just needed, there was only one thing on it and yep, guess what I forgot. I just realized now as I was prepping and cooking I forgot to pick up Basil (why does Costco carry Oregano but not Basil). We have enough for today's cooking but will need to pick some up this week.

[lizzie bargain]

Looking like a busy week for this retiree. Today I am dropping hubs off to help BIL finish their basement while sis and I play Scrabble. The next 2 days I have 3 children coming over for childcare. Wed is my volunteer school lunch delivery day. Thursday I take Mum to the doc-and then the Easter festivities begin.
My sis invited us for Lamb for lunch on Sat-her son raises it. Will take my Mum too and pick up hubs.
I guess if it snows I will be on shoveling duty.

[Ciel21]

Feels sort of icy despite 12C temperature on the tablet. Agree with the sentiment that sunshine helps with motivation.
Yesterday, I was late to get spot raking done. The one spot where I had seen a crocus had nothing but corner spot had two open crocuses plus lots of scilla too! Yay!

Just spent time catching up on bill matching with statements. Feel like I am missing something.
Definitely need to get my parent to corral and shred paper. Was frustrated to find a bank statement stuck in an envelope with a bill. Shredfest needs to happen this week as so much mail is not getting read.

Heading out to the expo and will see if I buy something to bring home. Have spent AAs to drop off at one of recycling boxes on my walk.

[coupon girl]

My daughter -in-law called poor Ashlyn was sick to her stomach ,my poor granddaughters.

I went to walmart to get my tetley tea that was on sale 9.97,plus ended up getting 3 reduced tomatoes 1.60,vector peanut butter cereal2/8.00-3.00 checkout51=1.00 a box and hubby likes it.

Got a bag of easter chocolates to hide and 2 scrubbing bubbles toilet bowl cleaner 2/8.00-2.00 each checkout51=2.00 each

Looked at clearance and got 2 steel wire scrubbies 2.08,tetley tea 72 $3.20 oh and 4 cups of dole orange slices 2.08 (for the granddaughters lunches).

Talked to 2 neighbours today so beautifull out.

[SassyAshley]

Good Evening Everyone,
Pretty good day here, it was nice to prep but not have it take all day.

I made a batch of Rice which we can use for Bowls or as a side dish.

I marindated some Chicken Tenders using the Lemon Herby Greek Yogurt Marinade, these can be used for Bowls, Wraps or Salads during the week. I forgot to bake this off so it is in the oven now.

I made Greek Dressing so I can made Greek Salad this week. I also made Garlic Garlic Sauce to go with the Greek Chicken but this time I did not thing it out so we can use it as a spread or if we want a sauce I will thin out at the time.

I could not decide what I wanted for Breakfasts this week, I thought about Lemon Ricotta Pancakes as I have Ricotta and I have lemons to use up but decided to make Cucumber Spread instead which I can have with the bagels I bought last week. I also have stuff for Yogurt Bowls.

Mom grated Cheese for the week, I also like to have Cheddar, Mozzarella and Parm on hand. We had Parm but she did Mozzarella and Cheddar.

I made Lemon Sugar Cookie Dough, it needed to chill so it is in the fridge and I will bake that off tomorrow night.

The only thing I did not get done was cutting up apple slices but I can do those tomorrow.

Tonight's dinner was Homemade pizza which adds another options for leftovers for lunch as about half the pizza is in the fridge.

The Kitchen is clean, the dishwasher is running and I think I will head to Pinterest, I am craving a Chinese style dish, since I am already planning to make Bowls this week think I will look for something with Noodles. I know I have Ramen and Udon, not sure if I have rice noodles but I am sure I can find something to add to the meal plan.

[barbis9]

@harbie, I feel this on adding things up although in my case it was necessities (Hydro), I had to submit it to my accountant and when I sent the number I wanted to cry a little.

Also can someone please tell me why if I rented I could claim part of my rent but because I own, I cannot claim part of my mortgage. Sorry, this one gets me every year because for some reason every year they ask me for my rent and I have to them I don't rent.

@walkonby, I actually saw that article and read it this morning and I found it a bit weird. I am not sure how they got all these points but to me the article came off like everyone has all these points and reaching that amount of points is easily achieved.

@SassyAshley you can claim either rent or property tax.

[Giseledta]

Good morning all.. busy weekend. Hubby had surgery on Friday, so we have been taking care of him most of the weekend. Thankfully he is off today.

Did a shop at foodland. Very good shop. Lots of points, decent sales I didn't need much so that was nice.

I got the garden beds filled yesterday.

Goal for today is bricks around the ac unit to keep the weeds down. And possibly, start onnthe garden bed beside the house. It's a hot mess and needs work before the weeds start growing.
Hugs tl all

Sent from my SM-A526W using Tapatalk

[SassyAshley]

@Giseledta hope your hubby has a quick and easy recovery.

[coupon girl]

All the best Giseledta for your hubbys recovery.

I called my girlfriend ,she loved the planter i bought her.There will be a church service and luncheon for her brother who passed,maybe this week or next.

The pain i am dealing with in my left knee is unbearable sometimes ,might just call my doctor this week.So limits what i can do ,hubby is helping here and there.

[SassyAshley]

@coupon girl , hoping your doctor can help.

[SassyAshley]

Good Morning Everyone,
Woke up early was going to get up but when I sat up my head started pound and I was feeling a little dizzy, I fell back asleep and feel much better now but finding it a bit difficult to focus.

Having some breakfast and hoping that will help.

I need to focus and knock out some work stuff.

I am also hoping to take a few breaks and knock out some small things around the house. I really want to purge.

I was struggling a bit yesterday, Mom was not in the best mood and I get it, she is always in pain and it is only getting worse and I feel so helpless, I cannot stop the pain. Yesterday I was feeling guilty that I wanted to take a day off and just get away which is something Mom cannot do, she cannot take a break from the pain. Also, just feeling the reality that although most of the stuff in our house isn't mine, it is on me to sort it, organize it and finally try to make this house a home (I mean we have only been here 14 years but it still looks like we just moved in). Mom keeps saying when I have a good day we will go down the basement and sort the stuff but reality is there are no good days anymore. Yesterday was a day where all the feelings just hit me.

Sometimes I find it funny, not ha ha funny but just funny how you can have a great day but at the same time your brain can be going in the opposite direction. Today is a new day and we will see what we can get done.

Happy Monday Everyone.

[Frugalbigmama]

Happy Monday!!

What a beautiful weekend weather wise for us!

Friday I headed out late afternoon to my sister's. They ordered fish and chips for dinner so that was a nice treat!
We played a game and then went to bed at a decent hour.
Sat- We took my niece to the 400 Flea Market. Hadn't been there in years! Picked up lunch (Chicken ceasar wraps for my sister and I and a Teriyaki Chicken bowl for my niece- We all enjoyed it!) and ate it in the car and then headed to Talize for my niece (she likes thrift shopping) then we stopped at some liquidation place before heading back to their place. We were all tired - shopping tires me out! Headed home later that night.

Sunday-puttered in the garage- Swept lots of sand! Cleaned the BBQ. (the outside- I had cleaned the inside in the Fall before putting it away))
Decided it was going to be a perfect day for a bbq so pulled steak (for dinner) and tons of BLSL chicken (for Monday/Tuesday) from the freezer.
Chopped up some wrinkled potatoes/onions. Chopped up romaine/peppers/onions/cucumbers/boiled eggs and put all in separate containers so we can whip up salads. Made a ceaser salad with dinner last night. (and the chicken looked so good we all had a bit last night with our steak!)
Using the BBQ has upped my dinner game. I have been so in a rut and the issue is that the bbq just makes everything look/taste better!!

I popped out a few times yesterday (shopping/errands) and took a travel mug of coffee from home 2 times. I really wanted a bagel in the morning but am never happy with it from Timmies so bought a package at FB and now DS can have them this week. (for cheaper then one at TH!)
The produce sales this week are great! .99 Romaine NF(I paid $1.99 on Thursday/Friday -they must have decided to lower the price because they had too much because it was a 10/10 in freshness) We will be eating well this week!

So even though I am not wanting to eat out this week ( I am so prepped with healthy stuff) that when my friend texted me last night asking me to lunch today for toasted westerns I said yes. I always try to say yes because it is important to me to be there for this friend.

My BIL gave me an awesome standing shelf. I will move it into the garage today at some point and use it for organizing the stuff I am selling. (he didn't think it would fit in my SUV but it did...barely!!)

DS's heavy duty work overalls stunk bad! I soaked his t-shirt Friday.....I emptied the water many times and you should have seen the dirt that kept coming out of it. I decided to take them to the laundry mat yesterday (they are rough on my machine- all the buckles etc) and they smelt so good once done! I'm sure he would notice a difference!

It was a great weekend!!

Have a great Monday!

[harbie]

Speedy recovery to your hubby @Giseledta. I hope you get some pain relief @coupon girl and your granddaughters feel better soon.

[harbie]

Yesterday was a full day in the sunshine. Dh and I did our walk( multiple times throughout the day), Dave came running after me when I called him for his snacks .

We hit up the nursery and I picked up some tomato plants, sugar peas, Swiss chard ( my first time trying them) and a beautiful dahlia flower in honour of Harley. He loved being my gardening buddy. The garlic is coming along really well so I’m excited about that. Only paid for the Swiss chard and dahlia as my mom paid for the rest since I’m doing the heavy work.

I also grabbed French Breakfast radishes (@walkonby ) from WestCoast seeds and was so excited to see they are now packed in a paper tape and pre spaced! Yay! No more waste and frustration with those tiny seeds. It’s actually really great for my mom who loves gardening but suffers from macular degeneration and now glaucoma . Now she can help in the garden too.

Enjoy your Monday everyone.

[harbie]

@sassy Ashkey hugs to you. You have a lot on your plate and I feel for you. I know it can be hard when taking on the care of someone that has health problems and the guilt and or frustration that comes along with it but please remember you are only human, you are only one person and you NEED to take care of yourself to be there for anyone else. If you’re not allowing yourself to reset and recharge then you will be useless to others. It’s ok to need some time away to decompress and recalibrate yourself so please don’t feel guilty about it.

You can only assist others if you yourself are taken care of