2025-05 May Frugal Thread

[Giseledta]

Good afternoon


I micro managed the max out of the groceries.
Messed up at fresh co. With the Heinz deal. But that's ok. Live and learn. Will do better next time. I don't usually shop at freshco , but deals are deals, and ya know... I gotta save the money

Did great on pc points and scene points.
Hey costco... 20.00 off my collogen. Will last me 5 months. Totally worth it.

Organized the downstairs freezer
Will organize the pantry. See if there are any holes, but I think we are good.



Sent from my SM-A526W using Tapatalk

[Giseledta]

I find that apiarists are often very passionate about their craft. Do yours tell you about the variety of flowers for their production? Can you discern the differences?

I can tell the difference between local honey and costco/ grocery store honey.

Costco/ grocery store honey and lemon... does not give me the same flu/ cough ect relief.

But if my chest feels tight, or I'm stuffy,.... local honey and lemon works better then beyndrl, ect.
Works like a charm

Sent from my SM-A526W using Tapatalk

[HermanH]

I don't usually shop at freshco , but deals are deals, and ya know... I gotta save the money

I had been looking forward to FreshCo opening in Edmonton. They finally did, amid the pandemic. However, I am quite disappointed with their offerings. As a supposedly 'discount' outlet for Safeway, they fall far short of the mark with very, very few (if any) offers that cannot be found at other locations.

I found a jug of milk with only 3 days before expiration and asked them for a discount. They normally offer a 50% discount on milk 4-5 days before expiration date. Couldn't find any staff willing to do the discount. Maybe they couldn't get authorization from the top manager. Whatever. You try to visit smaller shops and they treat you like an inconvenience. I get to the point of, "Why bother? They don't want my business."

[Giseledta]

I had been looking forward to FreshCo opening in Edmonton. They finally did, amid the pandemic. However, I am quite disappointed with their offerings. As a supposedly 'discount' outlet for Safeway, they fall far short of the mark with very, very few (if any) offers that cannot be found at other locations.

I found a jug of milk with only 3 days before expiration and asked them for a discount. They normally offer a 50% discount on milk 4-5 days before expiration date. Couldn't find any staff willing to do the discount. Maybe they couldn't get authorization from the top manager. Whatever. You try to visit smaller shops and they treat you like an inconvenience. I get to the point of, "Why bother? They don't want my business."

Totally agree!!!


The freshcos in my area always seem...... dirty... floors not clean ect.
I tend to avoid.
I did double check all dates.

Sent from my SM-A526W using Tapatalk

[HermanH]

The one I visit, I think, has already changed ownership/franchisee 4 times since it opened. I guess no one can make a living with one.

[lilo0003]

@Ciel21 I am confident that I will easily get ride of the recycling. In NS people post in search of when they need money for groceries or a bill.
I am unexpectedly back in Ontario for a few weeks. Barely a week after we made it to NS we had a call that DHs brother was likely at the end, he has been ill for sometime but it was felt he had 6 months left. Thankfully we made it back in time.
I will use this chance to do more yard work here and hopefully we are back in time to plant the gardens.

[harbie]

Sorry to hear about your Dh’s brother @lilo0003 . Hugs to you all

[SassyAshley]

@lilo0003 , so sorry to hear about your DH's brother.

[SassyAshley]

I also rarely shop at Freshco.

I am not a fan of their produce, most of the time it is quite iffy and I find even if I find a "good" pack it seems to go back faster than produce purchased at other stores. Not to mention on more than one occasion I have pointed out to someone in produce that the produce is bad and leaking and I have gotten everything from a shoulder shrug to, well that is all we have.

I will say for a bit it did get better but seems to have gone back down so now I avoid it and price match elsewhere when I can.

Also, I am not that impressed with their prices, I find that they are usually higher than other grocery stores or to make it comparable you have to factor in the points. For example other stores will put it on sale for $1.99 but Freshco puts it on for $2.46 plus 50 scene points which would make it $1.99 but I am paying higher out of pocket for a return later.

As well as I have mentioned I do not like their price matching policy, you won't price match a store 5 minutes from you because they are considered "high-end."

I can't say I never shop there but I do not go often. Usually I only go if there is a scene price special on pantry goods.

[SassyAshley]

Good Morning Everyone,
I got some things done but not all of the things done yesterday which is just me being me LOL.

Couch blankets have now been washed, but I do still need to clean up my work/bullet journal basket and vacuum the couch.

I tidied up the clothes in the room, I know for some this is controversial but I usually wear my clothes more than once but with the change in season I needed to wash all of those worn once things I won't be wearing again any time soon. Plus since I was in production last week all of my clothes from last week need to washed. So there is A LOT of laundry.

I started the washing yesterday I got the towels done and sme of the bulker items I need to hang out as I think I am going to run out of rack space.

This morning I have started on the produce prep, I have the first round soaking in the sink. I like to soak my produce for about 5 minutes (or longer) in a vinegar and water solutions and then dry completely and package for the week.

I still need to write a meal plan, I feel like I am in a bit of a food rut, nothing is really jumping out at me. Last night I made Chicken Burgers (which for us is a chicken breast sliced in half) with Oven Fries and Cesar Salad.

Happy Sunday Everyone.

[Giseledta]

Sassy...... interesting that you mention the produce... I found the produce section... small. And honestly, I need a big produce section. And quality produce. I absolutely dispise bad produce. Since I have 5 daycare kids ... I cannot have my berries go bad by Tuesday... they outnumber me... it's not pretty
My dc kids eat very healthy, 3 veggies at lunch , fruit am, lunch and afternoon snack, and we do a veggies and dip in the afternoon.
I strongly believe that you give Littles a healthy start in life... that they will keep it .

I need, and honestly really enjoy a large and varied produce section.

Sent from my SM-A526W using Tapatalk

[Giseledta]

Good morning. We have cooler temps today.
But that is ok. I have lots to get done inside.
And a solid hour of dc prep.
Goal today is deep clean the laundry room.... yes. This is exciting. It desperately need to be done.
Paperwork as well.
Supper is bbq
Hugs to all

Sent from my SM-A526W using Tapatalk

[Arjon]

For example other stores will put it on sale for $1.99 but Freshco puts it on for $2.46 plus 50 scene points which would make it $1.99 but I am paying higher out of pocket for a return later.

It's not a secret in marketing circles that a segment of consumers double-counts loyalty points. So in this example, they tell themselves they got 50 cents back so only paid $1.99, but when they redeem those points, they change back into points and don't count as money spent.

[HermanH]

It's not a secret in marketing circles that a segment of consumers double-counts loyalty points. So in this example, they tell themselves they got 50 cents back so only paid $1.99, but when they redeem those points, they change back into points and don't count as money spent.

Don't forget to mention the fact that they must spend more points on higher-priced items. For example, if you 'saved' 50 cents on a previous purchase and then decide to spend those 50 points on a future item, remember that the future item may be over-priced by 50 cents (since FreshCo does not have the best prices). Therefore, you saved nothing for your patronage of the store.

[Arjon]

Don't forget to mention the fact that they must spend more points on higher-priced items. For example, if you 'saved' 50 cents on a previous purchase and then decide to spend those 50 points on a future item, remember that the future item may be over-priced by 50 cents (since FreshCo does not have the best prices). Therefore, you saved nothing for your patronage of the store.

This is part of the double-counting "trap". After points are counted as money back when they are earned, they revert to points when redeemed. And when paying with "just points", it seems less important to spend as little as possible, esp. for consumers who aren't very frugal spenders in the first place.