January 2026 -Frugal Chatter-

[coupon girl]

Lilo so happy for you and hubby ,we retired early here also .I really enjoy my family (grandkids also even thou i had them quite a bit this week.)

I little exhausted today so not going out ,may start a puzzle.

[walkonby]

Early retirees unite! I've been lazing about since 2013 and not regretting it!

[Frugalbigmama]

Good Day!

As of 11am our street has still not been plowed. Feeling guilty with my car at the neighbours I decided to go do some running around- she told me I was ok to park there when I returned if the street was still not done. Received a text at 1230pm that the plow had done my street a few times! ( looked like they dumped it all in our driveway!!) Went home and the end was full even though our driveway was done last night. Popped in and asked DS if he could do it in the next hour (He clears our snow and cuts our grass- his chores!) so I went back out for a bit so he could clean it. He did a great job!

Went to RCSS and bought a tray of steaks for dinner. A purell travel size (on for $1.50 reg $2.25) (for when flying- can take in carry on bag)
Food Basics- 2 x English muffins
GT 2 x butter. (we have many in the freezer but I bought one the other day and thought I should buy a few more for that price)

Found new coupon- Save $2 when you buy 2 Quaker products. Expires Feb 21, 2026.

Enjoy the day!

[Angela273]

Congrats to all the early retirees.

Twin boy has been outgrowing pants in the legs. He also got holes in the knees of a couple pairs of pants. I’m having him try on clothes from a bin, clothes Ds outgrew. That’s a nice thing about having two boys who like similar clothing.

edit: Twin boy fits and chose 3 pairs of athletic pants, 2 pairs of jeans (he doesn’t like the buttons), 5 t-shirts & long sleeved shirts, pj pants, brand new black socks (Ds preferred grey socks when he fit this size).

[SassyAshley]

It has snowed here off and on all day, which is not what the weather originally said.

Just after I posted this morning, it stopped, so I was going to go out and shovel, but I realized I had not had breakfast and decided I should eat first. By the time I finished a bowl of yogurt, it was snowing again.

Had another cup of tea and it stopped again so I went out and shovelled and tried to start Mom's car. It started, YAY!!!!! so I decided to see how the roads are and try to give her a good drive. The main roads were wet and a bit slushy but the side streets are still bad. So I ended up driving in a small loop because it was the only loop I could think of that did not take me onto side streets.

I was going to come home and grab my car and go to the grocery store because not even thinking I was driving Mom's car in my sweats and that is not something I want the world to see (nothing wrong with them, just leggings in a colour I wouldn't normally wear and a shirt that isn't quite as long as I would like when wearing leggings). But by the time I got home, it had started to snow again and was sticking so decided to just stay in.

Making a pierogi bake for dinner, I don't know if I did something shovelling but below my shoulder blades is bothering me so keep it easy.

I am working on a meal plan for the week and prep list for tomorrow, only thing is since I have not gone shopping I might have to switch a few things up.

Time to turn on a movie and relax.

[cath007]

My cat Eve passed on December 16,2025.

So it's been 2 weeks and a half.

I am still in pain.

I miss her so much.

I am not on a rush to adopt another cat.

I will take my time.

[lizzie bargain]

Leaving Fri night on a 65 night cruise from Southampton to Sydney-woot, woot. Hoping for smooth seas.

[SassyAshley]

Good Morning Everyone,
Woke up at 4 because, for some reason, I have no idea what day I think it is, but my body decided today was a work day. Honestly, I should have gotten up at 4 am. I had ambition, not so much when I woke up again at 8:30, but I also really didn't want to start my Sunday at 4 am. Anytime after 5 am, I am good, but there is something about seeing that 4 that just feels painful.

I did not think it was supposed to snow until overnight but it is snowing, not a lot but it is snowing. We are supposed to get another dumping overnight into tomorrow. I am hoping we don't but based on how this winter is going, it probably will.

Thinking I may go and pull a roast from the freezer and make Roast Beef for dinner tonight. I will make Mashed Potatoes, Gravy and some sort of Veggie, I have a Butternut Squash I could cook or some Broccoli in the freezer.

I really need to reorganize my freezer see what I have and possibly stock up on some more veggie options, I feel like there aren't a lot of sales for some fresh so we will go frozen. Not going to lie, I looked up the Costco Business center to see if they carried frozen veggies the regular stores do not because for some reason they do carry green beans anymore plus just variety. Looks like they do but I won't have to buy them often which is fine I just need to make the room. Maybe next weekend for the freezer clean out.

Still working on a meal plan for the week, not sure if something was up with Pinterest last night, I could not get more pins to open. We have some options.

Alright, I should get this day started, Happy Sunday Everyone.

[harbie]

Good morning 2026 (a few days late).

Lots to go over in this thread so far.

Firstly, congrats to all the savings from last year to everyone. Those numbers are amazing.

Next I hope that everyone that is suffering from any kind of flu, cold or the like get some relief soon and you’re back to 100% quickly.

Sympathy to everyone affected by the snow. Now snow here but just loads of rain, windy so it’s yucky. The only “sunny” days were when I was at work

To those in the ER club (early retirement club) big congratulations! It shows how hard work now can pay off in the future. I’m not sure I want to retire early. While some days my body feels VERY differently I actually like my job and most of my clients. Some I’m particularly fond of and have a said that if I won the big lottery I’d still work for them.
@cath007 I feel your pain with the passing of Eve. It doesn’t matter if it’s 2 weeks or 2 years. The pain of loss is different for everyone (I’m at 4.5 years and I still have bad days and I miss Harley desperately). Just make sure you take the time you need and don’t feel you need to “be over it”. You take the time YOU
need.

[harbie]

Not much exciting going on for me yet. The only excitement was I received my Starbucks hot chocolate samples and a coupon from samplesource and our Dyson heater/cooler/airpurifyer arrived. Ordered on Dec 28th arrived Jan 2nd. Perfect timing.

I have been able to avoid shopping so far(just prior to the holidays) but have to hit up Costco this week coming up for stock up of bread, frozen fruit, etc. but otherwise we’re good. Really going to focus on wasteful grocery shopping. Meaning the little shops here and there. That has been an area I need to improve.

In my previous post I said I didn’t really want to retire early but I do want to lighten up my load. I have some clients that are just more of a hassle thane they’re worth. My goal this year is to not waste my time and energy in things that don’t serve me. That means that I won’t work for people that don’t value me the way that I should be. If they don’t think I’m worth the $$$ then find someone else that’s willing to put with that. If someone else is willing to undervalue themselves then have at it. I won’t. So that means removing some clients and that allows room for people that I have waiting ( I have someone what has been waiting for just shy of a year for availability!)

Headed back to the gym this morning again. Keep moving in 2026

[coupon girl]

Afternoon just got back from Walmart spent 60.00

Got 2 perfume sets for the girls for easter 5.00 half off daisy perfume
reduced 2 pairs of summer socks for cara 1.12
reduced conditioner 5.92
(3) kelloggs cereal family size 5.47 vector ,vanilla flakes and raisin bran -2.00 checkout51=3.47 each
A reduced hallmark candle for me 7.49

Reduced potatoes ,apples and tomatoes and a salad and a milk 2 l .

[walkonby]

A lovely Sunday afternoon here for DH and I. Last night we enjoyed watching Auston Matthews tie Mats Sundins' total goal record, then he passed it!
Of course the Leaf's lost the game in OT.....bwahaha!! So typical of them. We tore down the last remnants of Christmas, including our pre lighted
& decorated collapsible new tree. Surreal placing a flattened tree in a box.
No groceries needed or gas to be pumped so a recliner day it is!! For me at least as DH feels the urge to shovel the walkway...okie dokie!
Loving a frugal no spend day!!

[SassyAshley]

Good Evening Everyone,
It has snowed her almost all day, just lightly not a lot of accumulation but some. Now we see what tonight brings, my phone is saying 7 to 12 cm, we will see.

If my phone is right, I won't be leaving the house tomorrow so as much I did not want to, I decided to go out and get groceries. I did grab a few extra things as I had planned to go to Costco this week but not sure the weather is going to cooperate, both times I could go we are supposed to be getting snow.

No Frills was good except when I pulled in there were two cop cars at in front of the store with their lights going. I decided to park and see if they were letting people in but just as I parked, they pulled out. At No Frills I got:
2 x Romaine 2-pack 1.99
1 x Lemons 2lbs $3.99
1 x Apples 4lbs $3.88
1 x Clementines 2 lbs $2.88
2 x Blackberries $1.99
1 x Mini Cucumbers 2 lbs $5.00
1 x Cherry Tomatoes 680g $5.99
4 x Broccoli Crowns $1.25 (PM Food Basics)
1 x Naan $5
1 x Basil $2.49
1 x Italian Seasoning $2.49
1 x Freeze Dried Chives $2.49
1 x Sesame Seeds $2.49
2 x Peanut Butter $4 = 2000 pts + 500 pts = 5000 pts

I had an offer for 1500 if you spent $10 on spices, my total was $9.96 and I did not get the points but it is cumulative so I will go back and grab another pack.

I was going to Price Match what I wanted at Sobeys from No Frills but I decided not too because my car needed to be drive (she put herself in power saving mode again, so I need to drive for 20 minutes to bring her out) so I went, that was a mistake, they had almost nothing I went for. I only got:
1 x Napa Cabbage $0.88/lb
2 x McCain Fries $2

They were out of Avocados and Raspberries, they had spinach but it did not look good so I left it and the Breton Crackers they only had plain, I was looking for the Rosemary and the Dill Flavour.

Came home, cleaned out the fridge, took out the garbage and put the Roast in the Oven.

For Dinner it was Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy and Glazed Baby Carrots. I found a bag in the upstairs freezer I decided to use and good thing I did even though it wasn't open they were a little freezer burnt. Ended up using the whole bag.

I also did produce prep when I got home, I washed the Romaine, Cucumbers, and Broccoli plus I had some older Green Onions I did not wash. They have all been chopped up and are in the fridge ready to use.

Finished our Meal Plan, we will see how it goes but we have options.

[Angela273]

Small amount of shopping today. All these places are in the same parking lot.

SDM
Scoped 1 x 4L milk
2x $3.79 eggs + 700pts personal offer + 3AM - $0.25 websaver

NF
4x $2 nn bagels + 4x 3AM = 12AM
$20 in Activia yogurt + 6,000pts - $2 wub3 CO51
$2.25 Eggo - $1 websaver

Mobil gas
Bonus 1,000pts gas offer

Waypoint - contest
1x free Mars bar
1x free peanuts (put in Dh’s work lunch)

[HermanH]

Salvaged 2x pizza subs and a choc shake from my Shell station.