March 2026 Frugal Chatter Thread

[harbie]

Good afternoon. Welcome back @lizzie bargain .

I’m sorry you’re going through all of this @cath007 life can be really tough nowadays.

Hoping you get out of your funk @SassyAshley . I feel that way more often than I’d like but I think it’s made worse by the weather. I think I’m struggling with the winters now even though I never really did before.

[harbie]

Well, I have another client . Not sure how that happened but it did. Not the best timing as I tweaked my back on Saturday and it’s better but still very tender.

Today was a light day of tidying up and I have a big batch of chilli simmering away…..Mmmmmmmm

When Dh gets home we’re off to Costco so wish me luck!

[HermanH]

Another day of plenty.

Found a charge cord in the middle of the street for my phone.

Rescued 4x 227g tubs of Philly cream cheese, 2x bagels, and 3x 300g Marie Callendar mac&cheese entrees from the dump.

Recovered a Clif protein bar and pair of socks abandoned by a bum at the bus stop.

[Frugalbigmama]

Happy hump day!

Yesterday I ended up researching a cruise offer and then found great non-stop flights for way cheaper then the cruise line offered (they couldn't guarantee non stop and would probably be with a carrier I don't prefer).....I was ready to book it yesterday but decided to take the night to think about it. Thinking I will research a bit more today and then make a decision!

Made plans to have a girls/games night with my sister and niece tomorrow night. The weather looked Thursday/Friday when we planned it. Now Friday isn't looking so great! Will have to decide tomorrow if I am going. Will be so glad when winter is over!

Dinner tonight- I think will be a fend for yourself kind of night. I need out of the house so think I will roam around town after work. Window shopping not spending! Sometimes I just need out of the house by myself.

Have a wonderful day!

[cath007]

It is Wednesday
*** Dont forget to save your 4 pc offers ***
i just did mine.

[cath007]

Some new tears-pads coupons that where posting in english facebook couponning group.
If they are not out yet ,they will be soon.

-$2 Off when you purchase a selected The Laughing Cow product ( smoked cheese,garlic,jalepeno,dill pickle)
Expiry date: June 30,2026

-$1,50 Off Valid on any Gogo Squeaz Home Style fruit sauce 4 pack
Expiry date: December 31,2026

-Save $2 when you buy TWO (2) bags of NERDS Gummy Clusters
Expiry date: August 31,2026

-Save $1on any Pringles Patato Chips (148g-188g) or on any Pringles Mingles Puffed Snacks (155g)
Expiry date: December 31, 2026

-Save $1,50 on any one Dove,Dove Men + Care, Degree or Axe participating product
Expiry date: December 31, 2026

-Save $1,50 on any Dove Aluminium Free Deodorant products
Expiry date: December 31, 2026

- Save $1,50 when you purchase any one (1) Dove Men + Care Aluminium Free Deodorant ( 85g)
Expiry date: December 31, 2026

-Save $1,50 on any Cracker Barrel Cheese Product (picture of the Signature)
Expiry date: June 30 ,2026

-Save $1 when you buy one (1) International Delight 946 ml product
Expiry date: May 31, 2026

-Save $0,50 Off any (1) Fleischmann's quick -rise plus envelope (7g x3)
Expiry date: December 31 , 2026

[coupon girl]

I went to the pain management clinic ,the doctor is making up some cream for me and they will deliver it sometime.This should help if no i can get an injection ,we will see.

Then stopped into food basics for a few items managed to get chicken breasts 3 pack for 40% off ,cereal 3.33 for cherrios and a few other items .

Text a girlfriend as she wanted to meet up so meeting her at 2.00 at local tim hortons for a tea /coffee.On her way home from work .

[Frugalbigmama]

Good day!
Looks like the snow has stopped. I think I will attempt to head to my sister's later this afternoon.
We planned a dinner- something I made a few months back- I was planning on bringing everything needed but she told me she has everything ready.
So I said I would cook and clean everything!

Finally went to the mailbox yesterday... I thought we stopped getting flyers? Now my box is full of them. Also had 3 expense cheques. Have a few more on the way. My pile is building up- I usually collect them for a few months and then deposit them.

Pulled the plug and booked a cruise yesterday. The deal was just too good to pass up. Usually go to Mexico in November but switching it up. (well we have 2 Mexico ports we stop at plus 2 others) Was debating between booking November or February- Both the exact same prices and the round trip flight was actually about $40 cheaper in Feb but excited to go so booked for end of November! Found the lanyards used from last cruise so have them in the travel drawer.
Flying in 2 days earlier to start the vacation off So excited!

Have a great day!

[coupon girl]

Today i sent my sunbeam heating paid off with a prepaid slip i printed off at the library .So they are honouring the warranty even thou i didnt get a bill as it was a xmas gift .I did have to send pictures of the model ,the box plus a few other dates .This makes me happy as something electrical shouldnt just last 3 and a half months .

Then popped into shoppers got bread ,milk and reduced oikos yogurt 2.15 for 4 pkg as it expires in 3 days .

[HermanH]

Rescued 5x sandwiches, 5x candy bars, 1-litre and 2-litre jugs of milk from my Shell station.

[cath007]

It is Thursday.
Dont forget to load yours PC offers, Scene offers and MOI offers!!!
And tomorrow Canadian Tire Triangle offers.

[cath007]

The maintenance of this site suck!!!

Blurbs are now everywhere.....

[cath007]

Another day of plenty.

Found a charge cord in the middle of the street for my phone.

Rescued 4x 227g tubs of Philly cream cheese, 2x bagels, and 3x 300g Marie Callendar mac&cheese entrees from the dump.

Recovered a Clif protein bar and pair of socks abandoned by a bum at the bus stop.

@HermanH:

Everytime I read dump I am curious.
What is a dump?
And I understand you have access to it?
Is that public?

[cath007]

@HermanH:

Where you live too good to go or not wasting food apps dont exist?

We have to good to go in QC to rescue close to expiry food for a cheap price.

Your Shell dont do that?

And he give to you?

Awesome.

[HermanH]

Dump = re-cycling/compost, sanitary landfill

The various gas stations are just too small to bother themselves with TooGoodToGo or other food apps. They may throw out food, but the volume is too small to interest anyone in picking it up for re-use or sale. Also, the shelf life of the sandwiches is only one week. They are only thrown out on their last date of sale. So, there is no time left to re-sell it to anyone else. Unless it is eaten right away, it is technically past the 'sell-by' date.

It is simply easier and more convenient for each individual station to throw the out-of-date items into the trash (no re-cycling). I live in Edmonton. Just imagine how much perfectly good food is thrown out daily or weekly from your own local gas station.

As an aggregate, the amount is significant. Unfortunately, each station only amounts to a tiny acccumulation, over the course of a week. The time and effort involved in gathering all the small amounts is just not worth the time of any commercial business to pay for labour and gas.

Some of the food I recover/rescue is also from the FoodBank donation bins. Even though notices are posted on the collection bins telling donors that only non-perishable dry goods are accepted, some kind-hearted folks throw all manner of other food items into the bins, such as dairy, meat, and eggs. These items require constant refrigeration or freezing.

I've volunteered at the FoodBank and know that they operate under the same Food Health and Safety regulations as any grocery store. The stores like RCSS throw away any items that they cannot guarantee have been safely stored. So, when items like dairy or fresh meat arrive from collection bins, the FoodBank must throw them out, because no one knows how long they have been sitting at room temperature.

Also, items that are opened such as half-eaten boxes of product are immediately thrown out at both RCSS and FoodBank, for the same safety precautions. If I see things, such as open bags of rice, that I know will be dumped, I sometimes grab them and just eat them. I can't stand to see it wasted. I find it difficult to believe that anyone would go through the trouble of bringing deliberately contaminated or unsafe food to donate. Of course, there is a small risk, but I have faith in the good intentions of the donors, even if they are unaware of Alberta Health food handling regulations.

I've checked with the FoodBank collection manager and cleared it with him. He knows that I would never deprive FB of anything that anyone else could actually eat. He even said that my actions can save other items from spoilage. For example, during the holidays, some kind folks throw frozen turkeys into the bins. I take them out before they thaw and spread their potentially dangerous juices on all the paper boxes in the bin. Once contaminated with Salmonella-laced juices, they must be discarded. FB will take frozen items, but only if they are donated directly to the warehouse, so that staff know they have been safely frozen throughout their time in transit.