2026-08 August Frugal Thread

[SassyAshley]

Good Morning Everyone,
Thank you everyone for the feedback on the mouse plugins, looks like I will be taking a trip to Canadian Tire.

I am struggling a bit over here, I was really hoping these 5 days off would be reset but honestly, it weirdly didn't feel like time off even though I did no work (I just cleared my emails off my phone but I have not logged in at all which has never happened, usually late at night or early morning I log in to see if anything is needed). I have spent the last two days doing nothing, I don't know I am just feeling off and don't like, who knows maybe going back to work tomorrow is exactly what I need, get back into my routine and see how it goes, because well there is no other option.

I have also been in a horrible flare probably for 2 months now and none of the things I normally do are working so after some research I ordered some different Probiotics which people have said really helped them. I got these ones from Amazon but if they work/help I have found another brand from Costco I can order which are still a bit pricey but not as pricey as Amazon. I got the Amazon ones to start because they were on sale (WalMart also has them and I was going to go WalMart until I saw them on sale on Amazon) and I will get them tomorrow, whereas the ones from Costco won't come until next week and they don't carry them in store. This could be adding to why I am struggling because I feel like crap all the time, oddly I keep feeling like I am coming out of the flare up and then my body says nope, it is coming back and even worse.

Yesterday, although a rainy day, was so nice, it was cooler and a nice breeze so we got to open up the house and let it air out. It was feeling super stuffy in the house. No breeze this morning but still on the cooler side, we will see how long it lasts before we need to close everything up.

Part of me wants to sit on behind all day but the other part of me knows once I go back to work the insanity will start so I should probably try to get a few things done.

Also need to figure out dinner for tonight. Last night I did a cheater Breaded Chicken (I do not use an egg wash, I just use the breading made up of flour, breadcrumbs, panko, seasoning and Parmesan) which I shallow pan fried, topped with Fresh Mozzarella and Baked, with a side of Herby Parmesan Orzo and mixed veggies from Costco I just threw in the oven with the chicken. It actually came together quite quickly, I would make it again.

Thinking I might do either burger or steak sandwiches tonight, we will see.

Happy Monday Everyone.

[coupon girl]

Well hubby cut the front lawn and i went shopping to giant tiger 10% off for me seniors day .I tried a few dresses on but too tight all the xl seem to be sold .
Anyway it was fun shopping .

Cleaned penny's cage ,the cute tiny hamster that is almost 3 so like 80 years old.

I cant get over the price of hot chocolate i sure am not paying 7 .00 so i bought the giant tiger brand for 3.97 .I also got my grandson a top for 3.00-10%=2.80
plus price matched the maxwell house coffee to 15.96-1.60=14.36 should have bought 2 .Oh well.

I saved 9.62 today at giant tiger, not bad.

[Frugalbigmama]

Happy Tuesday!!!

Finally got home last night late! Didn't plan on staying away the 3 nights but Sunday was a rainy day and time just seemed to fly by so stayed another night.

Cleaned out my BIL/Sister's fridge Sunday. I did it last summer when I stayed there house sitting so my BIL jokes about it so I seem to do it every few months for them.... I asked my niece to help me since it was a big job this time! I was rewarded with dinner and bacon bits from Costco that I asked him to pick up for me that he wouldn't let me pay him for. They appreciate it and I enjoy it (cleaning someone else's fridge is satisfying!)

4 work days this week then on vacation again. Shouldn't be a bad week...I'm sure many people are on vacation this week so hopefully that means I can just get my own stuff done without extra requests.

I see DS put a large package of chicken in the kitchen freezer from the upright freezer...he must have found the tray of chicken in the fridge to cook up instead so I have it out thawing now and will cook up later today for dinner. Will be the main focus for dinner the next few days!

Today- Unpack and put laundry on for our dirty clothing from the weekend. Get out for a good walk and stop at No Frills for apples and Food Basics for strawberries. (if they have and look decent) Make dinner. Simple expectations for today.

Have a great day!

[Frugalbigmama]

Well hubby cut the front lawn and i went shopping to giant tiger 10% off for me seniors day .I tried a few dresses on but too tight all the xl seem to be sold .
Anyway it was fun shopping .

Cleaned penny's cage ,the cute tiny hamster that is almost 3 so like 80 years old.

I cant get over the price of hot chocolate i sure am not paying 7 .00 so i bought the giant tiger brand for 3.97 .I also got my grandson a top for 3.00-10%=2.80
plus price matched the maxwell house coffee to 15.96-1.60=14.36 should have bought 2 .Oh well.

I saved 9.62 today at giant tiger, not bad.

We went to Giant Tiger Sunday morning! We are big fans now lol. Took my sister and niece to the one in Pickering when we were away 2 weeks ago. She loved it! Grandma came with us this time too

[SassyAshley]

Good Morning Everyone,
Happy Tuesday that feels like a Monday.

There are many things out of my control right now but we are trying to go into this week with a better outlook and see if that helps because I will be honest, I do not feel refreshed after my time off (even though I did not work) but I think that is on me and where my mental state is. So we are going to try out best to have a better week.

I was up at 5 am this morning, got ready and then was out the door at 6 to take Mom's car for a drive well it was cool before it was time to start work. Was back and logged in at 7 am because you just never know sometimes after a long weekend things just don't seem to work right so you never know how your morning will go. So far so good.

Took me almost 2 hours but got through all the emails, now I am working through the ones that need my attention or me to do something.

Depending how I feel I might run out after work. I need to drop something off for Mom and run a few errands but we will see how I feel.

Happy Tuesday Everyone.

[coupon girl]

Hi ,went to drop a bag of donation to a local thrift ,they charge no tax .
They had half off blue rickets so got a fall top 3.50
Weekender skirt made in canada for 6.00
A summer dress made in canada for 7.00
Card for my daughter's birthday end of the month .50
Burts bees chap stick 2.00

Really good prices.

Then called and booked my physio a week after my surgery .
Everyone have a great day .

[walkonby]

A $133.00 oil change at the Dealership is bothersome to my brain so I checked online and it's because of 3 things Dealerships do.
They employ highly skilled technicians who demand a higher pay ( even to do mundane oil changes), they use " the best " synthetic
oil which are expensive and most oil changes require 5 -6 bottles and they install manufacturers genuine air filters, so not generic ones.
Hrmph! Hurts to be such a sucker.

[Frugalbigmama]

A $133.00 oil change at the Dealership is bothersome to my brain so I checked online and it's because of 3 things Dealerships do.
They employ highly skilled technicians who demand a higher pay ( even to do mundane oil changes), they use " the best " synthetic
oil which are expensive and most oil changes require 5 -6 bottles and they install manufacturers genuine air filters, so not generic ones.
Hrmph! Hurts to be such a sucker.

Yes I have noticed the price has really gone up!!
I needed one in the Spring and asked DS if he could do it since he does his own- I got a deal on the oil and filter so it cost me 1/4 the cost and I didn't have to make an appointment lol

[Frugalbigmama]

Well sad day... The apples I love that were a great deal at No Frills are no longer I was told they can't even order them anymore and the loose apples do not compare in quality or price at all. So will be on the hunt for nice apples at a good price....so will have to switch up my oatmeal topping. Fresh strawberries and frozen raspberries tomorrow.... I do have a few apples left but I may ration them!!!

[walkonby]

I'm curious which type of apple was it that they discontinued @Frugalbigmama ?
For us it was always Galas ( DH is the apple person here, me not so much ).
For well over 20 years he's been eating them and all of a sudden he says no more,
now I want Red Prince. well.....they're only in the stores for short periods each year.
So atm we're in limbo. I refuse to buy him the Honeycrisp or Cosmic Crisp ones as the
cost is usually ridiculous. Anywhere from $1.30 - $2.00 per lb. My speed is less than
.99 per pound.
Thank goodness 3 lbs. of fresh Ontario peaches went on sale for $3.99, that distracted
him from whining about the apples.

[HermanH]

Salvaged 1x burger, 1x sandwich, and 3x danish from my Shell station.

[Frugalbigmama]

I'm curious which type of apple was it that they discontinued @Frugalbigmama ?
For us it was always Galas ( DH is the apple person here, me not so much ).
For well over 20 years he's been eating them and all of a sudden he says no more,
now I want Red Prince. well.....they're only in the stores for short periods each year.
So atm we're in limbo. I refuse to buy him the Honeycrisp or Cosmic Crisp ones as the
cost is usually ridiculous. Anywhere from $1.30 - $2.00 per lb. My speed is less than
.99 per pound.
Thank goodness 3 lbs. of fresh Ontario peaches went on sale for $3.99, that distracted
him from whining about the apples.

Red Prince! I always bought gala's too then stumbled on these ones in a 2.5lb bag that were always so nice looking!

.99lb was my price too! All I am seeing is $2.49-2.99lb!!! And they don't even look nice.

[barbis9]

A $133.00 oil change at the Dealership is bothersome to my brain so I checked online and it's because of 3 things Dealerships do.
They employ highly skilled technicians who demand a higher pay ( even to do mundane oil changes), they use " the best " synthetic
oil which are expensive and most oil changes require 5 -6 bottles and they install manufacturers genuine air filters, so not generic ones.
Hrmph! Hurts to be such a sucker.

@walkonby I avoid the dealership after I was told I need a $3,500 repair, got sucked in and never again. As long as you keep your maintenance receipts from a private garage, you will be ok warranty wise. Going forward, is there a private garage you can go to? I find dealerships have high overhead costs and therefore pass it on to customers. I bring my own coffee to my mechanic and he is honest, reasonable and I love how he insists on showing me the parts he had replaced. I've never had that with any dealer and I've dealt with GM, Ford, Honda and Acura dealerships. Acura in Burlington, Ontario is the worst, I drove in for a timing belt and left with a rattling vehicle and was told I needed major suspension on my Honda. My mechanic said a whole bunch of bolts were loose, he tightened them and no suspension issues - a miracle? No just a scamming dealership.

BTW I drive a Ford Explorer and my oil change is less than what you are paying, and I ask them to check everything.

[Tweets77]

@barbis9 I am with you on scamming dealerships. The Ford dealership in my area are a bunch of con artists so therefore No more Fords in this house! The Nissan dealership routinely ripped off my sister (unnecessary work, etc.) and one friend was told that she needed a new part (an expensive one of course) and she took it to someone else for a secong opinion and was told it was in perfect condition. You really have to stay on top of things and be really careful these days.

[walkonby]

yes!!! @Frugalbigmama I had a feeling you were talking about the Red Prince apples.
The first year DH told me about them ( probably 2012 or so? ) it was a real struggle to
find loose ones but once I saw those 2.5 lb. bags...yahoo!
Back then they were a bit pricey but since DH was crazy about the taste so I indulged him.
The last bag I bought him @NF for $4.99 was on July 23rd.

In case others are curious about why they suddenly disappear near August, here's why.

Availability of Red prince apples is seasonal. They're harvested in the fall and stored in cold cellars, hitting store shelves from January through mid-summer.
Because the storage season naturally winds down around mid-summer, they become harder to find or disappear completely just before the next harvest arrives.