Dear Diary,
This week marks the beginning of a new era of Garbage Collection in my community. From this day forward, garbage collectors will pick up only 2 bags of trash per household with a 1 bag limit being strongly encouraged. (if you absolutely must put out 2 bags the 2nd must be clear so that all contents can be viewed and must not contain any recyclables or compost material of any sort)
By early in 2010 a 1 bag limit will be strictly enforced. (Large families with many young children and persons with medical issues can apply to be exempt from the 1 bag limit).
While many folks seem to have a problem with this, I don't understand why this should be a problem. Our Community has a great recycling program that accepts a lot of stuff and we are also fortunate to have a Green Cart Composting program.
I can honestly say I have no problem with the 1 bag limit cause I've been doing it for sometime now. In fact it`s all a part of my Frugal Plan.
Less garbage means you've bought less stuff and perhaps recycled and reused more. It also means you need to purchase fewer garbage bags to hold it all. I know that garbage bags aren't a major expense but if you`re counting pennies it all adds up! Honestly does anyone enjoy buying garbage bags just to throw them out?? I sure as heck don't. If there are people out there, who like spending money on trash bags, maybe there's a market for Designer ones???
I can't even remember the last time we bought garbage bags, cause we're in the habit of putting out 1 small grocery bag of garbage per week.
Although we do use reusable cloth bags at stores that charge for plastic ones, I greatly accept ones from stores that don't charge for them, simply for trash. So that for me equals free trash bags. Gotta love it!
frugaldebb
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Highlights of Some of My Frugal Shopping Deals
Costco
Vector Mega Jumbo size 1.13 kg $6.55 or roughly 0.59/100g
Food Basics
Nordica Cottage Cheese 4 pack $2 (paid only 0.75 with $1.25 coupons)
Fortinos
Herbal Essences Hydralicious shampoos & conditioners $1.88 (free with coupons)
If you managed to scoop some of these free product coupons this is a great time to buy this product because you are still charged for the taxes. But even without a coupon this a great buy!
Black Diamond Cheese Blocks 520g $4.44
Philadelphia Cream Cheese $1.99
HighLiner Wild Pacific Salmon $3.77
No Frills
Delissio Ultimate Pizzas These pizzas usually sell for $8 and change but I found them for $6.94, I believe. ( paid $4.94 with $2 coupons) These are great tasting pizzas!
Astro Yogurt 12 pack $2.99 (paid $1.99 with $1 coupons)
Shoppers Drug Mart
Elastoplast Fabric Bandages on clearout 0.99
Be sure to check out one of my new coupon sites GoCoupons.ca
frugaldebb
Vector Mega Jumbo size 1.13 kg $6.55 or roughly 0.59/100g
Food Basics
Nordica Cottage Cheese 4 pack $2 (paid only 0.75 with $1.25 coupons)
Fortinos
Herbal Essences Hydralicious shampoos & conditioners $1.88 (free with coupons)
If you managed to scoop some of these free product coupons this is a great time to buy this product because you are still charged for the taxes. But even without a coupon this a great buy!
Black Diamond Cheese Blocks 520g $4.44
Philadelphia Cream Cheese $1.99
HighLiner Wild Pacific Salmon $3.77
No Frills
Delissio Ultimate Pizzas These pizzas usually sell for $8 and change but I found them for $6.94, I believe. ( paid $4.94 with $2 coupons) These are great tasting pizzas!
Astro Yogurt 12 pack $2.99 (paid $1.99 with $1 coupons)
Shoppers Drug Mart
Elastoplast Fabric Bandages on clearout 0.99
Be sure to check out one of my new coupon sites GoCoupons.ca
frugaldebb
Friday, March 27, 2009
To Survey or Not To Survey That is the Question?
Dear Diary,
This past week I have been bombarded with emails from survey companies to complete surveys. And that's okay because I have signed on with these survey companies. But this week being bombarded made me realize something. I'm doing surveys that sometimes take 20 or 25 or even 30 minutes to complete for a chance to win something. Hello what was I thinking; spending that amount on a survey for a chance to win something. Heck I could enter a whole lot of contests in that amount of time to win something and most likely something much bigger than the survey companies are offering. Makes me think I have to look at this survey business in a whole different light. I know there are good survey companies out there and I belong to some of them; but I'm really going to have to evaluate whether or not I continue to do surveys for a chance to win a low value gift card for instance. I've even come across survey companies that invite you to surveys that could take you up to 30 minutes to qualify; I don't think so! So I'm putting it out to you dear diary if you know of any good reputable survey companies I would truly appreciate it.
Good Night
frugaldebb
This past week I have been bombarded with emails from survey companies to complete surveys. And that's okay because I have signed on with these survey companies. But this week being bombarded made me realize something. I'm doing surveys that sometimes take 20 or 25 or even 30 minutes to complete for a chance to win something. Hello what was I thinking; spending that amount on a survey for a chance to win something. Heck I could enter a whole lot of contests in that amount of time to win something and most likely something much bigger than the survey companies are offering. Makes me think I have to look at this survey business in a whole different light. I know there are good survey companies out there and I belong to some of them; but I'm really going to have to evaluate whether or not I continue to do surveys for a chance to win a low value gift card for instance. I've even come across survey companies that invite you to surveys that could take you up to 30 minutes to qualify; I don't think so! So I'm putting it out to you dear diary if you know of any good reputable survey companies I would truly appreciate it.
Good Night
frugaldebb
Monday, March 23, 2009
Shoppers Drug Mart Bonus Redemption
Dear Diary,
Have I told you how much I love it when Shoppers Drug Mart offers bonus redemption days?
Bonus redemption days are when the store offers you more money for your Optimum points than they normally do and this past weekend was a bonus redemption weekend. So of course I redeemed my points for $100 of free stuff cause on a normal redemption day I would have only received $75 of free stuff. And I always drag along my dh so he can keep track of my spending but believe me this is not on his list of favourite things.
Anyhow dear diary, my secret to making the most of these bonus redemption days is to use coupons and combine them with in store sales. On this past redemption, most of the items I bought were on sale and I ended up using $11 in coupons.
I was quite pleased with myself when I left the store with my haul. I love free stuff.
But I'm always amazed by the number of shoppers who don't have Optimum Cards or don't use them for that matter; do you??
Good Night
frugaldebb
Have I told you how much I love it when Shoppers Drug Mart offers bonus redemption days?
Bonus redemption days are when the store offers you more money for your Optimum points than they normally do and this past weekend was a bonus redemption weekend. So of course I redeemed my points for $100 of free stuff cause on a normal redemption day I would have only received $75 of free stuff. And I always drag along my dh so he can keep track of my spending but believe me this is not on his list of favourite things.
Anyhow dear diary, my secret to making the most of these bonus redemption days is to use coupons and combine them with in store sales. On this past redemption, most of the items I bought were on sale and I ended up using $11 in coupons.
I was quite pleased with myself when I left the store with my haul. I love free stuff.
But I'm always amazed by the number of shoppers who don't have Optimum Cards or don't use them for that matter; do you??
Good Night
frugaldebb
Friday, March 20, 2009
Frugal Shopping for Teen continued
Dear Diary,
I am weary and I am tired but in the end all's well that ends well.
Day 1 of shopping for my ds was sort of a waste well not completely. We ended up getting a few small items all on sale of course but the majority of things he wanted and needed were at Aeropostale.
And of course since the sale didn't start until Thursday we had to go back. But it was worth it in the end. They had promos on and combined with the 30% off we did pretty well; mind you we were the only one in the store with a coupon. What is wrong with people or do they all have money to burn??
Anyhow I digress; bottom line is we bought 2 T-shirts, 1 pair of jeans and 1 pair of cargo shorts for under $60. Without the coupon and without the promos we would have paid approximately double.
So ds is happy and so am I.
Good Night
frugaldebb
I am weary and I am tired but in the end all's well that ends well.
Day 1 of shopping for my ds was sort of a waste well not completely. We ended up getting a few small items all on sale of course but the majority of things he wanted and needed were at Aeropostale.
And of course since the sale didn't start until Thursday we had to go back. But it was worth it in the end. They had promos on and combined with the 30% off we did pretty well; mind you we were the only one in the store with a coupon. What is wrong with people or do they all have money to burn??
Anyhow I digress; bottom line is we bought 2 T-shirts, 1 pair of jeans and 1 pair of cargo shorts for under $60. Without the coupon and without the promos we would have paid approximately double.
So ds is happy and so am I.
Good Night
frugaldebb
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Frugal Shopping with a teenage son
Dear Diary,
I am thinking that today might not be such a frugal day. You see my teenage ds wants to go to the mall shopping for clothes and I'm am going along because I hold the credit cards.
It was so much easier when my ds used to allow me to buy clothes for him and he would find that pretty much anything from Wal-Mart to thrift store and garage sale finds was acceptable. But I'm sad to say those days are gone.
Now only expensive brand names like American Eagle, and Aeropostale are considered acceptable.
What is a mother to do??
Well I spent the morning doing some research online and was able to find a coupon for Aeropostale although the coupon offer doesn't begin until Thursday. It is a pretty good coupon though at 30 per cent off! My ds insists on shopping today so I guess we have a couple of options: find the clothes he likes and go back on Thursday to buy them with the coupon or see if they will take the coupon today. I'm also hoping we might snag a few great deals in the clearance section and since the coupon does not apply to clearance we could get all he needs today.
On a more frugal note, we are walking to the mall and saving the expense of bus money since it is such a nice day. That is if my ds will walk with me!
Well a shopping I do go; wish me luck!
frugaldebb
I am thinking that today might not be such a frugal day. You see my teenage ds wants to go to the mall shopping for clothes and I'm am going along because I hold the credit cards.
It was so much easier when my ds used to allow me to buy clothes for him and he would find that pretty much anything from Wal-Mart to thrift store and garage sale finds was acceptable. But I'm sad to say those days are gone.
Now only expensive brand names like American Eagle, and Aeropostale are considered acceptable.
What is a mother to do??
Well I spent the morning doing some research online and was able to find a coupon for Aeropostale although the coupon offer doesn't begin until Thursday. It is a pretty good coupon though at 30 per cent off! My ds insists on shopping today so I guess we have a couple of options: find the clothes he likes and go back on Thursday to buy them with the coupon or see if they will take the coupon today. I'm also hoping we might snag a few great deals in the clearance section and since the coupon does not apply to clearance we could get all he needs today.
On a more frugal note, we are walking to the mall and saving the expense of bus money since it is such a nice day. That is if my ds will walk with me!
Well a shopping I do go; wish me luck!
frugaldebb
Sunday, March 15, 2009
A Year in the Frugal Life
Dear Diary,
This past Friday was an anniversary of sorts; it was a year ago on that day that I left my job and haven't worked in a paid position since. Although you may think this anniversary is not worth celebrating, this year has been celebratory in other ways. It's been a year of learning to be even more frugal if that's even possible lol. It's been a year of using the Internet to increase my frugal capabilities and learning invaluable frugal ideas from others. And I thought I knew all there was to know on being frugal. Dear Diary, man was I ever naive!
Dear Diary, this past year I have come to celebrate more of the little things in life like visiting my favourite frugal sites on a daily basis; frugalshopper of course and getting the mail. Who thought one could get so excited about getting the mail and anticipating what the Postie might bring me today??
Well the reason I get so excited when Mr. PostMan comes, is because he brings me lots of free things which I have ordered over the Internet. In fact, just the other day he brought me a free coupon for an Uncle Burger at A&W, 2 magazines which were pretty much free; Glow and Canadian Home and Country, plus grocery coupons including a free product coupon for Pledge MultiSurface Cleaner and best of all 10 free product coupons for Herbal Essences Hydralicious from Matchstick. I can hardly wait to try this product and share some coupons with my friends & family.
Oh and I almost forgot, he also brought me some shoe/boot cleaning product from a NikWax instant win contest. And this product came just in time for me to clean up our winter boots and hopefully store them away for another year.
Mr. Postman I can hardly wait for Monday.
ta ta for now
frugaldebb
This past Friday was an anniversary of sorts; it was a year ago on that day that I left my job and haven't worked in a paid position since. Although you may think this anniversary is not worth celebrating, this year has been celebratory in other ways. It's been a year of learning to be even more frugal if that's even possible lol. It's been a year of using the Internet to increase my frugal capabilities and learning invaluable frugal ideas from others. And I thought I knew all there was to know on being frugal. Dear Diary, man was I ever naive!
Dear Diary, this past year I have come to celebrate more of the little things in life like visiting my favourite frugal sites on a daily basis; frugalshopper of course and getting the mail. Who thought one could get so excited about getting the mail and anticipating what the Postie might bring me today??
Well the reason I get so excited when Mr. PostMan comes, is because he brings me lots of free things which I have ordered over the Internet. In fact, just the other day he brought me a free coupon for an Uncle Burger at A&W, 2 magazines which were pretty much free; Glow and Canadian Home and Country, plus grocery coupons including a free product coupon for Pledge MultiSurface Cleaner and best of all 10 free product coupons for Herbal Essences Hydralicious from Matchstick. I can hardly wait to try this product and share some coupons with my friends & family.
Oh and I almost forgot, he also brought me some shoe/boot cleaning product from a NikWax instant win contest. And this product came just in time for me to clean up our winter boots and hopefully store them away for another year.
Mr. Postman I can hardly wait for Monday.
ta ta for now
frugaldebb
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Frugal Eating
Dear Diary,
From my entry title, you're probably thinking I'm going to write about how I can help you save money on groceries.
Well you're wrong, sort of... let me explain.
Since the beginning of Lent, I've given up eating foods such as chocolate, cookies, ice cream, cake; pretty much anything sweet. And it has been going pretty well. Actually the more time that passes the less I crave these foods.
But the thing is, I've been having these dreams of eating decadent and rich sweet treats just about every night. One night it was Belgian chocolates, another night sweet sticky buns and last night Belgian Chocolate Fondue. These dreams have been so realistic that I actually feel like I have eaten these foods without really having eaten them. Upon coming out of my dream, I have a sense of guilt for having indulged and not following through with my commitment, but that moment of guilt is very brief.
So in a sense I've been having my cake and eating it too! All the pleasures of indulging without the consequences of calories and costs etc etc. Pretty frugal eating isn't it??
But I'm not suggesting you eat this way; having dreams like mine are probably pretty slim.
On another note there is a way to save on groceries and that is through the use of coupons. One of my favourite sites to get grocery coupons is save.ca It is a great source for coupons; you pick the ones you want and they send them to you in a timely manner. At this particular site you can get food coupons as well as non-food item coupons. Sometime when a new product is being introduced to the market, they offer a free product coupon. And if you combine these coupons with in store sales you can get some pretty amazing deals. Need I say more.
good night
frugaldebb
From my entry title, you're probably thinking I'm going to write about how I can help you save money on groceries.
Well you're wrong, sort of... let me explain.
Since the beginning of Lent, I've given up eating foods such as chocolate, cookies, ice cream, cake; pretty much anything sweet. And it has been going pretty well. Actually the more time that passes the less I crave these foods.
But the thing is, I've been having these dreams of eating decadent and rich sweet treats just about every night. One night it was Belgian chocolates, another night sweet sticky buns and last night Belgian Chocolate Fondue. These dreams have been so realistic that I actually feel like I have eaten these foods without really having eaten them. Upon coming out of my dream, I have a sense of guilt for having indulged and not following through with my commitment, but that moment of guilt is very brief.
So in a sense I've been having my cake and eating it too! All the pleasures of indulging without the consequences of calories and costs etc etc. Pretty frugal eating isn't it??
But I'm not suggesting you eat this way; having dreams like mine are probably pretty slim.
On another note there is a way to save on groceries and that is through the use of coupons. One of my favourite sites to get grocery coupons is save.ca It is a great source for coupons; you pick the ones you want and they send them to you in a timely manner. At this particular site you can get food coupons as well as non-food item coupons. Sometime when a new product is being introduced to the market, they offer a free product coupon. And if you combine these coupons with in store sales you can get some pretty amazing deals. Need I say more.
good night
frugaldebb
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Bzz Agent
Dear Diary,
There is something about me that you don't know about. I am a secret agent of sorts but it won't be so secret once I tell you about it.
For your eyes and ears only, I'm a BZZ Agent. Well you may ask what in he double hockey sticks, is a BZZ Agent. Well a BZZ Agent is someone who gets to try new products but promises to BZZ (tell others) about them in return. Being a BZZ Agent has many benefits such as getting to try new products, getting free product coupons and discount coupons and points which you can exchange for gift cards. I have had the opportunity to BZZ about many things including: Oreo Cakesters, Crest Whitestrips, Nabob Cofffe, Eggs, Silk Soy Milk and Nordica Cottage Cheese. All you have to do is BZZ and write a few reports about your BZZ experiences.
It's a win win situation. Sometimes you learn about new products that you never thought about trying. But once you try them for free, you find you really like them. If you would like to check out BZZ Agent go to BZZ Agent.
goodnight frugaldebb
There is something about me that you don't know about. I am a secret agent of sorts but it won't be so secret once I tell you about it.
For your eyes and ears only, I'm a BZZ Agent. Well you may ask what in he double hockey sticks, is a BZZ Agent. Well a BZZ Agent is someone who gets to try new products but promises to BZZ (tell others) about them in return. Being a BZZ Agent has many benefits such as getting to try new products, getting free product coupons and discount coupons and points which you can exchange for gift cards. I have had the opportunity to BZZ about many things including: Oreo Cakesters, Crest Whitestrips, Nabob Cofffe, Eggs, Silk Soy Milk and Nordica Cottage Cheese. All you have to do is BZZ and write a few reports about your BZZ experiences.
It's a win win situation. Sometimes you learn about new products that you never thought about trying. But once you try them for free, you find you really like them. If you would like to check out BZZ Agent go to BZZ Agent.
goodnight frugaldebb
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Highlights of The Week
Dear Diary,
I have been pretty frugal all week so please forgive me if I wasn't too frugal on Saturday.
What happened on Saturday you may ask???
Well I went to the Princess of Wales theater in Toronto to see The Sound of Music; so that wasn't exactly a frugal thing to do now was it?
While it was by no means a frugal thing to do it was a Christmas gift so I didn't exactly have to pay for it.
Although my dh paid for the tickets, I guess I ultimately did too but my point is... it's o.k. to do some not so frugal things.
You just have to figure out what you really want to do and splurge on those things that you want most in life. You might have to give something up along the way but if you really know what you want it's worth it in the end.
And was it worth it you bet it was! And in this gloomy economy I bet you can get your hands on some cheaper tickets to see the show. I would highly recommend it! It's a real pick-me-up!
On another note, the past couple of weeks have been good to me.
After a contesting dry spell; I managed to win 4 small contests; 1 Lou Lou Beauty Lottery Win of Hair Care products, 1 Yummy Mummy Win of fitness dvd's, 1 Viewer's Choice Win of a T-shirt and a winter hat and 1 Family Channel Win of a Kids Prize Pack.
Here's to next week; can't wait for what's in-store for me.
frugaldebb
I have been pretty frugal all week so please forgive me if I wasn't too frugal on Saturday.
What happened on Saturday you may ask???
Well I went to the Princess of Wales theater in Toronto to see The Sound of Music; so that wasn't exactly a frugal thing to do now was it?
While it was by no means a frugal thing to do it was a Christmas gift so I didn't exactly have to pay for it.
Although my dh paid for the tickets, I guess I ultimately did too but my point is... it's o.k. to do some not so frugal things.
You just have to figure out what you really want to do and splurge on those things that you want most in life. You might have to give something up along the way but if you really know what you want it's worth it in the end.
And was it worth it you bet it was! And in this gloomy economy I bet you can get your hands on some cheaper tickets to see the show. I would highly recommend it! It's a real pick-me-up!
On another note, the past couple of weeks have been good to me.
After a contesting dry spell; I managed to win 4 small contests; 1 Lou Lou Beauty Lottery Win of Hair Care products, 1 Yummy Mummy Win of fitness dvd's, 1 Viewer's Choice Win of a T-shirt and a winter hat and 1 Family Channel Win of a Kids Prize Pack.
Here's to next week; can't wait for what's in-store for me.
frugaldebb
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Frugal Laundry
Dear Diary,
Okay okay, I haven't blogged in a couple of days but it's not from lack of blogging material. I've got plenty to blog about.
Today is such a lovely day; almost feels like spring is here at last. And spring's arrival brings the opportunity to hang your laundry on the line to dry. It's good for the environment, it's frugal and there's nothing like the outdoor scent of line- dried laundry.
So guess what I'm doing today; you got it right hanging my laundry outside to dry.
So see you later, my laundry awaits me.
frugaldebb
Okay okay, I haven't blogged in a couple of days but it's not from lack of blogging material. I've got plenty to blog about.
Today is such a lovely day; almost feels like spring is here at last. And spring's arrival brings the opportunity to hang your laundry on the line to dry. It's good for the environment, it's frugal and there's nothing like the outdoor scent of line- dried laundry.
So guess what I'm doing today; you got it right hanging my laundry outside to dry.
So see you later, my laundry awaits me.
frugaldebb
Monday, March 2, 2009
Frugal Hobbies
Dear Diary,
There are many hobbies out there but mine is contesting; not sure if contesting is a word. But I do contest; not sure if contest is a verb either. But contesting is my frugal hobby. Today I came home and found my contesting had paid off in a small way. WooHoo I won two contests today; Lou Lou Beauty Lottery, $19 of hair products and Yummy Mummy, 2 fitness dvd's cardio and pilates.
Oh by the way Canada Post also brought me a $5 rebate for buying frozen pizzas on sale with coupons of course. What a day!
Good Night
frugaldebb
There are many hobbies out there but mine is contesting; not sure if contesting is a word. But I do contest; not sure if contest is a verb either. But contesting is my frugal hobby. Today I came home and found my contesting had paid off in a small way. WooHoo I won two contests today; Lou Lou Beauty Lottery, $19 of hair products and Yummy Mummy, 2 fitness dvd's cardio and pilates.
Oh by the way Canada Post also brought me a $5 rebate for buying frozen pizzas on sale with coupons of course. What a day!
Good Night
frugaldebb
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