Savings in the Every Day

 This has been a cold month.  Very very cold. Again that equals savings for me.  I don't like going out, so I'm not tempted to buy anything.  I also get creative with the freezer and the pantry.  Found some chicken drumsticks last night that were looking pretty frosty.  They were ok.  I tried a new recipe that was meh, but edible.  The salad made up for it.

Our groceries have cost a wee bit more this last month as I am only buying local.  In doing so have found some new brands that I really like, so that has been a win.

Personal expenses this month that were voluntary:

Party decor for grandbaby. (I will be able to reuse most of it for many years and I bought it on sale)

Starbucks for coffee out with a friend

Grabbed some frozen veg for kid #1 that they were out of and the store was on our way. (I don't expect $5 to reimburse me)

That comes to under $35 for Feb.

BUT there is a gift to kid #3 for travel.  Didn't get to go with the school like my other 2 kids because of both sports and covid.  So there is a trip planned that I will give 1/2 the cost.  This comes out of my "Kid account" that I have had for almost 15 years.  Separate from my everyday chequeing and savings.  I funnel any reimbursed expenses in there.  When kid #2 needed a vehicle I was able to help (only $1000 needed) without affecting my other 2 accounts at all.  In fact as I look back in my blog I think that I used this account for most of my older 2's travel expenses too.  So I will happily assist without affecting my savings plan.

The party will have 10 people for dinner.  I think I will just do the same menu as xmas day.  Turkey and all the fixin's.  It was easy to do much of it ahead of time + leftovers for me and the man for several days.  Plus I sent the kids home with a small lunch container.  I will need to buy a turkey today and then get it unthawed. 

Today its supposed to warm up to -20 C.  So I won't need my boots that come up to my knees, only my ankle boots! It makes it easier to walk around the store.  Maybe costco and I can grab some coffee too.  I didn't sleep last night, so I have had a very late start today after having a morning nap.  Still have wet hair this afternoon.  Thank god I didn't have to go to work.  I would have been a zombie and then more than exhausted for the rest of the week.  I've had a relaxing time typing this out, sitting in the sun from the window and not feeling guilty.

Now I'm going to do some yoga, read my book, do something with my hair and get my breading for the fish ready.  The man works with a fellow that has done a lot of ice fishing this year and the very cold lake pickerel is so good. Plus he fillets them perfectly.  Such a treat.  I think we have about 5 pounds from him.

The good things:

Savings

Babies

Sunshine and a glimpse of warmer weather

Things that suck:

GERD at night

Putting up with the news.

Low Spend Month

 For the month of January grocery expenses were under $300!!  It wasn't that hard when there is only 1.5 people to feed. There were only 4 trips for groceries mostly gingerale fresh fruit and veg. One was for  a few road trip snacks. I am not a big eater.  You wouldn't know that by all of the weight that has added in the last 5 years.  To that I give all of the credit to menopause and stress.  I'm still 15lbs over what I would like to be.  That isn't thin, that is just fit into my clothes better.

I also only had the older kids and grandbaby over x1 meal.  With the sickness that the man had I didn't want to spread it to the kids.  For that meal I only needed a few fresh vegetables.  Everything else was freezer and pantry.

This month will be a bit more as there is a big birthday with family I'm hosting and the man has his appetite back.  I grabbed a couple small beef roasts on sale as they are good for at least 2 meals for us.  They were $10 each.  Last month I got a tray of chicken breasts $5 off at Costco.  I divide them into bags of 2 after I hammer them /tenderize them flatter and remove the icky tendon.  Tonight is Honey Garlic chicken with noodles and broccoli.  Leftovers for tomorrow with a small salad.

Last night I made 2 doz gluten free banana muffins with a new recipe that called for some almond flour and sour cream.  They turned out awesome!  You cant tell that they are made with the gf flour.  As a bonus it cleaned up the frozen banana wasteland in the freezer and used all of the soon to expire sour cream.  They would be even better with walnuts or pecans but I had neither.  I also can't eat chocolate anymore as that seems to exacerbate my new autoimmune rash.  But chocolate chips would be great.

My love of reading is back in full swing it seems to be directly related to how cold it is outside.  Example -30 = lots of reading!!  In January I finished 4 books, and I'm starting #2 for Feb.  My genre is mystery and thrillers now.  And almost all women authors. Last year of my 25 books read only 2 were written by men. John Grisham (because none of my ordered books were ready yet and I do like a good lawyer story) and a highly recommended to me: Timothy Egan "A Fever in the Heartland".  A fictional book based on real events.  It explains much about below and somewhat here above the 49th parallel.  It was a very enlightening read.

Some of (my opinion) best reads in the last couple of months:

Ask for Andrea by Noelle H Ihli  

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (I know that I am late to the hype on this one!)

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera

Our travel was survived (barely) with about 18 hours of driving there and back (including 2 pitstops).  I drove 4 hours there and 2 hours home.  The man came back and relapsed with his health.  He went to the mediclinic and came back with a mega dose of antibiotics for a week.  After 2 days he's better.  Our hotel had a small kitchen, I didn't cook, but the full sized fridge was nice instead of the little ones that always seem to freeze everything you put in.  I brought some food and snacks from home. So I was able to have a nice salad for dinner one night and milk for my cereal stayed cold. There was always coffee/tea/hot water plus a flavoured water available for guests in the lobby which was really nice. Also the coffee maker in the room.  So that saved a trip to starbucks.  There was a free daily big continental breakfast but with my dietary restrictions now I didn't have much.  The man ate pancakes bacon and eggs every morning.

Our kid did great!  It was nice to see him playing well and enjoying himself.

Well I need to get back to my doing "retirement things": laundry, cleaning, yoga session, reading and getting lunch (egg salad sandwiches) and dinner ready.  I may just add a little nap too :)

Things that are great:

kids

grandkid

trip away was not as $$ as feared

when a new recipe is better than you hope!

Things that suck:

the hellscape to the south

my parental units

If one more person asks "What do you do all day?" "Aren't you bored?" 

Cold Snap and Finding a Few Dollars

 A quiet patch.  Some sort of bug had a hold of the man.  Not good.  I have washed my hands 1000 times, cleaned and cleaned (with gloves on) and sprayed disinfectant on all shared surfaces.  I also have done all the cooking and the cleanup.  Which wasn't bad at all, considering he didn't eat real meals for several days.

I had to learn to run the snowblower (wasn't hard) plus do all of the everything.  But he seems to be over the worst of it today. He's way behind at work but him stressing about it is worse than the actual work required. 

A text from kid #3 today that we will need to travel to a tournament he is in.  Might like to fly there instead of a  800 km drive.  UGH!  Then hotels and meals. ugh.  We have the funds, I just don't really like going there.  In thinking about it, the car rental or taxi/ubers would be way more than the gas to get there.  Also, if it's -30 I don't want to be hanging out waiting for some random car to take me where I need to be.

I caught up on some errands.  Library, Credit Union, Bank, insurance broker, pharmacy and groceries.  Plus did a 30 min yoga session. Sitting in the sunshine now, appreciating the quiet.  I pulled out some frozen chicken breasts for tonight.  All of my meal planning that I did for last week turned out to be for only 2 small meals.  I made them so that the fresh vegetables didn’t go bad, and then I ate the leftovers. Ugh (I dislike leftover anything except chinese food and chili and that isn't what I made!) Tonight I'm using the Chefs Plate recipe, but with all of my own stuff. Chicken with garlic mashed potatoes and fried zucchini. The broccoli is looking a little wobbly so we will have a lot of greens.

Need to do a Costco run, but the big carts are too hard for me to maneuver with my back and shoulders.  (Its the turning) I used up all of my brown sugar, need paper towels and tissues, sweet potatoes and grab some chicken thighs. When the man is back to normal we will go some evening next week.

We did a little outing and met up with another couple that I haven't seen for 4 months.  It just didn't work out to get together with them. Again the "what do you do all day?"  "Whatever I want"

Watch movies, do laundry at 2 pm instead of all evening, take my time meal planning and cooking.  Have a nap, read a book, go for coffee, yoga, cleaning, meditating, more deep cleaning.  Take family to medical appointments, play with babies.  Endless options really.

I do not miss work one bit.  I met up with a couple of former coworkers and I really want no part of the frustration and constant do more with less time and resources. 

In my errands the other day I closed out an account that was about to become inactive.  I was using it for insurance reimbursements for many years.  Now that I'm retired, I dropped my optional extra coverage that I had through work since the man has way better coverage than I do. I didn't get a paper or electronic statement, I just had it in the background, knew about it but just "turned a blind eye" for 8 years.  I thought it had a couple thousand in it.  I was happily wrong!  I have enough to buy my yearly TFSA and put a good dent into maxing my RRSP amount for 2024!  Whoohoo!

For some reason as well, my parental units gifted me a significant amount after New Years.  When I asked what was the occasion, I didn't get a straight answer. Nothing comes without strings attached so I am quite leery.  That too will be invested.

Travel this year is being put off. Perhaps back to the west coast, or see the east coast of Canada. The time will be spring.  I've been to the east coast of the US a couple times, but not here.  I think I would like the Cabot trail.  But we will see.  I have nothing but time to plan!  I love seafood so either coast is awesome with me!!  I have a folder on my computer adding tours/restaurants/hotels to.  Its fun! 

I need to meet with my investment guy for our pre-tax season plan. This time the man thinks that he should maybe do some RRSP's to avoid paying tax this year.  A lot is unknown as to how my retiring partially through the year will affect things.  I just find it all so very very dry.  I have to make myself pay attention.  That's the reason that I started this blog forever ago.  Track where I have been, and plan for the future.

The good things:

Unexpected bucks!!

Babies 

Things that suck:

-30

wicked virus' going around

Reset, Relax and Rethink

 2025 will be my year of no rushing.  I hate rushing to go/do anything.  It stresses me out and makes me very irritable.  I'm 5 days in and so far so good.

The holidays came and went with a flurry of cooking and cleaning.  I am in envy of those that can somehow pull off a meal for 20+ people!  I cooked for 10 for 2 days and I was flat out exhausted on the 26th.  I was also sleep deprived and cranky.  Getting 4 hours of sleep a night is not a good foundation for 2 days of hosting.  

The sleep trouble = teenager.  

There is another baby added to the family on the mans side.  Quite the fiasco so far, but the babe is healthy.   The dad is an obnoxious jerk that I can barely tolerate.  So lazy, selfish and outright mean to the wife.  I was secretly hoping that they would split up before any baby came along.  Nonetheless I will be supportive to her and the baby, and not stir up jerkface.  I have a very strong feeling that I will be doing quite a bit of babysitting.  She's not able to take the full maternity leave that we have here in Canada of 1 year as they are completely broke and would likely lose the house.  (But at least he can drive his brand new $80,000 truck) Seriously.

I continue to do yoga at home, just stream it to the t.v. for sessions daily.  I haven't found a particular person to follow yet.  I'm quite limited with my old injury so still finding the right fit.  

The temperature here is beyond cold.  I can't get outside to walk.  Well I could if I wore a total snowsuit. But I don't want to!  We are still looking for a nice vacation spot.  I don't want to go back to where we were last year.  I'm thinking a tour of sorts. But first we have to make sure that the teenager that deprives me of sleep is set.  Also had word today that one of my parents fell on the ice.  Big splat apparently. Nothing broken, just very sore.  That's all I need right now.  Jeeze.

So today I am turning up the furnace, I have a giant pot of chicken soup getting started, I'm going to stream a yoga session and then get started on one of my books.  I have 2 waiting for attention.

I used to drop everything and rush in to help anyone and everyone.  I need to step back.  There is a book "The Let Them Theory".  I think this needs to be incorporated in my thinking.  Stretching myself as thin as a wire until I break is not healthy.  Others can step up for once.

The good things:

my soup

my yoga

grandbaby

Things that suck:

Family dysfunction and denial

my parental units

Hanging out solo

I am debating with myself on making a shopping run today.  Its after noon and I still can't decide if I want to brave the elements.  I don't have a set plan/gift list so that is holding me back.  I know when I see it, is how I like to shop, but its too cold for a casual browse driving all over today.

We spent last weekend with kid #3 who is happy as a clam and flourishing in fresh surroundings.  He makes friends so easily I am envious! It was a struggle in the early Fall, but some changes happened that needed to, and now back to normal.  

This is a quote that I have on my phone 

That is not how I was raised. I was the opposite. So I have tried to break to cycle.  Everyone always can improve themselves, and we are all works in progress, but I have my kids going the right direction I think.

Christmas is still in the air as to who will be here on what day.  As I complained last time, the menu depends upon who is here.  It makes a big difference if you need dairy alternatives or can just use the milk and butter!  I'm trying not to stress out and keep it simple.

I'm also not going overboard on gifts.  The kids all would prefer cash, so that's what I will do.  Plus a couple of little household things to wrap.  (Like some dishtowels, k-cups that sort of thing)  I will likely get dh some clothes, but he needs to be there to try them on.  He needs jeans and shoes so I don't want to guess on size and fit for those.  Grandbaby will like the wrapping paper and bows more than the gifts, so it will be something small.  The mom has made a list online so that all the toys fit with the house esthetic* (same colours and same manufacturers).  hmmmmm.  OK.  Whatever.  I will get from that list.  I have lots of toys here that are old, but well loved and brightly coloured.  They can be played with here at grammy's house! 😊

The kids and dh keep asking what I would like.  Seriously I don't even know.  There are a couple of stores that I would buy myself clothes at but dh can not do anything like that. I am embracing my comfy clothes era.  I don't need dress clothes anymore.  I think that I would like a keurig coffee machine.  One that you can make a little 5-6 cup pot of coffee or by the single cup.  My oldest has one and likes it a lot for the 2 of them.  Other than that - I would only like maybe a book.

My spending and savings continues to be as I anticipate.  I am saving about $500+ per week of my pension after planned spending accounted for.  I still plan to max out my RRSP contribution for the year as well as my TFSA.  I'm in a perpetual state of flux regarding the house.  We stayed at a lovely home on the weekend with a beautiful big bright kitchen.  I am envious. I would love a bungalow with a nice kitchen.  I'm still looking. 

I'm running solo for the next couple of days as dh is travelling for work. I am very happy with eating a salad or a sandwich or a bowl of soup so I will get my fill while he's away. Plus he can have all the greasy fast food crap that he loves.  Its a win win!

On that note I will get the next load of laundry going, boil a couple of eggs for my salad and do some dusting.  I'm feeling chilly, so I should try and get moving.

The Good Things:

Happy Kids

Easy meals

Retirement

Things that suck:

The very ridiculous parental units

The maternal unit that has rapid cognitive decline

Its freezing cold!

Snowed in equals Savings

We have made up for not having any snow yet this winter by getting a huge wallop!  Since Thursday last week I haven't left the house.  Today we are going out and will find a live christmas tree.  The tree lots have been pretty empty as the big snow dump that we had has slowed down the trucks delivering.  Going nowhere is a savings.  I’m not buying any new Christmas decor with the exception of a new scented candle as I used up the old one.  I would also like a Christmas mug for coffee, but I haven’t come across any. I don’t want to order one as I like to feel them out! Maybe some pyjamas. Mine are always in the wash because of my night sweats.

This last month has been the first time that I had to fill a prescription since retirement.  The pharmacy I go to is only because I get "points" it isn't because the staff is on the ball, or good in any way with what they do!  I'm covered with dh's plan now.  They couldn't comprehend that and charged me full price.  Now the receipt needs to be submitted to insurance for a refund.  That could have all be done easily by a competent person at the counter.  The person working that day I have come across before and they are very ignorant, I didn't have time to explain it 17 times, so it will be submitted online.  There are no local drugstores anymore it seems.  Old Galen has bought them all.  My old Shoppers Drug mart used to have wonderful pharmacists that knew people when they came in, spoke to them about their prescription, asked questions, did some education.  It closed, so I moved to another. Now it is handed to me by a "tech" that is rushed and in a huff about god knows what.  They barely check that I'm the right person.  The "Pharmacy Supervisor" (That's on his name badge) isn't a pharmacist.  He's supposed to oversee something - I don't know what exactly.  The billing maybe. What I do know is that he has very smelly BO and he's difficult to understand. I need to ask some neighbours maybe if they go anywhere else and if its good.

It looks like I am having christmas here.  I'm happy to have the kids and grandkid, but the prep isn't exciting me at all.  The in-laws will land here too.  There are so many food restrictions that it makes ordering in for the 24th impossible.  That also translates to a difficult menu to plan for the 24th and 25th.  No gluten, no dairy, no carrots.  My family doesn't whine about food but the dh, his dad and the bil/sil do. I'm in no mood this year.  They better not test me.

For Shrek fans there is a line in the movie that has always made me laugh (many did) but it was "I'm a donkey on the edge!" I will unleash the dragon.  I'm there.

My savings continue to grow and I'm still adding monthly to a high interest savings account, then I will max out my RRSP and TFSA for this year in Feb 2025.  I moved into some GIC's in the summer, only choosing the 1 year option as they had the highest rate, and I still don't know how long we will live in this house.  Being retired, I won't qualify for a mortgage so cash is available.  But that is the backburner.  I look at houses daily and there isn't any market here for buyers.  I am looking to downsize and want a fantastic kitchen and entertaining area.  No such thing so far!  There is also the option to build.  But finding a lot in nice quiet area like I am now with parks so close comes at a ridiculous premium.  The good thing is I'm not in a rush, so when the time is right I can do it.

Meanwhile I need to continue to purge out closets and cupboards and storage rooms.

The good things:

Smell of a fresh tree

Afternoon naps

Babies that are learning to walk and give kisses

Bags and bags of donations and recycling and garbage are finding their way out!!

Things that suck:

rude people

A Pause and Reset

Retirement hasn't felt like retirement.  Or what I think that it should feel like.  It feels like time off.  That I should still be packing a lunch and getting up with an alarm when Monday comes around.

I wrapped up my final work shift with a long and boring day. I wasn't around the dingbat manager, it fact had zero interaction.  I was back to my previous area and didn't recognize more than a couple of people.  There has been major staff turnover.  Its very different now.  The staffroom is very quiet at lunch with everyone staring at their phones or they have headphones in.  Years ago it was always lively fun conversations.  I enjoyed the lunchroom and looked forward to it. Learning about what everyone was doing, their kids, hobbies, travel, latest recipes, new restaurants etc.  My last day it was cold and quiet.  Those that spoke, did so in tagalog.  Not somewhere that I want to stay or that I miss now gone.  The comradery was gone, the friendliness was gone. It was awful. 

I would like to be out for daily walks.  Nope.  I was waiting for a foot MRI, but have declined. At least I'm not limping as bad as I was!  I don't want to have surgery, so I'm hoping that I will get better on my own.  It is improving daily.

I've had 4 medical appointments this month. (None have been for me!  haha) I am fortunate or maybe they are fortunate that I have the ability/time to get them where they need to go! 3 family members so far and hopefully everyone will be on the mend.

After this last appointment accompaniment for elderly family I needed to extend my care for them to three days. I went back to my parental units. It was something.

I told my DH that I will not return until there is a significant adverse event. It was torturous. Wildly out of touch with the realities of the mothers memory impairment. Mean, vile and hateful towards everyone. EXCEPT still able to put on a fake show of being pleasant when a person stopped by to canvass. Good to see that hasn’t changed since I was a child. I was relieved to come home. 

Me being at home has helped the grocery budget.  The last 2 weeks I have been very diligent about menu/leftovers and we have eaten very well.  I have dietary changes to manage an auto immune rash, it limits eating out for the past year and makes it a necessity to cook at home. 

I've decided that I'm in a time of reset or pause.  I'm going to allow myself to rest, to zone out, or to be involved as much or as little as I want.  The kids are all doing their own thing and I need to find my thing.  I have some stuff planned for next week that could be a major change.  

Today was my first pension payment.  It is just what I thought it would be.  But I also have more No Spend days than other days.  This month so far are 18 no spend days.  Not being able to walk well, certainly curtails the shopping!  Plus I don't need or want anything other than food.  I do plan to purchase a little something for halloween for the grandbaby, but that will be a little toy (maybe).

I prepared for about 75 trick or treaters last night. It was a nice mild day here. The neighbourhood, like me has gotten old! Nice to see the kids and costumes but there were only about 50 kids. Even with quite a few new families that have moved in over the last year. Oh well, lots of treats for dh’s office. None for me as chocolate seems to be a bad food.  

Kid 3 is home for a few days, it changes the quiet house. I will have the whole crew here for food and visit before he leaves. Makes my heart happy to have everyone around the table, also to have the laughter and joy that the baby brings. It’s restorative.  I’m already looking forward to Christmas!

I have a feature on my banking app that tracks money in vs out.  I’m still doing very well.  Saving diligently.  My investments are fluctuating, and the market is unpredictable right now. Just going to ride it out.

The good things:

Babies 

Mild fall 

Things that suck:

The parental units 

US election is clogging the airwaves here 

Feeling in flux 

But here is my tree that provides the best yellow in my yard. Then when the leaves drop, the bark is very pretty.  Year round display!