So with the spirit of raising my girl on the cheap, I wrote yesterday about my winning 4 tickects to the Argo game for tommorrow afternoon. After talking it over with Roo we passed these tickects on to another family that are HUGE Arogo fans, so we passed that win forward. Now instead just down the street between Greenwood and Coxwell you will find us at the Danforth Family day that goes from 11-2..I think Roo will have more fun at that...and it too is FREE!
Friday, September 7, 2007
What's Going On in the City
So with the spirit of raising my girl on the cheap, I wrote yesterday about my winning 4 tickects to the Argo game for tommorrow afternoon. After talking it over with Roo we passed these tickects on to another family that are HUGE Arogo fans, so we passed that win forward. Now instead just down the street between Greenwood and Coxwell you will find us at the Danforth Family day that goes from 11-2..I think Roo will have more fun at that...and it too is FREE!
Thursday, September 6, 2007
A Good Cheap Day
Today is an example of a cheap day in my house:
Got a phone call this morning from our local community newspaper( insidetoronto) that I won 4 tickets to Saturdays Argo game.
Then I went to dominion to go grocery shop as they had chicken quarters and Rice Krispies on sale..While there I used there Fresh or Free to pick up $17.57 in FREE groceries: carmael rolls, fresh orange juice, peak freens cookies, carmel teas and a candy treat for Roo all for FREE
Monday, August 27, 2007
Menu Monday- Ramen Noodle Stir Fry
So here is another cheap recipe that we use when things are lean
Ramen Noodle Chicken StirFry
First I buy chicken breasts in bulk( I can often get 8 on sale for less then $12) One breast is good for one meal for me and Roo
So Chicken enough for your family
2 pkgs for RAmen noodles ( we sue 1)
Frozen chineese veggies( for us about 2 cups worth)
Seasoning mix(from Noodle pac)
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Morning Talk with Roo
Thursday, August 23, 2007
So much to do, What are Your Weekend Plans?
Down on the Harbourfront there is Taiwan Ilha Formosa which is a free event, with music and the like to celebrate the beautiful island.
Over in the St Lawrence Market area is one of my favorites of the summer-Buskerfest! There are 40 performers strutting there stuff and all for a good cause too.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Back to School -- Are You Spending Too Much?
- Bratz Backpack 9.99 (Walmart)
- Pencil Crayons-24pack 1.68(Walmart)
- Crayola Crayons-24 pack 1.16(Walmart)
- Ruler(big one)-.99(Shoppers)
- Bic Pens-FREE (scoped)
- Erasers-8-$1 (Dollarama)
- Pencils-12-$1( Dollarama)
- Socks-$5.97 (Walmart)
- Looseleaf Paper-2pkgs-$.98(Shoppers)
- Markers (FREE from a friend)
- Folders( using some left from last year so no cost)
- T-shirt$3.99( Disney Store)
- Long Sleeve Sketchers Top $3.99(Value Village)
- Long Sleeve Cute Monkey Top$.99(Value Village)
- Long Sleeve Gap Top$3.99(Value Village( tags were still on it)
- Beige Gap Pants $7( Ages and Stages)
- jeans$5(Zellers Clearance)
- grey Lasenza Girl crop sweat $3.99(Value Village)
- Jeans FREE gift from friend
This is what she is starting the year with as well as what is already in her closet. By setting a strict budget I was able to stay in it, and shopped for sales all summer long. As well Roo didnt need new rummers as I bought her sone on sale in the beginning of June, that she has hardly won as it has been the summer of the flipflop! I am finding there are lots of back to school sales but to be cheaper then cheap, think you dont have to outfit your child in NEW, new to them is just as dandy. Roo is all set, how about you are you ready for back to school yet?
Oh and the total spent was with taxes and all $54.22--Yeppers $20 under budget cause I didnt buy new runners!
Friday, August 17, 2007
Friday Freebie
Thursday, August 16, 2007
So what are You Doing this Weekend?
Monday, August 13, 2007
Menu Monday-Yummy Bean Corn Salsa
1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup corn kernels (I use either fresh or frozen; not canned)
½ cup chopped red bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
3 Tbsp. lime juice
8 green onions, chopped
2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
½ t salt
½ t ground cumin
It’s this simple: chop and dump. Refrigerate overnight to let all flavors blend. I seve this on nachos, and some times add this to nachos and cheese for a light dinner, and serve a salad on the side..
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Come this Weekend to my Neighbourhood
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Cheap Equals ECOGEEK!
Going green has actually SAVED me money..yeppers. Any money I have spent at all I have reaped the benefit from..
The 5 easiest ways to go ECO GEEK for me have been:
1. SHUT OUT THE LIGHTS: by actually turning off the lights when not in a room, and puting my computer and entertainment center on power bars that I actually shut off and unplug when not in use I am saving power and money. It so far has been my easiest..did you know it takes less then 1 minute to program a VCR and DVD player.
2. WALK and WALK: if we can walk there in less then 1/2 hour we are walking the distance instead of taking the bus, and we are only using taxies for big grocery days or if medically needed. By not having a car think of the money we save!
3. GO CFS--by changing the light bubls to these we have saved more then I put out to buy them in the first place.
4. RECYCLE and REUSE-we have been very supportive to the city's recycling program and have gotten our garbage usage down to 1 bag every 2 weeks. As well we have shopped garage sales and second hand stores for those things that we need..You can call my place vintage chic!
5. Buying LESS PACKAGED goods..I have been trying to shop the outsides of the store and go less with the packaging, and of course I am briinging my own bags( bought 3 bags for $3) and they will last a LONG TIME, and I am saving the landfills of some packaging and plastics.
So you can see it is quite easy and cheap to go ECOGEEK! I had written about this very topic on Bloghers Act's Facebook group and was so amazed when today who comments on what I have written but the KING of the Canadian GREEN team--David Suzuki! Why not check out his challenge HERE and really go GREEN with the rest of Canada..I will be writing more about going GREEN on the cheap as the year goes on.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Menu Monday
It has been HOT here in Toronto so on HOT nights we like to have a COOL dinner and one of our favorites is to have a SALAD night..
Our Favorite is this Pasta Salad
Cook enough pasta for family ( for us that is half a bag) and we use the wheels as that is Roo's fav shape.
Italian Dressing
Turkey Pepperoni
Green Peppers
Cucumbers
Tomatoes
Yellow peppers
Throw all together in a big bowl..
For us this is enoug for a light easy dinner..if not enough for your clan add rolls and butter that way you dont have to cook anymore then is absolutely neccesary
This is a quick and easy fav of ours and for dessert we had Strawberries and Icecream, yum!
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Beating Summer Boredom
Now for the cheapies she has a great long list and if you would like to take her list to help you get thru the dog days of summer you can:
- go to the splash park
- go swimming
- go to the library
- watch a dvd
- play FREE games on the computer
- write a letter
- draw with chalk
- play with homemade playdough
- play in the sand
- weed the garden
- water the garden
- clean Norman( our pet fish)
- play with her barbies
- paint a picture
- learn a new recipe
- play with bubbles
- Swiffer for mom
- play with water toys in the tub
- go for an adventure walk in the neighbourhood
- go to the beach
- fly a kite
- play soccer
- ride her scooter
- play with bubbles
- make a collage
- do sheet wrok
- do Mad Libs
- play a board game
- practice Scrabble so she can beat mom
- create a page for her scrapbook album
- water paint outside
- do a science experiment
- walk the nieghbour's dog
- build a marshmellow creation
- make a puppet
- build a puppet theatre
- put on a play
- play dress up
- put on music and dance
- and my favorite take a nap!
This is not all on our list but it might help you start your own, it sure is a good cheap way to break the summer time boredom blues.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
So much to Do for FREE this weekend (or for a good price)
First of course it is Caribana here in Toronto this weekend. The parade is on Saturday and starts at 10 am...get there early and get a good spot, maybe one near the food vendors cause the food is GOOD and not that expensive either. If you want to see all that is going on for caribana at Ontario place this weekend take advantage that is 680 NEWS day at Ontario place and you can go for $6.80..
If you not wanting to be part of the nearly million that will take in Caribana, there is still much to do..
Friday night you could hit Downsview Park and watch a movie for FREE..this week it is Happily Never After or perhaps you prefer the arts the FREE GAllery on Queen St has a great display called Two by Two that shows the lives of refugees. As well the Ballet in the park that I told you about last week here is still going on.
There are lots of FREE music events all across the town..There is the Irie Music Festival down at Nathan Phillip Square or at Queens Park. At Harbourfront if you dont want to get the caribeen feeling at CAribana you have Caribeen Soul.
So lots to do on this long weekend ...enjoy it all everyone! On Monday I will be starting something new here at cheaper then cheap...Menu Monday..a great inexpensive recipe great for families will be shared! Hoping to make it a regular feature of the blog.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Mail a Letter for FREE
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Cost of Being Sick in Toronto
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Are You Planning Your Weekend Yet?
One of my favortie summer time events is the Beaches Jazz Festival. It is this weekend. If you are going to it may I suggest you pack a lunch as if you want to eat at one of the restraunts in the area, you have a LONG wait to get in. As well dont forget to bring a blanket, as the festival is so close to the water it might be great to make a day of it and hit the beach and not just Queen St where most of the action is.
One site I check for great kids activites all summer long is kidsummer.com .Tonight there is a great free event The Ben Show, tomorrow 2 kids can get in FREE at the Toronto Zoo with a $20 adult admission.
If you like ballet there is Ballet in the park,they are doing Cinderella at Etienne Brulé Park July 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m.
If you like things from the SouthEast Asia then you want to get to Masala! Mehndi! Masti! down on the Exhibtion Grounds. There are over 80 free events and lots of great music.
And if you are out in Brampton there is always Summerfest at Gage Park on Sat and Sunday.
Isnt there lots to do on the CHEAP! Roo and I have been trying to figure out what we are doing. On Sat Roo is going to a birthday party( her gift for Birthday boy is movies passes that I got for FREE, how is that for a cheap present). Then sat eve I do think we will go down to the Beaches for an hour or so. After church on Sunday we may go to the ballet in the park which I would think would be a great way to bring ballet to a lil girl.
Well time to go, it is a hot day here in Toronto so we are headed to one of the many FREE pools that Toronto offers thru parks and rec for an enjoyable afternoon in the water and sun.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
SCOPing at Shoppers
Cheaper then Cheap-Becoming a Frugal Canadian Mom
There are so many ways to have a simple fun life in this city and save money at the same time. So as I journey at becoming a frugaller, a reuser, and a contestor why not join me on my journey!
To let you know about me : solo parent of one special needs child here in Toronto, learning fast what it takes to make money last. As well by sharing what I learn it may help you and me both out in the long run, so let this journey begin!
Expect stories of using SCOP,coupons, FOFing, great sales, contests, free events in the city and every other way I find to save a dollar here and there!..As well I will examine some ways to possibly make some money and stay at home as well!
So come with me my fellow readers and may we become the queens of frugalness!